This past Wednesday, Burger Bytes opened for its first week of business. Originally, the business was set to open in January, but due to business preparations, the original opening had to be delayed.
“We had our final inspections late last week and received our license. We now have just a few equipment adjustments to make and staff training…” said Rich Steele, Senior Director of Auxiliary Services, a few days before the opening.
“I thought it was gonna take forever, but they actually were very fast about it, and they cooked everything very well.”
The restaurant offers a variety of options for Tech students. The options range from burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches chicken and sides, such as curly or cheese fries, a bowl of chili, or cole slaw.
“We have the burger menu along with hot dogs, chicken wings, chicken tenders and some sandwiches. The sandwiches are kind of unique to us which is really exciting, and we have an excellent pulled pork sandwich called 3 Little Pigs with pork, ham and bacon,” said Tarek Tay, the owner of Burger Bytes.
Burger Bytes intends to accommodate to student needs by offering quick service. The restaurant accomplishes this through the use of two registers that operate similarly to the Chik-fil-A registers and accept buzz funds.
“In addition, certain core menu items will be immediately available which will shorten the time to receive food. We are anticipating that Burger Bytes will be able to serve fresh food very quickly,” Steele said.
The Burger Bytes menu also has vegetarian options, such as the Roasted Portobello VeggieBurger and the Pimento Grilled Cheese in the sandwich menu. Curly fries, onion rings and coleslaw are vegetarian options that can be found in the sides.
“I thought it was pretty good, but the menu wasn’t exactly cheap. Of course, nothing on campus is.”
Burger Bytes has received mixed reviews from student customers. Some were pleased with speed of the service.
“When I first walked in, I saw huge line and I thought it was going to take forever, but they actually were very fast about it, and they cooked everything very well,” said Sina Mahzari, a fourth-year CE major.
“I thought it was pretty good, but the menu wasn’t exactly cheap. Of course, nothing on campus is,” said Brian Pogioli, a third-year AE major.
Tay strongly believes that Burger Bytes stands out among student restaurants on campus.
“The burgers are fresh-made, never frozen burger patties, all beef, so that’s something that nobody serves anywhere on or around campus,” Tay said. “Almost everything is made here in the house. All of our sauces for our chicken tenders, and even the chicken tenders themselves. Every sauce, every burger patty and all of vegetables are made, cut and prepared here.”