Larchmont residents will have their fill of burgers until the cows come home with the opening of the village’s newest fast food establishment, MOOYAH Burgers, Fries and Shakes.
Although MOOYAH’s Larchmont location on Palmer Avenue is one of only two in New York, the chain, which opened its first shop in Plano, Texas in 2007, now has 93 operating locations around the globe, including sites in Canada, Mexico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Franchisee Anthony Grippo opened New York’s first MOOYAH location in Briarcliff Manor in November 2015, and is excited for Larchmont’s site to finally be up and running.
“This has been a long process, but I’m excited that we’re finally here,” Grippo said. “Hopefully we’ll be embedded in the community as a go-to place for Larchmont families.”
Grippo signed on with MOOYAH to open six locations in either Westchester or Fairfield County, and decided to launch his second site in Larchmont because of the village’s family-oriented atmosphere and lack of competing franchises. He said although the location has only been open since Monday, April 18, some customers have frequented the store several times, all with positive feedback.
Michael and Nancy Frugis of New Rochelle stopped into the shop for the first time on Monday, April 25 at the height of MOOYAH’s dinner rush, and said they were excited to try their first burger.
The restaurant buzzed with kids, teens and parents grabbing a bite or splitting a shake, and with each entering customer came a warm welcome from the staff behind the counter.
The store’s register and food pick-up station for guests who choose to take their meal on the go is separated from its dining area, but employees serve and interact with guests who opt to eat onsite, giving the restaurant both a fast food and dine-in feel. A large chalkboard mounted near the register labeled “Moodle Doodle” encourages kids to showcase their artistic skills, and the shop’s inviting red, black and white color scheme, paired with the exposed kitchen and burger station, offers a sense of transparency that fast food establishments are often criticized for lacking.
MOOYAH’s menu includes a signature burger, double burger, turkey burger and black bean burger assembled on in-store baked buns, along with salad options, fries, milkshakes and a kids’ menu.
Heather Tabachnick, manager of the Larchmont location, said MOOYAH strives to provide an exceptional product and customer service experience, and encourages guests to fill out a satisfaction survey so employees can determine the areas they can improve upon.
“We’re not just another place to eat; we’re here to be a community partner,” she said. “Our staff is a team and you can teach anyone how to learn the register and create a burger, but you can’t teach someone how to be personable and have a commitment to customer service.”
Tabachnick said that within the short time MOOYAH’s Larchmont location has been open, members of the community have commended her team on their hospitality and service. She said now that the location is established, MOOYAH is excited to make itself known throughout the community.
