Billy Burger and Bakery owners Billy and Sally McConnell, with combined food service experience of 50 years, opened their new restaurant Billy Burger and Bakery at Morgantown Crossing, March 30.
Located in the Walmart parking lot in the former Dairy Queen building, they hosted an official ribbon cutting ceremony and lunch for local officials and guests.
The buzz through the town was, “an eager public is waiting to taste the food and claim their first bakery in over 20 years.”
To answer the question is this another burger chain? Emphatically no!
The original Billy Burger was created in 2010 and opened its doors in West Chester. After two years the McConnells outgrew that location. Almost five years later, while receiving awards and recognition for excellence, Billy Burger and Bakery decided to make their permanent home in the Elverson and Morgantown area closer to their Honey Brook home and their daughter Emily’s Twin Valley school.
“We are proud and honored to meet you. Thank you for coming. Our #1 goal is to serve delicious whole foods and build a close relationship with our customers and community. We really want this to work in Morgantown and have invested so much in it. We feel the area needs to have a new and exciting alternative for casual dining that is locally owned, employed, and operated,” said Billy McConnell at the March 25 Ribbon cutting.
“This place is a little different. I am happy they decided to come to Morgantown. It will be good for the community, they are nice and friendly people,” said Morgantown Area Business Association VP of Membership Roseann Thomas, during the special event. She is a longtime resident and co-owner of A2A Service Vacs in Morgantown with her husband Joe. “I love it. I love burgers,” said Joe.
Other guests included Elverson Mayor Bob Broderick; Caernarvon Twp. Supervisor Chairman Allen Styer III also of Styer Insurance Co. Inc.; Caernarvon Twp. Police Corporal Joe Logic and Officer in Charge Sgt. John Scalia; SFC Harry Heater, Retired, local veteran; and salesman John Rosborough of Master Foods Distributors.
The guests were pleased to hear that all food is cooked to order with passion.
“I am a former Merchant Marine from a long military family. I have traveled quite a bit of the world and have captured the essence of food from 5 to 6 cultures such as Asia, and the Southwestern U.S., mixing it with local favorites we have created a unique menu for casual dining,” said executive chef Billy.
The menu ranges from char-grilled Angus Burgers: such as the Billy Burger, the Twin Valley, the Truck Stop with homemade slaw and waffle fries served on the burger and bun, Mesquite seasoned Ranch Burger, The Mac and Cheese with bacon, lettuce and spicy sauce plus more.
Homemade soups and sides, roasted veggies, fresh made cole slaw and chili along with 11 types of fries, 5 chicken sandwiches, lentil burgers, crab cakes wraps, quarter pound beef hot dogs including the yummy Morgantown and Chili Dogs. Also their signature beverage Birch Beer on tap, and hand dipped and chocolate milk, always ready to go.
Billy’s previous experience includes the opening of landmark Philadelphia restaurants such as The Manayunk Brewing Co. and Martinis Lounge as well as serving as Executive Chef at Downey’s and The Philadelphia Fish & Co. He was a Chef in Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Cape May, the Caribbean and South America.
His partner and wife Sally was a chef and baker at Whole Foods market, The Frog, Carolina’s, Jimmy Duffy’s Catering and an award winning baker at Billy Burger. Sally grew up mastering the art of baking from her Jewish mother. She uses no preservatives in her bakery, everything is made from scratch.
Cupcakes, specialty cakes, Lemony Snickit, Chocolate Nirvana (chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream, syrup and chocolate cookie crumbs, Brownie Bowls, sweet breads and loaves along with ‘The 1946’: a slice of homemade pie with coffee or ice cream, or both will take you right down memory lane.
Looking for homemade cookie trays? A 48 hour phone call away are Sally’s fancy and plain cookie trays for both the Jewish and Christmas holidays.
Everyone joined in the ribbon cutting ceremony in the front of the building at 11 a.m. as a long awaited spring day had finally arrived.
Each of the group was treated to their own individual lunch. Billy prepared the food and Sally served them to order in large baskets with black and white checkered napkins and large drink cups. Conversation was light and happy as each person held up their own pick of the day for approval. They were quickly gobbling down an array of food as they were deciding on what to order for dessert.
“The bakery end of the business will attract people here,” said Officer Logic looking at the pastry case.
“This is the first bakery around here in 20 years and on Saturday mornings they bake homemade donuts, it doesn’t get much better than that,” said Officer Scalia.
“These healthy choices and homemade recipes will be good for the community,” said Styer, Caernarvon Twp. Supervisor as he finished his lunch and Sally wrapped up a box of free baked goods for him to share with his office.
“We service no big chains. We’re a small family business carrying 203 thousand food products servicing Mom and Pop stores, delis, pizzerias, etc. I have worked closely with Billy and Sally for years helping them create this unique menu, and I wish them every success at this new location. I am in this with them and consider them my friends,” toasted John Rosborough.
“Your smiles are gracious and welcoming. There is a true sense of community here. We are so thankful to everyone that has supported us from West Chester to the Elverson/Morgantown area. You guys Rock!” said Billy
Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call ahead of time and drive up to pre-order pickup window 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Get coffee, pastry, or breakfast sandwich at pickup window 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
For more information visit www.billyburgerandbakery.com or at Facebook@Billy Burger and Bakery, and Twitter@BillyBurgerWC.