Overview
Since early 2022, Auckland residents who love a good burger joint (or happen to be big fans of the extensive Mark Wahlberg film catalogue) have eagerly awaited the opening of the first-ever Wahlburgers restaurant in Aotearoa. Well, it's finally happening.
As of March 2023, the US burger chain owned and operated by the three Wahlberg brothers — chef Paul and his brothers Donnie and Mark. Yes, that Mark — is here. While you won't see the Hollywood A-lister working on the grill, a visit will get you up close to a burger concept with 50+ locations worldwide, including four in Australia.
The new Auckland store is on Princes Wharf and will supposedly be the first of many. Other planned locations include the United Cinema site (the burger chain is partnered with Event Cinemas) at Bayfair Shopping Centre at Tauranga and another in Queenstown.
Regarding the menu, to start, obviously, are burgers. There's a meat-free Impossible burger that's been dubbed 'Mark's choice', plus a barbecue bacon burger that bears his fellow actor brother (and ex-New Kids on the Block member) Donnie Wahlberg's tick of approval. There are 13 options in total, with two types of chicken schnitzel burgers, a crispy fish option, and a truffle burger which pairs a beef patty with truffle aioli.
If you want to add on some sides, the menu offers up salads, French fries and sweet potato fries, fried pickles, onion rings and bacon mac 'n' cheese, and loaded versions of your favourite fries.
Drinks-wise, you've got soft drinks, coffees, shakes and spiders in both booze-filled and booze-free varieties. There's a drinks list with 17 types of cocktails, a small selection of wines, and beers that include Wahlbrewskis, the chain's signature beer.
To check out the brand-new burger joint, head to Princes Wharf, and for more information visit the website.