Globally-inspired burger joints are beginning to dot the Chicago-area map with the second opening in three months of Krafted Burger Bar + Tap (Krafted).
Born out of the belief that burgers can be elevated to include carefully selected ingredients that capture the tastes of everyone, Krafted will open in downtown Elmhurst (111 E. First St.), a bustling shopping and entertainment district in the western suburbs of Chicago.
To celebrate the highly anticipated opening of its second location, Krafted is offering its first 50 guests on Thursday, February 2 at 11 am, a coupon to redeem one burger a week for an entire year. Guests can also enjoy live music from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day, and the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce will commemorate the day with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 1:30 p.m. Entrance to Elmhurst comes on the heels of Krafted’s recent opening on The Bolingbrook Promenade.
In addition to the festivities, Krafted partners with the PR Foundation for the event. This national nonprofit organization raises funds to support no-kill animal shelters, veterans, and people with special needs. Chef Kabakoff, the world-renowned chef behind Krafted’s unique menu, is a co-founder of the PR Foundation. To show their support, Krafted Elmhurst will donate 25% of opening day proceeds and other direct donations to the foundation.
Located among Elmhurst’s best restaurants and across the street from the Elmhurst Metra (Chicago Commuter Rail) station, the new restaurant offers a chef-led menu. Chef Robert Kabakoff, along with co-owner and former Jimmy John’s CEO Gregg Majewski, created notable menu items including a variety of gourmet flat-top burgers, crispy chicken sandwiches, tavern-style pizzas, and salads. The burgers feature a variety of flavors including classics like American and bolder flavors like Greektown, with feta cheese, olive relish, pickled red onions, tomato, and harissa aioli. Other unique offerings include shareable items like tempura-fried cauliflower and twice-fried chicken wings, hand-battered fried chicken sandwiches, and wild pizzas like Cypress Hill, with fried chicken, spicy barbecue, tomato, and crispy fried onions. The Elmhurst location is launching with several enticing on-site specials: all-day specials, Monday-Thursday are different every day, from half-price pizzas and $5 pints on Mondays and Thursdays, $3 off discount on Kraft Chicken Sandwiches on Tuesdays and more. Krafted will also offer Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“After such a positive reception for Krafted Burger Bar + Tap’s first location in Bolingbrook, we knew our entry to Elmhurst would be well received by the community,” said Chef Kabakoff. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of designing the brand and bringing it to life these past few months. It’s completely different, combining tried and true American flavors with fresh, international twists.
It’s an honor to share this unique menu with Elmhurst residents while raising awareness and supporting an organization that is close to my heart in the process.”
Chef Kabakoff founded Krafted Burger Bar + Tap with the intention of reinvigorating American classics while including a chef’s twist without the pretentious atmosphere. Many of the menu item names are inspired by the places and people Chef Kabakoff has met during his travels, showing the thoughtfulness and variety behind the menu. Additionally, Krafted’s management team is working to identify additional growth opportunities throughout the region.
“Krafted Burger Bar + Tap is the kind of place residents can come to every week. We look forward to becoming a part of everyday life in the Elmhurst community,” Majewski said. “The concept burst onto the Chicagoland restaurant scene in such a short time, and we’re just getting started. Chef Kabakoff has been instrumental in bringing this concept from idea to reality and our entry into Elmhurst is a very exciting milestone to come.” along the way.”
For more information about Krafted Burger Bar + Tap, visit www.kraftedburgerbar.com.
