Quincy native and freshly minted national burger champion Chris Allen is heading back to town, spatula in hand. Later this summer, he is set to open Birdies and Brews, a golf-simulator restaurant and bar at 4817 Broadway. Fresh off a Chicago-area Bougie Burger competition where he snagged the national title, Allen capped his win with a proposal to his partner, Amy Hendrian. The homecoming wraps up nearly a decade spent building kitchens in Nashville, Philadelphia and the Virgin Islands and drops a hometown-trained chef right back into Quincy’s dining mix.
From Two Burners To A National Title
Allen’s win came with a definite underdog vibe. He cooked on just two burners while some competitors rolled up with trailers full of gear, yet he still walked away with the Bougie Burger Battle crown. According to Muddy River News, Allen leaned on roasted bone marrow butter and specialty cheeses to build his winning burger and later called June 18 “the best day of my life.” Moments after the trophy presentation, he proposed to Hendrian, who said yes.
Inside The Bougie Burger Battle
The Bougie Burger Battle took place June 18 as part of Culinary Fight Club’s Season XI at Buffalo Creek Brewing near Chicago, where judges and the crowd sampled each chef’s burger. The event and lineup were previewed by the Daily Herald, while Culinary Fight Club lays out the live-format rules that end with one Bougie Burger Champion. Allen’s shoestring setup and surprise win are already echoing from the competition circuit back home in Quincy.
Homegrown Menu Meets High-Tech Tee Times
Birdies and Brews, which Allen is developing with the Grawe family, will launch with three golf simulators and a menu centered on burgers, rotating specials and house-made seasonings, according to Muddy River News. Allen learned the business in his parents’ Kriegers restaurant before leaving Quincy in 2017 and says he plans to revive familiar flavors and fan favorites, including wings and signature sauces. Guests will be able to book simulator slots or just drop in for food, drinks and some clubhouse-style conversation.
What’s Next For Birdies And Brews
Birdies and Brews is slated to open later this summer, with an official opening date and reservation details to be announced as construction wraps. For Quincy, the return of a native son with a national title, plus an on-the-spot engagement story, lands as a tidy bit of hometown good news heading into the season.
