When pandemic closes a door, open a takeout window

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This article was published 12/06/2021 (1931 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Prairie’s Edge is expanding its horizons. The upscale restaurant in Kildonan Park is now serving picnic-friendly fare from a takeout window emblazoned with retro diner-esque red-and-white signage.

Dougie’s — named after Prairie’s Edge owner Doug Stephen — is the brainchild of chef Grant Danyluk, who has been with the eatery since 2019 and was looking for a way to make use of the restaurant’s existing to-go window while the dining room grappled with ever-changing pandemic restrictions.

Smash burgers and fries were the answer.

“I think it’s the best way to cook a burger,” he says of the method, a patty that’s been squashed flat on a hot grill, resulting in faster cooking and crispier meat. “And it’s quick… that was really important for having this window work in addition to the dining room, because if you’re gonna have a normal burger that takes 10 minutes to cook on a flattop while you’re trying to cook brunch for 150 people on the same flattop, it wouldn’t work logistically.”

The Dougie’s classic smash burger is served with two thin patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles and mayo.

Danyluk and sous chef Adam Mysak started playing around with the concept last summer. The window was well-received by passers-by and they decided to establish the fast-casual burger joint as its own entity this year.

“As it went on longer and longer, it needed to be distinguished from the restaurant,” he says.

The new facade went up on the Peguis Pavilion last week and Prairie’s Edge general manager Brian Unick has already had to reassure at least one regular that the pond-side restaurant is indeed still open.

“Prairie’s Edge is still here; this is just an actual face and identity to our takeout window,” he says. “We’re a very in-house experience: the nice view, the nice room, the nice food. That doesn’t always translate to takeout. Whereas with this window, and all this food from Grant and Adam, it works; they can come there and go for a walk in the park.”

Public parks have been a refuge for Winnipeggers during the pandemic and vendors have started adapting to a different kind of clientele. Over at Assiniboine Park, the Park Café has also started offering casual takeout snacks and Cargo Bar has become a popular pop-up patio.

During the summer, Prairie’s Edge can usually count on a spike in customers drawn to Kildonan Park for Rainbow Stage shows and the outdoor pool. Theatre may be on hold for the moment, but the park is as busy as ever. While Danyluk and Unick would love to be serving fine dining meals to tables celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, it’s impossible to ignore the growing appetite among park-goers for less pomp and more convenience.

“I think a fixture that will last after (the pandemic) is more of a utilization of public outdoor space,” Danyluk says. “Before, people would maybe think, ‘Oh, where am I gonna sit?’ but people have just been making it work for the last year.”

Unick agrees and believes they’ve struck the right balance with Dougie’s.

“You want to have that quality, but you want to be comfortable,” he says. “This is for… families or people out for a nice day and they just want something quick.”

Beyond smash burgers, the menu at Dougie’s also includes a fried chicken sandwich, veggie burger, poutine, corndogs, hot dogs, chicken fingers and ice cream treats.

The eatery is hosting a soft opening this weekend with a full launch planned next week. Follow @dougieswpg on Instagram for updates.

eva.wasney@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @evawasney