Boardwalk Fries Burgers Shakes whips up Winnipeg debut

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This article was published 19/07/2024 (418 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A new Winnipeg business is proving you don’t need sand or water to draw people to the boardwalk.

The Boardwalk Fries Burgers Shakes chain celebrated the grand opening of its first Manitoba location Friday. The restaurant, which offers “low-cost fast casual” food, is located in the Westdale neighbourhood at 6650 Roblin Blvd.

Franchisee and manager Garry Cheema opened the 1,690-square-foot restaurant, which is sandwiched between a Liquor Mart and No Frills in the ParkWest Shopping Centre, on May 25.

Business has been good since then, he said this week, thanks to promotion via social media. Cheema ramped up those efforts in advance of the grand opening celebration Friday.

“It’s been a fantastic response,” he said. “It feels really good.”

Maryland-based entrepreneurs Dave and Fran DiFerdinando started the brand in 1981, inspired by the lightly-salted french fries they ate during the hot summer days they spent at the state’s famous Ocean City Boardwalk.

Today, there are 750 Boardwalk locations internationally, including 22 in Canada (according to its corporate website).

The Winnipeg location is one of six new Boardwalks slated to open in the country this year, according to a company spokesperson.

Cheema worked as a chef in East Indian restaurants for 10 years prior to becoming a Boardwalk franchisee.

He was attracted to Boardwalk because the brand prides itself on offering fresh, made to order food. Ingredients are never frozen, he said.

The Boardwalk classic burger — which features the brand’s secret sauce — and the parmesan garlic fries have been bestsellers so far, Cheema said.

The shakes have also been a hit, with children gravitating toward the chocolate and cookies-and-cream flavours and most adults choosing strawberry cheesecake.

Cheema and his six employees had their hands full Friday afternoon, as a steady stream of people filled the restaurant during the lunch rush.

People made their orders under a string of white-and-baby blue balloons above the cash register.

After finishing a burger and tater tots, Charleswood resident Chinyere Asagwara said she was happy overall with her experience at Boardwalk.

“I thought the customer service was really great, despite it being really busy,” she said. “I hope it does well.”

Herb Hajer, who was eating lunch with his two granddaughters, agreed. Hajer lives in the area and has been anticipating Boardwalk’s opening.

“I think they’re doing a bang-up job for the number of people they have in here … The line moved right along and the food’s fresh,” he said. “We will be back.”

The location is advantageous for Boardwalk, as there aren’t many options in the area for people looking to grab a quick meal, Cheema said.

“It’s a positive thing for the plaza and for the community,” said Navjot Singh, an insurance broker who works two doors down from the new west Winnipeg restaurant.

“It’s nice to have a lunch spot nearby.”

Boardwalk’s grand opening celebration continues today, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The restaurant is offering buy one, get one free deals on all burgers, fries and shakes purchased in store.

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca