Stocked Burger Is Opening in Prospect Heights
CROWN HEIGHTS/PROSPECT HEIGHTS — After an electrical fire in 2016 shuttered their Vanderbilt Avenue business for 14 months, owners of Stocked Cafe, Matthew Fulton and Lesley Covitz were filled with emotion over the overwhelming support from their neighbors. Now, two and a half years later, the couple is opening another establishment and giving back with a brand new burger joint dubbed, Stocked Burger.
The 1,100 square foot eatery will replace a neighborhood favorite, Taqueria De Los Muertos, a Mexican restaurant at 663 Washington. Ave at the border of Crown Heights and Prospect Heights that closed in September after nearly a decade-long run. Fulton said he and his wife were big fans and were sad to see them go, but brokered a deal to take over the storefront.
“We’ve been wanting to open up another neighborhood place for quite a while and this just kind of happened,” Fulton told Bklyner during a phone interview.
The couple has lived in the area for eight years. With children in nearby schools and a business within walking distance of their home, they’re quite knowledgeable about the food culture in Prospect Heights.
“We felt that something in the neighborhood was missing,” Fulton said. “We wanted something a little different.”
Stocked Burger will seat up to 30 people. There’s takeout and burger lovers can order in from Seamless and Caviar as well. Fulton said they’re looking into organic, hormone and antibiotic free options. But for now, they’ll offer their own blend of ground chuck, ground short rib, ground brisket, and ground wagyu or akaushi (Japanese beef).
But it won’t be all about the beef. Thick cut fries will accompany their single to triple stacks of burgers, and they will offer veggie options as well.
One of their burgers is made with bone marrow as one of its ingredients.
“We taste tested it, it’s going to be amazing,” Fulton said.
They’ll also serve beer and wine. Community Board 8’s liquor licensing committee voted unanimously to recommend their application to the state’s liquor authority December 3. That means they’re well on their way to a late December or Jan 1. opening.
Most of their staff will transition from Stocked Cafe, but they’ll have room for new hires as well. Those interested can inquire here.
The restaurant will open from 5 pm – 12 am, Sundays – Thursdays. On Fridays and Saturdays, they’ll extend hours, from 5 pm – 2 am. The couple is looking to transition services to include lunch and brunch as early as spring 2019.
Patrons can expect a bit of a facelift from the former Mexican restaurant. Fulton and his crew laid new black and white tiles and painted the railings silver to match Stocked Cafe. They’ll add some decorative pendant lighting and paint the new spot in warm earth tones.
“We want a family-friendly place that’s open in the evening,” Fulton said. “We want a place where people can bring their kids, have a burger and fries and share a milkshake,” he added.
