NEW YORK – Bareburger partner Michael Pitsinos spoke with The National Herald about the chain restaurant’s success, on the occasion of the grand opening of a new location at 103 W. 14^th Street near Union Square in Manhattan.

The first Bareburger was opened in Astoria in 2009 by a group of Greek friends who wanted to produce and serve superior quality burgers at reasonable prices. The response was huge and in less than a year, a second Bareburger opened in Manhattan. Today the company counts more than 38 restaurants in New York, Connecticut, Ohio, New Jersey, Toronto, Tokyo, and Frankfurt.

Over six months ago, Bareburger opened in Los Angeles, specifically in Santa Monica. One is due to open shortly in Miami.

One of the Bareburger’s six partners, Pitsinos left his hometown Athens about 19 years ago for New York in order to go to college.

“I got my BA in business-oriented industrial psychology and my MBA in finance and business administration,” he told TNH.

“Immediately after I graduated, I worked at the United Nations, at the Security Council and General Assembly. I was striving to become tenured and get a permanent position, but ultimately, I was dissuaded by the bureaucracy of the UN. Consequently, I became a banker at JP Morgan and Citigroup. The money at the big corporation was great initially, but the value system and satisfaction was diminishing year after year.

“Before joining Bareburger,” he continued, “I was looking for a different kind of challenge, something outside of my comfort zone as I think it is the best way to grow wiser. The Bareburger opportunity came and along with it the risks and responsibilities multiplied. Nonetheless the reward of facing the daily challenges became immense.”

What makes Bareburger so special is the high quality of the ingredients being used in meals . All the meats and vegetables are organic and all natural. Also, variety is key.

The Bareburger customer has the choice of beef, chicken, turkey, bison, elk, duck, or wild boar meat for a burger.

All Bareburger meats are free-range, pasture raised, humanely raised, antibiotic, and gluten- and hormone-free. There are also many vegan options on the menu like sweet potato and wild rice, black bean, and farmers quinoa patty.

Customers have further options in building their burger by choosing from among an array of buns, patties, cheeses, veggies, and extras.

As for beverages, organic shakes, beer, wine, and more than 20 specialty cocktails are served.

Organic and healthy ingredients, great food quality and super reasonable prices are the reasons why Bareburger is considered to be one of the most successful and popular burger chain nowadays.

In fact celebrities like Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and John Travolta are some of the regulars.

(FLAVIA SGOIFO)