Rob and Maggie Wasserman, whose burger on the menu at Rouge on Rittenhouse Square is an institution, are branching into the burger biz.
They're planning 500° for a first-quarter 2010 opening in a storefront on Sansom Street just west of Roy's at 15th Street.
Rob Wasserman said they got a taste during the Rittenhouse Row festival in May, as they sold smaller burgers by the hundreds. He says he worked with his vendors to drive down the cost of ingredients, while maintaining quality. (Goal is to serve 4- to 7-ounce burgers for $4 to $4.50, and to price a burger, fries, and shake meal for $10.) The look will be comfy-upscale, Wasserman says: wood, metal, and marble. About 20 people will sit inside; most business will be take-out. There will be no liquor/beer.