Buffalo: Steer Restaurant offers half-price 'mega burger'

Late-afternoon classic focuses on people getting out of house, jobs

The Steer Restaurant and Saloon has introduced a half-price burger to springboard its relaunch – and lure back customers.

The Main Street mainstay in the heart of the University District in Buffalo reopened in April after a six-week shuttering. It maintained revenue the past six months with efficient takeout offerings and use of its two patios. But as the weather cools and people move inside, owner Tucker Curtin and his two chef sons introduced "The Steer Pandemic Burger Special.”

The offering is available from 3-5 p.m. seven days a week, for as long as the COVID-19 pandemic lasts.

A press release said, “The burger is designed for the teacher finishing classes, the trades person leaving a job site, or the at-home worker/teacher who’s had enough of indoors learning.”

“Who doesn’t like a great, big burger?” Curtin asked. “And we make them for carnivores and vegans. I’ve worked for months with my two sons to perfect this classic offering.”

Angus beef or housemade veggie “Buddha” burgers will be available at half-price, $6. The offer is limited to 100 burgers per day, to-go orders will be included, and the 100th burger will be free for one lucky patron.

After boarding up starting on St. Patrick's Day, the 51-year-old establishment set out to rebuild itself. The burger was the first menu item to be addressed. The Curtins started with 10 ounces of extra-lean Angus beef, expert seasoning and a famous grilling technique, mixed with patience.

The large burger takes twice as long to cook, but the result is a "dripping, juicy char-crusted explosion of flavors,” Curtin said.

The burger also travels very well and maintains temperature longer. The protein-packed, housemade veggie burger, back by popular demand, includes white beans, popping fresh herbs and toasted sunflower seeds.

The restaurant ownership, which employs 20 with a goal of 35 full-time workers, hopes customers will recognize the burgers’ value and expected demand, as it’s first-come, first-served at the $6 price.

A press release noted, “The Steer features beef, but the restaurant actually specializes in comfort vegan. It is one of the few places where vegans and carnivores break bread together.”

The eatery is open from 3 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week, for socially distanced eating in, or taking out. Masks are required when not eating and drinking. The bar has partitions built in, so customers can “belly up,” but stay protected. And the restaurant installed hospital-grade MERV-13 air filters that are changed every 30 days, instead of the recommended 90 days.