Burger Joint Amps Up Swing Theme With Car Show Saturday

, a retro burger joint in the Gateway Center on Franklin Turnpike, is revamping its look, menu and connection with the community.

The classic-style eatery is amping up its swing theme, and kicking off its new image with a car show Saturday.

Jarrett Russo, the restaurant’s new head chef and general manager, said he has slowly been implementing changes to the restaurant that he hopes to continue over the summer. “The whole idea is to make it more playful, and really more energetic than it already is,” Russo said of the revamping. “We really want this to be a place where anyone can walk in the door and have a great time.”

Shake and Sizzle will see some new decorations, with pictures and murals on the walls and swing music playing in the dining room, the staff will get new uniforms, and the menu will get a lot of additions. Shake and Sizzle has already started serving hot dogs, and Russo said the shop is planning to “serve a lot more different types of burgers. We are a burger place, we want to highlight that.”

The restaurant, which opened in August, has been slowly attracting business, Russo said. “The weekends are really good, but the weekdays are still getting there,” he said. He said he believes adding events to the restaurant will serve as an introduction to area residents who have yet to stop by.

“We really want to invite the Mahwah community to come here,” Russo said.

Shake and Sizzle has already started hosting open mic nights and bands playing live music.

This Saturday will mark the restaurant’s first outdoor car show. Patrons are invited to bring new or old cars, motorcycles and trucks to display in the parking lot. Servers will be going outside to take orders so car show attendees can eat outside, and the event will host a DJ and local music later in the day. Car show attendees are invited to stop by 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“It’s just a fun, free, family friendly event,” Russo said.

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