BurgerFi across from UK opens soon with burgers, beer, cocktails

Gourmet burger chain BurgerFi plans to open its second Lexington restaurant late this month in the revamped Coliseum Plaza at Rose Street and Euclid Avenue, across from the University of Kentucky.

David Rodriquez, the local franchise owner, who also owns the BurgerFi near Fayette Mall, said the new restaurant could open either Sept. 25 or Oct. 2.

The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. weekdays and until 4 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Rodriquez said.

Besides the full BurgerFi menu of all-natural burgers, hand-cut fries and extra-thick custards and shakes, this restaurant will sell beer, wine, margaritas and other cocktails, he said.

The Coliseum Plaza building, bought by Phil and Lee Greer in 2015 for $1.9 million, has undergone a renovation of at least $250,000, according to building permits filed with the city.

The BurgerFi occupies about 3,500 square feet, including a patio that opens onto the main seating area through a door that can be raised, Rodriquez said.

“It’s a beautiful location. ... UK is the heartbeat of Lexington, a big part of the community. Also, we love being close to downtown and Chevy Chase, and it expands the brand,” Rodriquez said. “Coliseum Plaza is a landmark for Lexington. We’ve put in upgrades that will take us quite a few more years.”

The renovated building also has Coffea, a popular campus coffee spot; Coliseum Liquor; and Bangkok House, a Thai restaurant.

“The place looks fantastic,” he said. “We’re finishing construction this week. It looks completely different. We’ve got monster TVs going up everywhere, so everybody can enjoy UK athletics. It’s been a labor of love.”

Rodriquez said BurgerFi owner Mike Miller, who played professional basketball for the Denver Nuggets, will be at the opening, along with “other celebrities.” There will be giveaways and prizes, he said.

Rodriquez said his franchise group is working on opening a couple of other BurgerFi restaurants in Lexington, including at Hamburg, with plans to open 14 more in the region.

The restaurant next to the campus won’t serve anything different, but Rodriquez had a suggestion: Try the Breakfast All Day Burger, with a fried egg and hash browns.

“Best of both worlds: burger and breakfast,” he said. “Perfect for that college student.”

This story was originally published September 7, 2017 at 9:07 AM with the headline "BurgerFi across from UK opens soon with burgers, beer, cocktails."