Forthcoming Bar to ‘Obliterate’ the Distinction Between Bartenders and Cooks

A good ol’ neighborhood bar promising a sizable food menu and a novel service model will soon open at 1233 N Killingsworth St. (formerly Eddie's Flat Iron Pizza), on the same block as the Garagista Wine Bar. WWeek reports Haymaker comes from first-time restaurateurs Dave Bertelo and Nick Brown and hopes to open this December.

According to the liquor license application, Haymaker will seat 46 total (12 outdoors) and operate daily, starting at 3 p.m. The menu will feature classics like wings, barbecue chicken, and sausages. Some dishes were designed with takeout in mind, with online ordering through the website. Drinks will be just what you expect from a neighborhood spot: cheap and craft beers, plus shots and cocktails.

At Haymaker, your bartender will also be your cook. Bertelo and Brown have developed a novel service model that “obliterates” the distinction between the two positions, so that all staff will carry out both jobs. To facilitate, Haymaker will have an open kitchen, with bar seating running along it.

The creative move could work, as the model shares some similarities with the one that appears to be going well at Park Kitchen. Speaking with WWeek, Bertelo explained, for it to be a success, it will be crucial to have as much of the food prepped and ready before opening each day. “We can show anybody how to do chicken wings,” he said.

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