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When the long-awaited New York outpost of Philly burger joint PYT opens later this week at 334 Bowery, it might look familiar to the hordes of millennials who grew up watching Saved by the Bell. Inspired in part by The Max cafeteria where Zack, Kelly and gang would hang out, the restaurant evokes nostalgic '90s kitsch with a long white bar counter, a gargantuan burger mural and green Tolix-style bar stools. The squiggly neon light fixture uses a repurposed pool noodle, and a newly-installed video game console facade doubles as a secret door to the pizza speakeasy SRO.
On the menu, expect tricked-out Philadelphia favorites like the glazed Doh! Nut burger with chocolate bacon ($13) and the Cheesesteak Pretzel Roll Burger ($14)— which doubles up on queso with cheddar and "whiz wit" (cheese whiz) on a pretzel bun. For brunch, there'll be a spicy chicken 'n' waffles number, with chicken breast shellacked in maple aioli on a house-made waffle.
Most of the burgers fall in the $11–$14 range, with one exception: the Gotham-exclusive Reserved for Basquiat will go for a whopping $64 (owner Tommy Up insists it should be higher), nestling a primo 75-25 blend of Wagyu rib-eye sourced from butcher shop Japan Premium Beef around the corner.
Check out more photos below and ready those bellies for some seriously awesome burgers.
PYT NYCPhotograph: Liz Clayman
PYT NYCPhotograph: Liz Clayman
Donut cheesesteak at PYT NYCPhotograph: Courtesy of PYT