Mini-burger chain Burgerim is coming to Milwaukee's downtown

A California-based chain called Burgerim that sells mini-burgers will open its first Wisconsin store in downtown Milwaukee, at Old World 3rd and State streets.

The restaurant could open by mid-August, one of the franchisees said.

Burgerim sells about a dozen kinds of 2.8-ounce patties or fillets — beef, dry-aged beef, lamb, falafel, salmon, chicken, beef merguez sausage and others. Diners can pick a style of burger, with sauces such as barbecue or chipotle mayonnaise, and further customize them with toppings like avocado or fried egg for a surcharge. 

Zol LLC is leasing the former Cousins sub shop at 1001 N. Old World 3rd St. Founders 3 broker Hakan Hare represented the landlord, the John Hinkel Building LLC; Maximilian Yokosh, a broker with the Barry Co., represented the tenant.

The Zol partners opening the restaurant are Mohammed H. Mohammed, Mohamed A. Omballi and Mohammed S. Elhassan. 

Mohammed H. Mohammed said the partners found the concept appealing. "You can choose your own meat, your flavor. It's unique in that way," he said. "You get the options of trying multiple burgers" on the same visit, he added.

The mini-burgers are sold singly, in twos and threes, or in 16-pack boxes. Sides, wings, salads and desserts are also on a typical menu, although menus vary somewhat by location.

The Milwaukee location will have the full menu, Mohammed said. Like many Burgerim stores, it will have halal meat as an option.  

The restaurant, which will be decorated in white, black and orange, will be counter service, with seats at a counter and tables. It will have online ordering and delivery, Mohammed said.

Burgerim, which means "many burgers" in Hebrew, opened in 2011 in Israel and began franchising that same year. It has 32 stores currently in the United States; 147 are under construction, Mohammed said. 

In the U.S., they're in California, Texas, Nevada, Virginia, Tennessee and Florida. Besides Wisconsin, locations are planned in Maryland, New York, Georgia, Connecticut, Colorado, North and South Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Delaware, Alabama, Arizona, Nebraska and New Jersey.

Burgerim has been franchised in seven countries, according to the website.

The Burgerim location downtown is a short walk from the new Bucks arena; the building behind it houses another burger business, Point Burger Express, 322 W. State St.