Celebrities and Athletes Come to Hingham for Wahlburgers Grand Opening

Celebrities and athletes came to Hingham Monday evening to get taste of the new Hingham burger restaurant, Wahlburgers.

Celebrity Owners Mark and Donnie were expected but they decided to surprise fans by bringing a few of their  friends. Among the special guests at the Hingham restaurant’s private opening were David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox;  Rob and Dan Gronkowski, Kyle Arrington, and Dane Fletcher of the New England Patriots; Danny Paille of the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins and former WBU champion boxer and Lowell native Mickey Ward.

Hundreds of fans lined up at the Shipyard to get a glimpse of Mark and Donnie, but the two brothers were sure to turn all of the attention to their brother Paul , the executive chef and co-owner of the burger joint.

Both Donnie and Mark raved about Wahlburgers new, all natural burgers and told the media something Hingham residents already know, that Chef Paul makes some great tasting food.

“He’s not a fake chef, he’s the real deal,” Donnie said. “It really started with Paul. Paul wanted to open a great burger joint in Hingham and once we all got involved, it kind of took a life of its own.”

Even though the Hingham burger restaurant has received national attention, Paul said he is not looking to make Wahlburgers a national chain just yet. He first wants to get the new restaurant off the ground in Hingham.

“The only person I am trying to compete with is myself,” Paul said. “The only thing I want to do is put out the best possible burger that I can put out.”

Mark Wahlberg said Paul loves burgers and feels especially excited to help his older brother open the restaurant of his dreams.

“As good as chef as Paul is, all he eats is burgers, and now he’s finally in his element,” Mark said.

Paul will cook up all natural beef burgers,  salmon burgers, french fries, and frappes.  He has created a special burger sauce and alcoholic frappes for customers.  

But with all the creative dishes and drinks, Donnie said the restaurant has chosen to use Government cheese for the burgers.  The unique ingredient is processed cheese that was provided to welfare and food stamp recipients in the United States, and Donnie said it is the type of cheese that the Wahlberg’s grew up eating. To the New Kids on the Block singer, it is a symbol of how the new restaurant will represent the Wahlberg family.

“We want to represent our family, we want to represent our home town, we want to represent our life experiences,” Donnie said.

Although the restaurant will not open to customers until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Mark said the burgers are so good that he ate four in one day.

On Monday athletes like Ortiz and Youkilis got first dibs on the burger.

“I haven’t seen a burger I haven’t liked,” Youkilis said. “As long as it’s medium cooked, it’ll be pretty good.”

Ortiz said he made the trip to Hingham on Monday because he enjoyed the Wahlberg’s other local restaurant, Alma Nove, and he wants to support the family.

Wahlburgers is anticipated to be approximately 4,367 square feet, with 120 seats that will serve traditional burgers, fries, hotdogs, and shakes. The doors will open Tuesday to the public.