By Emma Barhydt
In 2010, Seth Leifer embarked on a culinary journey with a vision of bringing a different kind of fast, casual dining experience to smaller towns, far beyond the shadow of corporate giants. His search led him to our picturesque town of New Canaan, right “out of a Norman Rockwell painting,” said Leifer, “just very Americana.” Partnering with John Gallagher in 2017, they rebranded their establishment as Press Burger.
Leifer shared, “We wanted to do something in a small town to bring food… Because those chains won’t go in there because it’s not worth
it for them. And also, a lot of the towns don’t want them there.” Press Burger fills this void with its commitment to being “fine fast casual,” a concept they have meticulously cultivated.
“We’re trying to be a cleaner, healthier, fast-casual,” noted Leifer. Leifer’s mission is to bring high-quality, fast-casual burgers into the spotlight, and sharing that feeling good both after you eat and about what you’re eating while still enjoying an amazing burger is an attainable goal. “We don’t put butter on the bun like a lot of the other places. Butter is great. Butter tastes great when you’re eating it. You don’t feel so good after, in my opinion,” Seth added.
What sets Press Burger apart begins with their commitment to quality sourcing. “The burger that you had is all grass-fed
beef,” Seth proudly remarked. This dedication to high-quality ingredients extends to their hotdogs, which are free from added nitrites or nitrates, milkshakes that are hormone and antibiotic-free, and their slate of homemade sauces.
While their ingredients are top quality, the heart of Press Burger’s unique approach lies both in their name and in their method of cooking. “We don’t smash the burger. We press the burger,” explains Seth. Their special griddle ensures that the burgers maintain their height and avoid becoming greasy, resulting in a thin patty that’s easy to eat and has a lot of texture on the outside, but still has some softness in the middle and doesn’t feel coated in grease. It’s all part of Press Burger’s mission to create a burger that you can enjoy multiple times a week without feeling weighed down.
Press Burger also goes the extra mile to cater to a diverse range of tastes. While a vegetarian option might not be expected at a burger and hot dog joint, according to Leifer, “once you try it, it’s one of the best things you’ll ever eat.” For those seeking a vegetarian option, they offer the” carrot dog.” Seth enthusiastically shared the secret behind this veggie delight, “We take a carrot, it’s a literal carrot, and we smoke it and add spices to it,
and that’s our veggie dog.” A delicious and innovative alternative, it’s a testament to their commitment to offering something for everyone.
Their carrot dog was a product of trial, error, and innovation, coming after a few iterations of a less satisfying vegetarian option. “We used to have a soy dog,” explained Leifer, “but we looked at each other one day, John and I were like, ‘I don’t want to eat soy. We don’t want this soy dog.’”
In 2020, amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Press Burger opened a second location in Wilton with a larger kitchen that allowed for the creation of homemade sauces and new recipes, benefiting New Canaan as well. “We have two kitchens there. We have the front kitchen, like we do in New Canaan, and then we have the back kitchen, which is allowing us to now do a lot more homemade stuff and stuff from scratch.”
The creative carrot dog was born in the Wilton kitchen, as are their sauces. “We do our own barbecue sauce, we used to bring that in. We do our own honey mustard, we used to bring that in.” Leifer explained how they transitioned from sourcing their sauces to
in-house production, a shift that elevated the quality of their offerings.
In addition to their culinary innovations, Press Burger actively engages with the local community. They have supported numerous local organizations, from the YMCA to swim teams, by donating gift cards for fundraisers. Seth proudly recalled, “I don’t remember a time we ever said no.” They also offer discounts to fire, EMS, and law enforcement personnel, with plans to provide food to local police departments and interact further with local sports teams.
“We are Seth and John, and we welcome you to Press Burger with open arms,” remarks their website… “We truly are grateful to have good people, good energy, and a good community join us at our local shop.”
