Aliño Pizzeria has become a mainstay in Mooresville following its opening in 2015, known for pizzas made from the best ingredients, prepared simply.

Owner Michal Bay is applying the same philosophy to his new restaurant, The Barcelona Burger & Beer Garden. The restaurant is now open at Merino Mill, 500 S. Main Street in Mooresville, between Aliño Pizzeria and Merinos Home Furnishings. Hours are 11 am - 9 pm daily – or earlier if the 600 burgers and 160 chickens prepared each day run out. The menu was developed in consultation with cookbook author, TV personality, and recipe developer Chef Jenny Brule.

The Barcelona Burger & Beer Garden features fresh grass-fed, prime Angus beef with no additives in its burgers, served on potato buns. For vegetarians, The Famous Veggie Burger combines black beans, quinoa and walnuts with cheese, lettuce and roasted tomatoes. Soon, sauces for your burger will be available, including beer cheese, brown gravy, or truffle.

Other entrees include rotisserie chicken seasoned with herbs, available by the quarter, half or whole. Choose from favorite side dishes such as sweet potato fries, onion rings, fried pickles, and roasted vegetables. Within a few weeks, Bay also plans to add poutine, a side of fries draped with gravy and cheese.

Salads include the kale berry, a mix of kale, strawberries and blueberries in a pineapple vinaigrette. Additional seasonal salads and sides round out the menu.

Burgers start at $8 and come with a side. Chicken with a side starts at $8 for a quarter. Whole chickens with three sides are available for a family dinner. The chicken is marinated overnight and every burger is freshly prepared - no freezing done here.

For the beers, look for a bottled assortment from Spain, Germany, Belgium, and Italy, as well as local craft beers on tap. Don’t like beer? Go for sangria, wine, or cider. Vanilla and chocolate milkshakes will also be part of the menu.

The Barcelona seats about 250, including outdoor patio seating. Diners can see their meals being prepared in the open kitchen or watch international soccer on TV. The space will include a small market with charcuterie, cheeses, chickpeas, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar for making creations at home. Meals are also available for takeout.

Why that name? “Barcelona is my favorite city - full of life, happiness and good food,” Bay says. “I chose Barcelona because of all the good memories. You wouldn’t necessarily associate the city with great burgers, but I’ve had many there with friends.”

To find out more, check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thebarcelonaburgerbar/ .