White Hut has served its trademark hamburgers with fried onions in West Springfield since 1939.
Robert E. Barkett, left, and his brother Edward J. Barkett, right, owners of the White Hut at 280 Memorial Ave. in West Springfield, are opening a new store in Amherst.WEST SPRINGFIELD – White Hut, the city’s landmark burger joint, is opening a restaurant in Amherst, but don’t hold your breath waiting for any tofu burgers as it launches an outpost in the province of the politically correct.
The purveyors of the business plan to stick closely to their family’s recipe for success by not wavering from their basic burger menu.
“We decided it would be best,” Edward J. “E.J.” Barkett, who owns the Memorial Avenue eatery, said during an interview there Thursday.
“I have to admit I love our menu,” said his brother, Robert E. “Bobby” Barkett, who will own the Amherst venture with him.
Since 1939 White Hut has served up its legendary burgers smothered in fried onions along with french fries and soda. The 2-oz. burgers are made with hamburg from Arnold’s Meats in Chicopee. The hot-dogs are so-called Coney Island franks made with beef and pork from Grote & Weigel. A burger goes for $2.50, a hot-dog for $2.45. White Hut recently added soft-serve ice cream to its offerings, something it will also bring to Amherst.
Patrons sit around a counter on red bar stools overlooking a grill as attendants bark out their lunch orders. The decor of the restaurant is simple with terrazzo floors. Outdoor tables are a recent addition.
The look of the West Springfield White Hut will be transposed to the facade of the Amherst operation with a white stucco exterior with brick trim at 40-50 Main St. in Amherst. A mid-September opening has been set. The Amherst White Hut will occupy space formerly anchored by Newbury Comics.
The Barketts hope to duplicate White Hut’s success in Amherst and become that community’s burger burghers by appealing equally to the college and the townie crowd. Amherst has a large student population, being home to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College and Hampshire College.
“We feel our menu would be ideal for both populations,” Edward said. “It’s a wonderful town with wonderful people.”
Robert said the brothers are hopeful White Hut can carve out a niche in Amherst because although it has a wide variety of eateries it does not have one whose cornerstone is the burger.
“We’re very excited to become a part of the Amherst community as business owners and as new neighbors,” Robert said.
Plans call for having the Amherst business open seven days a week with late night hours Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Exact hours have not yet been set.