This popular downtown Phoenix burger counter has permanently closed. Here's what we know

The coronavirus pandemic claims another Phoenix restaurant. Commander Hamburger, the casual concept from acclaimed chef Bernie Kantak, had a five-month run in downtown Phoenix near Roosevelt Row before it closed in March as part of the statewide, mandated closures.

That closure is now permanent, restaurant co-owner Andrew Fritz confirmed to The Arizona Republic on Aug. 3.

The restaurant closed because of the mandated shutdown, coupled with reduced business and event traffic downtown, and the marches and protests, Fritz wrote.

"We could not restore the location to its prior business levels safely or with consistency," he continued.

"We are working on a virtual restaurant version of Commander Hamburger, with the original, full menu. And, exploring options for the brand’s physical store presence in the future."

What was Commander Hamburger?

Commander Hamburger debuted in October 2019 at the Churchill, an open-air food court located on the northeast corner of First and Garfield streets in downtown Phoenix. The Churchill, constructed with repurposed shipping containers on the outside, is home to several locally-owned bars and shops, including Sauvage and Cosas. 

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Kantak and his business partner Fritz, who run In Good Spirits Hospitality Group, opened Commander Hamburger as their first foray into counter-service, casual dining. The duo helm two other Valley restaurants, Citizen Public House and the Gladly.

Designed with a comic theme, Commander Hamburger offered a concise menu of burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, tater tots and Kantak's famous "Original Chopped Salad." The food counter also offered soft serve sourced from Danzeisen Dairy, a family-run dairy farm in Laveen Village.

The Original Chopped Salad, a version of Commander Hamburger's signature burger, are both available at sister restaurants The Gladly and Citizen Public House, Fritz confirmed.

What's going in next at the Churchill?

Kell Duncan, co-owner of the Churchill, said his team is looking to fill Commander Hamburger's vacancy and already have four groups interested in the space.

The space is designed as a restaurant, so it will be a food concept for sure, he said. A locally-owned restaurant would be ideal, to be aligned with the other businesses already at the Churchill, he added.

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While the Churchill's dining spaces are closed, restaurants there such as Freak Brothers Pizza and Foxy Fruit Acai Bowls & Smoothies are open for takeout. Next week the Churchill plans to launch a to-go cocktail and beer program with So Far, So Good and the Brill Line.

Got a tip about a restaurant closure or opening? Reach the reporter at Priscilla.Totiya@azcentral.com. Follow @priscillatotiya on Twitter and Instagram.

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