A steady line formed inside the tiny Del’s Charcoal Burgers at lunchtime on June 9, just three days after the 68-year-old restaurant reopened following a fire.
Regulars had been waiting on its return since April 25, when a grease fire shut down the historic restaurant — Richardson’s oldest. Officials declared the fire accidental and no one was injured.
The first days back open, June 6 and June 7, were record-setting days for Del’s, said owner Andrew Taherzadeh.
“They were easily our two busiest days ever,” he said.
The staff served 400 to 500 burgers for two days, a feat for the restaurant with a kitchen so small, its four staffers can’t move more than a few feet without saying “’scuse me.”
Customers who last visited Del’s more than 45 days ago might not notice a difference from then to now. It still has the same yellowing menu boards listing burgers, fries, tater tots and mugs of frosty root beers. An exposed air duct hangs above mismatched checkered tablecloths and lived-in wood chairs.
Look close, and Del’s got a new grill, flattop, deep fryer and stainless steel wall after the fire. A fresh coat of white paint on the cinder block interior brightens up the room.
“It’s otherwise pretty much the same,” Taherzadeh said.
Importantly, the chargrilled burger recipe hasn’t changed. Taherzadeh grew up here, as his dad, now retired, took ownership of the restaurant since 2003. But Del’s was founded long before, in 1957.
After the fresh paint dried, Taherzadeh’s team moved an old red street sign to a more prominent location. Fire Fighter Lane now hangs above the front door in thanks to those who extinguished the blaze in April.
Firefighers in uniform can eat for free at Del’s, Taherzadeh said.
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