Jun 8, 2017 - Food and Drink

The Barcelona Burger & Beer Garden is now open in Mooresville

Katie Levans

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You’ve got another reason to make the 25-mile hike north to Mooresville for a meal.

The Barcelona, a burger bar and beer garden, opened late last month on Main Street next to Merino Home Furnishings.

The concept comes from restaurateur Michal Bay who also owns the wildly popular Aliño Pizzeria next door.

The Barcelona features a simple menu of burgers, rotisserie chicken and salads.

Burger options include grass-fed prime Angus beef or a hearty homemade veggie patty made with quinoa, black beans and walnuts.

I’ve eaten countless soggy, disappointing veggie burgers in my day and The Barcelona’s is anything but — sturdy, filling and flavorful.

Here’s the full menu:

On the beer front, expect assorted bottles from Spain, Germany, Belgium and Italy as well as local craft brew on draft.

The customer experience is super streamlined and service is quick.

Place your oder at the counter, take a number, grab a seat at one of the long cafeteria-style communal tables and wait for your food. It won’t take long.

Condiments, silverware, plates and to-go boxes are strategically placed at self-serve stations around the restaurant.

Barcelona is hardly known as a burger capital, but that didn’t stop the restaurant from attempting to embrace its namesake as a theme.

The walls are covered in soccer jerseys and FC Barcelona games are on loop on all the televisions.

“Barcelona is my favorite city – full of life, happiness and good food,” Bay said in a press release. “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.”