From Martha's Vineyard to Manhattan
Fat Ronnie's Burger Bar has opened at 303 6th Avenue in Manhattan's West Village, marking the New York debut of a burger concept with deep Harlem roots and a celebrity following that spans politics and entertainment.
The restaurant is founded by Reynaldo "Ronnie" Faust, whose family legacy traces back to his grandmother Maxine Faust, the country's first Black female union butcher. Faust worked alongside his grandmother at her Harlem restaurant before launching Fat Ronnie's in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts in 2013.
The Martha's Vineyard Original
The Oak Bluffs location became a draw for both locals and tourists, built on in-house ground Angus beef burgers using his grandmother's signature recipes. The Martha's Vineyard outpost attracted notable visitors including filmmaker Spike Lee and former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, along with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Juneteenth Menu
For Juneteenth, Fat Ronnie's is offering a limited-time Turkey Burger topped with pepper jack, BBQ sauce, and coleslaw for $14.95—described as a longtime customer favorite.
Why It Matters
Black-owned restaurant concepts with generational family narratives and established followings represent a growing segment in fine-casual dining. The West Village location positions Fat Ronnie's to capture both neighborhood traffic and the destination clientele that supported its Martha's Vineyard iteration.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
