I don’t think too many people know this who didn’t go to high school or college with me, but my nickname growing up was “Bomber” (because of my last name Baumgartner). In college, no one called me Matt. It was always, “Hey Bomber, pass me the bong”, or “Ask Bomber, he’ll okay beer pong”. (“He will?? But it’s Tuesday morning?”)
When Lynn Beaumont (now owner of Cheesecake Machismo) and I opened up Bombers Burrito Bar in 1997, it was cool to see “Bombers” on the sign. Back then, we used a lot of World War II photography as artwork and had Bomber planes dropping burritos.
Bombers Burrito Bar opened up on October 3rd, 1997. We were 23 years old. At the time, there weren’t any other burrito restaurants. There were no Moes, or Chiptotles, or Burrito Cousins, or Taco Brothers or Baja this and that. Yes, there was Taco Bell and many mexican restaurants, but the concept of a casual dining place that specializes in big burritos hadn’t hit Albany yet.
For the past 12 year and a 1/2 years, Bombers has been the greatest thing in my life. Through Bombers, I have met almost all of my close friends. It’s put food on my table and the table of about 120 employees. And when other businesses I’ve tried to start have crashed and burned (The City Voice, Noche Lounge, St. Matt’s Church and Vodka Bar), Bombers has always been there to pick up the slack.
Since 1997, we’ve been pretty busy at Bombers. Like any business, we have our slow times. But each year we manage to see a sales growth and, now having just added a new Bombers in Schenectady, things seem to be headed in a great direction for Bombers.
The Lark Street location, however, needs some TLC. Over the past 12 years, we’ve managed to beat the hell out of that poor kitchen and bar and walk in cooler. And we need to get them back into shape. Jimmy Vann (the main man in charge) has been begging me to close down for major renovations for YEARS, but I always had to put it off for one reason or another. The kitchen alone, looks like it’s gone through a war. We’ve done some patching here and there, but over all, it’s been non stop craziness since 1997. I mean, at the Lark Street location alone, we have managed to go through the following:
300,000 pounds of monterey jack and cheddar cheese.
200,000 pounds of black beans.
300,000 pounds of french fries.
and almost a MILLION 12″ flour tortillas.
I’ve worked in a few kitchens in my life, but Bombers is the craziest. Mainly because it’s so SMALL. and it can get so busy for such a small space. It’s awesome. It’s always bursting with energy and people, but it’s taken it’s toll.
So… we are closing to renovate Bombers Burrito Bar Lark Street from January 3rd – 27th. (so, for about 3 1/2 weeks.)
We’re gutting the kitchen and bathrooms, re-doing the bar, and making some really nice facade improvements. I’m really excited. It’s gonna be great. Yes, I’m nervous about shutting down for that long. But it’s needed. And we’re also making menu improvements and adding some new additions to the bar side.
Btw, if our renovation project throws some wrenches in your bnirthday plans, please consider trying Wolff’s Biergarten for your Birthday boot or the Bombers Burrito Bar in Schenectady. You can’t go wrong with either place.
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Please add a few urinals to the mens room! Thanks ;)
Hope it all goes smoothly (without the need for too much Xanax or Vodka!)
You opened the day before my husband and I got married! Twelve wonderful years all around!
Are there going to be grand re-opening festivities when the work is completed?
@ Cloudmystic…. 100% yes.
I think you should take time to design a really cute mirror/vanity set-up in the ladies’ room! You could glue down some fake beauty products and it would… oh, wait.
I am sure the renovations will go along just fine, just keep on them with regard to the time schedule, that is critical and is key to reopening on time and within budget, don’t let them get off by more than a few days. I hope you are planning some HVAC (thats heat and air conditioning) improvements. Good luck and I can’t wait to visit the new Bombers.
i am so glad your are renovating! it’ll be fine closing for that long, but be ready to get seriously slammed when you re-open.
Very exciting, good luck!
I’m curious as to whether or not the bar will be laid out differently so that during peak hours people aren’t so squished- I love, love, love Bomber’s, my only complaint is that sometimes I can feel like a sardine in there.
Congratulations on the renovations, I can’t wait to see the new changes!
where will i go for my wednesday night karaoke?
I cant wait to try the “new”Bombers! @#7,your friends missed you at the Biergarten this afternoon….:(
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Hey G-Dawg, what were you doing posting online when there were real-live people waiting for you at Wolff’s……..hey now!
Best of luck! And work safe!
Everyone deserves a makeover, even Bombers! Good luck with the improvements!
I’m totally gonna do a dance behind the bar when we reopen!
@#11 DB: JT Maxie’s on Wolf Road (http://www.bobbystillwell.com/maxies/index.html) they do karaoke every Tuesday thru Saturday.
Matt, what was Vodka Bar, The City Voice and St. Matt’s church? Not to rehash bad memories but I have just never heard of them.
Matt good luck with the work and how about when you open back up we go back to all movies all the time. There are tons of sports bars but there was only one bombers (well two now). It’s what made you different. Thanks
Good luck, need any help?
Oh man, I am bummed, was planning a birthday bar crawl this weekend starting with Bombers then Wolf’s, gotta rethink plans.
Good luck with the renovation!
I just read this now. I am not even going to lie I just cried a little. (Mostly because I’m lazy and I enjoy walking to have an after work Jimbo) Sighh can’t wait for the grand re-opening!!
Seeing the opening date makes me feel old! …Also, what are the chances the unWined glasses are still floating around? Best of luck with the reno, Glass MEOB #67 :)
Just wondering, are you paying your staff during their renovation “vacation” ?
@ bomberspatron…. some of them. Salaried employees, yes.
Other hourly employees are given odd jobs throughout the month to earn some extra cash. For example, two guys are showing up tomorrow morning at my house to brush my dog’s teeth and iron my socks.
-Matt B.
Matt if you’re looking for odd jobs for your employees; I can think of some very odd things for them to do……….;-)……oh people get your minds out of the gutter, I’m talking about household things…jeez.
It was inevitable. As soon as I walked past yesterday and saw renovations underway my stomach said, “Vegggie chickennnnn nnnnnugetttts.” So, basically, I won’t be able to get veggie chicken nuggets off the brain until Bombers reopens. Can’t wait to see the changes! :)
@ the Original Colleen. Do you need them to push all the dents out of your garbage cans?
Any plans to bring back the WWII bomber theme? Maybe a photo of the old Bomber girl who was painted on the wall? I miss the dive-iness of old.
Though obviously I’d rather you guys do well financially, than satisfy my craving for grunge decor. :-P
@#29, Matt Baumgartner, Ha – very funny, mine are hard plastic and since that little incident of me running into them (over them) with my car; they have remained unscathed. No, I have a basement that could use some reorganizing, but never mind, I’ll do it myself…he, he.
What a wonderful blog! Please continue this great work I will be sure to check back regularly…
Can’t wait to see the new Bombers!
What’s with the new full-size Bombers Van all around Center Square? The one that Jimmy keeps taking up two spots with : )
That is awesome Matt…have fun! I can’t wait to see it on my next trip.
Perhaps you can improve the waitstaff while you’re at it. The last time I was at the Lark Street Bomber’s, it took me 45 minutes to get a plate of lukewarm wings that I’m not even sure were the right flavor. Are the Tequila Wings supposed to have that much of a garlic flavor?
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The Veggie Chicken Nuggets are scrumptious.