Sometimes utility is more important then beauty.
Happy Bunstoberfest ya’ll.
Bunstoberfest begins NOW
After thirteen years in this crazy biz, we've racked up our fare share of traditions. And while one of our faves, Bunstoberfest, might "look" a bit different this year (sorry, ginormous beer mugs), it doesn't mean we're canceling big-ish Oktoberfest beers or Bratburgers.
Yup, Bunstoberfest begins NOW and you can enjoy all of the below thru next Wednesday, October 7th.
ONE: Big draft beers (24oz) for the price of a 16oz pint when you order any burger or burger bowl. Yup, get a burger, get one or more BIG 24oz beers for $3.49 - $5.49.
TWO: Our bratburger is back and bigger than ever. What this burger lacks in beauty, it makes up for in function. If this burger were an SUV, it would be a Pontiac Aztek. Misunderstood.
The Bratburger is built from the toasted pretzel bun up with shredded lettuce, grain mustard aioli, a 7oz Angus Beef burger, 2-yr aged sharp Cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and a 4oz split beef brat.
THREE: Rotating Octoberfest beers starting with Sierra Nevada Oktober on tap at Ballston + Shirlington, and Atlas Festbier in the can at The Ranch Beer Garden. Once Sierra kicks, we move on to DC Brau Märzen.
Which brings us to The Ranch. Yup in addition to $4.5 German-style lagers in the can, we're also slinging two types of dogs, our BYO Brat and our Anniversary Brat with cheddar, caramelized onions, shredded lettuce + grain mustard aioli on a toasted pretzel roll.
Speaking of dogs, our Wags N' Whiskers event this past weekend was a huge hit. Thanks to everyone who came out and to all the pups for bringing so many smiles to our team's faces. Picking a winner was an impossible task, so we posted the top 10 on our instagram handles as well as facebook (in different orders) for YOU to decide by voting in the comments. Voting ends tonight at midnight and we'll post a pic of the winner and runner-up on our Gram tomorrow.
Top 10 pictured below. Please cast your vote on our insta @damngoodburgers (https://www.instagram.com/damngoodburgers/) or @eatbigbuns (https://www.instagram.com/eatbigbuns/) . And if you don't follow us yet, time to get it together!
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BUNSTOBERFEST + we need your help picking the NEXT TOP 🐕!
We narrowed it down to 10 and we NEED YOUR HELP picking the 2020 Big Buns Next Top Dog! Please vote in the comments starting with #1 (Teddy Bow Tie) and ending with #10 (Young Blue Eyes). GO!
#BigBunsNextTopDog
We've all grown accustomed to having many of our favorite events postponed until next year, due to well, you know. One such example is Shirlington's annual Wags n' Whiskers. It's a total bummer if you're a dog-person (or dog-restaurant :-), so we're making a last minute decision to host our own pup-tastic event this weekend. Yup, Wags n' Whiskers is back on, kinda, sorta.
Here's how it's gonna go down...
Join us this Saturday (Sept 26th) or Sunday (Sept 27th) between 12p and 6p, on our Shirlington + Ballston patios to have your pup "walk the walk" and "bark the bark" on our red carpet while posing for a pic and entering for their chance to win a $50 (1st place) or $25 (2nd place) Big Buns gift card and burger-barking-bragging rights as the 2020 Big Buns Top Dog! To enter your pooch, simply take a pic of your bfff (best furry friend forever) in front of our Step + Repeat and tag us on insta @damngoodburgers (https://www.instagram.com/damngoodburgers/) or @eatbigbuns (https://www.instagram.com/eatbigbuns/) #BIGBUNSNEXTTOPDOG. At 6p-ish on Sunday, the entire Big Buns crew will huddle up to vote for their favorite and announce the winners on insta!
What’s the best part?
You can do all of this while enjoying $3.50 Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA 16oz Tall Boys (while they last) AND A FREE “Doggie Style” fry upgrade. Yup, you order fries and we Doggie Style them for free with sautéed onions, melty cheddar and our very own Out N' In sauce! Yes, you read that right … these fries are a subtle salute to one of our favorite West Coast burger spots with a secret menu upgrade known as "animal style" (available in-store only).
Oh, it gets better!
While you're chowing down on Doggie Style Fries and washing them down with a Snake Dog IPA, your pup will be crushing free unicorn shake treats + vanilla soft serve pup cups!
IMPORTANT REMINDER
This is your last weekend to order a Big Buns Grill + Chill Burger Kit!
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It was us, WE LET THE 🐕 🐩 OUT!
When lockdowns began 6 months ago,
our team held a massive whiteboard session to come up with ideas that would keep you, our awesome guests, delighted, stimulated and fed. We believed that if we got creative enough, our business would be able get by while keeping our entire team employed.
PRE-ORDER OUR $35.99 GRILL N’ CHILL BURGER KIT FOR 4 (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/burger-kits)
or
OUR $43.99 BURGER + BEER KIT FOR 4 WITH ALLAGASH (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/burger-kits)
One idea that has been particularly successful was our GIY Grill + Chill Burger Kits. If you haven't tried one yet, this is your final week to do so. Yup, Burger Kits are going away until April 1 of next year, the official-unofficial start of the 2021 grilling season.
Now in order to give Burger Kits the menu exit they deserve, we teamed up with one of our favorite craft breweries, Allagash, so you can grill + chill in style with a mix of their Allagash White (2) and Saison Violette (2). When you order a Burger + Beer Kit, we're also throwing in a fifth mystery beer for the grill man. Consider this a bribe to make sure the burgers are cooked perfectly, after all we've got a BIG brand to protect!
You can get a quick refresher about everything that makes our burger kits so awesome HERE (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/burger-kits) , and you can pre-order one HERE (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) (and schedule your pick-up anytime till' close of biz Sunday).
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FRIENDLY WARNING: Only 6 days left to get a BIG BUNS BURGER KIT →
It's Friday. It's also National Cheeseburger Day.
Like you need another reason to send yourself a CAL invite for later on today reminding you to order a couple of delicious, juicy, perfectly-griddled cheeseburgers from your favorite neighborhood burger + beer joint. 🤣
Our job is simple, to simply show you ten crave-worthy options →
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We celebrate everyday like it's NATIONAL CHEESEBURGER DAY! 🍔 🎉
Not gonna lie, kinda looks like a fried chicken hot dog.
Thank you for being FABULOUS 🤣
At the start of each month, we like to...
send out a quick roundup of everything that's going on at your favorite neighborhood burger + beer spot. You know, in case you just joined our email list *or* accidentally missed a previous ping. This friendly recap kicks off with a super special promo for $2 off the final two days of Bunstoberfest!
→ Bunstoberfest, our annual celebration, winds down this Thursday, and we wanted to invite you to stop by and enjoy our Infamous Bratburger (or any other burger) for $2 off with online promo code: BUNSTOBER. If online ordering isn't your thing, we included an in-store promo at the very bottom of this email. Reminder, during Bunstoberfest 24oz big beers can be added to any burger for the price of a 16oz pint. You'll see it in the "Mods" section of each burger or burger bowl.
→ Next up is our Reston Big Buns Reston Town Center pop-up ghost kitchen, which launched last Friday. It's open from 11a to 10p Monday thru Thursday and from 11a to 6p on Friday. You can order online HERE (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order?location=11eb01a7257c9885a8600cc47a2b6418) and we'll be back in touch at the end of the week with pictures from the under-construction Big Buns Reston, on schedule for a 2020 opening (teaser above)!
→ We have a new burger, shake, and slushie of the month. The #TBOY Turkey Burger, Toasted Marshmallow Shake and Prickly Pear Frozen marg are LIVE and ready for your enjoyment. Pics below!
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$2.00 Off at BIG BUNS DAMN GOOD BURGER CO
It's Friday + your eyes are on the prize,
the weekend, so we're keeping this email short + sweet, just like our chocolate and granola soft serve sundae that you should totally try for just $3.99 (https://checkout.square.site/buy/DNPY5P25BSPOPUPQM672DOSA) if you haven't already.
As you know, Big Buns Reston is currently under construction and it's going well. So well in fact you can count on a 2020 opening! This exciting news got us thinking, what if there was a way to shower the good folks of Reston with damn good burgers + beer prior to opening? What if we could partner with another restaurant and launch a Big Buns pop-up ghost kitchen?
Enter Makers Union Pub for the People (https://www.makersunionpub.com/) located in the heart of Reston Town Center at 1811 Library Street (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Makers+Union/@38.958308,-77.3606377,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b6481ed8ff64e1:0x50d44a04dbee4b15!8m2!3d38.958308!4d-77.358449?shorturl=1) . The home of our NEW Reston Big Buns pop-up, serving our greatest burger-hits along with a few shakes, sides + brews!
It gets better, you can order from our Reston Pop-Up (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order?location=11eb01a7257c9885a8600cc47a2b6418) from RIGHT NOW thru 5p today and from 11a to 10p every weekday next week (online orders only). No promises on how long this Christmas miracle will last, so we'd really appreciate your help getting the word out to as many folks as possible. Please take to twitter, fb, insta etc., saddle up that carrier pigeon of yours, and email all your Reston besties to tell them that something good is actually happening this year.
Alright, we're out of time, but before we sign off...
1. Lots of folks saw the weather this weekend and kindly asked that we make Burger Kits available for a few more days. Consider it done, you can order one HERE (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/burger-kits) .
2. It's October, a new month, which means a new Burger of the Moment. Yup, the #TBOY (the best one yet) Turkey Burger is BACK and built from the toasted brioche bun up with sweet potato spread, cranberry-orange relish, candied pecans, a griddled turkey burger, melty muenster and fried onions straws. You can order one online exclusively at eatbigbuns.com or when you visit our restaurants.
3. We're going to start rotating one of our adult slushies every month, like our BOM and SOM. This month we're swapping our Not into Yoga Piña Colada slushie for our new Prickly Pear Frozen Margarita. It's live NOW at Shirlington (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order?location=11e9e091fda0303998b20cc47a2b6418) and will be available at Ballston soonish.
4. We also have a new shake, the Toasted Marshmallow. You can scroll down to see how delicious this thing looks or experience the real thing by ordering one online (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) !
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Big Buns takes Reston by Storm *or* should we say light breeze? 🤣
It’s a walk off. It’s a walk off!
Introducing your 2020 #bigbunsnexttopdog 🏆
October 13th + 14th →
Grab a paper bag and breathe. You're hyperventilating because your favorite neighborhood burger and beer spot just got in on Prime Day. Sorry Amazon, a good deal on a new instapot is awesome and all, but you know what's awesomer? Two days of primetime, prime beef, Big Buns deal-iciousness.
TODAY AND TODAY ONLY
Double up your burger (or any other protein) for just $2 when you order from our Ballston and Shirlington locations. Yup, you read that right, select any burger or burger bowl, slide into the bottom of the mods (or flash this here email on your phone at the register), and add a second "patty" for just two bucks. Need some inspiration, how bout a double fried chicken sando?
TOMORROW AND TOMORROW ONLY
We got our glove-covered hands on some delicious 5oz Japanese Wagyu burgers and we're bringing them to you on a toasted brioche bun with lettuce, pickles, onion, tomato, chipotle aioli and melty American cheese for the absurdly low price of $9.99.
*Ballston and Shirlington location only, online and in-store.
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Did someone say, BIG BUNS PRIME DAY? 🍔 🎉
National Food Day for _____________
These days, it feels like National Food Days are being handed out by Oprah. Do Macaroons *really* deserve a day? I mean, don't get us wrong, we love a dainty, delicate, and delicious macaroon as much as the next person, but an entire day? Smh.
At Big Buns, we only like to celebrate the BIG ones (looking at you, National Cheeseburger Day). But every now and then, a National Food Day comes along that pulls at our sentimental heart strings. Enter National Chocolate Day.
Yup, National Chocolate Day (today). A day when we like to honor one of our most popular shakes, chocolate, with a $.99 side order of regular fries that are specially designed for chocolate shake dipping.
Anyone who calls this weird clearly hasn't experienced this salty, savory + sweet treat that eats like a chocolate-covered-sea-salted-baked-pretzel on steroids.
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I dip, you dip, we dip. 🍟🍫
Fear does not exist in this dojo, just delicious shakes.
The Cobra Chai shake has landed like a powerful crane kick to your face. This thing is so big on chai tea flavor it will sweep your leg right out from under you. Stressed out after a long day of painting the fence (sending emails)? No problem, because Big Buns brought bourbon to this party and we'll happily add some to your shake until you're yelling BANZAI!!!
Is the Cobra Chai Shake delicious? YES. BIG. BUNS.
Is the Cobra Chai Shake here for a limited time? YES. BIG. BUNS.
Does the Cobra Chai Shake come with house whipped cream and a gummi cobra? YES. BIG. BUNS.
Should you order one now online for $7.79 while they last? YES! BIG! BUNS!
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Introducing the COBRA CHAI SHAKE » Slurp first. Slurp hard. No Mercy.
We like Big Buns and we cannot lie...
But that's not the only thing we cannot lie about these days. Yup, we're talking about the next four months and how nervous they're making us (and our industry). Let's just say that shorter days and colder weather don't exactly scream "patio season."
On a positive note, throughout our 13.5-year history we've faced many challenges and if there's one thing we've learned, it's that when the going gets tough, double down on really, really, ridiculously good looking burgers!
This November thru February, we teamed up with four super talented chefs to bring you our NEW CHEF COLLABORATION SERIES. Four months, four chefs, four burgers that are so freakin' delicious you'd do whatever it takes to get your hands on one.
To kick things off, we've partnered up with Junction Bistro, Bar & Bakery (https://www.instagram.com/junctionbakery/) and their amazing chef, James Duke (https://www.instagram.com/chef.jduke/) , to bring you THE WOOD ROASTED BRISKET PATTY MELT (aka The Roundtrip Ticket to Legitsville).
What's on it? Glad you asked!
The Wood Roasted Brisket Patty Melt is built from the ground up on Brioche Texas toast with an Angus Beef smash burger, Virginia oak-smoked sliced brisket, American cheese, caramelized onions, Peppadew peppers and Duke’s mayo.
This burger is quite possibly the most delicious thing to ever grace our griddle. If you haven't been to Junction before, they have locations in Alexandria (https://www.junctionbakery.com/location/junction-bakery-bistro-alexandria/) , Capitol Hill (https://www.junctionbakery.com/location/junction-bakery-capitol-hill/) and Chevy Chase (https://www.junctionbakery.com/location/junction-bakery-chevy-chase/) , and you can order online at junctionbakery.com. You can also follow Chef James Duke and his never-ending supply of high quality foodporn on instagram @chef.jduke (https://www.instagram.com/chef.jduke/) .
Oh and one more thing! We know you worked up an appetite casting that vote today, so here's a super special in-store promo code for $2 off this November's Chef Collaboration Series burger. Psst...if you're ordering online, use promo code: JUNCTIONCOLLABORATION.
*Promos expire Nov. 5th close of biz!
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BIG BUNS DAMN GOOD BURGER CO: ENJOY $2 OFF THE WOOD ROASTED BRISKET PATTY MELT!
Our *NEW* Wood Roasted Brisket Patty Melt will get you one round ticket to LEGITSVILLE! Made in collaboration with @chef.jduke and @junctionbakery 🔥 🔥 This Sando is made with prime brisket, roasted over Virginia oak, caramelized onions, duke's mayo, chives, peppadews, American cheese, and a smash burger on a toasted brioche 👌👌 #2legit #mchammer #legitsville #novafoodie #novaeats #foodporn
At Big Buns, we have an appreciation...
for all things BIG, and that includes Big Data. So when we asked our in-house data analyst (grill cook) - what percentage of our annual sales is made up by the kids menu? We were shocked by his answer of roughly 7%.
Yup, 7%! Which means if we fire off 52 emails a year, 3.64 should be solely targeted at youngsters. Now this idea didn’t sit very well with our copywriter (accountant) so we decided to compromise with one. Here goes.
Dear awesome guests of ours who will never experience the exhilarating rush that comes with sneaking into an R-Rated movie. We know this year has been challenging and that Halloween won’t exactly live up to the hype surrounding a typical weekend-landing Halloween.
So, we wanted to give you a small treat to look forward to in the form of a FREE small bag of candy when you or your folks place an online order today or tomorrow (it's in the mods section of every burger or burger bowl...while supplies last). Please note that we’re fully aware of our reputation on the Arlington streets as being pretty cool, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that your personal bag of candy contains a minimum of one full-sized candy bar.
Speaking of pumping you kids full of sugar, we thought we’d tell you about one more Halloween-inspired treat. A delicious bacon cheeseburger served on a custom black doughnut bun. We repeat, today and tomorrow we’re serving a super limited number of crave-worthy Angus Beef burgers with Cheddar, bacon, lettuce, pickle, tomato and chipotle aioli (Beetlejuice's Favorite Burger) on a spook-alicious, insta-ready, custom black doughnut bun for just of $10.31.
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Beetlejuice's Favorite Burger + Virtual Trick or Treating
Ready. Set. Weekend.
1. Three more weekends to enjoy The Ranch Beer Garden (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order?location=11ea834226d7929eb0d80cc47a2b63e4) before it goes away. Free hot cider when you BYOB (bring your own blanket). The Ranch is open Friday + Saturday from 3p to 10p, Sunday from 3p to 9p, and any other day when the temp is > 50.
2. Sir Mix-a-Lot thinks you should "heart small" (https://youtu.be/OPfvWJBybQA) and we totally agree. Purchase a gift card from ANY local independent restaurant before December 31st, email your pic to weheartsmall@eatbigbuns.com, and automagically get entered to win a $500 Big Buns gift card.
3. Big Buns bonus gift cards are BACK. Now thru December 7th, purchase a $30, $50, $100 or $250 gift card and earn a $5, $10, $25 or $75 bonus Big Buns gift card (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/gift-cards) , respectively.
4. Black Restaurant Week is going strong (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) and you can enjoy the Wood Roasted Brisket Patty Melt (Angus Beef Smash Burger, Sliced Brisket, American Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Peppadew Peppers, Duke’s Mayo, Brioche Texas Toast), fries and a 32oz margarita kit for $29.99.
5. This is your last weekend to put our Cobra Chai Shake in a to-go bag. See what we did there? You can order one HERE (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) .
6. An awesome guest wrote us a heartfelt letter pleading to bring back Mahi Mahi "Burger" Tacos. We said, why the H-E double hockey sticks not? Grab two or three HERE (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) .
7. It's time we come clean. The reason we keep pushing 128oz milk jug margarita kits is because we accidentally ordered one pallet instead of one case. Our CEO's wife would really like them out of her garage. You can help us solve that problem by purchasing one for $59.99 HERE (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) . If you buy one, we'll happily give you 16oz cups and lids that you can fill with marg and leave on the doorstep of seven different neighbors.
8. Pre-orders for our Thanksgiving Dinner collaboration with Makers Union Pub for the People (https://www.makersunionpub.com/) need to be in by Wednesday, November 18th by close of biz. Not only can you feed 4-6 for $99.99, we're also tossing in a $15 Big Buns gift card to offset your tolls and gas when you drive out to Reston Town Center. More deets are available HERE (https://checkout.square.site/buy/ZQDW64XQUXHDHBIWA6OGLQ7X) .
9. Speaking of Reston Town Center, our Big Buns Reston Town Center Ghost Kitchen is really starting to bring the heat AND the meat. Thank you as always for your support. If you know anyone near RTC, please shoot them this LINK (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order?location=11eb01a7257c9885a8600cc47a2b6418) and tell them that we're now open Friday nights till 11p and on weekends starting at 3p (following their killer brunch).
10. @damngoodburgers (https://www.instagram.com/damngoodburgers/) is at 1,972 followers and we would really like to brag to mom this weekend about crossing the 2,000 follower threshold. If you and your besties don't follow us, we think you should start.
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"I got fries on it" ... a weekly Big Buns roundup »
#weheartsmall
Step aside long-winded email, our official unofficial spokesperson, Sir Mix-a-Lot, has arrived and has something to say → (https://youtu.be/OPfvWJBybQA)
This year, small businesses need your support more than ever. So when you purchase a gift card from Big Buns or any other small local independent restaurant, we'll reward your generosity with a chance to win a $500 Big Buns gift card.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Purchase a Big Buns gift card *or* a gift card from your favorite small local restaurant (any amount counts and makes a meaningful difference)
2. Email a picture of yourself "hearting small" with your gift card purchase to weheartsmall@eatbigbuns.com (if you purchase a gift card at Big Buns in person, we have Polaroid cameras at the registers)
3. Your pic will go on giant signs hanging throughout our restaurants (see pic)
4. On New Year's Eve we'll ask a random guest to select the winner of a $500 Big Buns gift card
WAIT THERE'S MORE
To sweeten the deal, we're also back with Big Buns bonus gift cards thru December 1st. Yup, purchase a $30, $50, $100 or $250 physical Big Buns gift card in-store, on eatbigbuns.com (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/physical-gift-cards) , or when you place an online order (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) , and earn a $5, $10, $25 or $75 bonus gift card, respectively.
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Ladies + gentleman, SIR MIX-A-LOT + your chance to win a $500 Big Buns gift card!
Oh and bonus gift cards are back! Yup, purchase a $30, $50, $100 or $250 Big Buns (physical) gift card in-store or online at eatbigbuns.com + score a bonus Big Buns gift card for $5, $10, $25 or $75. Mix-a-Lot gone!
Video 3 of 3 » #weheartsmall
This season, it’s all about supporting small. Purchase a gift card from Big Buns OR any other local independent restaurant and send your picture to weheartsmall@eatbigbuns.com. We’ll display a picture of you “hearting small” at our restaurants and automatically enter you to win a $500 Big Buns gift card.
Video 2 of 3 » #weheartsmall
**LISTEN UP** Our official unofficial spokesperson has something to say. Ladies + gentlemen, Sir Mix-a-Lot!
Video 1 of 3 » #weheartsmall
skinny dippin’
Big Buns updated their business hours.
‘Tis the season to heart small ✌️
Buy a $30, $50, $100 or $250 Big Buns gift card + score a $5, $10, $25 or $75 gift card for yourself 👉 eatbigbuns.com/gift-cards #weheartsmall
🎼 How do I...
say goodbye...
to what we had?
**IMPORTANT REMINDER**
The Chef Collab from @chef.jduke + @junctionbakery is available thru close of biz tomorrow. If you haven’t experienced this truly delicious burger, there’s still time.
Best part about this biz?
Delighting YOU, our awesome guests with DAMN GOOD burgers, shakes, beer + booze.
Worst part?
Inadvertently disappointing you. Yesterday, Susan kindly reached out to let us know how much she enjoyed the Wood-roasted Brisket Patty Melt. Her new "go-to sandwich." So imagine our disappointment when we had to tell her that her new "go-to sandwich" couldn't be "gone-to" anymore.
I had the brisket sandwich for the first time yesterday and it was absolutely delicious. That is now my go-to sandwich. Thanks for expanding the menu so expertly!
Your burger (and sandwich fan),
Susan
We couldn't go thru with it.
So we reached out to Chef James Duke (
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2 DAYS REMAINING » To stop the world + melt with us!
sweet deal, sweeter treat
#cybermonday promo code: BETTERBURGERCLUB
📸@badandboozybrunch
Shop small + Big at the same time.
our kinda threesome ✌️
There's a new burger + shake in town!
But before we talk about those, we quickly need to address two important questions that we received about bonus gift cards (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/gift-cards) .
Question One: I get a Big Buns shake every week, what gift card amount should I order to cover my bad habit for all of 2021?
Answer One: Well, our shakes cost an average of $6.99 each ($7.69 with tax). If you're on our email list (a delightful no brainer), we fire out a minimum of one $2 off promo code each month (a $24 savings). Your good habit sets you back $375.88 a year. So, if you purchase a $250 and a $50 gift card, you will earn a $75 and a $10 bonus gift card, respectively, you can "pre-purchase" all of those delicious shakes for $300 with enough left over for a couple of orders of fries.
Question Two: This is a little awkward, and I don't want to come across as insensitive. I want to buy a bunch of gift cards for friends, family, and colleagues, and just want to make sure we'll be able to use them. It's a really difficult time for restaurants and it's hard to not notice a bunch of them closing.
Answer Two: It's a great question, and one we're all probably asking ourselves this holiday season. Thankfully (and a lot of it has to do with the support of our awesome guests, like you) Big Buns is stronger than ever and currently in growth mode. The only "shutting down" we'd consider would be to remodel our OG Ballston location while figuring out how to make that beer garden outside permanent!
As previously mentioned, the Lamb Shawarma & White Chocolate Peppermint (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) are back. What makes these two products worthy of a sequel you ask?
Let's start with the Peppermint White Chocolate Shake. It's basically Christmas in a cup. Specially designed to get you out of the house and over to Buns for a smile and a Gram. We're all in need of (safe) experiences this holiday season, so we thought an appropriately-themed shake that can be enjoyed with or without bourbon while you cruise the Shirlington streets was in order. Yup, Shirlington Village allows you to order beer, wine + booze from local restaurants (in specially marked cups) and enjoy it while you stroll!
If you've read our story (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/our-story) , then you know Big Buns started with a road trip and a question. The question, why was there no restaurant that served more than one style of burger?, has driven us to create some pretty epic burgers with flavor influences from around the world. The Lamb Shawarma is one of those special creations. A Middle Eastern staple in burger form built from the brioche bun up with a Shawarma-spiced lamb burger, harissa feta cheese spread, pickled red onions, sliced cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes.
Good news! We know you'll love the above two new creations and want to invite you to try them for $3 bucks off when you order online with promo code: IDONTKNOWNOSNAKES.
Bad news. You'll have to wait until Sunday (thru next Thursday) to use said promo code, because it's the freakin' weekend, and Friday and Saturday night get so busy we try not to incent more biz for the sake and sanity of our grill cook (CMO).
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KEEP THIS PROMO CODE FOR SUNDAY, YOU FILTHY ANIMAL! 🍔
This holiday season, our gift cards
have been taking roughly one week to arrive in the mail, which means *this* email is your friendly reminder to order Big Buns bonus gift cards by end-of-day tomorrow in order to receive them by 12/23.
Our gift cards make the perfect gift, never expire and work both online and in-store. Did we mention that when you order a $30, $50, $100 or $250 gift card, you will receive a $5, $10, $25 or $75 bonus gift card, respectively?
#WEHEARTSMALL
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SHIPPING DEADLINE ALERT » Last Call for Bonus Gift Cards
Step off, Spotify. There's a new list in town!
Your most popular burger: The Classic Burger
Your most popular sauce: Chipotle Aioli (obvi)
Your most popular cheese: Pepper jack (didn't see that coming)
Your most popular Designer Burger: Fricken' Good Fried Chicken (a two-peat)
Your most popular shake: Oreo Cookie
Your most popular featured burger: Wood Roasted Brisket Patty Melt (!!!)
Important Reminders
Promo Code: Last Friday, we dropped a promo code for $3 off our new Lamb Shawarma Burger (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) and Holly Jolly Peppermint Shake (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) when you order online thru December, 10th with promo code IDONTKNOWNOSNAKES. Reminder that this online promo expires tomorrow (close of biz). If you want to visit us in-store, we included an in-store promo at the bottom of this email.
Bonus Gift Cards: Your support this holiday season has been overwhelming. Thank you. We've decided to extend our bonus gift card program thru December 20th. When you purchase a $30, $50, $100 or $250 gift card, you will earn a $5, $10, $25 or $75 bonus gift card (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/gift-cards) , respectively. Our gift cards never expire, work at all of our restaurants, and can be used in-store and online. Not only are our gift cards an awesome gift, they're also a wise investment if you're a Buns regular. Pre-pay for an entire year of burgers in advance for 25% off? Yup, you can do that!
Holiday Delight: Next week we have 3 BIG announcements. Here's a teaser »
1. DIY Burger Kits featuring The Brisket Patty Melt (only 50 available)
2. The launch of our Big Buns "Burger Pass" (only 100 available)
3. Converting our pickup window in Shirlington to a limited-time New Orleans-style, walk-up, "to-go" bar window
#WEHEARTSMALL
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$3.00 Off at BIG BUNS DAMN GOOD BURGER CO
Big Buns updated their business hours.
While. They. Last.
In 2018 we launched (and quickly sold out of) the Big Buns Burger Pass, an exclusive punch card where you get to enjoy ANY burger, ANY side and ANY fountain beverage for $9.99 a month when you visit our restaurants throughout an entire year.
2018 was a *special* year because we opened our second location in Shirlington and wanted to do something special for you, our awesome guests!
This coming year, we have two things to celebrate. The first is a new store opening in Reston, which is currently nearing completion (85%). The second, is your overwhelming support during what has been a super challenging year for our team and our business. Sincerely, thank you!
So, this week, we're celebrating YOU (and another exciting year ahead) with the 2021 Big Buns Burger Pass (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/gift-cards/2021-burger-pass) !
A custom, wallet-sized, punch card that will get you ANY burger, ANY side and ANY fountain beverage each month throughout 2021 when you visit any of our restaurants in-person for dine-in or carryout for just $119.99. Craving a shake or beer instead of a fountain bevie? That's cool, just cover the difference. Want to indulge in The Peppercorn Steakhouse Burger with a side of parmesan truffle fries and a lemonade? Yup, all of the above could be all yours for just $9.99 instead of the usual $22.97 (+ tax). 👀
We have a super limited supply of 200 passes and are ready to ship them out today so they hit your mailbox asap.
max 1 per-person · max 2 per-household · 200 available
or email someone you ♥️ a digital gift card →
#WEHEARTSMALL
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OUR GIFT TO YOU → The 2021 Burger Pass is HERE 🍔✌️
3 Important Updates
Happy holidays, y'all! Just wanted to quickly ping you before we take a few days off from email. Yup, we're putting our sweet, sweet love letters to you (marketing emails) on pause for a few days and wanted to let you know about a few things.
① Inauguration Beer
At Big Buns, we pride ourselves on being in the know. So, it's pretty cool when your brewery partner, Atlas Brew Works, whips up some super special 2021 Inauguration beer. We're working on getting some in at the restaurants, but it looks like supply is limited and it won't be ready until January 16th for pickup at their brewery. If we can get our hands on some, we will, otherwise you should totally order some to support a small biz while getting your virtual Inauguration watching game in order. You can pre-order some by clicking the button below!
② Holiday Hours
Dec 24th
Ballston: Now till' 7p
Shirlington: Now till' 9p
Dec 25th
Closed
Dec 30th
Ballston: 11:30a - 9p
Shirlington: 11:30a - 9p
Jan 1st
Ballston: 12p - 10p
Shirlington: 12p - 10p
③ 15% Off e-Gift Cards
If you put holiday shopping off or are scrambling like everyone else because of postal delays, we've got your back. Yup, today and today only, Big Buns e-gift cards are 15% off (https://squareup.com/gift/D779M08V2SFFW/order) with promo code HAPPYHOLIDAYS. It's as simple as typing in the email address of someone you love and hitting send. They say "one good turn deserves another" – you're up!
#TOOSMALLTOFAIL
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🍻 SPECIAL Inauguration Beers, Holiday Hours + 15% Off e-Gift Cards →
BURGERS. Burgers in a box!
At 5pm today, @chef.jduke (https://www.instagram.com/chef.jduke/) of @junctionbakery (https://www.instagram.com/junctionbakery/) will fire up his smoker and start prepping brisket for our Brisket Patty Melt Collaboration Burger Kits for pickup tomorrow. 5pm is also your cutoff time to PRE-ORDER YOUR BURGER KIT (https://checkout.square.site/buy/YHYVQBELXLU6E4YJLTQKNK73) by pressing that big blueish button below. Each burger kit will be freshly prepared tomorrow morning and stored cold so you can enjoy it anytime tomorrow, Christmas Day, or the day after with no impact on quality. We know this year's holiday season has felt a little wonky (you should try being in the restaurant business), so we thought burger kits featuring our most popular Burger of the Moment of 2020 would be a fun + delicious thing to do with your family this holiday. I mean, who wants cookies when you could have THIS →
And if you do want cookies, we have two shakes (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) for that. 😄
Before we go, just want to let you know that this is your last day to purchase Bonus Gift Cards (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/gift-cards) . It's true that these won't reach you in the mail by December 25th (what will (https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/12/21/usps-delays-christmas/) ?), but it's the thought that counts and a $25 bonus gift card when you spend $100, or a $75 bonus gift card when you spend $250 is just too good of an offer to pass up.
#WEHEARTSMALL
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IT'S OUR ___________________ IN A BOX! 🍔
a burger kit that just won’t quit
👉 #linkinbio 📸 @thedmveater
The Wood-Roasted Brisket Patty Melt
is BACK, like another (more appropriately timed) NBA season. This super special collaboration burger dunks so hard, we're still getting emails about it twenty-one days after it disappeared from our menu.
At Big Buns, the only thing we love more than damn good burgers + beer is listening to you, our awesome guests. So, we pinged our pal, Chef Duke (https://www.instagram.com/chef.jduke/?hl=en) at Junction Bistro, Bar & Bakery (https://www.instagram.com/junctionbakery/?hl=en) , and came up with a plan to craft 75, four-person, DIY Wood-Roasted Brisket Patty Melt Burger Kits that can be pre-ordered online RIGHT NOW (https://checkout.square.site/buy/YHYVQBELXLU6E4YJLTQKNK73) and conveniently picked-up curbside at your Big Buns of choice December 24th between 11a and 9p.
only 75 available...
Burger kits include everything you need to make four Brisket Patty Melts with oven-baked fries for just $54.99. Burger kits are packaged in an insulated box and held in our walk-in. Non-gluten buns are available. FYI, when ordering, our online ordering system will give you option to 'schedule pick up' or 'request as soon as it's ready', please select 'schedule pick up' and indicate 12/24.
#WEHEARTSMALL
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A Christmas Miracle → The Brisket Patty Melt is BACK (as a BURGER KIT)
THANK YOU
Thank you for constantly motivating us during the lockdown. Thank you for all of your takeout orders. Thank you for your words of support. Thank you for hearting small!
So, what’s the best way to thank the most awesome guests a restaurant business could have? With damn good burgers, shakes + beer, of course!
Starting today, we’re saying goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021 with a special $45.99, four-course, New Year’s Eve AND New Year’s Day “dinner” for two. Yup, at 5pm today and all-day tomorrow, you’ll be able to order our two-person, four-course “dinner” online for just $45.99.
No. 1 » The Slider Trio
Three ginormous sliders, The Collaboration, Fricken' Good Fried Chicken + Hot & Hefe. Add a fourth slider for $4.5.
No. 2 » Sides
Any two sides…fries, Cajun, parm truff fries or jammin' sprouts
No. 3 » Shakes
Any two shakes, including our SOM and the Miyagi-dough. Make them boozy for just $5/ea.
No. 4 » Booze
Two Miller High Life Forties (The Champagne of Beers) or a 32oz "six drink" Classic Margarita Kit
Lastly, we’ll announce the winner of our #weheartsmall (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/gift-cards) $500 gift card drawing tonight sometime between 10p and midnight on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/damngoodburgers/) . We’ll accept entries thru 8p. All you have to do to enter is purchase a BB gift card (physical or digital) or email weheartsmall@eatbigbuns.com with a pic of you purchasing a gift card from any other small local restaurant.
Oh, last week we hit you up about some super special Inauguration Beer from our partner brewery, Atlas Brew Works. Unfortunately we won’t be able to bring any in this January because it’s almost sold out. Consider this a friendly reminder to pick up a sixer for yourself before they’re all gone. Order Here » (https://occasionales.com/)
#TOOSMALLTOFAIL
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Dear 2020, we're GOING OUT with a ___________ _____ !
Chef Collaboration Series! Part Deux: Chef Morou’s Great Gruyère Short Rib Burger **DROPPING TODAY**
Chef Collaboration Part Deux
It's the first Monday of 2021 and you're feeling like Slack today, down. Lucky for you, Big Buns is here for you with a delicious new burger that can be enjoyed for $3 off anytime today thru close of biz Thursday.
It's called Chef Morou's Great Gruyére Short Rib Burger (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) and it's the second burger in our 'Chef Collaboration Series'.
What's on it?!? Glad you asked.
Chef Morou's Great Gruyére Short Rib Burger is built from the brioche bun up with lettuce, tomato, chipotle aioli, an Angus Beef + short rib-blended burger, gruyére cheese, sautéed mushrooms + sautéed onions.
Who's Chef Morou?!? Let's start with his Wiki page...
Yup, he has one (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morou_Ouattara) and it reads a little like this, restaurant founder and Iron Chef contender. Chef Morou specializes in wild and flavorful fusions, *which* explains why he took our signature Angus Beef and blended it with his slow-roasted beef short ribs. What you get is an indulgent treat that introduced the rich marbling of rib steaks and deep beefy flavor of chuck roast.
In late November we dropped our #weheartsmall campaign. #weheartsmall was a call to shop small, with a hook. Anyone who purchased a Big Buns gift card OR a gift card from another small local biz and emailed us a pic was automagically entered to win a $500 Big Buns gift card. Yup, you read that right, FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. This year's winner, determined by random drawing, is Bridgitte Adams.
Bridgitte, thank you! For all of those that didn't win, thank you for participating. Your support means everything to us. Seriously. Thank you! ❤️
Your in-store promo is below. If you prefer to order pickup via the world wide web, use the promo code CHEFCOLLABORATION at checkout to score $3 off our new 'Chef Collaboration Series' burger.
#TOOSMALLTOFAIL
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$3.00 Off at BIG BUNS DAMN GOOD BURGER CO
On a Tuesday...
we dropped an email about our *NEW* Chef Collaboration Series Burger from Chef Morou (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) . If you haven't tried it yet, we highly recommend experiencing his short rib, Angus Beef + Gruyère cheese masterpiece this weekend.
While composing said email, we totally forgot to tell you about this month's shake, Campfire S'mores. The Campfire S'mores shake is a January tradition made with premium vanilla ice cream, toasted marshmallow syrup + chocolate sauce, torched marshmallow cream and graham crackers.
Pro tip, it tastes even better with bourbon, and well, a little booze in our shake is something we all need after this week.
Please note that we can't coat cup rims while serving 100% of our shakes in lidded + covered cups. We welcome the day when we can do this again.
Friendly reminder about our partner brewery's limited edition Inauguration beer (https://occasionales.com/?utm_source=free&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=jan8&utm_content=bb) (https://occasionales.com/products/mixed-6-12-24-packs?variant=32867530899503) . Atlas Brew Works will sell out of Amtrak Joe's Pilsner and Madam Veep's IPA early next week. You can reserve yours now by pressing that big button below. Prost!
#TOOSMALLTOFAIL
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Lip Smacking S'MORES 🔥🍫
At Big Buns, the only thing we ♥️
more than a good party, is a good story. So when we stumbled upon this article about The President-Elect's favorite burger joint (https://www.eatthis.com/joe-bidens-favorite-restaurants/) in Delaware, we thought it was our obligation to welcome him back to the DMV with our take on his go-to burger.
Yup, things sure are different with COVID these days, but as we've learned over the past ten months, a good virtual celebration is better than no celebration at all!
Starting right NOW and running through the end of the weekend, we're dropping the Hello, Biden Burger. It's a 7oz Angus Beef burger on a toasted sesame seed bun with Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle chips, sliced raw onion and ketchup for $9.46. This delicious burger is available while supplies last, so you might want to pre-order yours online now! (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order)
#TOOSMALLTOFAIL
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🍔We reverse engineered Biden's favorite burger →
Something great about the past year?
✌️ RESTAURANT WEEK
Yup, restaurant week in the DMV was always more of a full-service restaurant type thing. But we're changing that thanks to a little creativity.
What do you mean by creativity?
GLAD
YOU
ASKED.
You see, restaurant week was always about having two menus: a $22 lunch menu, and a $35 dinner menu. Having two separate menus is cool, but you know what's cooler? A billion!
🤣Jk...what's cooler is offering a $22 "menu for one" and a $35 "menu for two" at all times.
From right now until close of biz on February 7th, you (or you and your BFF) can take advantage of our two, all-the-time, Winter Restaurant Week menus below:
WINTER RESTAURANT WEEK FOR ONE
A $22 three-course meal for one, featuring our Burger of the Moment (Chef Morou's Great Gruyère + Short Rib Burger), your choice of fries or Cajun fries, and a Campfire S'mores or a Miyagi Dough Shake
WINTER RESTAURANT WEEK FOR TWO
A $35 four-course meal for two, featuring two burgers of your choice (listed below), fries or Cajun fries, a Campfire S'mores or Miyagi Dough shake, and a 16oz margarita kit or Miller High Life forty.
Burgers (pick two)...Chef Morou's Great Gruyère + Short Rib Burger, The Collaboration, The Hot & Hefe or The Fricken' Good fried Chicken.
#TOOSMALLTOFAIL
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🍔 Our Winter Restaurant Week Menus **DROP NOW**
EARLY on Super Bowl Sunday to make you sliders!
Yup, we're keeping regular hours this Sunday at Big Buns Shirlington (open till' 9:05p) and closing down Big Buns Ballston early (at 4p) so we can make your Super Bowl party SLAP with slider 6-packs, half + half fry platters for 8, and super margs for 6-20 peops!
HOW IT WORKS
1. Head on over to eatbigbuns.com to order. Menu details about slider six-packs, fry platters and super margs are at the bottom of this here email.
2. Select one of five Sunday pickup times...5p, 5:30p, 6p, 6:30p or 7p.
3. Pull up in the alley behind Big Buns Ballston (https://g.page/bigbunsballston?share) (behind The Westin) and call (703) 276-3032 for curbside pickup.
Yup, Super Bowl takeout made super easy! Just don't forget to order by our cutoff time of 1pm this Saturday.
SUPER BOWL PARTY MENU
Slider six-packs (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) come with six Classic sliders, six Hot & Hefe sliders, or six Fricken' Good Fried Chicken sliders. Our sliders are BIG (near half-sized versions of our regular burgers), and come on toasted brioche buns. Non-gluten buns are available.
The Classic Slider...Angus Beef, Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle, Chipotle Aioli | 6 for $25.99
The Hot & Hefe Slider...Angus Beef, Pepper Jack Cheese, Avocado, Grilled Habanero and Serrano House Pico De Gallo, Sriracha Aioli | 6 for $26.99
The Fricken' Good Fried Chicken...Fried Chicken, Avocado, Shredded Lettuce, Dill Pickles, Buttermilk Herb Ranch | 6 for $27.99
Fry platters (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) consist of eight total servings of fries evenly split between regular fries and cajun fries, regular fries and parmesan truffle fries, or cajun fries and parmesan truffle fries. Each platter comes with an 8-ounce serving of chipotle aioli or buttermilk herb ranch dipping sauce.
Super margs (https://www.orderbigbuns.com/s/order) , better known as 32oz *or* 1 gallon ready-to-pour + garnish classic margaritas, come with coarse salt, lime wedges + enough "hard marg" for you and your BFFs to make 6 or 20 margaritas!
#TEAMBIGBUNS
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Big Buns Ballston is closing...
96
The number of emails we’ve sent since March 2020. Yup, we’ve been crushing content, like our delicious Damn Good IPA. But the last two weeks, we had to take a break.
Why?
Glad you asked! Because we’ve been heads down on Big Buns Reston and are finally, finally, finally ready to "soft" open this Monday, March 8th.
Which raises an important question, what does a restaurant grand opening even look like in the age of COVID?
Enter our "Grand Opening – Buy a Bag, Give a Bag (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/gift-cards/reston-opening-party-bag) ."
We would love to pack the beautiful new Big Buns and party with you like it's 2007 (our founding year), but since that’s not possible right now, we made THESE.
Each Big Buns "Grand Opening – Buy a Bag, Give a Bag (https://www.eatbigbuns.com/gift-cards/reston-opening-party-bag) ," is loaded with more than $125 of value, and only 250 are available for purchase for $25.99.
Wait, it gets better. Three bags have a $100, $50 and $25 gift card hidden inside them *and* for every bag, we made another (beer-less) bag to be given away to a local hospital or frontline worker. Because, nothing brightens a day like damn good burgers.
GRAND OPENING – BUY A BAG, GIVE A BAG
250 available · reserve yours for $25.99
· A first look at BB Reston on Monday, March 8th, starting at 12p
· One 12oz can of Atlas Brew Works delicious ‘The Precious One Apricot IPA’
· 14 Big Buns monthly deal cards consisting of $100 of savings (think "free parm truff fries, or a $5 fricken' good fried chicken - see all promos below). Two cards work each month from March, 2021 thru September, 2021. Blue cards can be used at any Big Buns location and red cards can only be used at Big Buns Reston.
· The Magic Burger Rocket Cup…this 22oz cup allows you to upgrade any 16oz draft beer or adult slushie to 22oz for free as many times as you would like for the remainder of 2021 at any Big Buns location. When you bring your cup in or use it more than once during the same visit, we will exchange it for another one that ran thru our dishwasher.
· Another bag, in addition to yours, donated to a frontline worker
Pick up your "Grand Opening – Buy a Bag, Give a Bag" anytime during business hours at BB Reston starting March 8th thru the end of the month.
#TEAMBIGBUNS
We’re looking for extraordinary people with heart, hustle and the guts to join us at our new Reston location. Looking for a job or know someone who is?
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🍔🎉 Big Buns Reston opens this Monday with a BAG!
**IMPORTANT UPDATES**
☝️Big Buns Reston opens next week
✌️Email dropping shortly about how you can get Monday access
🤟In a month or so, we’re announcing a fun new Big Buns project + will transition this insta handle to that, so please make sure you follow us at @damngoodburgers
**IMPORTANT UPDATES**
☝️Big Buns Reston opens next week
✌️Email dropping shortly about how you can get Monday access
🤟In a month or so, we’re announcing a fun new Big Buns project + will transition this insta handle to that, so please make sure you follow us at @damngoodburgers
Big Buns updated their info in the about section.
Big Buns updated their business hours.
Big Buns updated their info in the about section.
Big Buns updated their business hours.
