Written by Ezra Vallecillo

Published on April 10, 2016

Before you start thinking about how hungry you are in class, let’s make sure you have some time in between classes or better yet, you’re punching out of the school clock with some time to kill.

Luckily for students and staff, we have a great variety of locales to indulge in.

One in particular, Moe’s Burger Joint is within a walking distance of approximately 4-5 minutes from HCC campus.  This all-American inspired cuisine is right around the corner from McLevy Green Park and located at the historic Arcade-Mall on Main Street.

Starting with their top-of-the-line ingredients and a wide variety of meals to choose from, such as the “Downtown Burger” or even the tasty “California LT Wrap,” this place is very well-known for their signature style creations.

“You haven’t tried a real burger until you’ve tried our Mac ‘N Cheeseburger,” said Tyler Small, the chef and manager of the eatery.

She’s been working at Moe’s for a year now and discovered her passion as a cook.

Just last month Moe’s were ranked at 9th place on the Top 15 Best Burger Joints in Connecticut via OnlyInYourState.com. Not bad for a small business.

There’s a lot to admire about this place. As you make your way in, you’ll notice the walls are decorated with vibrant sketches on a chalkboard along with classic artwork of local historical figures such as Igor Sikorsky and Gustave Whitehead, aviation pioneers who worked on many of our aircrafts in the state. You’ll also come across the retro swivel bar stools surrounding the entire counter to give it that classic look we’re not used to seeing. “It’s like walking into the 50’s, when soda-fountain shops was the place to be. All we need are the roller skates,” says Monique Blake, a waitress at Moe’s.

Blake also said that her personal favorite food on the menu is the “Roadhouse Dog.”

Aside from their terrific burgers and hotdogs, this eatery provides a more healthy selection known as their “Get Fit Menu.”

This particular menu consists of good eats for a lower calorie diet. If you enjoy wraps and salads this is where you need to be. They also offer tons of toppings, so don’t be afraid to take those salads to the next level.

As the spring season makes its way through the semester, the team at Moe’s plan to accommodate students by making several adjustments like extending their hours and adding some new goods to the menu.

Kelvin Ayala, owner of Moe’s Burger Joint, said in an email, “We want to be a destination eatery on the Connecticut map right here in Bridgeport.”

Ayala had taken over the business in 2013 along with his partner Brian Fogle. At the time when Moe’s opened up in 2010 he was just a consultant on the project and foresaw an opportunity to keep the business alive Downtown while witnessing other businesses failing or leaving.

“I’m from Bridgeport, born and raised. So is my partner,” said Ayala.

The two local natives have a vested interest in improving the downtown area and becoming one of the iconic locations that people look forward to frequent just like the Barnum Museum, the Arena, or the Downtown Cabaret Theatre.

Their mission is to create a unique dining experience that is fun, simple, and worth coming back for. Ayala is a big supporter of those who are seeking purpose through education and he encourages HCC students to find ways to get involved in the campus and Bridgeport community. He believes in higher learning and advises us to look for ways to contribute our time creatively to reach our goals.

As a token of his appreciation he awards all students a 10 percent off discount of your choice toward your first and next meal.

Don’t forget to bring your school ID!

For more information on Moe’s, visit their web site at www.MoesBurgerJoint.com