O’Neill’s up for sale after 40 years in the burger business

O'Neill's, home of the one-pound Pugger burger, is up for sale.

Farley Menezes, owner of the Barton Street East restaurant that has fed hungry Hamiltonians for more than 40 years, said the rising cost of beef was a factor in his decision. But that was just one of many issues spurred by the pandemic that is leading him to list.

I think the restaurant business is not my forte. It's not my skill set," he said. I just feel like someone else could do it better."

The building is listed for $649,000 and Menezes hopes to find a buyer who is willing to continue O'Neill's tradition. Until then, the restaurant will remain open - which means there's still time to devour one last Pugger.

It's part of a cultural history of Hamilton," Menezes said.

Menezes, who purchased the business in 2014, said O'Neill's opened in 1981. The restaurant's founder, who had a passion for grilling in his backyard, converted a shoe store next to his home into the burger joint. Menezes said a friend of the founder's nicknamed Pugger used to order the one-pound burger whenever he came to town - an order that eventually became O'Neill's trademark.

In those days, the restaurant's go-to order was a $6.99 combo, which included a burger with cheese and bacon along with a side of onion rings and fries. According to Menezes, O'Neill's was extremely popular with steel workers and families in Hamilton due to its affordable prices.

But in recent years, the number of customers dropped off. At the same time, beef prices rose and sales began to fluctuate - one day sales would be high, and the next day they would be low," said Menezes - making staffing a challenge.

Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the cost of ground beef has increased more than six per cent per kilogram, according to data from Statistics Canada.

O'Neill's tried to attract new customers. For instance, its current chef, Christopher Smigh, introduced Jamaican elements to the menu with a spicy jerk chicken sandwich. But it wasn't enough.

Smigh told The Spectator that above all he will miss the people." He also acknowledged the community spirit of the restaurant, which often served free food on Boxing Day and other holidays.

Some (people) like us, others complain, but we try to bring them back to give us a second chance.

Our customers are deeply saddened with the closure," Smigh said.

Beatriz Baleeiro is a reporter at The Spectator. bbaleeiro@torstar.ca