{"id":303907,"date":"2025-10-14T23:47:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T23:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/303907\/"},"modified":"2025-10-14T23:47:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T23:47:09","slug":"richardson-burger-joint-pivots-to-small-more-affordable-mode","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/303907\/","title":{"rendered":"Richardson burger joint pivots to small more affordable mode"},"content":{"rendered":"

A hugely popular neighborhood restaurant in Richardson has given itself a makeover: After 12 years, Haystack Burgers & Barley has reimagined its flagship location at 100 Central Expwy. #17 into a new concept called Little Stack<\/a>, a more concise, more budget-friendly version of itself.<\/p>\n

Co-owner Jenny Galvan, who runs the restaurant with her husband, Kevin Galvan, a fourth-generation restaurateur, says their goal was to provide an affordable meal and give diners more options.<\/p>\n

“We want people to be able to go in and have lunch for under $12, but still get Haystack quality,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

The couple opened the original Haystack in April 2013 in their West Richardson neighborhood, just before the arrival of Alamo Drafthouse. Their Tex-Mex-inspired burgers and craft beer made the restaurant a pioneer in the then-quiet Richardson Heights Village.<\/p>\n

“Now there’s 14 different restaurants we’re splitting the dollar with,” Kevin says.<\/p>\n

They went on to expand to five locations, then during the pandemic consolidated to three: Lakewood, Hillcrest Village, and Frisco.<\/p>\n

But inflation has proven to be the greater challenge.<\/p>\n

“We never ever thought we’d be charging what we charge for burgers,” Jenny says. A full meal at Haystack can hit $20 per person.<\/p>\n

Rather than close, the Galvans saw Little Stack as an opportunity to reimagine Haystack\u2019s role in the community as a quick, affordable lunch destination that still delivers on freshness.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe still don\u2019t have a freezer or microwave, we’re still making everything fresh in house,\u201d Kevin says.<\/p>\n

The new menu<\/a> features three burgers, made with three-ounce patties, about half the size of what they serve at Haystack. It gives more options, and diners who crave a bigger burger can upgrade to a double patty or triple patty (or even drive to the Hillcrest Village location which is just four miles away).<\/p>\n

There’s a basic cheeseburger; a bacon cheeseburger with Haystack onions; and a “Jefe” style with American cheese, pickles, and mustard. Prices range from $7.89 to $9.39 for the bacon cheeseburger.<\/p>\n

The menu also includes grilled cheese, chicken fingers, a fried chicken sandwich, hot dog, and the Haystack salad, with romaine and iceberg lettuce. Starters include nachos, fried jalapenos, and fried mozzarella, with a veggie burger using Haystack\u2019s recipe coming soon.<\/p>\n

Signature Baking Company still supplies the buns, while russet potatoes replace the Kennebec for fries. For dessert, there\u2019s chocolate and vanilla milkshakes, and the signature Haymaker whisky slushie returns alongside $2 and $4 beers.<\/p>\n

“Richardson is the OG,” Jenny says. “It really is so special to us, and so we want to be around for a long, long time in this neighborhood. We felt like this was the best way for us to create a new experience that enables us to be around for the future.”<\/p>\n