When Summer Pops audience members were hungry and came to the Westerly Rotary food tent this past summer, many of them paused in front of the delicious-looking pizzas and inquired, “Whose pizza is it?” When they were told it was from Mario’s Northend, instead of just buying a slice or two, they bought the whole pie! “It’s the best pizza” the Rotarians heard over and over. Well, while Mario’s is still welcoming families to their NorthEnd Restaurant with pizza, a full bar, and more, owner, Kerolos Khalif has “crossed the border” into Connecticut and opened The Flying Hoof in the Pawcatuck Shopping Center, and what a welcome addition it is!

The Flying Hoof is a fun nod to a great menu of poultry and meat…everything from fried chicken to burgers to pizza to calzones to bowls; and best of all, owner Kerolos Khalif tells us that both the chicken and the burgers are all fresh meat, delivered daily to the restaurant and made to order every time just for you.

That means fresh smash burgers every day made so many different and delicious ways. What’s a smash burger, you ask? To begin, it’s created from fresh 100% certified Angus beef that has been hand-packed into a ball, placed on a hot, well-seasoned grill, and then smashed into a thin patty. At The Flying Hoof, it’s then placed on a bun with cheese, pickles, and whatever you choose to top your burger. Unlike the classic burger made with a thicker patty that’s usually pre-seasoned, a smash burger is pressed down onto that very hot cooking surface to get a proper sear, taking on an aroma and a flavor unlike any other burger you’ve ever tasted. Because they’re so thin, you’ll want several stacked on your bun. To make it even more delicious, The Flying Hoof offers a menu of toppings and condiments like chipotle mayo, caramelized onions, truffle mushrooms, pineapple, bacon, jalapeno onions…you’ve got to try them all to make your smash burger your own personal signature burger.

That fresh fried chicken will make your mouth water, so order up some wings, nuggets. or tenders to go with your pizzas and smash burgers or order a whole family dinner complete with your choice of sides, biscuits, everything you need to maker dinner a party! How about a bowl? Bacon bowls, crispy chicken bowls, smash burger bowls…all of them become “super bowls!”

Wash it all down with one of the popular local beers, a glass of wine, or how about a milkshake? Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, peanut butter, or Oreo cream; and, if you’re of a “certain age,” try a brand new Boozy Milkshake in your choice of Peanut Butter or Chocolate Fudge.

As Kerolos says, “I’m not here for my likes, I’m here for the likes of my customers.” That’s what made him famous these last five years on the north end and also at his pizza shop in Moosup, Ct. Now, he wants you to come in and try what’s new in Pawcatuck and then keep coming back, and Kerolos is very interested in what YOU think, so give him your feedback, suggestions for new dishes, anything. He wants to be your “go-to” for great food for a long time to come.

If you live within five miles, they’ll deliver, and best of all The Flying Hoof is open every day of the week from 10AM-9PM, so you can stop in before work, have lunch and one of those delicious boozy milkshakes, bring the whole family for dinner, come after church, come after the game, just keep coming where the food is guaranteed fresh every day, where the burgers are smashed, the pizzas are hot and delicious and not the same old thing, and where you will love finding your new go-to place for great food.

Just over the Westerly border…no passport needed, just a BIG appetite!