Milan is preparing to welcome the authentic flavors of America with the highly anticipated opening of Bukies, scheduled for October 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Via Lecco 7. Born from a shared vision of Piero Armenti and Jana Food, the restaurant aims to bring the authentic American street food experience to Italy.
The origins of this project run deep, dating back ten years to when the two founders first met in New York, united by a shared desire to explore the Big Apple’s culinary scene. After losing touch for quite some time, inspiration struck in 2024 during a friend’s wedding—as they themselves recount on the Bukies website—at which point they decided to join forces to bring authentic American smashburgers and delicious cookies to Italy.
What to Eat at Bukies
Bukies’ philosophy is clear: a streamlined menu with just a few options, each meticulously crafted to ensure excellence. The restaurant uses high-quality ingredients, including fresh meat delivered daily and prepared according to an exclusive recipe that carefully balances the cuts and fat content, paired with artisanal buns, crispy bacon in true American style, and a special secret “Bukie sauce.”
The restaurant’s core menu focuses on three main offerings: a classic smashburger , which customers can customize by choosing from two to a maximum of five beef patties; a fried chicken sandwich; and a fully vegan option. In addition to these staple items, there’s a special sandwich that changes almost every month.
To give a concrete idea of the offerings and prices, we can refer to the menu at the Salerno location; among the mouthwatering options, the “NY Pizza Smash,” priced at 11.00 euros, and the “Ultra Cheese Burger,” priced at 13.00 euros, stand out. On their Instagram profile, you’ll find the menu with prices, which also vary depending on the size of the sandwich.
To round out the meal, the real stars of the dessert menu are the cookies, made according to a traditional New York recipe that gives them a soft and chewy texture.
The opening in the Lombard capital marks a significant step forward for the ambitious project by Armenti and Jana Food, which aims to introduce the true taste of America throughout Italy. Milan joins a network of locations already established in Campania, with branches in Naples, Salerno, Aversa, Villaricca, and Pomigliano d’Arco.
