It's True, Construction Finally Starts on Wahlburgers Las Vegas

After an impressive 525 days of keeping fans in suspense, construction has finally begun on the perpetually "coming soon" Las Vegas expansion of Wahlburgers at the Grand Bazaar Shops.

Since the first reveal in September 2014, the fate of furthest west outpost of the casual burger restaurant chain has gone from unlikely to now doubling in size from their earliest plans. Fronted by chef Paul Wahlberg and brothers Donnie and Mark Wahlberg, current paperwork calls for Wahlburgers to occupy both floors of building F-2, at the southern, rear corner of the outdoor mall.

Concrete has now been poured on the restaurant floor, part of an estimated $2,352,000 in construction costs. Filling a total of 9,265 square feet, it will create enough room for a maximum of 142 guests. Previously announced, a 600-square foot outdoor patio and a walk up window also serving selections from the menu and "specialty cocktails."

Also being built, a 288-square-foot retail shop, scheduled to debut before the restaurant and offer "branded Wahlburgers merchandise, including T-shirts, key chains, shot glasses and more."

While the Grand Bazaar Shops is still actively promoting Wahlburgers as arriving in "late 2015" on their home page, much to the annoyance of eager fans on social media looking for an opening date, expect a few more months of work before you'll be able to sample the O.F.D. burger, Alma's Favorite Chicken sandwich and Mark Wahlberg's choice, a Thanksgiving day turkey and stuffing lettuce wrap.