The lights are back on. The grill is fired up. And the scoops are ready.
Following a quiet winter and a period of uncertainty, one of Watertown’s longest-standing burger restaurants is reopening with a revitalized identity. Formerly known as Wild Willy’s, the newly named Belle’s Burgers & Ice Cream welcomes guests this month with a new look, an expanded menu, and a deepened connection to the community that supported its journey.
A Comeback Story Served HotEstablished more than two decades ago, the restaurant at 46 Arsenal Street became known for its charbroiled burgers, fresh-cut onion rings, and reputation built through word-of-mouth. Recent years brought significant challenges—including public health disruptions, staffing shortages, and inflation—forcing a reevaluation of the business’s future.
Instead of calling it quits, owners Jon Beatrice and Peter Stahl decided to double down.
“I could’ve walked away,” said Jon, the head chef and co-owner who’s been behind the grill since the very beginning. “But I kept thinking about all the people who’ve come through here — families, neighbors, kids who grew up on our burgers. We still have something worth fighting for.”
With a new name and refreshed interior, Belle’s continues to serve the core items guests have always loved, now with a broader selection that includes grass-fed bison burgers, hand-cut fries, house-made desserts, and small-batch ice cream.
A New Chapter, Same Roots
“Belle’s isn’t a corporate rebrand,” says Stahl. “It’s a love letter. We wanted a name that felt warm, simple, and welcoming — a place that still feels like home.”
With a clean new identity and fresh energy, Belle’s now serves Angus beef, grass-fed bison, Impossible burgers, and an expanded lineup of homemade desserts, hand-cut fries, and for the first time ever, small-batch ice cream.
Grand Re-Opening Celebration — Saturday, April 26
To commemorate its return, Belle’s will host a community celebration:
Saturday, April 26 | 11AM–close
Belle’s Burgers & Ice Cream, 46 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA
Event highlights include:
– Complimentary ice cream for the first 100 guests
– Limited-time menu specials
– Activities for children and family-friendly giveaways
– Ice cream flights and seasonal desserts
A Local Fixture Returns
“This space has always been more than just a restaurant,” said Stahl. “It’s where neighbors meet and staff know familiar orders. That sense of connection was missed—and this reopening is a chance to bring it back.”
As the weather warms and the doors reopen, Belle’s looks ahead with the same foundational values: honest ingredients, classic techniques, and a place that feels like home.
About Belle’s Burgers
Founded over two decades ago on Arsenal Street in Watertown, Belle’s Burgers—formerly Wild Willy’s—has long served the community with charbroiled burgers, house-made onion rings, and a casual, welcoming atmosphere. Today, with a refreshed identity and renewed energy, Belle’s continues that tradition with new offerings like a full-service ice cream bar and expanded menu, all served with the same heart that built its reputation.
Belle’s Burgers & Ice Cream46 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MAOpen daily for lunch and dinner
Media ContactCompany Name: Belle’s BurgersContact Person: Jon BeatriceEmail: Send EmailPhone: (617) 926-9700Country: United StatesWebsite: https://www.belles-burgers.com/
