New Yorkers - advice on diners and burger bars needed

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Hello everyone, just popping back for research purposes. My boss is over in new York this weekend on a fact finding mission, and he needs to have a look at a few diners/upscale burger places. What recommendations would you give? He's particularly keen on trying kobe too (proper, not "kobe style").

Ta muchly

― Porky, Wednesday, 19 January 2005 11:13 (twenty-one years ago)

I Like, The Deluxe, up by columbia on Broadway.

The Court Square Diner, Queens, Pink Leatherette everywhere.

Bugger Kobe, for good beef you need a well reared british cow.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 11:17 (twenty-one years ago)

yes I know, but to know what's gong on you have to try it don't you? have you tried it yourself?

― porky, Wednesday, 19 January 2005 11:24 (twenty-one years ago)

the corner bistro in the west village. it's one of the undisputed kings of nyc burgers.

― lauren (laurenp), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 11:34 (twenty-one years ago)

also, he could book lunch at peter luger in brooklyn. while known for their exceptional steak, they serve a great burger at lunch/brunch. it's not on the menu, but they're used to people asking for it.

― lauren (laurenp), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 11:47 (twenty-one years ago)

4-5 TIMEOUTNY's ago they did a whole issue on the hamburger and the best ones in the city, including the upscale ones with truffles etc. It was about 10 pages. You might be able to find something about it online. As for diners, he should stop by Relish
http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/free_images/relish-exter.jpg
(where the Kelis "Milkshake" video was shot)
Diner
Miss Williamsburg
which are all within walking distance from Pete Lugers and are all revamped diners serving more upscale fare

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 13:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Here is the link to that Timeout issue:

http://www.timeoutny.com/features/480/480.feat.toc.html

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 14:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Nick's uptown is quite good.

― 57 7th (calstars), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 14:06 (twenty-one years ago)

The Jones Diner was king...but sadly it passed a few years back. Anyone remember it?

― 57 7th (calstars), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 14:07 (twenty-one years ago)

and here is the article on NY's last remaining diners.

http://www.timeoutny.com/eatout/440/440.eat.feat.html

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 14:07 (twenty-one years ago)

THat's great stuff, thanks

― porky, Wednesday, 19 January 2005 14:30 (twenty-one years ago)

If he's going to Brooklyn, definitely get a burger at Lugers. They're unreal.

If he's staying in Manhattan, Corner Bistro serves exactly the kind of burger you used to have at a cookout in your neihborhood, store bought buns and fluted paper plates. The whole nine yards. No one would *ever* describe the Bistro as upscale though, it's a dive. In the best sense of that term.

If he wants upscale send him to Le Parker Meridien, a hotel in midtown. There's a burger place in the lobby "hidden" behind a curtain. (It's in Zagat's, the "hidden" is pure affectation.) I think its called "burger joint" (note the affected use of lower case letters). I was only there once, but it was in fact a tasty burger.

The best cheap burger in the city is at a place called Blue 9 in the village. It's not a bar just a little burger shack. They aren't quite In-N-Out good, but they are pretty close.

― Ash (ashbyman), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 14:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I used to work near here, and I've had a few burgers from this place - which were excellent. It's not really upscale though, except for the location. Just good old fashioned greasy flame-broiled burgers.

― o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 14:49 (twenty-one years ago)

was the jones diner the classic little shack-like place around great jones and lafayette? if so, the atmosphere was amazing but the times i at there the food was a bit lacking even by my generous diner standards.

― lauren (laurenp), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 15:01 (twenty-one years ago)

He's particularly keen on trying kobe too (proper, not "kobe style").

he's going to have to leave America to do that.

unmentioned either here or in Time Out - the off-the-menu burger at the Algonquin, which I've read is the best in the city

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 15:09 (twenty-one years ago)

ISLAND BURGER ISLAND BURGER ISLAND BURGER

(51st and 9th -- best burgers i have EVER had)

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 15:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I had my first taste of Island Burger two weeks ago. It had boursin on it. That shit was RIGHT.

Also had my first In 'N Out burger last week. I think Blue 9 beats it.

― W i l l (common_person), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 15:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Lauren yes, Jones was on Lafayette and Great Jones across from the parking lot. Sure the food wasn't the greatest but it was the cheapest in the city. A sign hung above the wall said, 'Hot Chilly -2.95.' The best was going there and ordering a Cheeseburger Deluxe from George and having him yell over the entire place with a Greek accent: "GIVE ME A CHEESE DELUXE!'

― 57 7th (calstars), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 16:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Blue Nine is as close to In 'N' Out (not better tho. JMod = Californian)

― Jimmy Mod always makes friends with women before bedding them down (ModJ), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 16:23 (twenty-one years ago)

mark ibold works at jones diner.

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 16:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Lot's of stuff pretty well-covered upthread.

Upscale Burgers:
a little upscale- The Noho Star
a lot upscale- The Tribeca Grill

― Ken L (Ken L), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 16:31 (twenty-one years ago)

that's the great jones cafe, jams. jones diner was a superpicturesque divey little diner a block up.

― lauren (laurenp), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 16:33 (twenty-one years ago)

oh right right right. i know of which you speak. hi lauren!

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 16:35 (twenty-one years ago)

HELLO!

also, the bassist for ted leo works there.

― lauren (laurenp), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 16:40 (twenty-one years ago)

also in brooklyn there is a plae actually called Diner... amaaaaaaaaaaazing. The B Bar and Grille is pretty amazing too... on or in bowery, i forget which...

― firstworldman (firstworldman), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 17:45 (twenty-one years ago)

24 Hr. Diner in teh burg makes great burgers at 3 AM

― Jimmy Mod always makes friends with women before bedding them down (ModJ), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 17:55 (twenty-one years ago)

diner is the best restaurant in NYC!

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 18:07 (twenty-one years ago)

(this is when paul eater slaps me. but he should eat there first!)

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 18:08 (twenty-one years ago)

now, now. let's not get carried away.

xpost - or i slap you. and i have eaten there, quite a few times.

― lauren (laurenp), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 18:09 (twenty-one years ago)

I second the Relish recommendation. Burgers are the best thing on the menu.

― Je4nne ƒury (Jeanne Fury), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 18:12 (twenty-one years ago)

yancey, best restaurant in nyc is without a doubt is freeman's... eaten there? granted i only ate dinner there 6 times during my stay... but freeman's was the second best meal i've ever eaten in my life.

and as far as relish... i was kind of nonplussed.

― firstworldman (firstworldman), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 18:16 (twenty-one years ago)

where's freeman's?

i have to admit that i eat at diner at least three times a week.

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 18:17 (twenty-one years ago)

i don't know for sure exactly where... it's in nolita/les in freeman's alley... kind of hard to find... especially since i didn't get too comfortable with where things were in that area... i stayed in soho, was mostly in the east village and brooklyn... though when i ventured out by myself it was usually to the les

― firstworldman (firstworldman), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 18:22 (twenty-one years ago)

i was trying to find pictures of Diner to post with Relish above. I have not been to Diner, yet, sadly enough. At Relish I always get a burger or for brunch the poaches eggs w/hollandaise on top of slices of proscuitto and a cheddar scone. That is the BEST.

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 18:27 (twenty-one years ago)

"burger bars"?

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 18:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Paul Eater is allergic to W'burg.

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 18:29 (twenty-one years ago)

that he is. i like relish okay. not the greatest.

and i should've qualified my diner love with a "that i can afford." that is urgent and key.

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:03 (twenty-one years ago)

i went to diner! it was pretty good!

― s1ocki (slutsky), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:03 (twenty-one years ago)

what's up with new york and brunch?
not just for golden girls anymore?

and the thing about food in new york in general is that a meal that would cost 30 for one person in ny would cost about 80-90 in la

― firstworldman (firstworldman), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:06 (twenty-one years ago)

doesn't everyone love brunch? I live for it. It's for the people who still want breakfast food although they have not woken up until 2pm. I especially love the fixed prix menus where you can get a coffee/tea and mimosa/bloody mary/screwdriver plus your meal all for $9.95-$12.95.

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:09 (twenty-one years ago)

I want a lime rickey right now, and I am going to DINER this weekend, finally.

Best quote from Diner: I'll hit you so hard, I'll kill your whole family.

I said this once to a bf and he acted offended.

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:11 (twenty-one years ago)

well you did kill his family, carey

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Give a recommendation for Diner, I think I may be going there tonight. Or is the burger tried and true? Felicity and I have a love affair going on with turkey burgers with melted bleu cheese.

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:22 (twenty-one years ago)

get one of the specials. especially one of the fish dishes. tres good. from the menu, i'd recommend the roasted half-chicken. awesomeness.

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:24 (twenty-one years ago)

funny you should ask.. anyone been to this place? -->

Burg's best burger: Decades-old Irish pub gets mag's blue ribbon

BY OREN YANIV
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Jan 18, 2005

The best hamburger in all of New York City isn't found at a four-star restaurant in midtown or at a trendy Meatpacking District eatery.

For the city's No. 1 patty, go no farther than an enduring Irish pub in Woodside, Queens.

That was the startling verdict in Time Out magazine's survey of more than 100 burgers, which cited Donovan's Pub as the home of the best.

Established in 1966 and located at the corner of Roosevelt Ave. and 58th St., the traditional Irish bar attracts regulars from as near as across the street and as far as the old country. And since last month's Time Out ranking, new fans have been streaming in.

"It's a great honor," said owner Joe Donovan, 71. "After so many years in the business, it's always nice to get compliments."

The latest praise came as no surprise to the regular clientele. Donovan's was Nora and Donal McCarthy's favorite spot when they lived in the neighborhood five years ago. They now reside in Dublin, but make it a point to come through Woodside for a burger whenever they visit, as they did the other day on their way to the airport.

"We were excited when friends told us they finally got the accolade we knew they deserved for years," said Nora McCarthy, 35.

The juicy and buttery burger is still made the same way it was when the pub opened nearly 40 years ago. Its loosely ground sirloin meat, topped with sautéed onions, makes it a mess to eat, earning it the nickname "the five-napkin burger."

The price is also tough to beat. At $5.75 (including fries), it's also the cheapest on Time Out's top 10 list.

The magazine has been awarding a best hamburger title for years, but this was its first comprehensive ground-beef survey, said Time Out restaurant editor Maile Carpenter.

"Burgers are such a hot topic, and a subject of endless debate, so we figured we'd settle the score once and for all by eating an insane amount of burgers," Carpenter said.

Greenwich Village's Corner Bistro - the perennial winner until this year - didn't even make the top 10 this time.

"It was time to crown a new winner," explained Carpenter, who called the Donovan's burger "ridiculously tasty."

Some longtime patrons expressed concern that the new fame might bring with it big crowds and steeper prices, but most were content that their local hangout is being recognized.

"We always had pride in this place," said 79-year-old Hugh McElwee, a regular for some 30 years.

The family-run institution is managed by Jack Donovan, Joe's brother and a retired NYPD detective. Joe Donovan, a retired fireman, opened the joint with his dad and now owns another location at 41st Ave. and Bell Blvd. in Bayside.

Donovan's kitchen now pops out 200 to 400 burgers a day, serving customers in the bar and the three dining rooms.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:27 (twenty-one years ago)

"Burgers are such a hot topic, and a subject of endless debate, so we figured we'd settle the score once and for all by eating an insane amount of burgers," Carpenter said.

This is obviously the money quote!

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:28 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, the specials seem to be where it's at... there's almost more specials than there are items on the menu.

― firstworldman (firstworldman), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:28 (twenty-one years ago)

the Donovan's burger
http://www.timeoutny.com/features/480/480.donvans.jpg

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:30 (twenty-one years ago)

that looks really gross to me, actually... never realized that that's why i like restaurants with low lighting

― firstworldman (firstworldman), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

"loose meat"

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

this is one of the top 10 burgers that freaked me out.
http://www.timeoutny.com/features/480/480.soupburg.jpg

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:40 (twenty-one years ago)

relish is overpriced

I live next door to the Corner Bistro. Great burgers, but I smell them all the time so they've lost their luster. Also, the place is pretty much always packed.

― shookout (shookout), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I used to go to Stingy Lulu's all the time for burgers and would perv on the trannies with legs longer than Broadway. The last two times I went, there were no trannies to be found. WTF?

― Je4nne ƒury (Jeanne Fury), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Ha! This is like how I love to go to Food Bar in Chelsea for brunch to perv on the beautiful gay boys with nice forearms but the last time I was there I think one of them was STRAIGHT!

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 19:55 (twenty-one years ago)

S!mon's freakout burger was the one that most tempted back toward mad cow

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 20:25 (twenty-one years ago)

DB bistro moderne in midtown has like this $28 burger. its sirloin with short ribs, foie gras, and truffles

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 20:42 (twenty-one years ago)

its good, but not $28 good

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 20:51 (twenty-one years ago)

That's exactly the sort opf thing he wants to try Phil, apparently he's meeting the Fr3ncH L4undry man on monday!.......

― porky, Wednesday, 19 January 2005 21:41 (twenty-one years ago)

foodbarf is horrible. I think they discriminate against heteros.

― bnw (bnw), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 21:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Dare I mention the Kobe Burger at the Old Homstead Steak House (I think I hear gygax! having a heart attack)?

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Thursday, 20 January 2005 00:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I still haven't been to Corner Bistro; I really want to go. Do they have good milkshakes also?

― Mary (Mary), Thursday, 20 January 2005 01:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Have him try the Kobe beef sushi at Riingo, one of the exorbitantly priced restaurants in the new Time Warner center.

― Mary (Mary), Thursday, 20 January 2005 01:06 (twenty-one years ago)

"burger bars"?

the best burgers in nyc are to be found in bars. i like the burgers at kenn's on broome st, and at the ear inn on spring st. also i echo all the corner bistro luv.

― cathy berberian (Jody Beth Rosen), Thursday, 20 January 2005 04:30 (twenty-one years ago)

ever had the burger at mcsorely's? me neither.

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 20 January 2005 04:45 (twenty-one years ago)

do any new yorkers actually GO to mcsorley's?

― cathy berberian (Jody Beth Rosen), Thursday, 20 January 2005 04:53 (twenty-one years ago)

yes.

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 20 January 2005 04:54 (twenty-one years ago)

you don't count. you're not from new york.

― cathy berberian (Jody Beth Rosen), Thursday, 20 January 2005 04:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I wasn't counting me. I have been there with people who were born and bred in New York.

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 20 January 2005 04:57 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.planet.nl/upload_mm/8/d/1/1991049556_1999997548_hillary337.jpg

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 20 January 2005 05:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Someone should start a thread on 'best NYC diner coffee.' Groundrule: can't cost more than a dollar.

― 57 7th (calstars), Sunday, 23 January 2005 22:54 (twenty-one years ago)

when it's this cold out, the best diner coffee is whichever one i'm drinking at the moment.

― cathy berberian (Jody Beth Rosen), Monday, 24 January 2005 06:21 (twenty-one years ago)

maybe it's me but i like deli coffee better.

― hstencil (hstencil), Monday, 24 January 2005 06:24 (twenty-one years ago)

mcsorelys is for nyu sophomores! i also like hte burgers at la petite abeille

― phil-two (phil-two), Monday, 24 January 2005 06:42 (twenty-one years ago)

did you go there then, phil?

― hstencil (hstencil), Monday, 24 January 2005 06:43 (twenty-one years ago)

no! i was good sophomore year and stayed home and studied.

― phil-two (phil-two), Monday, 24 January 2005 06:53 (twenty-one years ago)

hahaha right. and i've gotta bridge i'm gonna sell ya.

― hstencil (hstencil), Monday, 24 January 2005 06:54 (twenty-one years ago)

no really, i was very good. what did me in was when i moved to brooklyn and started going to electroclash parties.

― phil-two (phil-two), Monday, 24 January 2005 06:56 (twenty-one years ago)

the burgers at la petite abeille have some kind of pork product and some red sauce on it. its really good. theres one on like church street or west broadway or whatever in tribeca, and one on 14th in the meatpacking district. i think maybe theres one more somewhere

― phil-two (phil-two), Monday, 24 January 2005 20:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I am still drinking iced coffees. People look at me like I am nuts. But it's not like people stop drinking cold soda in the winter.

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Monday, 24 January 2005 20:05 (twenty-one years ago)

What what, Ed? I live right around the corner from Deluxe, "up on Broadway near Columbia" -- the burger is remarkably alright, but the place is a bit of a nothing.

Not meant as an answer to the thread: a few weeks back I had one of the best burgers I've had in New York -- at a place called Sparky's, possibly toward the south end of Williamsburg. Deliciously charred.

― nabisco (nabisco), Monday, 24 January 2005 20:06 (twenty-one years ago)

that's the hot dog place (not really s. wburg).

― hstencil (hstencil), Monday, 24 January 2005 20:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Sparky's- that hotdog place?

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Monday, 24 January 2005 20:08 (twenty-one years ago)

I was drunk and being led around and have no idea where it was, specifically -- I thought we were somewhere between the J and the L. All I know is burnt-burger deliciousness.

― nabisco (nabisco), Monday, 24 January 2005 20:11 (twenty-one years ago)

it's right off bedford. maybe n. 4th?

― hstencil (hstencil), Monday, 24 January 2005 20:18 (twenty-one years ago)

the corner bistro in the west village. it's one of the undisputed kings of nyc burgers.

...and the most crowded place unless you go at 10:30 am on a Tuesday.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 24 January 2005 20:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Not that i would ever suggest that anyone ever goto the Meat Packing District ever again even if their very lives depended on it, Pop Burger sells the high-end equivalent of White Castle burger that are mighty damn good.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 24 January 2005 20:29 (twenty-one years ago)

oh god yes, i love pop burgers. theyre twice the price if you sit in the back lounge area, not that you would want to.

― phil-two (phil-two), Monday, 24 January 2005 23:56 (twenty-one years ago)

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