Original City Burger Better Than Black Label? Combo Comes Down By $1
Earlier this week I had an email exchange about the new changes at City Burger(on 39th just East of B’way) with Josh “Mr. Cutlets” Ozersky. Not only is he editor of The Feedbag, but he is also the self appointed president of the Pat LaFrieda fan club:
Josh: “You better get on down to City Burger… Went there with a few other people the other day. It is SICK! Really, really good now.”
Me: “I don’t know. [The black label burger] is a little pricey for my cheap-ass blood… but yeah, I’ll probably break down and try it this week. Have the regular burgers changed at all?”
Josh: “Listen to this! I like the regular burgers BETTER than the black label. They’re top-three burgers in town right now. They got rid of the grills and brought in griddles…started warming the buns… oh man I wish I had one now.”
That is a bold statement… top 3 burgers in the city?!?! (Not even just Midtown?) The truth has been narrowed down to 2 possibilities. 1) City Burger has significantly improved their burger. Or 2) The Abitino Brothers (who own City Burger) have some serious dirt on our good friend Mr. Cutlets.
Only one way to find out which is true…
Regular City Burger w/ the Works
I admit I am no burger expert, but the regular City Burger has definitely improved with the change from the grille to the griddle. What used to be a hard hockey puck is now greasier, way juicier, and as a result much more flavorful. And most importantly, it was cooked perfectly (a big issue when they first opened.)
Innards
They’ve also heard the cries of the Midtown Lunch mob, and reduced the price of a burger/fries/soda combo from $10.55 to $9.55. It’s still a little overpriced for my taste, especially because I think the burger is now a little thinner, but I still applaud their effort. I also will admit that it is comparably priced to Good Burger and the Burger Joint at the Parker Meridien… but that doesn’t make me any happier to pay $10 for a burger, fries, and a soda.
What about the new Black Label Burger, you ask? It’s completely against everything I believe in to pay $11 for a take out burger for lunch, but after Danny’s description last week, and some of the other posts I had read, I couldn’t help myself. I think it was the term “funky” that piqued my curiosity the most…
It doesn’t really look any different…
And funky it was… not in a weird way, but in that you-know-you-are-definitely-eating-some-serious-beef kind of way. To put it another way, it has a very pleasing, very strong beef flavor that makes your mouth water as you eat it. Really, really enjoyable. Worth the $11+ for lunch? Fuck no. (What can I say? I’m a cheap ass through and through.) It also doesn’t help that it is a small burger that doesn’t fill you up, and after spending all that money, you still have to pay extra for cheese. That being said, I agree with Danny and the commenters who said it is worth trying once.
And with the regular City Burger vastly improved, and half the price, it’s tough to disagree with Cutlets. Top 3 burgers in the city? That may be going to too far… but certainly a worthy (albeit slightly overpriced) Midtown Lunch.
City Burger, 1410 Broadway (on 39th Street just East of B’way), 212 997-7770
Posted: 11:50 am, December 11th, 2008 under 39th & B'way, Burger, City Burger.
45 Comments | RSS comments feed for this post
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45 Comments
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My god, Zach, I can’t believe you are singing the praises of eating burgers for lunch! You self-centered b*st*rd!!! Don’t you realize that there are some of us out here who have pet cows and simply don’t want to see them slaughtered? Did you ever consider that, or are you too self-involved to even considered what is important to other people out here???? it’s not like we really *choose* to have pet cows! Someday even you might wind up owning a pet cow, even if you think you’re young and immune to such things now.
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The regular burger look freakin’ TINY in your innards shot. Quick question: Did you order the burgers medium well? I’m probably going to cough up the scratch and check this place out. I’ll just be sure to get reasonably filled up on a decent-sized lunch beforehand.
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lol @ moze
mooooooo!
moze, are you sure you don’t work for chik-fil-a and trying to tell us to “eat more chicken” while dressed up as a cow?
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@JustNancy – Naw… they were cooked “Medium” which is the default if you don’t ask for anything specific. I would have asked for Medium Rare but I was with a friend and we were sharing…
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This calls for a burger wars most-overhyped burger of 2008 edition: the Pat LaFrieda City Burger vs. the Ryan Skeen Irving Mill Burger
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chikin! eat more chikin!!! stop the senseless slaughter, Zach!
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I don’t know about any of these burger centric places that are not named mcdonalds, wendy’s or BK. My favorite burger that I’ve had in the City is from Houston’s. Yes, bring down the fire and brimstone upon me! I am a heathen. I am not a huge fan of shake shack (due to the ridiculous line), nor Corner Bistro, nor Pop Burger, Zen Burger, or anything else with Burger in the name. But dammnit, Houston’s makes a damn good burger. I would say the best I’ve had since my original burger place, Diane’s, up around Lincoln Center, closed about 10 or 12 yrs. ago. Diane’s had the best burger in the City, as adorned by my esteemed 72 yr old father, who was born and raised in Brooklyn.
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The best burger and fries are in brooklyn, at Bonnies. Zach, grab the stroller and the Mrs and come visit me for lunch.
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agreed on houston’s…definitely best chain burger in the city.
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Bonnies is AMAZING
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And it’s cheap!
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whoa, zach had to share a burger. i feel funky.
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Was it a Kiss & make-up lunch with Matt?
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What’s with all the pickles on that regular burger? They’re three high fer chrissake…
A dangerous step towards less meat and more veg…beat back that Zen Burger craving Zach, embrace 20% fat content beef
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@wayne – that’s what you get when you order “the works”
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@ Wined and Dined===Great minds think alike!
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Yo, Mamacita, I thought you were cool. But now…..Bonnie’s? Freakin’ Bonnie’s? It’s the only place in my (our) nabe I will refuse to eat. And don’t even mention that chipotle mayo nonsense. It’s Miracle Whip with chipotle powder. It won’t make a dry, over spiced burger taste good, my fine and fellow Midtown luncher. Let’s get that happy hour $10 buck Wagyu beef burger together at Melt sometime. It’s better than decent. It’s my duty to get you off Bonnie’s. Oy.
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Done the burger at melt about 5 times now, and while it’s good… I still love my Bonnies. And dry?? are you kidding? There a huge puddle of greasy juice left on my plate every time. I usually order medium or med. rare. Do you do yours well? Oh, the char.. oh the wonderfull char… yet so juicy…..and the fries..
Ok, I’m in, lets get some burgers nancy.
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hmmmmm Girlie Burger Face off……if it involves Nutella…can i watch?
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DID YOU JUST SAY NUTS?
oh, err, you didn’t
*TWITCH* sorry
However, I will still be happy to bite you nuts off, McBeagle
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I thought you might wish to know that my wife “E”(owner of a WILDLY successful chain of laser hair removal salons) has given me an early Christmas present.
My beloved housecat, Mr. Wiggles, passed on several weeks ago. Seeing how morose I had become, E spent long hours searching for THE perfect Manx kitten. She found one several hours away and surprised me with him just yesterday.
I have decided to name him MR CUTLETS in part because the kitten has a loveable paunch and a very odd set of whiskers, much like the human Mr. Cutlets, but also because it’s such a RIDICULOUS moniker.
Pictures of Mr. Cutlets will soon grace my MySpace page, should that excite you.
Regards,
Chuck, PhD -
IE:Chucky shot the cat when Obama won.
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McBeagle
For your information, Mr. Wiggles lost his life in a tragic accident involving our home tandoor oven.
Also, should this interest you, my wife proudly voted for Barak Obama. I would have, but am prevented from doing so thanks to an overzealous federal prosecutor.
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what about HK (39th and 9th) or Keen’s Steakhouse (36th between 5th and 6th) have mighty tasty burgers and no “burger” in the name. They also have other less “meaty options for some of you veg heds. Keen’s may have meatless salad, but I dont know for sure….
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Yes, all the local polling places take us too close to local elementary schools for DocChuck to vote, and as you all know my beloved hubby-dubby is legally constrained to remain 1000 yards or more at all times away from elementary schools. Tis causes us great difficulties, such as having to map out in advance legally acceptable routes to our beloved Applebees (not the one we were permanently barred from, the newer one), Chili’s, and Olive Garden. It also plays havoc with our budget, as camera equipment capable of generating sharp images of young boys at play from 1001 yards away does not come cheap.
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Just had the Black Label or whatever, the fries were meh, the burger was good, but not $11 a la carte good. If their $4.50 burger is like shake shack, it would be worth going back, but if not, who needs em?
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True story! DocChuck was sent to jail for harassing and threatening some backwater newspaper staff and a bank employee in Arkansas. Hard to believe right?! Here’s a blurb from BaxterBulletin in Mountain Home, AK….ENJOY!
“A Baxter County man accused of harassing employees of The Baxter Bulletin and Gail House, an employee of First Federal Savings and Loan, pleaded no contest Tuesday in Baxter County District Court to a single misdemeanor charge of harassing communications. District Judge Van Gearhart entered a finding of guilty against Dr. Charles Treuter and sentenced Treuter to 90 days in jail with all but 10 days suspended. City Prosecutor Roger Morgan brought reams of papers to the hearing that were allegedly faxes and printed copies of e-mail authored by Treuter containing untrue, derogatory and profane statements directed at the victims or their employers. Morgan told the judge that Treuter’s communications with The Bulletin had continued for more than seven years and had recently become increasingly personal and defamatory in content.”
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Oh and speaking of voting! DocChuck got also received a felony for vote fraud. Seems he tried voting as himself and his “wife”. Which wife was it Doc? The one in the MySpace profile or the one on TripAdvisor, cause they’re not the same person.
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Nothing you people say will bring back Mr. Wiggles.
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I had the city burger regular burger today, and it is definitely better than before. Probably the best burger in the price within a couple of blocks of my office at 42nd and 7th.
I know the Park Slope argument is off topic, but as someone who eats a burger at least once a week in the slope, I’d rank the $10 Melt bar burger ahead of Bonnie’s. However, I’ll easily declare the wings at Bonnie’s (spice level: hot) as the best in the city. FYI, if you haven’t had the burgers at Sidecar or 200 5th, they’re both worth checking out.
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Mamacita, we’re on it! I’m a medium rare, too. Why bother with a burger if you like anything beyond medium, eh? I’ll email ya…
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I for one would like to offer DocChuck my deepest sympathies on the untimely passing of his dear Mr. Wiggles.
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There would have been a funeral, but we don’t waste good meat here in Arkansas. You know, cat is not bad with enough Kraft BBQ sauce.
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so I went to city burger today and they clearly can’t handle the crowd. it is busy again like when they opened and they are overcooking burgers again. i was doing better there a couple of weeks ago when it was dead and i could micromanage the burger flipper while he cooked my burger.
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I went there today also and have the exact same complaint. I thought I’d be slick by ordering online but I still had to wait 20 mins once I showed up. They really need to get their act together.
PS – the Black Label burger is definitely good, but sooooo not worth $11. I kinda want to go back one more time for the new regular burger, but they are on my “two strikes” list at the moment.
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a little off topic, but I just went to 5 guys today for second lunch (raging hangover, today is a tough one) and I almost had a heart attack when the burger flipper took a bacon weight and SLAMMED it down on my burger, pulverizing the thing and sending all the juices flying out of my burger! Is this standard 5 guys practice?
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I think I’ve seen them do that before. Shameful.
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I went by last night after reading some of the reviews (yes…Im gullable). I decided on the Black label burger as well, because I was totally sold on the description, and thought I should give it a try. It was tasty, and a damn fine burger. But I thought it was a bit too small, especially for the price. Way too expensive! You can call me cheap if you like. I have no problems paying for something thats worth it. Not completely sold if this burger (esp at such a miniscule size) is worth $ 10+ (not including fries and drink!). I would try their regular burger though because I felt that what I was given was an extremely well cooked and delicious burger. So can only imagine their regular burger would stand up well, both against the palatte and the wallet.
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Ate a black label today. Meh…
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Tried it last night – Super Meh! I give it a 2 out of 10. No flavor and hard as a hockey puck. Huge disappointment! The cook was pressing down hard on the burger – the juices and flavor must of just been obliterated.
$14 for a cheese burger is a definite rip-off!! Would not go back if the burger was free. Carnegie John’s has a bigger, juicier burger for about a third the price.
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I just had the LaFrieda Black Label burger. What a terrible thing to do with such a great piece of meat! You’ve got a very flavorful juicy piece of meat, shape and press it into a hockey puck and press the hell out of it. A great burger should never be pressed down. The density was all wrong. This burger’s got potential. But you have to know how to handle it. And at over $10 for a burger, it’s totally not worth it.
However, the onion rings were delicious.
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Boo, did they actually “press it?”like smash it into the grill or was it just overcooked and dry?
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It wasn’t overcooked and dry. I ordered it medium rare. And actually they cooked it rare as opposed to medium rare. It was completely raw in the middle. And the burger wasn’t pressed when it was on the grill. But it was pressed PRIOR to cooking, rendering the meat quite dense. If you’re going to use top grade beef, at least they should treat it properly. The texture of this burger was more of a meatloaf as opposed to a juicy burger. I can now understand why people have referred to the burger as a hockey puck.
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Mamacita, thinking about this a bit more, to further elaborate what I mean by the burger is a hockey puck … you can actually throw this burger (if cooked medium) around like a frisbee and it will hold its shape. A properly made and cooked burger should break apart.
Was this written by an attractive single woman who wants you to say hello if you see her eating alone? I think for equality sake, you should profile the city’s best veggie burger spot, ha ha..