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The Burger Joint @ Le Parker Meridien
If you have ever been on a NYC food message board, then you know that nothing gets the troops riled up more then a post about “The Best” Hamburger in New York City. One thread, started two months ago, just got its 100th reply. People really are crazy… I’m not really a hamburger connoisseur- but I do enjoy a burger now and again. I haven’t eaten at a McDonalds, Burger King, or Wendy’s in years- but living in L.A. for two years, I couldn’t stay away from In ‘n Out… so I’m not anti-burger or anything, I just think the whole NYC “best burger” argument seems pretty silly.
First off, what kind of burger are you talking about? Thick or thin? Cheap or Expensive? If you ask me what my favorite burger place is, I would probably say In ‘n Out? But it’s only the best when you compare it to other thin burgers… which are mostly found at fast food places. Most people probably like thick burgers better then the thin patties… but there aren’t too many cheap, fast food places that serve the thick restaurant style burgers. Then you have the expensive burgers… which are in a class unto themselves. You know the ones… served at fancy restaurants, made with Kobe beef and stuffed with foie gras that cost a hundred billion dollars. That doesn’t really appeal to me. It’s a hamburger. If I go to a fancy restaurant, I want a real meal. Not a burger. I don’t care what animal’s liver you’ve stuffed it with, and how much you massaged the cow before you ground it up… I’m not paying over $20 for a hamburger and fries. Why stop at foie gras and truffles? You start stuffing burgers with fried chicken or Chinese food, then you give me a call…
So in my opinion to talk about “the best” or compare burger places across genres is really useless. If two places are right across the street from each other, and serve the same kind of burger at the same price- compare away. In ‘n Out is better then McDonald’s. But to compare Blue 9 Burger in the East Village to the burger at Spotted Pig is futile. (BTW, if you are a fan of In n Out, and are ever in the East Village check out Blue 9. It’s the closest thing to a good double double you’ll find in NYC.)
Lucky for us, when it comes to eating a hamburger, for lunch in Midtown, it doesn’t matter what you like- the choice for best burger is pretty clear and easy. The Burger Joint at the Parker Meridien Hotel. While I’m sure the name conjures images of some fancy burger served at an overpriced hotel restaurant with white tablecloths- here’s the best part. It’s a dive, and it’s hidden smack dab in the middle of one of the nicest hotel lobbies in Midtown.
Pictures, the +/- and more after the jump…
It’s hard to call the Burger Joint “hidden”, because it’s become pretty well known (the lines can attest to that). But the truth is, if you don’t know the Burger Joint is there, then you will never know the Burger Joint is there. There’s no real sign, or windows looking in. Just an unlit aisle, next to a large brown curtain with a little neon hamburger and an arrow pointing in. If there wasn’t a line coming out the hallway, you probably wouldn’t even notice it walking through the hotel lobby.
Once you make it inside, you find one of the true hidden gems of Midtown. The “kitchen”, if you could call it that, is a grill behind the counter where you order. The menu is pretty small, and like it says “If you don’t see it, we don’t serve it.” Hamburger ($6), Cheeseburger ($6.50), French Fries ($3), Grilled Cheese ($5). That’s it. There are milkshakes if you show up after 2:30 (supposedly that’s when the line dies down, but on a Wednesday at 2:30 it was still going strong for us). A bunch of wooden tables to sit at, and a bar with some stools. That’s about it. Here’s a picture of the burger from their website:
Here’s the picture of the burger I ate:
I can’t decide which picture looks more appetizing! Despite my horrible photography it really was delicious. I won’t go too much into how amazing the burger is, or why it’s so good. The last thing I want to do is draw the ire or attention of burger afficianados quick to tell me how much better some other place in the city is. Listen pal. We work in Midtown. This place kicks ass. I don’t care what you say…
But I will say this: It’s a little thicker then a fast food burger (but still in the fast food vein). If you like that, you’ll like this burger. It tastes like it’s been grilled on a BBQ, because it has been. If you like that, you will like this burger. It tastes like it was cooked fresh, using really good beef, because it was and it is. If you like that you will like this burger. If you order it medium rare, the inside will be deliciously pink. If you like that, you will like this burger. Will you like it better then (insert your favorite burger place here)? I don’t know. Is it worth $9.50 for a cheeseburger and fries? If the thought of eating at McDonald’s or Burger King (again, or for the first time) sickens you- then yes, it is most definetely worth it.
Transcendant experience? I couldn’t tell you, because I’ve never gotten that feeling from ground up meat, grilled and served on a roll. For me, that “seeing god” experience is reserved for that 3rd plate at an all you can eat chinese buffet. I must be a communist. Feelings of euphoria aside, it is a damn good burger, and I’ll go back again and again.
THE +
Tastes like a real hamburger, made with good meat, that’s been chargrilled on a BBQ
Your lunch is causing the lobby of a super fancy hotel to smell like chargrilled meat
Slightly thicker then your regular fast food burger
They will make your burger medium rare if you want it that way (and it’s thick enough to make a difference)
THE -
There’s no grilled onions. I’m a big fan of grilled onions.
For some $9.50 for a cheeseburger and fries is too much. I understand.
The wait. It’s a pain in the ass. Despite being a “hidden gem”, this place is pretty well known as it pretty packed for most of the hours that you would consider eating a meal that could be called lunch. Best case scenario, get there right at noon or after 2:15. Chances are you will still have to wait, but the wait will be shorter.
It’s really small, and getting a table is like winning the lotto
***ADDITION*** Thanks to an annoynymous tipster we have discovered that you can not only call ahead and place your order- but when you arrive you can skip the line, go to the side of the counter to pay, and receive your food!!!
The Burger Joint, in the Parker Meridien Hotel. Enter on 56th btw. 6th & 7th. Look for the big brown curtain in the middle of the lobby. (There is an entrance on 57th, but it’s easier to find the Burger Joint from the entrance on 56th). 212-708-7414
Posted: August 21st, 2006 under 56th btw. 6+7th, Burger.
Comments: 26
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Comments
Comment from Anonymous
Time: August 21, 2006, 11:22 am
Dude, they take orders over the phone.
Comment from TP
Time: August 21, 2006, 7:42 pm
I remember the good old days when I went to Blue 9 and was like “AHA!” I myself would send In/Out fans to get their fix. Those days are LONG gone. Blue 9 has gotten so horrible, it’s not worth mentioning anymore. It’s like the death of a close friend. Shake Shack (let’s skip mention of the recent drama) and Lucky Burger are better.
Comment from Jack Womack
Time: August 22, 2006, 10:20 am
Totally agree with TP. Not only has quality slipped precipitously (confirmed when I was in San Francisco in May & had a double double animal style at the one INO at Fisherman’s Wharf, but the last time I went to Blue 9 I walked up to the counter to have the young woman there say “Just wait,” not looking up, and proceeding to do paperwork of some sort. After half a minute I just turned and walked out and haven’t been back since.
Comment from Annie
Time: August 23, 2006, 11:56 am
The pictures look GREAT! I know the lighting in this place is wretched and I couldn’t get any good shots of the hokey wood-paneled dining room… but you really captured it! Kudos!
Comment from MidtownFella
Time: August 24, 2006, 3:02 pm
Burger joint’s burger is probably the best midtown burger. Have had better, but for midtown this will do. The wait though between 12 and 2 makes you wonder if its worth it. If you have 30 minutes to kill then go for it, otherwise, try out the phone in process…I’ll be trying that the next time I go! CheerS!
Pingback from Tuck Shop (or the Hidden Jems of the CyberCafe- Part 1 of 2) « Midtown Lunch
Time: October 4, 2006, 8:42 am
[...] Nothing is more fulfilling then finding a hidden food jem in Midtown. It can come in all forms too. There’s the place that is well known, but literally hidden- like the Burger Joint, hidden behind a curtain at the Parker Meridien Hotel. Then there’s the place that looks like a boring deli, but has a hidden specialty- like the Korean food at Cafe Duke. And of course there is discovering that good food cart, which in Midtown is literally like finding a needle size hot dog, in a haystack size pile of gigantic sausages. [...]
Pingback from A Look at Zagat 2007… Midtown Lunch Style! « Midtown Lunch
Time: October 16, 2006, 9:11 am
[...] 24 Burger Joint (56th btw. 7+8th)- Not surprisingly one of the best Burgers in the city, is also tops of Midtown Lunch Zagat list. “Secret no more” and “out the door lines” confirm what we already know about this place hidden in the Parker Meridien hotel lobby. What is surprising is that the Midtown institution, Prime Burger did not make it into the guide. [...]
Pingback from Midtown Lunch » PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er “Josh”
Time: January 30, 2007, 8:40 am
[...] Burger [...]
Comment from drew
Time: May 1, 2007, 12:40 pm
Just went! It definitely is the best burger and fries I’ve had *in midtown Manhattan*. That’s not saying much, though. I thought it was a pretty good, even a good, burger, but not a great one. With the fries it came out to $10 even, which I think makes it about $2 overpriced. But considering I can get a not-half-bad burger and fries (which is not a whole lot worse than burger joint’s offering) at any random midtown lunch/sandwich place for 6 or 7 dollars and change, I don’t know if I’ll be going back.
Comment from Jim O’
Time: May 8, 2007, 9:41 am
I have been a big fan of this hidden gem for a few years, and
having moved a bit further down, haven’t been in a year…
I used to pay $7.50 for cheeseburger/fries/coke…last week:
$12.25…pretty steep climb for about a year!!!
Still one of the best burgers going, just need to get there by 12:15 or you’re toast on line!!
Comment from guttergourmet
Time: May 28, 2007, 7:12 am
I started the burger thread
Comment from Anonymous
Time: June 24, 2007, 8:49 pm
nice blog! very funny and interesting
Comment from Anonymous
Time: June 24, 2007, 8:50 pm
i’ll be eating there tommmrow..i’m from ca . this is my 1st time in the city and in+out is a favrite. so we’ll see how this infamous burger compares
Comment from Anonymous
Time: June 27, 2007, 10:49 pm
i posted the two comments above..i tried it today..
and the verdict is.. it DOES NOT surpass in and out.
it should not be charged more than $4 (they charge $6.75 for a reg. hamburger) then again..everything in New York is outragously overpriced compared to Califronia..so there’s not much to say.
overall. it’s an okay hamburger..it’s overpriced and overhyped though
Comment from Christina
Time: June 28, 2007, 3:48 pm
To Anonymous from CA, try Shake Shack - their shackburger. it’s also very expensive for being sooo small, but the meat is very juicy and nice. NY is overpriced in food. (I’m from CA, too)
Comment from Wayne
Time: July 3, 2007, 2:40 pm
Eh. I finally tried one a few weeks ago. Made sure I went at 11:20 to avoid an unpleasant wait and get the goods fresh. It was an “OK” burger. Not that special. Certainly not transcendent like Shake Shack. Yeah, the location is cool and it’s convenient but the burger isn’t anything you couldn’t get anywhere else.
Comment from jerry
Time: July 12, 2007, 3:04 pm
The rudest staff ever. They think it’s cute trying to be similar to the “Soup Nazi” with a burger joint. Even the best burger around is not worth the attitude of the staff.
Pingback from Midtown Lunch » Carnegie John’s… the Best Cart Burger in Midtown
Time: July 25, 2007, 8:01 am
[...] Burger [...]
Comment from Ben
Time: September 19, 2007, 2:19 pm
Commenting on how The Burger Joint or any food in NYC is overpriced compared to CA or any other place in the country does not add anything to this thread. It’s akin to saying it’s cold in Antarctica or that they speak a lot of Spanish in Mexico.
Pingback from Midtown Lunch » Zagat Names Burger Joint Best Midtown Lunch
Time: October 12, 2007, 9:28 am
[...] Burger [...]
Pingback from Carnegie John’s Street Cart Burger: Backyard BBQ flavor in Midtown « NYC Eats
Time: November 16, 2007, 11:09 am
[...] indeniably charcoal, which is a nice change of pace, even from the flame broiled deliciousness of The Burger Joint. The toppings, iceberg lettuce, a slice of tomato, and melted American, complement the burger well. [...]
Pingback from Casey » Blog Archive » New York Visit
Time: March 18, 2008, 6:46 pm
[...] next day (March 11th) Kristen and I woke up and headed down to Burger Joint for my normal burger before I flew out. Kristen watched me inhale it… but I do remember it [...]
Comment from Terry
Time: April 1, 2008, 11:44 am
Inflation hits midtown lunch where it hurts: Burger Joint prices increased as of 4/1/08. The full experience (cheeseburger, fries, soda) is now $13, up from $11.75.
Comment from Lucia Monts de Oca
Time: April 7, 2008, 3:13 am
WORSE HOTEL I HAVE EVER BEEN TO.
THE WORSE SERVICE EVER.
Comment from Judy Jetson
Time: June 24, 2008, 3:50 pm
We came here after seeing a story on the Travel Channel.
I loved the burger. I loved the fries. I loved the staff-they are cool kids and very efficient!This is New York: Make up your mind and order: WE ARE IN A HURRY. You people who don’t like it just don’t get it! It’s New York,stupid!It’s a snooty hotel a stones throw from Bergdorf’s & Tiffany’s with a simple burger joint behind a velvet curtain that serves the food of the people.It’s so full of irony, I could scream. When in Rome….and when on the W.Coast-love the In n Out for being what it is….
Comment from p2
Time: October 7, 2008, 1:33 pm
I think that the burger is good, the fries come from McDonald’s, and a coke is a coke no matter where you go. Worth the $13? I will let you decide.
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