J.G. Melon - Burgers - $

Website

J.G. Melon is one of those old-school, hasn't changed since it opened, authentic burger joints. After a few good burger-ventures, a coworker recommended this as being one of Bobby Flay's "Best Burgers I Ever Ate."

This place feels so out of place up on the Upper East Side. It's a dark pub-like restaurant packed with people and tables. The menu is simple but the burgers aren't too cheap.

I went ahead and ordered the cheeseburger and split some fries. Burger was good, but certainly not my favorite. But for the sake of its reputation, I had to include this in my blog. If you're looking for that "normal" no-frills kind of American burger, this could definitely be it. I particularly prefer a juicier, fattier meat that melts in your mouth with every bite.





Burger and fries $15.

JG Melon - Burgers - $

Website

Another burger adventure in the city, inspired by my friends' burger obsessions in the city. A coworker had recommended this place and I learned that it's Bobby Flay's favorite burger from "Best Thing I Ever Ate."

This old, original restaurant features walls of watermelon posters and paintings, and a simple menu of burgers and steaks.

- Cheeseburger
(A good one, but not my favorite. It's a good, no frills version of your typical cheese burger)

- Fries
(Really good, crispy-- I liked these more than the burger)

The burger alone is about $10, plus whatever you eat and drink on the side.

Minetta Tavern - Burger - $$$

Website

OK. I've already posted Minetta Tavern, but the first time I went there, I had the steak- which is not what you're supposed to go there for. The Minetta Tavern Black Label burger is the talk of the town. It's considered the best burger in the city by many, who also justify the $26 price for what I like to consider as the single-childless-yuppie-with-money-to-spend's burger.

A friend of mine who is documenting his way through the best burgers of the city invited me along. We were on a mission. Even on a Wednesday night, the place was packed and loud as usual, making it really difficult to chat, but then again, the burger was so incredible, when it did finally arrive

there were no words spoken at our table, only "Mmmms"

It was amazing. The burger is pretty small, but I've read all sorts of articles about how the actual meat mixture used to make this burger is secret and exclusive to Minetta Tavern. It's essentially like the best steak ground up and cooked to perfection, then topped with carmelized onions. DO NOT think to put anything on this burger. It doesn't need anything at all.



We went with a certain technique to extend the life of this life-changing burger, which was by: cutting it in half, eating the first half in tiny bites, then eating the delicious fries that came with it, followed by the other half of the burger. At the end of the meal, I noticed that the knife bore the evidence of how perfect and fatty the burger is.




For me personally, the best part of the night was having Riad Nasr come out of the kitchen and speak to the guests at the table next to us. For all the times I have been to the McNally restaurants and dreamt of the opportunity to meet Riad Nasr- one of my favorite chefs and chef-owner pairings.... it was like too good to be true. And there he was, not even one foot away from me, with his name embroided on his chef's jacket. I dont know which experience was better-- the burger or the chef.

We finished the meal off with the Grand Marnier souffle, which well, was also amazing.



I so love Minetta Tavern.

Burgers and dessert about $45pp.

Burger Joint @ Le Parker Meridien - Burgers - $

Website (Midtown)

This place is soooo good! It's a tiny hole-in-the-wall hidden behind a heavy drape in the lobby of Le Parker Meridien. You wouldn't expect it at all. Amidst the upscale hotel lobby decor, this place totally doesn't fit in-- probably why it's hidden behind such a heavy drape. It looks like the kind of "joint" you'd find in the Village. But its quality is exactly why it's remained. The line is consistently long, and the place is consistently packed, so have some patience. The burger is well worth the wait and the crowd. This would be up there on my top 10 burgers in the city... if I had a top 10 burgers in the city, list!

- Cheeseburger
- Fries



$14 Burger-Fries-Soda

Minetta Tavern - American - $$$

Website

Minetta Tavern is another McNally gem. This one is located on MacDougal St., amidst jazz clubs and falafel places, right in the heart of NYU's Greenwich Village. It is so inconspicuous, you could walk past it a thousand times and not really know it's there (like I did). I kept reading about how wonderful it is in New York Magazine, and couldn't wait to get the hard-to-get dinner reservation.

The thing about all of the McNally restaurants that I've been to and love, is that their food is always simple. It is simple, high quality food, served simply, in simple, non-portentous settings. So everyone can go and feel comfortable and enjoy their meal, without being snubbed or feeling a need to whisper and behave. And that's what makes them so appealing to the masses. Schillers, Balthazar, Pastis, Morandi, Pulinos... all the same. They are always packed with crowds and their food is always fresh and delicious, so customers always go back.

I went there with a client about a year ago after he let me choose the restaurant. He'd already been there, but I was so dazzled by the hype that I honestly researched the menu and had already decided what to order about a week prior to going. (Don't worry, I know just how dorky that does sound.) So I passed-up the highly praised black label burger for the bone-in steak, and was not disappointed. However, the tightly packed restaurant was not a very conducive setting for a client dinner, as it was extremely difficult to hear one another. We were even there on a Tuesday night and it was still very crowded! So go here with friends you don't really need to talk to, or don't mind shouting at.

Everything you will try will be delicious, but I will go back for their burger.

- Bone-in Steak
- Black Label Burger
- Lamb Saddle "Tranche"
- Roasted Bone Marrow
- Oxtail and Fois Gras Terrine

Mark - Burgers - $

Website

This place is one of the best burger places in the city. They have a small space and a super simple menu: burgers and fries. Their sliders are like a gourmet, perfected, white castle-tasting slider. Their fries are perfectly fried and crispy. Each table comes equipped with 4 different types of ketchups and sauces, all worth trying. But the best thing that Mark serves is their guiness milkshake. Yes. A milkshake made with ice cream and guiness. You have to try it.

This place is so good and cheap, that I was even able to get my vegetarian friend to take a night off and enjoy some sliders with me.



$10pp

Bareburger - Organic Burgers - $

http://www.bareburger.com/ (Astoria, NY)

While Astoria has plenty of great restaurants, this is one of the best restaurants for the yuppie scene. Bareburger serves all kinds of organic options for burgers. They let you choose your meat, offering bison, elk, turkey, veggie, beef, etc., as well as your bun option. You can go whole grain, brioche, even lettuce wrapped if you want. Everything is organic, including the ketchup and fries. All their choices sound incredible but I've only had a couple to comment on.

- Maui Wowie Burger
(I had it with the turkey. Yummmm)
- Lamb Burger
- Portabella Burger
(Haven't had this one but I cant wait to try it.)
- Sweet potato fries

$20 pp