Best Bang for My Buck Burger?

[mle18]

I am coming up with corner bistro, and the burger joint. What I want is a place where I can get a cheap tasty burger and a beer.

[nyufoodie]

Burger Joint at LPM will not disappoint and they do serve beer.

[coffeesheep]

If you feel up for a short train ride into Queens, then Donovan's Pub has one of the best in the city. I've been a few times and always left happy.

[laverne]

I put my money where my mouth is. Had a Big Nicks burger last night. The best uptown. I'd go with Broome St. downtown,with a salad and "chinese dressing" on the side.

[drumwine]

Went to Big Nick's 77th St. today.....the burger was juicy & huge, the bun was soft/fresh, the fit between them was perfect. There it is.

[marlosse]

Alright, I'm gonna out on a limb here and risk complete and utter chowhound embarrassment, but I actually like the burger at Dallas BBQ. There. I said it.

[Cheese Boy]

I was pleasantly surprised too. I went to their 3AV/73st location and I must have either caught them on a good day or the phases of the moon must have been just right for hamburger preparation that day. Their burger tasted *fantastic*, truly unbelievable. The ground sirloin that was used tasted like it was prime! Maybe you too can get lucky. I did!

Link: http://www.bbqnyc.com/

[marlosse]

Thank you, Cheese Boy. I'm glad you didn't leave me hangin'.

[big o]

Burger Joint tops my list, and I think Corner Bistro puts out chowhounds most overrated food item of any type.

If I don't feel like heading uptown, I've found that Soho Park (Prince & Lafayette) gets the job done. The burgers are good and their onion rings handily beat out most of these other place's fries.

Their hazelnut egg cream is particularly good as well.

[ballulah]

I like to get a burger and beer at the bar at Nancy Whiskey's on West Broadway just below Canal. Especially at lunch time. Great dive-y bar, good beer, and the burger and fries are around $5.

[JoanN]

I don't understand for the life of me why Big Nick's on B'way gets positive reviews here. It's in my nabe. I've been twice. The second time because the first was so bad I figured it just had to be an anomaly. It wasn't. Both times: stale bun, too big for the skinny meat patty; meat patty that seemed full of filler; patty so thin medium-rare turned out gray on the outside and still medium to well on the inside. Couldn't finish either one of them. Never again.

All State, on W 72nd, is only a few blocks away and they do a great burger in a very significantly more pleasant atmosphere for not much more money.

[NAtiveNewYorker]

Well said. Lousy burger.

[amyleechen]

I stand by Big Nick's burger. I can't recall a bad one in 20 years of going there. JoanN, I'm sad you had bad burger experiences there. That's a shame. Don't know how to square the discrepancy between our respective experiences.

I love All-State, but not for their burgers. As I recall, last I had one it was on an English Muffin and I prefer a bun. Everyone has a burger joint to champion, and that is just one of life's great joys when you are a Chow Hound. For me -- it's Big Nick's.

[mangiabeve]

I like PAUL's on 2nd ave and st marks... big, fat, juicy burgers made on a grill (covered with an upside down stainless steel bowl)... definitely a B4YB... and the pickles?!?!?! really good.

[eve]

Waterfront Ale House--30th and 2nd has an out of sight burger. Definitely better than Molly's--which I really like.

[ssf36]

Daily Lunch Special at Mr. Biggs, 43rd & 10th. A very decent burger on a pedestrian bun, good fries, small salad and a glass of - yuck - Coors Light for $7.

[Cheesy]

Let me add Tavern on Jane into the mix. It is across the street (8th Ave.) from Corner Bistro, and unlike The Bistro (which is fine for what it is), they have a real beer selection ($5 pint) and they make a consistently under-rated burger that is always cooked properly. With fries (or any side you want – try the mashed potatoes), pickles slaw, etc. it is $9. You can find cheaper, cooler, and yes, even better, but being they get a good score on service, quality, price, atmosphere, location and value, it is an altogether good spot. Lastly, unlike most of the other listings, which I largely agree with (except calling the Bisto Burger the best in the city), Tavern on Jane is not over run by Frat Boys – not that there is anything wrong with that.

p.s. Burger Joint is no longer $8 for a burger, fries and a drink, however, it is still very good.

[Sweatshirt Guy]

What area are you looking for? Every neighborhood has a solid beer burger joint. Molly's in Gramercy, Tavern on Jane (My favourite burger/beer joint) or the Corner Bistro in the West Village, Flight 151 in Chelseafor example.Buger joint is a deal but has a weird vibe don't it? Do they serve beer there?

[Scotty100]

Burger Joint is so far ahead of JG Mellon and Corner Bistro its unreal...

Big Nicks is great. But it's definitely an "after 10 beers or more" option...

[billiem]

My vote goes to Big Nick's as well. Delicious burgers. Either location works for me in a pinch.

[Peter Cuce]

The West Side Diner on 9th Ave has surprisingly good burgers, very fresh tasting. Burgers & Cupcakes has great ones, nice small size with a good bun. Old Town on 18th St.

[ronoc]

Broome Street Bar on Broome and W Broadway. Big juicy burger, served in a pita. 8 bucks maybe? Served with chips, not fries.

[ballulah]

Broome St makes a pretty good burger, but that pita is such a disappointment if you were expecting a bun!

[marlosse]

I still haven't found a single burger better in taste or cost than the Corner Bistro. Tried Molly's last week, and it was really, really good, but still...no cigar.

[guttergourmet]

agreed see my top burger list

[clim212]

I have to agree with you Marlosse - the Corner Bistro is really the best in the city!

[guttergourmet]

Pauls on 2nd avenue not for the best burger but the best meat to price ratio.

[jcm76]

What about the Burger Joint, in the le meridien hotel at 56th & 6th. $8 for an awesome burger, drink, and fries. Atmosphere leaves something to be desired, but the food is great!

[angelo04]

I agree, the burgers do kick a$$. Heard good things about the shake shack but they don't have beer.

[megan]

Actually, they *do* serve beer:

http://www.shakeshacknyc.com/menus.html

Of course, the point is moot as they're closed for the winter. :)

[angelo04]

I thought they didn't. This is even more incentive to get there once the good weather comes and they reopen, thanks

[akk]

I keep posting about it, but for both steak and burgers Ottomanelli New York Grill on Lex at 93rd.

[princess43215]

Last night I went to Royale on Ave C between 9th and 10th. I had a great cheeeseburger for $6.50. Delicious black angus with heavily-coated sesame bun. Con: They don't serve anything else except fries.

[surly]

lots of great choices here. just wanted to second the recommendation of royale on avenue c; of all the new burger places to open up in recent months, it's one of the best. i came in not knowing what to expect because of all the hype surrounding it and other new places (sometimes the reviews in mainstream publications are so effusive with their praise that i don't know what to believe) but this burger was actually quite good. would've preferred "normal" semi-thin fries but the potato wedges kind of grew on me after a few burgers and beers. for what it's worth, i did notice a different menu hanging on the wall behind the bar near the front door as i was leaving, which listed a couple of other items like grilled chicken sandwiches.

but anyhow, yeah, great burgers, solid beer and liquor selection, and a very clean and comfortable (if generic) setting.

another choice: p.j. clarke's on 3rd ave and 55th st. also, peter luger at lunchtime only. yeah, i know it's not in manhattan, but the burger's such a great deal and in my opinion quite delicious, so it has to be mentioned.

[princess43215]

Forgot to mention that Royale changed their fries a few days ago. They're now thin cut. I have to say that I love fries more than burgers. These weren't bad but not as good as you would find at many bistros in the city.

[surly]

so the potato wedges have already been discarded in favor of fries? interesting. how long has this place been open, only a few months? either they received a lot of complaints about the wedges or too many people were specifically requesting thin-cut fries. in any event, i don't think i'll mind the change.

btw, i too am a big french fry person and am always disappointed when i can't side a delicious burger with some equally great fries. peter luger is a notorious example of this. in general, i think that really, really good fries are way too uncommon in nyc; shouldn't be a big deal but most places (from humble pubs to higher-end restaurants) don't seem to know how to do them properly.

[amyleechen]

Big Nick's. Broadway near 77th (NOT the one further south off of Columbus)
Love their burgers -- a great value.

[Bob Martinez]

I'll plagarize myself -
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

The White Horse Tavern - $6.25 for a good cheeseburger.

[banjolinana]

Molly's on 3rd and 23rd

[jcm76]

how about JG Mellons on 74th and 3rd?

[TipsyMcStagger]

Burger, cottage fries and a beer and you're looking at $20+ at JG Melon.

Hardly qualifies for "best bang for my burger buck."

Tipsy

[clim212]

This is true - I used to live very near JG Mellon's and I found the burgers to be on the small side. Yes its cheap if that is ALL you get and with sides and a drink - the bill def. fattens up.

[bobby06877]

I would second Mollys. The burgers are a few dollars more but generally range in the $8 range, depending upon toppings. Considering they are 10 ounces, a great value. Mollys is on 3rd between 21st and 22nd Street, clower to 21st.