Please Read - Best Big Burger in NYC

[Andrassebestyen89]

I know this has been asked a million times... and I've read them all, have been to many of the restaurants; but my wallet can only handle so much experimentation and often disappointment. (so far, Spotted Pig is winning)

Here is what I'm looking for, PLEASE help: The Best Burger.

-Has to be BIG. 8 oz has not cut it at most places. (If you weren't VERY full, please don't post)
-Rare, or Medium Rare (but I'd rather go rare).
-High quality meat, high quality bun.
-Can be up to $22.
-VERY Juicy (If you found it a little dry, please don't recommend).
-Topping options aren't a big deal, usually go blue cheese and bacon (sometimes onions), but if there's a burger with a crazy good topping, let me know please!
-Manhattan only. (my friends will not make trips to brooklyn...lazy)

(I enjoy fine dining, have been to all the important restaurants in the city, have had all of their tasting menus, the whole deal... but my favorite thing is a huge high quality burger!)

THANK YOU!!!

[steve h.]

There is no "best burger" in Manhattan.
I've been to Spotted Pig when they were on top of their game and when they failed miserably. Same for Shake Shack, Molly's, Blue Smoke, Corner Bistro, ad nauseam.
Sometimes the planets align properly and sometimes they don't. That's just the way it goes.

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Corner Bistro
331 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014

Shake Shack
Madison Ave and E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010

Spotted Pig
314 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014

Blue Smoke
116 East 27th Street, New York, NY 10016

[Epoh4]

Ah, Steve h. Isn't that the truth! The places we always go back to tend to have consistently good food, but that sublime experience - that "perfect" burger (or any food moment) is often unexpectedly, almost divinely happened upon.

Pull together a short list of these places Andrassebestyen89 - maybe even deprive yourself of all burgers for a period beforehand to heighten your sensory anticipation, then hit these places regularly (after periods of burger deprivation) and savor every single bite of the burger you choose...over a period of a lifetime! You will have a "best big burger" experience you will always remember - but possibly never exactly replicate. Enjoy it. Great burgers exist - the perfect one is a state of mind.

[glutton08]

The Blue Smoke burge meets your criteria and is one of my favorites.

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Blue Smoke
116 East 27th Street, New York, NY 10016

[Miss Needle]

I do love the Blue Smoke burger. But I don't think it's a minimum of 8 oz. Looks more like 6-7 oz to me.

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Blue Smoke
116 East 27th Street, New York, NY 10016

[gutsofsteel]

Wolfgang's on Park near 33rd. Eat a burger at the bar. Very, very good. Exactly what you're looking for.

[Jess321]

Tavern on Jane's burger was pretty huge (not sure how many oz exactly, but I almost couldn't finish it), and definitely the best I've had in the city so far. Very juicy and tasty, every bite surprised me with how great it tasted! Almost every person eating there was having the burger, and there were a LOT of people there. Around $14 I think and well worth every penny. It's in the West Village, diagonally across from Corner Bistro.

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Corner Bistro
331 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014

Tavern on Jane
31 8th Ave, New York, NY 10014

[bigjeff]

their fried chicken is good too, the last time I had it.

[mc22]

Peter Luger's. But if you want a random casual burger, I still love Royale in the East Village. It gets mixed reviews on here, but it has a special place in this burger lover's heart.

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Royale
157 Ave C, New York, NY 10009

[Wilfrid]

Wolfgang's. Made from steak trimmings, Peter Luger style, and huge.

Maybe lunch only - check.

[princeofpork]

Lunch only

[gutsofsteel]

Agree - Wolfgang's is a great burger in this category.

[varsel]

the burger at bobo in the west village is sooo good! It's got Gruyere cheese and leeks! I know, unexpected, but yet so delicious. You can eat it at the downstairs bar which is more casual and easy - and they have great cocktails and beers. Sold?
http://www.bobonyc.com

[princeofpork]

Mollys on 22 and 3rd fits the bill. They also have amazing onion rings and great Guinness

[egit]

I came here to say that. 2nd Molly's and their Guinness.

[craig_g]

Yeah, it's good, and passes the Gray's Papaya test (i.e., you won't need to stop for a hot dog afterwards). 5 Napkin Burger is also excellent.

Your friends might not schlep out but you *really* should go hit up the Luger burger at lunch.

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Gray's Papaya
539 8th Ave, New York, NY 10018

[glutton08]

I haven't personally tried it, but I'm told by friends that Wolfgang's burger is a reasonable approximation of the one at Luger in Manhattan.

[princeofpork]

Only served at the bar, only served at lunch.

[bigjeff]

and, it's not a monster either, Luger's. tasty, but no monster.

[LeahBaila]

Ditto on the Luger burger. Some more of my faves (though I can't attest to their actual weight):
Marseille
Tipsy Parson
La Esquina
Jane
Marc Forgione
Island Burgers & Shakes
Minetta's black label is great, but it's $4 over your limit

www.thelunchbelle.com

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Marc Forgione
134 Reade Street, New York, NY 10013

Island Burgers & Shakes
766 9th Ave Frnt 1, New York, NY 10019

Tipsy Parson
156 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011

[coasts]

i don't find the burgers at Five Napkin to be that great. meh...

best burger i've had recently was at Freeman's Alley...haven't been to Minetta yet.

[iluvcookies]

Have you tried Jackson Hole? I'm not sure of the weight, but if I get one with cheese and onion I can't finish it. It may not be as "fancy" as Spotted Pig or Minetta Tavern, but it is a damn good burger for the money.

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Spotted Pig
314 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014

Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

[thew]

i find JH to be big - but not good. my fave burger lately, very basic, nothing fancy, has been in finegan's wake - an irish pub on the UES

[RussianGirl]

I keep meaning to get there....

[bigjeff]

ya i like that burger too, it's a brute. I like their funny steamgrill method too.

[Humbucker]

5 Napkin seems like it might meet you criteria.

This link should be helpful, too:

http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2009/07...

[foodie1859]

Try 5 Napkin Burger. The burger is 10 oz of ground chuck ground several times a day, so it's very fresh. You can order medium rare, my perfect choice, and it will be perfect medium rare. They will also prepare rare if requested. The toppings are wonderful, like bacon and Cheddar cheese, and are a great addition. The fries are very good, but this place is all about the burger. The burger is very quicy, you will need SOME of those 5 napkins..and best of all, the burger is very reasonable. Enjoy, and report back to us.

Ciao.

www.fivenapkinburger.com

[kelea]

Agreed!!! My new fave burger by far

[hcbk0702]

As I said in the other recent "best burger" thread, Minetta Tavern's Black Label Burger is the best in NYC, given that you like prime dry aged beef. It has the telltale funky, minerally tang you'd normally associate with a great dry aged steak; as such, it stands apart from the other good steakhouse/pub burgers. It's up to you whether you think it's actually worth the $26 price tag (which does include very well-executed pommes frites).

Anthony Bourdain and Josh Ozersky @ Minetta Tavern, Black Label Burger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbJMi-...

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Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012