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I ate at both Burger Joint and at the 44th street Shake Shack recently. See http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7113... . If going for just the burger, I'd lean slightly toward SS. If going for a full package (shakes, custard, etc.), I'd topple over in that direction. If you go to the 44th St. branch at slightly off-peak hours there are no lines. The arguments made above against SS (too expensive for what you get, can't taste the meat, triumph of marketing over beef) can't be made by anyone with taste buds who's eaten there.
There's been mention of Schnipper's. I ate a burger there once a few months ago at a time when there was a line at SS and I was in a hurry. It was dry, tasteless and entirely ghastly.
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Burger Joint
118 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019›1 Reply-
re: FoodDabbler
Miss Needle
Feb 21, 2011 09:27 AM
Schnipper's recently changed their meat to a Pat La Frieda blend. Heard it was better.
To the OP -- I think that Burger Joint is expensive for what they're offering. I'd say that Shake Shack is probably a better bet. If you're looking for a table-service sort of place, Five Napkin is good (though my last burger there kind of sucked). Keen's Pub Room isn't too far from Times Square -- they do a pretty good one. I think Five Guys excels on the fries more so than the burger. And HB Burger isn't that great.
Just to let you know -- Shake Shack and Five Guys burgers are on the smaller, thinner side. Five Napkin and Keens are more like thick pub burgers. And while I like the DB Bistro burger, it's probably not what you're looking for -- it's filled with truffles, foie gras and braised short ribs.
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Burger Joint
118 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019HB Burger
127 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036
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Wilfrid
Feb 20, 2011 01:00 PM
Obviously Shake Shack is hugely overrated. Five Napkin might well be the best, now we don't have McHale's any more - but another option which hasn't been mentioned is Counter. The burgers can be ordered by weight, which solves one problem here, and while they're not sensational they're not terrible either.
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re: Wilfrid
goodhealthgourmet
Feb 20, 2011 03:22 PM
i was hesitant to mention The Counter because when i searched the board i didn't find a single mention of it, and also depending on how old the kids are the menu choices might be a bit overwhelming. but it's certainly a popular chain out here in CA, and at the NYC location Mom & Dad have the bonus option of ordering spiked milkshakes to take the edge off if the kids are driving them nuts :)
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re: uwsister
goodhealthgourmet
Feb 20, 2011 05:06 PM
yep, same one. they've slowly been expanding nationally AND internationally, but you'd think if a CA fast-food burger chain was going to try to break into the NY market it would be In-N-Out :)
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re: goodhealthgourmet
guttergourmet
Feb 21, 2011 02:33 AM
I work in the same building as The Counter (7 Times Square) and it is worth a try as you can customize your burger like nowhere else. Try a fried egg with chili, BBQ sauce on an English muffin with choice of a dozen cheeses. Schnipper's green chile cheeseburgers are good if you've got a yen for Bobcat Bite in Santa Fe. HB Burger is very good and consistent and reasonably priced. 5 Napkins with comte is excellent. Surprisingly, Brooklyn Diner, weighing in at $21, is a damn good burger. DB Burger when you need some foie is probably not worth the $32 but gotta try it. My current fave is Burger&Barrel on Houston and Mercer near my home, especially the white truffle burger when they have it. $41 but priceless.
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Brooklyn Diner
212 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019HB Burger
127 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036
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iluvcookies
Feb 20, 2011 10:25 AM
5 Napkin's burgers are quite good, and it is a sit-down, full service place.
Schnippers has more of a fast food feel, and it's self-serve but the burgers are also pretty good. I love their sweet potato fries with maple dipping sauce.
Neither place is terribly expensive.... I guess the age of the boys and their propensity for sitting still will be more of a factor in this decision. -
seems to get overlooked but schnippers is right there . and was very good before but now using pat la frieda (sp) as supplier would definitely go there
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re: rich51
I agree, I've found the new burger there rivals the nearby Shake Shack without the crowding. (My visits to that SS have yielded fairly dry patties compared to the park outlet.).
5 Napkin Burger is delish with a few different styles of burger, nicer atmosphere for sitting & eating than Schnippers or the Shack. 5 Guys Burgers are a bit farther at 34St off 8th Ave but the kids may find the atmosphere fun, the burger just misses being as good as the others but the fresh cut fries are sublime & I find myself going there for the fries sometime.
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loratliff
Feb 18, 2011 06:09 PM
Burger Joint in Le Parker Meridien or the Shake Shack near there—44th and 8th, maybe?
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Burger Joint
118 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019›33 Replies-
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re: loratliff
coasts
Feb 18, 2011 06:59 PM
besides the novelty of Burger Joint, does this place have any redeeming value? i find the burgers to be mediocre and completely overpriced.
Shake Shack is absolutely an option, but also look at Island Burger and Five Napkin Burger, both on 9th Ave.
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Burger Joint
118 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019Island Burgers & Shakes
766 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019Five Napkin Burger
630 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10036-
re: coasts
goodhealthgourmet
Feb 18, 2011 07:21 PM
any thoughts on HB Burger or Schnipper's?
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HB Burger
127 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036-
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re: coasts
goodhealthgourmet
Feb 19, 2011 03:24 PM
Heartland Brewery reopened as HB Burger last year, Schnipper's has been around for a couple of years (owned by the former guys from Hale & Hearty Soups, i think). both are supposedly pretty good.
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Schnipper's Quality Kitchen
620 8th Ave, New York, NY 10018HB Burger
127 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036
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re: coasts
loratliff
Feb 19, 2011 05:49 AM
I prefer Burger Joint's burger to any other "cheap" burger in the city. Obviously it doesn't compare to Spotted Pig or Minetta's burger, but I think it's definitely a good burger in its own right.
What about it in particular do you not like?
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Burger Joint
118 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019Spotted Pig
314 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014-
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re: coasts
loratliff
Feb 19, 2011 06:48 PM
Too greasy? It's a burger. Fat is king.
Too small? Are you a giant? Sorry, but unless you are an absolute glutton, it's a perfectly portioned burger.
Too pricey? Other than Shake Shack (which is overly seasoned, in my opinion), I haven't see you name anything cheaper.
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re: loratliff
coasts
Feb 20, 2011 03:42 AM
you are a feisty one! just because i find Burger Joint's burger to be too small, i must either be a giant or an absolute glutton?
isn't it possible that i have a larger appetite than you? if you find it to be perfectly portioned, couldn't it be that someone larger than you might find it to be too small?
about price, let's do it - cheeseburger and fries:
Burger Joint: $7.35/$3.67
NY Burger: $7.25/$3.00
Five Guys: $6.95/$3.19
Goodburger: $5.97/$2.53
Paul's: $5.50/$2.75
Lucky's: $5.00/$3.00
Shake Shack: $4.00/$2.65OK?
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re: coasts
5 Napkin burger - $13.95 for cheeseburger and fries
JG Melon : cheeseburger $8.75; fries $4.25
Molly's: cheeseburger $10, fries $5.00but these are hard to compare - for example Molly's is a 10 oz burger
And you can't compare prices between places with table service and places with counter service - it's a different price point
coasts - I find the Shake Shack burger to be small - do you?
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re: gutsofsteel
coasts
Feb 20, 2011 05:03 AM
yeah, i only included counter-service places, no table service. i included every place i could think of, without bias. Burger Joint is the most expensive of its category.
and yes, i find the Shake Shack burger to be small, but it's cheap so I order two! actually, i don't like their fries too much, so i'll usually get one burger and one Shack-ago Dog.
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re: RCC
Look, I like the Shake Shack burgers - I have one sometimes - I would never, ever wait in a line for it. They're fine, but they're nothing special. They're overpriced fast food burgers subject to a brilliant marketing campaign and gimmicky setting. Good for them and their business model. But it is what it is - a decent burger at exorbitant prices.
The fries are seriously bad.
You cannot compare prices between places with table service and places without. The price point is of course going to be different.
I like Wendy's burgers just as much as Shake Shack.
I think the Shake Shack emperor has no clothes.
I cannot believe that people recommend that tourists actually go to Shake Shack, as if it's special enough to spend time on a line and eat that burger when you have all of NYC as a tourist to enjoy and eat. It's a burger people, it's a burger. And not even a special burger.
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re: gutsofsteel
goodhealthgourmet
Feb 19, 2011 04:32 PM
i was hoping you'd chime in since you slammed me for suggesting Shake Shack that one time a couple of months ago :) what are your thoughts on HB Burger or Schnipper's? friends often ask me for recs over that way, and since NYC is no longer my turf i'd love to get the word from a trusted source...
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re: gutsofsteel
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re: goodhealthgourmet
Probably DB Bistro Moderne actually. But I avoid Times Square at all costs.
I'd go to Wolfgang's on Park in the low 30s - close enough.
But I would never suggest that somebody coming to NYC from out of town even consider wasting a meal on a burger. I mean if you're from out of town, eat something interesting that you might not find at home.
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DB Bistro Moderne
55 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036-
re: gutsofsteel
goodhealthgourmet
Feb 19, 2011 07:30 PM
i'm not talking about suggesting it as a destination meal for tourists, more like a quick bite for local non-Chowhounds who have to be in Times Square for something, can't go to another neighborhood to eat (maybe they have time or transportation restrictions or whatever) and want a burger.
regardless, not everyone is like us - some people aren't adventurous about food, or have no interest in trying something new or unique...and instead of judging them for it or trying to change their minds i'm happy to oblige their request and simply tell them where to find an acceptable rendition of what they seek.
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re: gutsofsteel
"I mean if you're from out of town, eat something interesting that you might not find at home."
And if you can scant get a decent burger in your town...or barely even in your country? Some of our fave and most fun chowhounding in NY has been for burgers.
Oh and Shake Shack is brill! :)
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re: gutsofsteel
5 Napkin's are made with meat parts that are not in the same high quality as that of Shake Shack. i can easily tell the difference. Have not been to 5 Napkins lately, but iirc a Double Shack burger, half the price of 5N, is just a a tad smaller. Imo, SS DSB is definitely the tastier one.
Yes, there are places where they can't get a decent burger at. You discount a lot of European, South American and Asian visitors that NYC get a lot of, especially lately. I also don't believe that all of smallsville USA, where other visitors come from, have decent burgers comparable to what they can get in NYC.
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re: gutsofsteel
iluvcookies
Feb 20, 2011 10:28 AM
OP is travelling with children, it seems. In a case like this burgers would likely be a good choice, especially if the kids are getting a lot of excitement and new experiences on the visit.
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re: gutsofsteel
coasts
Feb 19, 2011 05:14 PM
You don't have to like Shake Shack, but comparing it with Wendy's is off base. I'm sure you can recognize the higher quality ingredients at SS, namely their Pat La Frieda patty, Martin's bun and fresh veggies.
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re: gutsofsteel
I really like Shake Shack's fries - especially with their cheese sauce. I also never wait more than 10-15 minutes - often there's only one or two people in front of me. But then again I tend to eat at strange hours.
Vs. Wendy's - I like knowing where my meat comes from, if I can help it.
I thought Burger Joint was mediocre at best. The setting's cute and all, but I have no urge to return.
I think there's a Five Napkins Burger near Times Square too, no? I also like that place. That would probably be my rec for the OP. To me Shake Shack is more for a quick lunch/dinner. Five Napkins you get table service, you can hang around for a bit, etc.
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re: gutsofsteel
coasts
Feb 19, 2011 12:59 PM
i can go into Shake Shack with ten bucks and leave full. can't do that at Burger Joint.
just to be factual, a cheeseburger at Burger Joint is $7.35. Fries are $3.67. Without a drink, your meal is $11.02 plus tax.
a cheeseburger at Shake Shack is $4.00. a double is $6.50. Fries are $2.65.
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