September 24, 2009
Top 5 Burgers in NYC + Recent Episodes in Extreme Shake Shack-ing
We're going to start a "Top Five Burgers" feature on A Hamburger Today next week, so I figured I'd do my own Top Five as a template to show future contributors. I haven't eaten enough burgers to be the authority on NYC burgers, but here's my list anyhoo.
And after that, gratuitous Shake Shack food porn.
My favorite kind of burger is fast food-style (not actually from a fast food joint), but that preference doesn't dominate my Top 5 List. For a burger to stick in my mind, it should be on a squishy, appropriately-sized toasted bun whose texture doesn't interfere with the meat, and the patty should be well seasoned, have a bit of char on the outside, and be soft and preferably oozing with beef juice. That usually entails being cooked to medium rare, but if a place can cook a juicy well done burger, that's fine with me too.
- Shack Burger.
1. Shake Shack: Griddled, buttered potato bun and a juicy, fat-oozing, well-salted patty with a crisp crust = by far my favorite burger in the city, or anywhere else for that matter. The four-ounce patty size is a plus; I like knowing that I can eat a Shack Burger and feel satisfied without going into a food coma. [Review] Madison Ave and East 23rd Street, New York NY 10010 (map); 212-889-6600; shakeshacknyc.com
- There's butter in thar.
2. Diner: This is the only place I've been to that buttered the crap out of their buns, resulting in one of my most memorable burger experiences. [Review] 85 Broadway, Brooklyn NY 11211 (map); 718-486-3077; dinernyc.com
- Mm, gooey cheese.
3. Shopsins: Why the hell can't more places make sliders like Shopsins? Squishy potato roll + juicy meat plop + grilled onions + cheese ooze = the perfect burger morsel that's about 5 billion times better than White Castle. 120 Essex Street, New York NY 10002 (map); 212-924-5160; shopsins.com
- More gooey cheese.
4. Molly's Pub: I'd prefer that the burger weren't food coma-inducing huge (10 ounces—and I will eat it all), but I mostly remember it for its exceptional char and flavor. Definitely worth a food coma. [AHT review] 287 3rd Avenue, New York NY 10010; 212-889-3361; mollysshebeen.com
- It's like 4-D.
5. Veselka: The bun is an awesome uniquely airy chewy thing and the meat is an awesome fat juicy patty thing and they meld together quite harmoniously. For extra win, you can follow it up with BLINTZES! [AHT review] 144 2nd Avenue, New York NY 10003 (map); 212-228-9682; veselka.com
Recent Episodes in Extreme Shake Shack-ing
I'm sure I've talked about Shake Shack enough by now. "Shake Shack's my favorite, blah blah, delicious fat-laden bovine juices and stuff, liberal use of sodium, etc."
- Bow down before it. Come on.
AND CHEESE.
Way back when on August 4, I went on a Double Shack Stack mission with Lee Anne, Scott, and Nathalie. Lee Anne and I split the behemoth creation made of two cheeseburgers and a 'shroom burger topped with lettuce, tomato, and shack sauce. Result?
- OOZE.
LIFE-CHANGINGLY AWESOME. Maybe. ...YES, DEFINITELY. It's like a regular, already-awesome Shack Burger enhanced to the 20th power with the substantial—yet at the same time delicate—crunch of deep fried portobello goodness and the gooey torrents of cheese that spurt out of the shroom's belly and smother every bite in lipid-based happiness.
August 4 was a damn good day.
- Jim's hongry. Are you?
The single-patty Shake Stack is another fine specimen of Shake Shack engineering. It may not reach the outermost stratosphere of moan-filled deliciousness as the double would due to the one less patty's worth of beefiness, but it gets close enough and has the plus of being a one-person meal. Not to say one person can't eat an entire double as well, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
..Hahaha what, I'm kidding; NO LINES HERE. Eat whatever the hell you want. Just not all the time.
Posted by roboppy at 12:55 AM
Comments (25)
You probably already know this, but because I have a semi-professional sideline in pointing out the obvious, you should scope the lunch burger at Prune if you like butter in your roll equation.
I think their English muffins get half a stick each. If it were a whole stick, I'd probably just set up a tent outside the restaurant.
Posted by: Nicole at September 24, 2009 12:58 PM [#]
Wow! You take beautiful food pictures. I love Shake Shack too and their special sauce...No room for the Burger Joint though huh?
Posted by: Underground Dining at September 24, 2009 2:24 PM [#]
Maja: You know what you gotta do now..is eat a burger.
maggie: YEAAH! I've only been to Diner once; I need to go again.
Danny: I wanna eat more healthily too. But my job says NO.
JO: Glad you're with me on the Diner burger! I like me some butter smack.
Nicole: I've only been to Prune once for brunch and it was ooookay, so I haven't felt like going back. But the butter burger sounds tempting..!
Underground Dining: I tried Burger Joint once, but didn't think it was as good as SS. :(
Edd: THE SHOPSINS SLIDERS ARE SO GOOD. I like onions on burgers just in slider form, hehe.
Shake Shack is like a lard-laden nuclear bomb of mindblowing delicious in my mouth. Who doesn't love it?? However, every time I go to the Shack, I gather my courage to get the Double Shack Stack, but by the time the long line ends and I am at the counter with .5 seconds to tell the cashier what I want, terror fills me with the thought of having to consume that beast of a burger, and I sheepishly order the usual Shack burger. Your picture of gooey, bursting with cheesy wonder is really motivating me though. I may just print it out and stand in line, and maybe succeed the next time.
(i'm a new reader, and i'm in love with your blog!)
Posted by: Jenny Famewhore at September 25, 2009 12:23 PM [#]
Yay! Your awesome pics made me have an ephiphany today Robyn! All summer I've grimaced every time we've had BBQ hamburgers tho' I've been lovin all the ones we've had eating out.
Your pics helped me realize it's because everyone is buying those pre-made bbq patties and department store buns. Blech!
I vow that from now that at home I am cooking burgers from scratch like they make em in your pics. And, we'll get potato buns at our fave bakeries. Down with the convenience whorage of our food systems and up with the flavor!
Posted by: Shine at September 26, 2009 7:08 PM [#]
Shake Shack is definitely awesome. I used to love getting the Double Shack Stack when I was still living in NYC... finally a tasty burger that is appropriately sized. (Though it used to just be called the Shack Stack, but it seems to have been recently downsized.)
Posted by: Albert at September 26, 2009 7:42 PM [#]
Jenny: Next time get the double! YOU CAN DO ITTTTT!!#!@#@! ...And thanks for reading!
Shine: I've never made burgers from scratch, but that's definitely the way to go. No more premade patties for you! ;)
Albert: What a fool I was to not try the Double Shack Stack until now. (The name changed sometime after I ate it in August. :O I guess the new names make more sense though.)
want one NOW!
Posted by: Michelle at September 27, 2009 10:37 AM [#]
Mmmmmmmmm meat and cheese, looks delicious!
Posted by: Alex at September 27, 2009 1:34 PM [#]
I have not been to NYC in a long time (am at university abroad and have been spending my $$$ visiting other places). But most of my friends and family still live in NYC.
I hear so much of this Shake Shack, that it makes me want to fly to NYC right now just to give it a go!
Posted by: For the Spectators at September 28, 2009 7:29 PM [#]
OMG, what a-MA-zing Pattie Porn!!! I swear I could smell waves of delicious charred meat scent coming out of my computer . . .
Posted by: margaret at September 28, 2009 9:59 PM [#]
Those pictures are making me drool. Veselkas is about 2 blocks away from me and I've never had their burger, I always end up with the belgian waffle. Definitely getting that yummy looking burger next time...with the side of blintzes, or maybe pierogies?! Thanks!
For the Spectators: I don't wanna overhype it...but..it's pretty damn good to me! One of my friends said it was too salty. Waah. Maybe I like salt too much.
margaret: Someday, technology should make this happen. Or just have some ...hot beef on hand and put it on your desk.
Briana: WHOA ooh you better try the burger next time! Let me know what you think!
HEY ROBYN!
Haha now i see all the burgers you had to go try!
Your pics are all fabulous! I'm actually really curious to see how delicious you're going to make boqueria look
Posted by: Jamie at September 29, 2009 12:23 AM [#]
Its called Unchi and its for good luck!
http://www.changingthepresent.org/stupid_gifts/show/332
Posted by: Doug at September 29, 2009 10:10 AM [#]
I still don't consider myself a burger person, but holy cheese was that thing impressive. Next time I'm within range of a Shake Shack I may have to bite the bullet and attempt to consume one on my own. I can totally dew eet >=O
Posted by: Nathalie at September 30, 2009 9:23 PM [#]
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Oh. My. God.
I almost can't look at those pictures... They're just too beautiful.
Posted by: Maja at September 24, 2009 4:40 AM [#]