Shame that cheese looks like that yellow plastic Americans call cheese. A good burger deserves cheddar at the very minimum. Something like that cries out for stilton though.
Cook your damn meat. Eating rare meat signs you up for a tape worm. Besides that, fire is readily available. Why people want their meat cooked like if we're stuck in a cave with a low, flickering flame is puzzling.
The solution is simple. Put everything except the bun in the top side of the can and place the bun in the bottom part of the can in a separate compartment. Sure, there is a little "compile time" needed. But, your buns won't be soggy. No one likes soggy buns.
@FrankenPC: The McDLT was killed by McDonald's when they limited styrofoam usage. The container was compartmentalized so you had a warm side and a cool side.
What nobody on earth realizes about why anybody argues whether one place is better than another is the following: everyone has different interpretations of what they taste. Be it sugar; salt; or spices. As far as burgers are concerned - anyone and everyone can make a great burger - and unless you're an uptight clean freak - anything greasy and fat can be the most delightful thing you've ever had. Rating food is overrated. Unless it's about price and presentation; or portions for your dollar...
Shake Shack, IMO, is not worth the one to two hours you will spend in line waiting for a burger. The burgers are good, yes, but they're basically just greasy fast food burgers that are better than most.
If you want a really, truly amazing burger in New York you should go to Corner Bistro and get a Bistro Burger. It's at Jane and West 4th in the village. Go at lunchtime (even on weekends) to avoid the evening crowd. However even when it's packed you won't wait as long as at Shake Shack, and the burgers are about 1000 times better.
@lostarchitect: Corner Bistro is without a doubt the most overrated burger in NYC. I think Burger Joint is overrated as well, but it's leagues ahead of Corner Bistro.
But I will say this about Corner Bistro: They do have off days. If you've only been once and the burger wasn't great, go again. Generally, they are much, much better than Burger Joint or Shake Shack. Totally different style, of course.
Incidentally, I rate Burger Joint and Shake Shack about equally.
@JPropaganda: I had heard about Royale and went to check it out. They are, IMO, not as good as Shake Shack, Corner Bistro or even Burger Joint. I found mine to be really bland and also overcooked. Maybe it was just a bad burger day, I should try it again.
@lostarchitect: Yea, that's the only unfortunate thing about Royale. They have one chef who overcooks the burgers. He started about 7 or 8 months ago, but I haven't seen him in a month or so. I highly suggest going back and giving it another chance with rare or med. rare, hopefully your experience will be better. And make sure to get a bacon royale - I don't know what they do to that bacon but it's amazing. The pickles from LES pickle guys...the TomKat Bakery buns...the butter lettuce...I try to go AT LEAST once a week.
Gizmodo meetup idea - burgers at royale. Thoughts?
@lostarchitect: I go to Royale plenty (it's by far the best burger/proximity deal for me) and I've had bad ones there. Even the bad ones aren't really *that* bad, but they're no Shake Shack, Yale Club, or old Corner Bistro. But most of the time they're great, and yes, there was a period when they were more frequently poor but that seems to have stopped.
And FWIW, Corner Bistro used to be amazing, hands down, but in the last 5 years they've dropped off quite a bit. They lost their magic somehow.
And if you're in the Royale neighbourhood, check out Sunburnt Cow just one block south. They have a pretty good burger (but you've got to be into how they present it) and an *amazing* lamb burger (I suggest medium rare if they ask). It used to be $5 mondays would cover food and drink, but now I think it's just food. Still worthwhile.
@nixta: You raise a good point. Corner Bistro did used to be really good. The last few years of it not being as good had almost wiped those memories away.
I am heartily intrigued by this Royale, however. As I am now an Old, I don't make it over to Ave C as often as I used to, but it sounds like it's worth the trip.
@nixta: I am absolutely giving Royale a 2nd chance this week. You know, you may be right about Corner Bistro. I moved from that hood about 4 years ago, actually, and I only go back occasionally now. Maybe I am letting nostalgia get the best of me... only one way to find out. BURGER WEEK.
@SinisterSaracen: I looked at his comment too, and finally assumed it was a particularly subtle bit of trolling. No one could really have said that with a straight face, particularly with a "!".
Damn, i messed Shake Shack the last few times I was up in NYC. I prefer Shake Shack's style of fast food burgers to the expensive ground streak found in the boutique-y places, but to each his own - it is a damn tasty burger.
I'm in Philly and we have SHIT for burger joints. Most of the town is enamored by Amoroso's rolls, so most of the burgers are ruined by hard rolls. Good Dog by Broad being the rare exception, even fewer finds in the burbs. Sad, really - it's not like it is difficult, but I wind up using my grill when I need a decent burger
Actually, as required by New York City ordinance, calorie information is available at Shake Shack right on the menu. Take a look if you can manage to wait through the horrendous lines!
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/PSA
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[www.urbandictionary.com]
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Life's too short to eat shitty food.
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If you want a really, truly amazing burger in New York you should go to Corner Bistro and get a Bistro Burger. It's at Jane and West 4th in the village. Go at lunchtime (even on weekends) to avoid the evening crowd. However even when it's packed you won't wait as long as at Shake Shack, and the burgers are about 1000 times better.
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But I will say this about Corner Bistro: They do have off days. If you've only been once and the burger wasn't great, go again. Generally, they are much, much better than Burger Joint or Shake Shack. Totally different style, of course.
Incidentally, I rate Burger Joint and Shake Shack about equally.
08/26/09
I go out and try every "good" burger out there in the city. Royale is by far the best.
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Gizmodo meetup idea - burgers at royale. Thoughts?
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And FWIW, Corner Bistro used to be amazing, hands down, but in the last 5 years they've dropped off quite a bit. They lost their magic somehow.
And if you're in the Royale neighbourhood, check out Sunburnt Cow just one block south. They have a pretty good burger (but you've got to be into how they present it) and an *amazing* lamb burger (I suggest medium rare if they ask). It used to be $5 mondays would cover food and drink, but now I think it's just food. Still worthwhile.
08/26/09
I am heartily intrigued by this Royale, however. As I am now an Old, I don't make it over to Ave C as often as I used to, but it sounds like it's worth the trip.
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Here's one I had... very tasty.
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Also, the look if it reminds me of All American, in Massapequa. If you ever come out to Long Island, go there.
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If by "best" you mean "worst", you would be correct.
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I'm in Philly and we have SHIT for burger joints. Most of the town is enamored by Amoroso's rolls, so most of the burgers are ruined by hard rolls. Good Dog by Broad being the rare exception, even fewer finds in the burbs. Sad, really - it's not like it is difficult, but I wind up using my grill when I need a decent burger
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