Hamburgers (all over NYC)

To each his own, but I prefer burgers of a different kind...meaning, all meat, and that's all. YumYum obviously is not going to do this review, but here's the short list of my favorite burgers and their locations. (soon to come, cheap hot dogs!)

And apologies to those I haven't tried (Fanelli's, Rare are up there), and those I just don't like (Nick's, Jackson Hole come to mind) and those I find just ok (McHale's, Hamburger Heaven). Then there are my favorite diner burgers, but that's beside the point.

(and don't forget, there was the TONY best burgers in the city, so my list doesn't do the love of burgers enough justice...)

Cheap burgers

JG Melon
NY Sidewalk Review
Menu Pages Review
Location:
1291 3rd Ave (at 74th St),
east side of street (NE corner)
Fave Dishes:
Burger served with: ($7.50)
-onion
-pickle
-cheese (optional) ($7.75)
-bacon (optional) ($8.00)
Cottage Fries (Side, $3.50)
Ambiance:
Bar with watermelon motif decor
Detractors:
Put your name down for a long wait.

Corner Bistro
NY Sidewalk Review
Menu Pages Review
Home Page
Location:
331 W. 4th St. (at Jane and 8th Sts.),
east side of street (NE corner)
Fave Dishes:
Burger served with: ($4.00)
-iceberg lettuce
-tomato
-onion
-cheese (optional) ($4.75)
-bacon (optional) (KEY!!!!!!!!)
Fries (Side, $2.00)
Ambiance:
Bar (sports on TV)
Detractors:
Just wait in line for a long wait.

Burger Joint
NY Sidewalk Review
Menu Pages Review
Location:
118 W. 57th St. (at 6th and 7th Aves.),
inside Le Parker Meridien
Fave Dishes:
Burger served with: ($5.00)
-iceberg lettuce
-tomato
-onion
-pickles
-cheese (optional) ($5.50)
-bacon (optional) (KEY!!!!!!!!)
Fries (Side, $1.50)
Milkshakes (Beverage, $2.00)
Ambiance:
A mini-burger joint with a jukebox and small booths. Place your order at the counter.
Detractors:
Feels a bit soup nazi-ish -- if you don't know your order, you may get yelled at. You also have to ask for plates.

Expensive burgers

Blue Ribbon Bakery
NY Sidewalk Review
Menu Pages Review
Location:
33 Downing St. (at Bedford St.),
west side of street (SW corner)
Fave Dishes:
Burger platter served with: ($12.50)
-lettuce
-tomato
-onion
-cheese (optional)
-fries
Ambiance:
Nice, cosy restaurant, EXCELLENT bread, bakery downstairs pumps out the most delectable odors. Will have to review this restaurant separately.
Detractors:
It takes all kinds -- I was sitting next to us regular folk, and also some silicon-injected, over-cologned folk.

Sarabeth's West
NY Sidewalk Review
Menu Pages Review
Location:
423 Amsterdam Ave. (between 80th and 81st Sts.),
east side of street
Fave Dishes:
One great burger served with: ($11.50)
-avocado
-tomato
-mixed greens
-fries
Ambiance:
Another cozy restaurant, with an excellent bakery.
Detractors:
It's a beautifully done sirloin burger, but holy crap is it expensive.

Cafe Con Leche (Cuban, two locations)

NY Sidewalk Review 1
NY Sidewalk Review 2
Menu Pages Review 1
Menu Pages Review 1

Locations:
726 Amsterdam Ave (between 95th and 96th Sts),
west side of street
424 Amsterdam Ave (between 80th and 81st Sts),
west side of street

Cuisine:
Cuban/Dominican/Latin American

Fave Dishes:
Corned Beef Hash (Brunch, $6.95)
Pernil Asado (Plate, $9.50)
Flounder in Lime Garlic Sauce (Plate, $10.95)
Rice and Beans (Side, $4.00)
Plaintains (Side, $2.50)
Avocado over Greens ($5.25)
Cafe' con Leche (Beverage, $1.35)

Ambiance:
Not much of which to speak
Has sidewalk seating, weather permitting

Detractors:
Bathroom sucks.
Service at more southern location is slow, they forgot our order, and the food is better at the northern location.

Cafeteria (Diner, Chelsea)

NY Sidewalk Review
Menu Pages Review

Location:
119 7th Ave (between 17th and 18th Sts),
east side of street (NE corner)

Cuisine:
Higher-end Diner Food (open 24/7)

Fave Dishes:
Macaroni & Cheese (Appetizer, $5.95)

Ambiance:
Gorgeous waiters (all male, all gay)
DJ'd music
Basement is more bar-style, with white chairs (comfy, but very small)

Detractors:
Small-ish servings geared towards multi-course meals. A bit over-priced for bang for buck.
Space where we sat was very very small (11 people around a round table/booth that would have fit half those people comfortably).