Burger Joint (New York)

I try to limit by posts to SoCal places, but once in awhile, I write about a noteworthy place abroad or out of state. Well, voila my out of state post about New York City, no less. I came pretty close to calling this awesome city my home. And if it ever were my "home," I'd definitely be a regular at the Burger Joint.

While Sparky's attempts to raise fast food to a higher level, the Burger Joint wants to bring it back down to earth. Sequestered behind floor-to-ceiling curtains in the lobby of Le Parker Meridien hotel, the joint is the elegant hostelry's dirty little secret, offering guests—and anyone else who can find it—a $7 (including tax!) alternative to its own $20 room-service burger. Once you locate the entrance and push apart the drapes, half expecting a butler from Eyes Wide Shut to appear and ask you for the password, you'll find a coffee shop with faux-wood paneling, vinyl booths, and a few sports-page photos taped to the walls. The timeworn greasy-spooniness is uncannily convincing.

Burger, this way

Random art and writing all over the walls. Wait, this is a part of the Le Parker Meridien??

Cheeseburger with onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles - $7.35 (their prices went up!)

Slathered on the ketchup and mustard

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cuisine: All-American burgers
location: Midtown (West), Manhattan, NY
hours: M-Th, Sun: 11am-11:30pm, F-Sat: 11am-12am
website: { BJ | yelp | menu }
nearest subway stop: F at 57th-6th
attire: Casual
note: Yet another reason why you should never judge a book by its cover.