Burger Joint inside the Le Parker Meridien Hotel just down the street from Carnegie Hall is one of the great best-kept secrets in New York City. Probably serving the best burgers and fries in the world, it is literally hidden away behind a curtain in the lobby of a swanky Manhattan hotel just a few blocks from Columbus Circle and Central Park.
The key to Burger Joint's excellence is its simplicity. As you can see from the picture (see above) of the sign which is prominently displayed by the counter they only do a few things but they do them very very well. I ordered the cheese burger with all toppings and the fries. I always order my burgers medium-rare and at the Burger Joint it was perfectly cooked: slightly pink in the middle and incredibly juicy. At some high-end burger places the portions are large (commensurate with the prices) but at Burger Joint both the prices and the portions are "just right." As another indication of their focus on the food and not superfluous details, your food comes to you (rather quickly) wrapped in a plain brown paper.
Another high point of the meal at the Burger Joint is that not only is the burger perfectly cooked with high-quality materials and extremely fresh buns but the fries are also exceptionally good: crispy, with a solid potato flavor and not too salty.
If you find yourself in New York, especially in the vicinity of Carnegie Hall do yourself a favor and stop by the Burger Joint and treat yourself to what is probably the most sublime burger and fries combination in the world.
Name: Burger Joint.
Location: Le Parker Meridien, 119 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019.
Contact: 212-708-7414.
Visit: September 3, 2011.
AMBIANCE: A-.
SERVICE: A.
VALUE: A.
FOOD: A+.
