Burgerdelic Shack...that's where it's at!

Whoa! So I'm sure you all have heard about the famous Shake Shack. "Shake Shack has the best burgers..." or "Shake Shack has the best shakes..." or "I came all the way from NJ or Connecticut just to get a burger and a drink from Shake Shack..." Nothing but good praises about this place and if that isn't enough to convince you the food is good...the line down the block and around the corner should be a dead give away. Unfortunately, if you are anything like me you hate waiting in line and end up settling for something else. Since I have a bit of a reputation when it comes to burgers, I decided that I was going to have to suck it up and wait on line.

Took the plunge huh...so how long was the wait?
To be quite honest the wait wasn't as long as I had expected. I got over to Shake Shack around 1:30 and was probably 3rd or 4th in line. That's GREAT considering that this is a place where the line loops around, goes out the door, and then down the block...and that's just to place your order. I will admit that there was a good amount of people who placed orders and were just sitting there waiting for their food. That process took about 10-15 minutes. You really don't notice it though if you are on the phone or have company.

Well what did you order that took so long?
Nothing fancy. I kept it pretty simple as a matter of fact. Since everyone raves about the burgers and the shakes, that was just what I got. To be exact, I got a double cheeseburger with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, hold the onion, and a black and white shake...or as they call it "custard."

How was it?
Nothing short of amazing! The burger (with all the fix'ns) was pretty big...kinda had to dislocate my jaw to bite it, but I definitely didn't mind. It was well cooked, tasty, juicy, fix'ns was nice and fresh, and surprisingly it wasn't all that greasy. You know how you look at some burgers and you automatically feel like you're going to need a nurse to check your blood pressure after you eat it (not that it ever stops me)?...I didn't get that from this burger at all. And the shake...I mean custard was BANGIN'! A little too thick for my taste, but after chipping away at it with a spoon it softened up and was drinkable through the straw. Definitely on my top 3 milkshake list.

Taking into consideration all the hype over the past couple of years and how long the wait was (or can be for some)...is it really worth it? Does Shake Shack really live up to all the hype?
*Thinking*...umm....*Scrunches the face while thinking some more*....eehhh.....YES! Yes it does live up to the hype. Don't know if I'd personally burn up 30-40 minutes just waiting, but I can definitely see why people do it. You won't find a burger or shake that is that good, coming out of the same place, unless you go to a well known BBQ spot or some kind of gourmet burger joint. The food was excellent and doesn't destroy your pockets either. Other then 5 Guys, I'm willing to bet that you won't find a quality burger like that at any other fast food spot.

Since you brought them up...IS IT BETTER THEN 5 GUYS?
Ever since I have had 5 Guys, I can't help but compare the burgers I have eaten afterwards to it. None have measured up or even come close to my thoughts on 5 Guys until now. Shake Shack just might be the better burger...can't believe I just said that. It's not ahead by much but ahead nonetheless. I think I may have to give the Elite Fast Food Burger title to Shake Shack.

Recommendations
If you're not a vegetarian and you eat red meat...GO HERE! You won't be disappointed at all. I wouldn't recommend eating there though, because folks have tendencies to just sit and hang out, so it may take a while for you to actually sit down. Other than that it gets 2 huge thumbs up from me.

Shake Shack

691 8th Avenue

New York, NY

(646) 435-0135

Mother of all Burgers?

Somehow it must have gotten out that I am a burger guy. Don't know what it is but I love a good burger. With that being said, a co-worker of mine brought me a menu from Mother Burger not too long ago. He saw something on the menu that caught his eye so he suggested it to me. Now I have seen and passed Mother Burger several times before but never really thought to go in...don't really know why. After getting that menu from my co-worker I figured it was time for me to stop passing by and mosey on in.

First impression?
The place is small! I mean there is plenty of outside seating (which doesn't matter in the winter time), but inside of the place is tiny. I thought it was going to be a medium sized, burger restaurant, but it ended up being a bar and very few tables. After entering I immediately got the feeling that it was a bar with a kitchen, and the food wouldn't pass the level of "bar food." For those who don't know, "Bar Food" (outside of it being items prepared in a bar) is basically deals with the level. It's not necessarily bad food, but its not good enough to be compared to an actual restaurant. Not really anything special (wings, burgers, fries) but as good as the food you order may be...it will never leave the realm of "bar food." It's weird, but hopefully my explanation helped.

So now I already have the notion that the burger is going to be OK at best.

Was it nothing more then "bar" food?
I will say that I was wrong. I had the "Uncle Matt's Wing Burger (which is a burger with cheese, spicy buffalo wing sauce, and creamy blue cheese)," and it definitely competes with the other burger joints in the area. Bread was soft, burger was juicy, and it was very tasty. Definitely can't pigeon hole or label that burger as "bar food."

Any dislikes?
The burger I got was a little messy. Can't say that all of them will be that way, but if you plan on getting the burger above...roll the sleeves up, put napkins where you can, and do not, I repeat DO NOT wear white!

With a name like "Mother Burger" would you consider it to be the mother of all burgers?
Umm....don't think I would go that far. As good as it was, I don't see it being better then or close to 5 guys...maybe Lucky Burger (**posting coming soon**). I don't doubt that if they continue to improve, over time they will be one of the top 3 burger joints in the area.
Would you recommend it for lunch?
Certainly! Even though my burger was a little messy, it didn't take away from me enjoying it at all. Tasty burger and decently priced. Definitely worth a shot.

Mother Burger

329 w. 49th St (b/t 8th & 9th Avenue)

New York, NY 10019

212-757-8600

Now that's a burger!

For some time now I have been hearing a great deal about 5 Guys Famous Burger & Fries. Supposedly they are the best burger, nothing else compares, blah blah blah. Getting tired of hearing about it I decided to see what all the hype was about.

What was your first impression?
After finally finding one close to my job and deciding to go, it seemed like a regular burger joint. Nothing special at all to be honest. Seating, 30 people behind the counter (taking orders, frying, and grilling), banners of awards all over the place....and barrels of peanuts? Didn't really understand what the peanuts were about but they were free so whatever. What I will say is that it smells HEAVENLY in there! Nothing like the smell of burgers grillin' and french fries fry'n.

Are the burgers really as good as I've heard?
YES! YES they are! I will admit that I went there with the extra judgmental taste buds. Looking for any reason to say that the burger was not as good as they said it was. Couldn't find one freaking thing bad about the burger. Bread is soft, burger is juicy and flavorful, toppings are fresh. Everything that you would want for a burger to be. After a second trip to 5 Guys I realized that there were 2 patties instead of just one!...completely took my love for their burgers to another level. You really can't go wrong when you have the perfectly grilled burger x2.

Is the service as good as their burgers?
They are friendly as I don't know what in there. Everyone seems to be having a good ol' time taking orders and making burgers. Orders move pretty quickly too, so you won't be there waiting all day for your food.

I guess that's pretty much all I need to know huh?
Umm....as banging as their burgers are, I was 100% not happy with their bacon! I have a personal love for bacon...I mean it makes everything better (when done right of course). Decided to get bacon on my burger one time, and that was the first and last time I will ever make that mistake. It is borderline impossible to have bad bacon but somehow I managed to have it on my burger. It was hard and dry like it had been sitting there all day. Don't know if that's how it normally is but I am tarnished from getting bacon there ever again. Also, the burgers are a bit on the pricey side. $7-$8 for the burger alone and that's not even including a drink or fries. That's about it though.

Recommendation?
This place is as good as they say it is and if you haven't been there you need to make it over there. They have a good amount of toppings so every time you go you can make your burger as unique as you want it to be...just DON'T ADD BACON!

43 W 55th Street
New York, NY 10019

Little burgers, little prices

For a co-workers birthday a while back, the decision was made to go to 123 Burger, Shot, Beer for lunch. Since I had never been nor heard about this place I was more then excited to partake in the festivities.

What did you think at first?
It's pretty much a sports bar that has a ridiculously inexpensive menu from the time they open until the time the close. If you are a bargain man such as myself then this is definitely the place for you. With burgers for $1, specialty shots for $2, and tap beer for $3 you really can't beat it. Even though 123 Burger, Shot, Beer is mainly know for the burgers, there are other menu items available. Ribs, wings, fries, and a few other items are on there but nothing over $10.

Well how was the food?
From jump you would probably think that with the price being so cheap the food would be borderline gross right? Wrong! The burgers are pretty tiny (smaller then White Castle) but they are rather tasty. In fact, those little angus beef burgers are better then a lot of regular sized burgers that I have had. They grill up some little onions and throw those bad boys on there with some cheese and that's all she wrote. You must be careful though, because since the burgers are so small it may deceive you into purchasing more then you need to. I threw down 6 with no problem, but I would recommend 4 with a side and a drink and leave it at that. Also, there are 6 different sauces at your disposal in case you wanna kick things up a notch. Waffle fries are awesome, onion rings are good as well, and the beer...well beer is beer.

And the service?
Honestly...I thought the service was trash! Nothing against our server, but it just took SOOOOOOOO LONG to get everything. 10 minute wait for the drinks to come, 30 minute wait for the food to come, another 10 minute wait for more drinks to come, and then a 10 minute wait for the check. Does it really take that long for some super mini burgers and fries in a place that is hardly crowded? Do the math and you spent a collective hour just waiting (not to mention the time for eating and talking, and the travel to and from). I don't know if it was because it was lunch time...maybe they didn't have the usual amount of staff they normally have or what the case may have been but they need to do something about that.

Well is there anything else that I should know?
Umm....cheap, tasty food, long waits...I think that just about covers it. Oh there is one other thing. The seating along the wall is pretty painful. It's pretty high up so the average person's legs are going to swing and edge of the bench digs into your hamstrings making it pretty painful to sit for long periods of time.

Recommendations?
Definitely a place worth checking out. There are TV's everywhere in case you are trying to catch a game, it's spacious, there's outside seating...I mean you really can't go wrong. Aside from the burgers, you have to try the honey garlic wings, waffle fries, and golden sauce.

123 Burger Shot Beer
738 10th Avenue
New York, NY 10019
(212) 315-0123