The Burger Joint: One Messy Classic

Pass the napkins

The last place you'd expect to find a greasy burger joint, not to mention one of the city's finest, is in the lobby of chic Le Parker Meridien hotel in Midtown. But that's what makes this odd couple work beautifully.

Burgers, not signage, are taken seriously

Only in New York.

Walk through the hotel's glass front entrance and follow the scent of grilled meat to The Burger Joint. You won't have to go far and you won't see any signage.

Continue just past reception and take a left down the tiny hallway flanked by a set of floor length velvet curtains. Look for the beckoning neon burger on the far wall. And step inside a not-so-secret little NYC burger institution.

The menu is very limited and step-by-step ordering instructions marked on the wall are Soup Naziesque. Better know what you want before ordering. Burgers, fries, sodas, beer and shakes. Not so complicated.

The cheese burger with 'the works' ($7.35) is one hot greasy mess. But it goes down oh so good. Its dense, juicy beef patty is sandwiched between the standard pickles, onions, tomatoes, mayo. The fat is already seeping through the paper wrapper with your first bite.

Fries ($3.67) are hot and crispy. Shakes ($5.05) are thick and creamy.

"No burger for you!'

Movie posters, framed reviews and graffiti all adorn the booth-lined walls. Music is blaring. Burgers are sizzling. And there is always a line. So order, eat, and scram. But you'll be glad you did.

The Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien
119 W 56th St near 6th Ave
Thurs - Sun, 11am - 11:30 pm
Fri - Sat, 11am - midnight
212 708 7414