Had to try Goodburger after reading about it on Tuesday. Went there last night. It's at the corner of 43rd Street and Second Ave., on "Yitzak Rabin Way," just across from the Pfizer building.
It's large and roomy inside with marble countertops and inch-square tiling on the floor. Cooks work off a small gas-flame grill toward the rear of the counter area and use a broiler to toast buns and give the cheese a good melt. Prefab nostalgic signs hang on the wall.
The menu is pretty straightforward and perhaps just a touch more expansive (but not much more) than that at Burger Joint, which this place is modeled after. Note: They will cook your burger to medium doneness if you don't specify your preference. I ordered mine medium-rare.
Like at the Shake Shack, the expediter at Goodburger places your meal in a sorta-handy-yet-sorta-flimsy cardboard tray. As at Burger Joint, the fries are McDonald's-like in size and taste. I suspect they're the same J.R. Simplot fries I've seen in bags at Burger Joint.
But you want the money shot, don't you? Here 'tis:
Preliminary analysis: Excellent, juicy burger. Heftier than Shake Shack farther downtown but not so insanely thick you can't get your mouth around the thing. Crisp, fresh red onion and plenty of thickly cut, sweet pickle rounds. Goodburger appears to use the same almost pocketlike buns that Shake Shack uses, and the bun is toasted, though mine had gotten a very light toasting. The fries are good, too, but this isn't a french fry blog, so I'll spare you. Will have to do a Goodburger–Burger Joint head-to-head analysis soon. More to come!
GOODBURGER Location: 800 Second Ave. (at 43rd St.), New York NY 10022 Phone: 212-922-1700
You're welcome, Mike. Do you work in the neighborhood there? I think it's funny that Pfizer, the maker of Lipitor, is across the street. The company probably sends a good amount of employees over.
On that note, I don't really see the place blowing up quite as huge as Shake Shack or Burger Joint. It's in a weird, un-fun part of town and is a minor hike from the subway. My guess is that it'll do killer business as a lunchtime place and remain slow enough in the evenings that we can get at its burgery goodness easily.
Nah, I work down in the Village. Home of Burger Joint (the new one, on Bleecker). Do you know if it's the same team as runs the Burger Joint at the Meridien? Also a tasty and tiny burger.
You've got a good point re: location - I was mostly thinking of how many offices are located nearby. I think a lot of my friends who used to trek down to the Shack from 43rd and Lex might choose this place instead.
My girlfriend pointed out that the bar on the corner of 42nd and 2nd (name escapes me now, something Irish, I think) does a $1 for every drink happy hour, which might also feed a lot of people into Good Burger.
I'd be okay with a less-busy dinnertime, though, as long as they stick around!
I tried Goodburger on Tuesday. It was comparable to burger joint, but I did not think it was nearly as good as Shack Shack. First, the bun was not of the same type that is used at Shake Shack, it is an actual supermarket bun, not a "supermarket style" bun like at Shake Shack. Second, I thought that the meat itself was lacking flavor. Overall, I thought it was an Okayburger not a Goodburger.
Had a couple of GoodBurgers tonight. At about 6:30 PM on a rainy Saturday there was no line and plenty of tables. I liked the beef much better than the previous poster. Juicy, beefy taste. I also liked the bun, which did not look to me like a Shake Shack bun. I prefer soft, toasted supermarket type buns. I think the burger might be a bit bigger than the Shake Shack (5oz vs 4oz, I think?) though I like Shake Shack's beef a tiny bit better. Both burgers were cooked perfectly medium rare. One I got with everything and one with just lettuce ketchup and mayo. The amount of condiments was just right, not paltry, nor so much that it squirted out the side of the bun. I had a few issues with the place, all minor: a fellow diner had a small bottle of Poland Spring - the menu listed it at 1.75. I think that is too much and so I skipped it. They only have one size soda - a 16 oz cup that came half full of ice. If you are going to have only one size, at least make it a 20 oz. The real cost to sell a soda is not so much the liquid, so it shouldn't cost any more. It was 1.50 and was less than 8 oz of soda, after ice. At that price make it larger or give me one refill. And finally, the music was a slightly staticy, mellow hip hop station. It drove me nuts. It might be what the staff want to hear, but it didn't seem to be a hip-hop digging crowd that was there that night. At least lose the radio station and play CDs or something. The loud commercials kinda ruined the mood and the static was annoying. Nothing was negative about the burgers, though. I'll be back.
Finally tried Good Burger on Sunday night since there was no line. It's a great burger and really splits the difference between the Burger Joint (a la Meridian) and Shake Shack burgers.The meat itself is much closer to the ultra juicy, and dare I say buttery, Shack patties and is complimented by an array of crisp onions, lettuce, tomato and pickles similar to what you might find at the Burger Joint. I believe they also took their cue from Shake Shack with the dual cheese program, and it works well. As far as the bun goes, it seemed to me to be right in between a Shack bun and a Joint bun, which is to say that while it doesn't magically melt and meld with the entire burger as you eat it - a truly religious experience that can only be experienced at Madison Square Park - it's not as much of a standard issue bun as they have at the Burger Joint or a place like Corner Bistro.
As has been stated, the fries very Mc Donaldsesque which in my opinion is not a bad thing. Probably on par with Burger Joint fries but certainly miles ahead of the Oreda-type things that are served at Shake Shack.
One thing that you have to try is the Black Cow milkshake. Your internal monologue might sound remarkably similar to a Pulp Fiction scene as you debate the pros and cons of a $5 milkshake but it's worth every penny!
I will definitely go back since it's both convenient to my place of employment and abode, but more importantly it is a really solid burger. It's no more expensive than the other comprable places and the quality is really just as good. I asked the guy behind the counter (Burger Joint vet) about lunch and he said that even when the line is out the door it's only about 10 minutes to get to the front of line. They also deliver to a somewhat limited area.
Good burger, but terrible service.
No takeout orders?!?! huh. Pain because they take 10 mins.
The soda is small, but they give it to you when you first order. No free refils?!?! Isnt that in the Bill of Rights by now?
Why do you have beer on the menu when you dont serve it?
They will be run out in 18 months because they dont treat a customer well at all.
I don't know where Kevin went. I went this evening: good, friendly service and takeout or to stay.
I didn't like the look of the fries, but they were surprisingly good. The burger was every bit of good as the descriptions above: I like mine well done and quite plain, and it was done just right allowing me to really appreciate the high-quality meat. The portions aren't massive by American standards, but as a European I found them just right!
I enjoyed this burger more than the (very good) ones I've had at the Burger Joint at Meridien.
While visiting NYC, I've gone to Burger Joint and Goodburger. I think Goodburger is WAY better than Burger Joint. The fries are delicious and the burger is jucier and overall more tasty. I liked Goodburger so much that I went twice and I was only in town 3 days.
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10 Comments:
Thanks for the link, Adam. Love the blog - burgers and cost-effective dining go hand in hand. Keep up the good work!
Hamburger Mike King at 1:14PM on 10/07/05
You're welcome, Mike. Do you work in the neighborhood there? I think it's funny that Pfizer, the maker of Lipitor, is across the street. The company probably sends a good amount of employees over.
On that note, I don't really see the place blowing up quite as huge as Shake Shack or Burger Joint. It's in a weird, un-fun part of town and is a minor hike from the subway. My guess is that it'll do killer business as a lunchtime place and remain slow enough in the evenings that we can get at its burgery goodness easily.
Adam Kuban at 2:09PM on 10/07/05
Nah, I work down in the Village. Home of Burger Joint (the new one, on Bleecker). Do you know if it's the same team as runs the Burger Joint at the Meridien? Also a tasty and tiny burger.
You've got a good point re: location - I was mostly thinking of how many offices are located nearby. I think a lot of my friends who used to trek down to the Shack from 43rd and Lex might choose this place instead.
My girlfriend pointed out that the bar on the corner of 42nd and 2nd (name escapes me now, something Irish, I think) does a $1 for every drink happy hour, which might also feed a lot of people into Good Burger.
I'd be okay with a less-busy dinnertime, though, as long as they stick around!
Hamburger Mike King at 2:34PM on 10/07/05
I agree, the fries at Good Burger are better then the Burger Joint, but I still prefer the Burger Joint for a good old fashioned heart attack burger.
Hamburger Nick at 10:20AM on 10/13/05
I tried Goodburger on Tuesday. It was comparable to burger joint, but I did not think it was nearly as good as Shack Shack. First, the bun was not of the same type that is used at Shake Shack, it is an actual supermarket bun, not a "supermarket style" bun like at Shake Shack. Second, I thought that the meat itself was lacking flavor. Overall, I thought it was an Okayburger not a Goodburger.
Hamburger Aaron at 2:22PM on 10/14/05
Had a couple of GoodBurgers tonight. At about 6:30 PM on a rainy Saturday there was no line and plenty of tables. I liked the beef much better than the previous poster. Juicy, beefy taste. I also liked the bun, which did not look to me like a Shake Shack bun. I prefer soft, toasted supermarket type buns. I think the burger might be a bit bigger than the Shake Shack (5oz vs 4oz, I think?) though I like Shake Shack's beef a tiny bit better. Both burgers were cooked perfectly medium rare. One I got with everything and one with just lettuce ketchup and mayo. The amount of condiments was just right, not paltry, nor so much that it squirted out the side of the bun. I had a few issues with the place, all minor: a fellow diner had a small bottle of Poland Spring - the menu listed it at 1.75. I think that is too much and so I skipped it. They only have one size soda - a 16 oz cup that came half full of ice. If you are going to have only one size, at least make it a 20 oz. The real cost to sell a soda is not so much the liquid, so it shouldn't cost any more. It was 1.50 and was less than 8 oz of soda, after ice. At that price make it larger or give me one refill. And finally, the music was a slightly staticy, mellow hip hop station. It drove me nuts. It might be what the staff want to hear, but it didn't seem to be a hip-hop digging crowd that was there that night. At least lose the radio station and play CDs or something. The loud commercials kinda ruined the mood and the static was annoying. Nothing was negative about the burgers, though. I'll be back.
Hamburger Michael Kenny at 8:34PM on 10/22/05
Finally tried Good Burger on Sunday night since there was no line. It's a great burger and really splits the difference between the Burger Joint (a la Meridian) and Shake Shack burgers.The meat itself is much closer to the ultra juicy, and dare I say buttery, Shack patties and is complimented by an array of crisp onions, lettuce, tomato and pickles similar to what you might find at the Burger Joint. I believe they also took their cue from Shake Shack with the dual cheese program, and it works well. As far as the bun goes, it seemed to me to be right in between a Shack bun and a Joint bun, which is to say that while it doesn't magically melt and meld with the entire burger as you eat it - a truly religious experience that can only be experienced at Madison Square Park - it's not as much of a standard issue bun as they have at the Burger Joint or a place like Corner Bistro.
As has been stated, the fries very Mc Donaldsesque which in my opinion is not a bad thing. Probably on par with Burger Joint fries but certainly miles ahead of the Oreda-type things that are served at Shake Shack.
One thing that you have to try is the Black Cow milkshake. Your internal monologue might sound remarkably similar to a Pulp Fiction scene as you debate the pros and cons of a $5 milkshake but it's worth every penny!
I will definitely go back since it's both convenient to my place of employment and abode, but more importantly it is a really solid burger. It's no more expensive than the other comprable places and the quality is really just as good. I asked the guy behind the counter (Burger Joint vet) about lunch and he said that even when the line is out the door it's only about 10 minutes to get to the front of line. They also deliver to a somewhat limited area.
Hamburger Chris at 12:37PM on 11/09/05
Good burger, but terrible service.
No takeout orders?!?! huh. Pain because they take 10 mins.
The soda is small, but they give it to you when you first order. No free refils?!?! Isnt that in the Bill of Rights by now?
Why do you have beer on the menu when you dont serve it?
They will be run out in 18 months because they dont treat a customer well at all.
Hamburger kevin at 8:43PM on 12/06/05
I don't know where Kevin went. I went this evening: good, friendly service and takeout or to stay.
I didn't like the look of the fries, but they were surprisingly good. The burger was every bit of good as the descriptions above: I like mine well done and quite plain, and it was done just right allowing me to really appreciate the high-quality meat. The portions aren't massive by American standards, but as a European I found them just right!
I enjoyed this burger more than the (very good) ones I've had at the Burger Joint at Meridien.
Hamburger Tom C at 8:17PM on 01/20/06
While visiting NYC, I've gone to Burger Joint and Goodburger. I think Goodburger is WAY better than Burger Joint. The fries are delicious and the burger is jucier and overall more tasty. I liked Goodburger so much that I went twice and I was only in town 3 days.
Hamburger Brandi at 7:02PM on 01/30/06