PrintRoyale: Alphabet City, Manhattan
Or, 'But What Do They Call it in France?
Hype never moves me the way it should. In fact, it turns me off. I refused to see Pulp Fiction for three years after its initial release for that very reason, and even then wasn't that impressed. But when multiple trusty sources of mine collude to recommend a burger, I feel I owe it to myself to at least give it a try.
Royale has been regaled in local media since its opening in 2006. On a recent rainy night, I trekked over to Avenue C to get a taste of my own. Despite rave reviews (or maybe because of them), I wasn't expecting this burger to blow my mind. I managed to walk right past the place, but it's not like they don't have a sign.
I don't like ordering burgers with funny names. And since Pulp Fiction left a sour taste in my mouth, I especially did not like asking for a "Royale with Cheese." Thankfully, the waitress spoke cheeseburger, and that's all I had to ask for. That and a Porkslap, which is a mighty tasty cheap beer from a can. She did this neat trick where the can rests on the edge of a pint glass and pours itself. I was impressed already.
Moments later, my burger arrived, and it looked spectacular. Served on delectably brown seeded roll with lettuce, tomato, and onion, I was especially impressed with the pickle placement. Six crinkle-cut slices of dill pickle ensured optimal coverage and a bit of pickle in every bite. Already Royale was stacking the deck. Whether I was hungry or just trying to cram something in my mouth rather than ask my dining companion about his recent stint on Jeopardy!, I quickly assembled the burger's halves and took a bite. And what a bite it was: juicy and flavorful and just right. This burger was everything I'd been promised, and soon it was gone. I gave serious thought to ordering another right then, but decided to nibble on my friend's fries instead. I somewhat regret my decision.
Why was this burger so delicious? For one, it was cooked exactly as I'd asked. For two, Royale uses an extremely generous fat-to-meat ratio, and fat is some tasty, magical stuff. Testing a theory, I returned to Royale a second time, and ordered the burger without cheese. Never let it be said that I require cheese! The Royale, however, does. The Royale (which even sounds weird without cheese) was still tasty, but in no way approached the blissful experience of my first visit, and all other factors (aside from the company) were the same. Further evaluation will be undertaken, fear not.
To summarize: We probably don't agree about Pulp Fiction, but it's not like I write for a film blog. Trust me when I tell you this is a burger worth ordering, with cheese. Or don't, I don't care; it's not like Royale is hurting for hype.
Royale
Address: 157 Avenue C, New York NY (Alphabet City, b/n 9th and 10th; map)
Phone: 212-254-6600
Short Order:Delectable cheeseburger, acceptable hamburger. Optimal pickle coverage regardless.
Want Fries With That? A basket of the shoestring variety will set you back $3, but there's plenty and you should share. Onion rings are also available and are equally skinny. Maybe they're making up for the beef?
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it pleasant. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
5 Comments:
Makes me want to try it again. I've only had it once, and I wasn't super impressed with it that time. But that's why I usually go more than once before bloggering a place. Nice dispatch, Lauren.
Adam Kuban at 3:47PM on 02/13/08
wow. a burger cooked exactly as asked AND with optimal pickle coverage?! that is a rare thing, my friend, a very rare thing.
wookie at 6:04PM on 02/13/08
Coming from the West Coast, nothing compares to places like In N Out and the Apple Pan in New York, the best places to find burgers in NYC are the Crown and Kennedy Fried Chicken shops which are usually in rougher parts of town, they really go out of the way to make a good burger, even toasting the bun for you, unheard of in a fast food joint. To date these places are the only places where I have eaten a satisfying burger, ironically these places mostly sell fried chicken, but they offer burgers as an extra item, and only make them fresh to order, kind of funny the best burgers in NYC come from a fried chicken joint.
JonnoNonno at 10:47PM on 02/16/08
Royale is very good. But I gotta say my fave (even though they recently got rid of the english muffin buns) is still a Pianos burger. You must try one... If you don't want to try one of the specialty burgers, you can ask for just a simple cheese burger (not on the menu).
The specialty burgers:
Grand Piano Burger emmental cheese & special house sauce
Red Wine Burger black pepper crusted w/ caramelized onions & bacon
Goat Cheese Burger fresh herbs, goat cheese, basil, & shiitake
adubs at 11:34AM on 02/19/08
How can I trust a Burger Review from a person with No taste (in Movies)?
Pulp Fiction, only gets better with Time and it started very High on the list!
phauxtoe at 11:18PM on 03/19/08