Here's a recent recommendation (and request) we received in the AHT inbox.
Hey hamburger people,
I love your website and I love reading about all of the different burgers you guys find, whether you like them or don't. The only problem is that I am strictly kosher. I would really love it if you guys had some kosher options for us Jews out there.
I thought I would start by pointing out a great kosher burger place in Brooklyn. It may not have melted cheese on it, nor can I compare it to what a non-kosher burger tastes like, but I love it. Burgers Bar is a really popular burger place that opened up around five years ago. They're Israeli and brought everything they've got over to America. They offer huge, generously spiced hamburgers (with an option for an even spicier hamburger). They have a lot of unique options, like a lamb burger, and their potatoes come in slices, and are delicious. They have a large range of on-premise made sauces, with their garlic mayo being the most popular.
I would really love it if you guys checked it out to see what some of our kosher food has to offer. I love your website and I hope you can see this as an opportunity to further broaden your span of burgers out there.
Thank you,
Lauren R.
I'll admit, being about as Jewish as a Chinese pork bun, I've never thought of checking out a Kosher burger place before, but I'd be willing to try it. A bit of googling brought up a couple of other kosher burger options in New York City: Brooklyn Burger Boyz, Kosher Delight, and Talia's Steakhouse, known for their kosher cheeseburgers that use soy cheese.
Lauren's take on these other kosher restaurants:
I have never actually heard of the Brooklyn Burger Boyz, which means it's either fairly new or not that good. Talia's Steakhouse is a reasonably priced (for kosher food) restaurant in the city with horrible service and bad food (think: raw salmon). Kosher Delight is kind of like the kosher version of fast food, with a solid crappy burger, semi-decent Chinese food menu, and excellent fried chicken.
Has anyone tried burgers from these places, or have any other kosher burger recommendations?
Burgers Bar
1906 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11230 (map)
718-998-3200; burgers.co.il
The problem with only eating kosher is that we are simply unable to compare our burgers with everyone else's. That being said, the Burger's Bar burger are fairly unique, especially in terms of texture. They stick to their Israeli roots in this regard, and while I'm not sure what it is exactly that they do differently, its certainly interesting. One thing that is particularly great about the place, however, is the customizeability; you can put basically anything on your burger, from, as Lauren pointed out, their homemade garlic mayo to sweet chili sauce and non-dairy basil pesto.
As for Kosher delight, she hit the nail right on the head with that one. It's definitely a crappy-style burger, but it's actually quite flavorful, the only real issue being the ridiculous price of their double burger (at least in Manhattan). They also have a lot of other surprisingly good foods as well.
Talia's is awful, just awful. As a Kosher eater, I have little choice and live just a few blocks from there, and I *still* have stopped going there. The food is terrible, (tough, barely chewable meat, etc.). Once, after a miserable service experience (waited 20 minutes for a menu and 30 minutes for a check after asking multiple times) the owner's answer was to shrug and say, "OK, don't come back if you don't like it." I took his advice.
Try Abigael's Grill on Broadway for decent Kosher food.
You don't have to be Jewish to love Burgers Bar. They make a unique, really tasty burger that anyone and everyone can and will enjoy. No cheese required. Really, you won't miss it. I'm certain of it. Good stuff!!
Although I've never actually eaten at Burgers Bar, I have heard great things about it and everyone I know loves it.
I have eaten in kosher delight and whenever I'm in Manhattan I always go eat there. I absolutely love their burgers and fries!!!
Ben's Delicatessen (not glatt) on 38th St. between 7th and 8th Avenues in Manhattan makes a decent hamburger. Ben's Best Delicatessen (an entirely different establishment, also not glatt) in Rego Park, also makes a good burger.
I was born in Israel and raised in Brooklyn and live in Manhattan for 10 yrs. I'm also part of the old school hypoc-kosher crew that created their own rules in secret from their rabbi...I only don't eat pork and shellfish. Cheeseburgers and Chicken Parm somehow make the cut..... My family was Glatt Kosher too. What I'm getting at is that I've had the finest kosher and unkosher meat good money can buy in the 5 boroughs.Kosher meat blows. I'm not saying there aren't people that do it right, I'm just saying their access to fine meat is aweful (in Manhattan) and I'm sure it's worse elsewhere. KD (Kosher Delight) has been my staple for steamed-soggy-bun burgers growing up. The food there is crappy-good for the most part, the fried chicken is awesome. Difaro's pizza is 2 blocks away on Ave. J in Brooklyn, so serious eats could have a party between KD and Difaro's in and across the street Jerusalem II Pizza (which is the best kosher pizza joint hands-down) all in one one day (Someone, please invite me). Talia's steak was ok. It wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. Same for the burger. It's a real shame because there's no reason you can't have an awesome kosher burger....A great burger doesn't need cheese...just some bloody fatty goodness I call "Shacksplooge".
Guy, I agree. A burger does NOT need cheese to make it taste good. Check out Burgers Bar. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I don't think anyone would.
Thanks for commenting! Your comment has been accepted and will appear in a moment.
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.
PrintHey hamburger people,
9 Comments:
The problem with only eating kosher is that we are simply unable to compare our burgers with everyone else's. That being said, the Burger's Bar burger are fairly unique, especially in terms of texture. They stick to their Israeli roots in this regard, and while I'm not sure what it is exactly that they do differently, its certainly interesting. One thing that is particularly great about the place, however, is the customizeability; you can put basically anything on your burger, from, as Lauren pointed out, their homemade garlic mayo to sweet chili sauce and non-dairy basil pesto.
As for Kosher delight, she hit the nail right on the head with that one. It's definitely a crappy-style burger, but it's actually quite flavorful, the only real issue being the ridiculous price of their double burger (at least in Manhattan). They also have a lot of other surprisingly good foods as well.
bloknayrb at 10:38AM on 11/04/09
Can cheese be added and it still remain kosher?
BigWoollyMammoth at 11:23AM on 11/04/09
No, one of the principles of keeping kosher is not mixing meat and dairy.
bloknayrb at 11:46AM on 11/04/09
Talia's is awful, just awful. As a Kosher eater, I have little choice and live just a few blocks from there, and I *still* have stopped going there. The food is terrible, (tough, barely chewable meat, etc.). Once, after a miserable service experience (waited 20 minutes for a menu and 30 minutes for a check after asking multiple times) the owner's answer was to shrug and say, "OK, don't come back if you don't like it." I took his advice.
Try Abigael's Grill on Broadway for decent Kosher food.
BeccaMJ at 12:19PM on 11/04/09
You don't have to be Jewish to love Burgers Bar. They make a unique, really tasty burger that anyone and everyone can and will enjoy. No cheese required. Really, you won't miss it. I'm certain of it. Good stuff!!
RebeccaR at 6:52PM on 11/04/09
Although I've never actually eaten at Burgers Bar, I have heard great things about it and everyone I know loves it.
I have eaten in kosher delight and whenever I'm in Manhattan I always go eat there. I absolutely love their burgers and fries!!!
SamR at 7:14PM on 11/04/09
Ben's Delicatessen (not glatt) on 38th St. between 7th and 8th Avenues in Manhattan makes a decent hamburger. Ben's Best Delicatessen (an entirely different establishment, also not glatt) in Rego Park, also makes a good burger.
NoachAr at 11:28PM on 11/04/09
I was born in Israel and raised in Brooklyn and live in Manhattan for 10 yrs. I'm also part of the old school hypoc-kosher crew that created their own rules in secret from their rabbi...I only don't eat pork and shellfish. Cheeseburgers and Chicken Parm somehow make the cut..... My family was Glatt Kosher too. What I'm getting at is that I've had the finest kosher and unkosher meat good money can buy in the 5 boroughs.Kosher meat blows. I'm not saying there aren't people that do it right, I'm just saying their access to fine meat is aweful (in Manhattan) and I'm sure it's worse elsewhere. KD (Kosher Delight) has been my staple for steamed-soggy-bun burgers growing up. The food there is crappy-good for the most part, the fried chicken is awesome. Difaro's pizza is 2 blocks away on Ave. J in Brooklyn, so serious eats could have a party between KD and Difaro's in and across the street Jerusalem II Pizza (which is the best kosher pizza joint hands-down) all in one one day (Someone, please invite me). Talia's steak was ok. It wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. Same for the burger. It's a real shame because there's no reason you can't have an awesome kosher burger....A great burger doesn't need cheese...just some bloody fatty goodness I call "Shacksplooge".
Guy at 6:57PM on 11/05/09
Guy, I agree. A burger does NOT need cheese to make it taste good. Check out Burgers Bar. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I don't think anyone would.
SamR at 8:29AM on 11/06/09