Price gougers! The burgers are extra-greasy and to the point. Beef, bun, cheese, lett, tom, onion. It's good (hence, 3 stars), but do they REALLY have to charge $8.00 for a cheeseburger?! They need to take a lesson from Mr. Meyer. Until they do, can we all PLEASE stop forming absurdly long lines in the Meridian lobby, bothering the poor hotel guests? Okay, so I know they have this like totally really cool brick wall with like tons of famous people that wrote on it. But really, is that a valid selling point? The fact that they let Paris Hilton use any sort of writing utensil on any part of their establishment is reason enough for me to never trust them with my food again. Just go to UWS Shake Shack. $4.75 a burger. Almost half the price and more than twice as good. read more

I absolutely love this place! It's a true hole in the wall which adds to the atmosphere. They make delicious burgers and shakes that are simple, but always delcious. Only downsides: its cash only and there can be a long line... Otherwise some of the best burgers in NYC. read more

Maybe it's the experience of getting the burger that's driving up the ratings. I entered the hotel from 57th St and walked through the Moroccan-y lobby bar with slick-looking international travelers. So cool and loungey, I wanted to have a drink at the bar but felt self-conscious in my yoga pants and running shoes. I found the BJ entrance just beyond the bar and to the right. As much as I love dark moody spaces, I have to believe there are better burgers in NYC. The burger was fine, not great, not bad, simply fine. I went on a Thursday night. No line. Friendly cashier. Got a Sam Adams for the wait, which ended up being all of three minutes. I asked the grill guy for a to-go bag, and this chick came out of nowhere to fuss and point at the pile of bags on the counter. The burger was good. The fries, as others have repeatedly pointed out, look like McD's but are bland, flavorless, and disappointing. read more

Excellent burger & fries for a hole-in-a-wall-in-a-hotel place! Burger Joint really is buried to a corner inside the Le Parker Meridien lobby with no signs about it except for a neon burger above the dark entrance. Regardless of that oddity, inside is a true burger joint atmosphere! Small dining area, specific directions how to order, cash only and fast service! Now as for taste, the cheeseburger was fantastic! Great flavor and I loved having all the topping options. Surprisingly, I loved the fries too! They are shoe-stringy (like McDonalds, which i hate), but were cooked just perfect. The dining area is small, I wouldn't bring more than a group of 4 to the place. There are 4-5 booths along one wall, then some tables with bench/chair seating. But there weren't any empty seats when I went there around 4p on Saturday. As I was dining alone, I just took my yummy little meal over to the park and happily enjoyed everything. read more

I guess this burger is good.. if you're at a friend's bbq! This does not come close to Shake Shack. Do NOT insult that delicious, fatty, greasy, potato bun goodness! This burger is a lean, soul-less mound that is churned out with no love or character. Just a generic burger. There wasn't even a line when I went, so I didn't have to wait. And that still didn't make the burger any better. I'd rather wait 30 minutes at Shake Shack and get something delicious and fulfilling. read more

This might be one of those places that has developed such a great story (dumpy looking burger spot hidden away in an ultra fancy hotel, simple menu, very long lines, etc...) that its reputation is enough keep the customers flowing. I was certainly drawn in by its placement in several Top NYC Burgers lists alongside fancy $20+ burgers. If I'm being absolutely honest, however, I have to admit that while it was a decent burger, it has definitely been hyped up. Was it delicious? Absolutely, but that had more to do with the cheese than the patty, which was somewhat lacking in flavor. The fries were also good, but required a bit of salt. It was worth the trek for the experience, but I think next time I'll give one of the fancy NY burgers a try. read more

Every time I pass through NYC I have to places I must go, even if its just a 3hr layover; this is one of them. Best burgers in town!...simple, might be small for some and in a curious setting but it does it for me. I will take the train from the airport for this burger... It's that good for me. read more

its a cool place serving good burgers. Place is good but best in NYC? probably not. the beef patty was just too hockey puck-ish for me. i like my burgers a little looser. be prepared to order fast and without hesitation. the burger nazi. read more

Trying to find this place was interesting, considering it's tucked away in a corner inside the Le Parker Meridien hotel on West 56th. But, my friend had read an article about how this was one of the best burger spots in the city, so we had to check it out on our last visit to New York. It really is a hole in the wall, and there isn't much seating, but we got there a little after 11 am on a Saturday, and didn't have to wait too long for a table. The burgers are really yummy, and I really enjoyed the experience! The fries were just okay, but anything tastes good with Heinz ketchup. All in all, it was a fun experience attempting to find the place, and it was fun to eat "fast food" that didn't taste like it would clog multiple arteries. read more

Look for the red curtains. If you are entering the hotel, it is in the left side of two lobby entrances. It's a pretty darn good burger. But for the price, I'd rather go to shake shack. Shake shack burgers are bigger and on the taste scale (although they are different, both are the same). A hamburger is $8.27. Only the hamburger by itself. For a dingy looking joint, why do you charge so much! (Hence -1 star). Not a good price point for what you're getting, honestly. So I only relied on reading yelp reviews to actually find this place. Came on a rainy Sunday late afternoon so the line wasn't long enough to poke out. Waited probably 20 minutes to get to the front but I didn't like how it was kind of disorganized. People were just standing all over the place- you didn't know who had ordered and who had not. Also, how seating works: find an empty table and sit. There's no hostess or whatever, even though there are waiters. read more

I love this place! A teacher of mine showed me around a few of his favorite places in the city and this was one of my favorites. One of my definite to-dos with guests visiting. Tucked away inside the Le Parker Meridien you would never expect to find this hidden gem. The line is long.. pretty much always so be prepared to wait. You may notice while standing in aforementioned line that the seating is first come first serve. If people aren't big jerks and don't snatch up tables 45 minutes before the other person in their party gets the food you will usually get lucky. I have been here numerous times and always found a seat so don't let this turn you off. Clearly we all know the burger is the main attraction here and believe me it doesn't disappoint. It is juicy and melty, oozing deliciousness. YUM. Why do I always write reviews when I am hungry? The only disappointment here is the cost. For fries, a burger and a soda you'll dish out $16. Okay - I know it isn't that bad compared to what you'd get at any other restaurant in this hood but still... a bit excessive. Despite the cost I still love coming here - I am a sucker for "hidden" spots, what can I say? read more

When I first entered through the north entrance, my first thought was that I was entering the main chamber in Emerald City.....floor to ceiling mirrored entranceway, nice ambient lighting. Walk to the right of the concierge desk, and look for a little neon sign...the line of people...that fine smell of grease... I don't know if it's due to the hype or the actual food, but people I've taken here tend to be underwhelmed. If you like the McDonald's variety, thin, perfectly fried and salted, then you gotta get the bag of fries. The fries alone bump this place up to 4 stars, but if this was a review purely for the burger, it'd be 3 stars. This place is no frills; burgers are cooked to order (although usually on the underdone side), fries, and soda or beer. No fancy toppings, just the usual. The boys who work here don't put up w/ attitude, so if you're a demanding customer, don't expect 5-star treatment. Burgers are modest-sized and basic. This is a good stop for a burger if you're in the area, or it's on the way, or have an out-of-town visitor that would appreciate a NYC experience, but definitely not that mind-blowing that you need to go out of your way to make an extra special stop here. read more

Burger joint is OK.... Im just extremely confused at why this place is voted BEST burger in NYC. I would not even rate this burger as AMAZING or DELICIOUS. Its an OK burger. pretty greasy ... I think even five guys is better than burger joint. The best burger in the city is still shake shack. BEST burger!!!! EVER read more

This is easily one of my favorite burgers and with the latest burger rage in the city, $7.50 is a more reasonable price than other places. Cash only, though. But it's sad, you have to have line strategy, which means: skip breakfast and go at 11:20-11:30 to have a minimal wait. Even today, when we went at 11:30 it took a good 20 minutes to get a burger after we ordered and we were lucky enough to get seating - a booth nonetheless! (And it's still awhile b/c a lot of people order a ton of take out, so even though you've ordered, they have to get through those orders which are usually huge.) Ordering is pretty straight forward, you tell them burger or cheese burger, how you want it done & the toppings you want. I always get the works w/out onion - which is tomatoes, pickles, lettuce, mayo mustard and ketchup... Fridays are always the most hectic because I think that everyone who is hungover from the night before shows up - I mean, isn't that what you need the next day, or is it just me? I can't explain why the burgers are tender and different, I mean there's a tiny, tiny space where one man is just grilling away - perhaps they don't really clean the grill and all that accumulated char is what is making the burgers taste so fabulous? The bun is a standard potato roll - and the fries are pretty bleh - you know the standard frozen variety that are on the thin side... The place has milkshakes that are awesome - although I haven't had one in awhile - just a lot of ice cream and a splash of milk in a blender right before your eyes...oh they have pitchers of Sam Adams as well. read more

Dear Burger Joint, When I did a USA Food tour, I went to you twice. Why? Your burgers were that good! Located discreetly in a hotel, I feel like when I entire your establishment I entire a secret society of food aficionados who know where to get a good bite of food. Definitely the vibe of this place is one you expect of a serious burger joint. No frills, very homey, and filled with people there on a mission to eat a great burger that's priced right, portioned right, and enough to get you going. The burger is just a giant slab of meat, between 2 buns, with the basic fixings. Get a side of delicious fries, with a cola and you're set. -Ed read more

Ah, yes, the secret burger joint in a fancy hotel, so secret that the only way you can find it is by looking for the huge line of international tourists just waiting to try it out too. this place is going to taste so awesome if the only burger you've ever eaten is from McDonald's or Burger King. But if you know what In-n-Out and Shake Shack are, you can safely skip the line. Taste-wise, this place is definitely in that league of awesome burgers. btw, the infamous curtains are hiding nothing but a solid, boring wall. hey, i had do something while i waited. read more

This place is so weird...behind a curtain in a fancy NYC hotel. Right before we got inside my wife noticed Lisa from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. So when I tell you that this place looks the opposite of anything Beverly Hills...i mean dark, wood walls, writing on the walls...a true hole in the wall burger joint. Now onto the burger...I enjoyed my cheeseburger with the works...it's somewhere in between shake shack and five guys...and to me it's closer to five guys...which isn't bad but when everyone is telling you this place is better than shake shack...that's not a good thing. We got the fries and a brownie too. I liked the dark chocolate brownie. The fries were McDonald's like...but not as good. Final verdict...I would definitely take someone there if they were visiting from out of town just because it's has such a cool and shocking location. But if someone asks me for the best burger in the city...i'm still taking them to Shake Shack! read more

3.5 stars This may be a popular spot for tourists due to its location, but they still serve up a pretty decent burger. It's been a couple of years since I last went and I was glad to see they haven't lost their touch. I read some of the complaints about it being too expensive but I think $7.35 for a cheeseburger is pretty standard in Manhattan - some would even say it's on the cheap side. Anyway.. onto the burger. I got mine medium with the works and it came out almost a perfect medium. The quality of the meat was fine and though the patty was very slightly on the dry side, it didn't matter too much cuz there was enough juice in the pickles and tomato to balance it out. The bun, though nothing to write home about, was just the right size. I also liked their fries a lot. I always feel like good fries doesn't require ketchup and these didn't need any. Overall, I would say although Burger Joint's burger doesn't quite have the same punch as Shake Shack or the Juicy Lucy at Whitman's, it's still pretty solid. However I do have some beef with their slow moving line (heh...). I was the 5th person on the line and had to wait almost 20 minutes before I could put my order in. There is also the inconvenience of having to strategize from beforehand so you can find a seat. The location of the hotel they are in is right opposite to the HRC gym which I go to. Blessing or curse? I can't decide. read more

Not too big, not too small. It was ju-u-u-st right. Really. And the burger was juicy and tasty, too. Yeah, it's a bit pricey, but what do you expect from a highbrow-trying-to-act-like-a-lowbrow burger joint in a luxe hotel? And just like BK, here you can "have it your way." (Only readers from a certain generation will understand that reference. If you're too young, just know that you can order your burger with whatever condiments you like.) read more

The Burger Joint has burgers similar to Shake Shack. It is inside Le Parker Meridien hotel. You need to go inside the lobby and the Burger Joint is literally behind a curtain. Like Shake Shack, there will be a line. Nevertheless, it is a very good burger. The french fries are very greasy (like Five Guys). If you are visiting New York and looking for recommendations for lunch, feel free to message me through Yelp and I can share my personal lists of great spots in the city, which includes my Yelp reviews. The information for an electronic copy can also be found via my Yelp profile. read more

I found out about burger joint after watching "The Layover." My boyfriend and I have been taking on the millennial quest of finding the best burger in New York City, and I was sure this was going to be "the one" due to Anthony Bourdain's stamp of approval. A few things appeared to have changed recently: -They now accepts credit card -Based on my observations, they weren't sending people back to the line, as Bourdain suggested, if they didn't have their order ready The line moved very quickly and I received my food within 10 minutes. After all the hype, the burger was...okay. Slightly juicy, but lacking flavor. The best part of the meal was the crunchy french fries and the chocolate milkshake (I'm pretty sure they mix a brownie with the ice cream). I'd probably only go back with friends from out of town, and probably skip the burger; most f the fun anyways is figuring out exactly where it's located in the hotel and the loud atmosphere. read more

The burgers are so good. they are made better by the hot cramped spot tucked in the Parker Meridian and everyone (employees and customers) get pissed if you aren't ready to order when you are up. And again when your name is called for pick up. keep an ear out. without all these added extras, it would still be a good burger, but it's something of an experience as opposed to a bargain. I feel special knowing it's there. read more

It's now a little past 1:30 am and I'm thinking of burgers. Specifically Burger Joint burgers. Not the best burgers in NYC but I love the novelty. It's a total gimmick. If you blink, you'll miss this small, seedy establishment. Tucked away in the swanky Le Parker Meridien is this greasy spoon. Yeah, may cost a little more but the fries are pretty damn good and it complements the burger well. Plus, factor you can buy a pitcher of beer and you've got yourself a happy customer. Unfortunately, space is limited so your pitcher may take up too much space. Just don't be an uptight, high-strung, go-go-go New Yorker when you get there. Suck it up. Yes, there's a line. Yes, you're probably going to be sharing a booth. But smile. Be nice. You may make a friend. At the very least, enjoy your burger and the novelty of Burger Joint. read more

This is a cool place, you would never think you would find a place like this in a fancy five star hotel. The burger was pretty good, it's around the size of an In 'n Out burger, but with higher quality meat. I like being able to order a burger medium rare. The fries are like Fatburger skinny fries that come in a paper sack which is enough fries for at least 2 people. Go more for the ambiance though. It's a small hole in the wall place inside the hotel. The menu is written with marker on cardboard, dimly lit with autographs of celebrities on the wall.. It truly does look like a burger joint. read more

(from 01/08/2007 via Citysearch) If you can even find 'The Burger Joint', you should feel successful. Located behind a curtain in the lobby at the top-notch Le Parker Meridien hotel in midtown, this restaurant is as delicious as it is hard to find. If you eat there Monday through Friday from 12pm-2pm there will be a line and you'll have to wait, but it will be 100% worth it. It's a great tourist draw and I always take my friends here when they visit New York City. Hamburgers are my favorite food and this place surely does them right. There's only one menu in the restaurant and it's written in marker on a ripped up piece of cardboard above the grill, which is perfect for this tiny hole-in-the-wall. The menu gives a 3-step procedure on ordering (1. Rare? Well done? In between? 2. Cheese? 3. Fries?) that makes the experience of eating at The Burger Joint all the more unique and memorable -- don't mess this up or you may be sent to the back of the line. The burgers are a bit small but they don't disappoint, and the french fries are phenomenal (although massively greasy). Celebrity signatures and unframed movie posters spattering the walls complete the 'back-room' ambience of this distinctive dining establishment. There's no reason not to check out The Burger Joint... but good luck finding it. Pros: Ambience, Great Experience, Straight-Up Amazing Burgers and Fries Cons: Long Line, No Frills read more

The line can be long depending on when you arrive, and the like others have mentioned there is limited seating. But if you can't find a seat you can always sit out in the lobby. It's definitely hidden... we had to ask someone at the desk where to find it. Even though it was right in front of us. read more

I had never heard of this place before someone brought it up for lunch today.. I had no expectations at all. We walked into the swanky lobby and I expected to find table linens and overpriced food. Instead, we walked into a different universe once behind the curtain. This place is all about atmosphere.. And it's 5 star for sure. Various celebs have signed the walls (my fav was Samuel L Jackson) and I can see the attraction for celebs/others to visit this place. However, after waiting in line and getting my burger, it sort of lost the appeal. Don't get me wrong, it is one tasty burger - but it isn't great.. just pretty good. Was it tasty? Of course. But it isn't the best burger in NYC at all, in my opinion. Come here to feel like you're visiting a speak easy that serves tasty and greasy food, don't come here if you're on your quest for the best burger in NYC. I will say that this would be a great place to bring an out of towner, for sure. Also, we got here around 12pm and had a short line - when we left, it was out to the lobby. read more

Every now and then my coworker will jones for these burgers. He actually gets on the subway and gets takeout before the lines get long and brings it back for our group. They are like shake shack, just not as good. They do travel ok, but I'm sure they are awesome if you eat them there. Their fries are like crispy McDonalds fries. I hear lines get outrageous. So go early. read more

Maybe because it's SO unexpected. SO un-Manhattan. Maybe because it's just SO good. Whatever the reason, grab yourself a burger at this hidden gem. Tucked away in the chic and modern Le Parker Meridien hotel, this little dive (and I mean that affectionately) with its 70's wood panelling is simply a taste of beefy grease heaven. In fact, almost every time I'm in town, I make it a point to stop by. Leave your uptown pretentiousness at the hotel lobby. This is all about the burger, and only the burger. read more

Just what the stars indicate: I've had better. Cons: 1. It's overpriced for what you get- we paid $30 for two burgers, two fries, two cokes. The burgers were on the smallish side and my tomato/lettuce didn't even look fresh... I took the tomato off in fact. 2. The fries are served in a little brown paper bag which would be really awesome if they also didn't taste like the paper bag. No flavor. 3. My burger was overcooked and therefore fairly dry (I ordered it medium). Other than that, again, not much in the way of flavor. Pros: 1. The location/atmosphere is neat... fun place to take an out of towner probably. This place doesn't even begin to compare to Shake Shack. read more

What in the heck is this place doing in the Parker Meridian?!? Doesn't make sense. Luckily I wasn't placed on this earth to make sense of things. Just eat them. 2 Cheeseburgers, medium, the works! Sam Adams? How can you not. This is a dinner fit for kings. Beware of the seating (or lack there of). read more

This place doesn't make sense at all. It's awesome. The first time I went into Burger Joint, I was sure the address was wrong. Very wrong. I had walked into a very nice hotel which quite certainly didn't have a random burger place in it... except that it did. I'm glad I went back in and searched around a bit. Hidden in a corner behind a wall is a tiny, semi-grungy burger joint. As far as I know, there is no advertising or anything of this place. People just know about it by word of mouth (or word of yelp in my case). The burgers are great, and the atmosphere is really cool as well. I still can't get over the fact that this place is located in a fancy hotel. Crazy! read more

After much hype, my friend and I were super juiced to go to this place, and it looked promising since it was a literally a hole in the wall covered with a sheet. Unfortunately, we were really just underwhelmed. At just about $30 for two people, we were seriously expecting a whole cow in between two buns. To the contrary, my friend and I looked at each other after we left the joint, and both said, "I'm still hungry." LOL! I mean, when you shell out that much for a burger, you definitely want some corn-fed beef patty with seasoned steak fries. Sadly, it just missed the mark. I think one should definitely go at least once for the Manhattan experience, but it wouldn't be at the top of my list to go back. read more

Delicious. Heard the raves and now I believe the hype. I usually like my burgers with like brie cheese, guacamole and other exotic toppings. But really they were not even missed and I realized it totally takes away from the juiciness of the meat. My coworker and I decided to take the field trip after agreeing to wanting something "really good" for lunch, also the boss is out so why not take the trip. We work on 51st and Park. We're walking, google map gps via iphone and arrive at the 57th side of Le Parker Meridien. Enter through the super fancy lobby bar and ask one of the waitresses, "where's the burger joint" apparently she did not hear me, yeah right. Continue walking through and I see the burger picture I noticed from yelp. Awesome! Place my order, cheeseburger with everything and fries. Waited about 5-7 minutes. We arrived 11:50-ish to avoid the rush and lucky we did because the line was out the door by the time we left. Walking back to the office, huge commotion on 5th ave from the damn UN mess. Some people swear they are sooooo important. Pass Sony Plaza and who do I see, Common! "Omg, Hi Common!" He looks up, "Hey". Get back to desk, notice the juiciness of the burger and begin to inhale with a Diet Coke to liquidate my palette. Fries were so-so probably better if I had them fresh out the fryer but I still inhaled those too. The burger was excellent, cooked to medium perfection, right amount of mayo and ketchup, fresh lettuce, pickles and tomatoes. The bread held well and was the perfect burger to bun ratio. Can't wait to go back! read more

The burger? Not bad. Not the best I've had, but good, solid burger with plenty of beef. The vibe? Amazing. You can't beat walking into Le Meridian with its chic hotel vibe then head into its hole-in-the-wall burger joint smack in the center, identified only by its hidden neon sign in the shape of a burger and the line of patrons. Also lots of good looking, French speaking patrons. That's another plus. read more

Burger Joint never fails me! The patties are always seasoned well, made to order and cooked medium. When I first moved to NYC, I was told that going to Burger Joint is an experience. I was hoping the experience would not be like going to Pinks in Hollywood because after the long wait you end up with crappy hot dogs. Luckily, the burgers here are awesome, so waiting forever to get a burger is justified. read more

So my first bite of the "works" burger here was only ok. I kind of thought, "what's with all the hype?" But my second bite was a bit better, and I thought "this is pretty good." By my third bite, I was all aboard. It just got better and better as I got a bit of everything in there: cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mustard, ketchup, mayo. Next time I make a burger at home, I'm including each and every one of these ingredients. Why the hell not?! read more

I'm not as big of a burger fan as many of my friends, but I love the Burger Joint experience. The burgers are juicy, flavorable and just a little bit messy - but all good burgers are a bit messy! Fries are okay, shakes are definitely not as good as Shake Shack. Finding Burger Joint, with just the neon burger sign next to a red curtain in the Le Parker Meridian lobby feels like being let in on a great secret - except it's one of the worst kept secrets in town! If you come at prime meal times, the line can be quite long. Luckily, the limited menu means the line moves relatively quickly. Getting a seat here can be tough, but if you can snag one, I like to read all of the notes on the walls. Decor is definitely divey, but I think that's part of the fun - it looks out of place in a nice hotel like the Le Parker Meridien. read more

This is place is cool... and If I was only rating for being cool than I would give it 5-stars but I am rating overall here. That said, this place is the epitome of it's name, its a burger joint nothing more. It has some pretty tasty burgers but I don' think it is worth a second trip. I agreed with the other that this place is a little pricey for what you get. In the end, I am glad I checked it out not sure I would go a second time. read more

CASH ONLY! The burgers are tasty and the atmosphere is fun. Hidden inside a hotel, this small burger place is a fun place to stop by if you're in the area. No better than shake shack but worth it nonetheless. read more