I just want lunch that won’t hurt me.

P.S. My second choice for flair was “shitpost,” because literally.

In the lead up to being in NYC last month, one of the places I was most excited to visit was Hamburger America. Luckily I was able to eat there a few times and try a few different burgers.

Fried Onion Burger

This burger was invented in El Reno, Oklahoma during the Great Railroad Strike of 1922 when a chef added equal parts onions and beef to a grill in order to stretch his supply of meat, and Motz felt it was the best representation of what Hamburger America is about. The sweet flavor of caramelized onions dominates, but there is also some bitterness from the charred onions, and slight pungency from the onions that were sort of just steamed. A double is sufficiently beefy, with almost as much meat as the many pub style burgers that cost about five dollars more.

Mississippi Slug Burger

Just like with the fried onion burger, this was invented in 1917 when a cook was trying to stretch his beef supply. Instead of onions however, he used potato and flour, and others who copied him started using breadcrumbs and soy grits as well. Motz opted to use stale hoagie rolls and dress the burger with only diced onions and mustard to keep it authentic.

The patty is crisp and has a texture that is similar to kibbeh. The burger tastes good but it’s very basic. The bread to meat ratio is pretty bad by modern standards, and it would definitely be improved with a slice of cheese. It’s nice as an appetizer before the fried onion burger especially because they both have similar histories.

Cheesy Western

Unlike the other two, the cheesy western is still popular in the place where it was first made in 1930, which is the Texas Tavern in Roanoke, Virginia. For this one, Motz went to Virginia to get some of the house made relish that they use on this burger. Relish, onions, and pickles are put on the top bun, while a beef patty, cheese, and a scrambled egg are put on the bottom bun. It ends up where the hot, soft, rich ingredients are topped with the cold, crunchy, and tangy ingredients. This leads to some interesting contrasts in each bite, leading to a pretty unique burger. The only downside is that it gets cold faster than a normal burger because of how much relish there is.

Andy Hayler Numerical Food Rating Guide  

BREAD: Simple, but incredible! The sourdough, “bagel” (which I ordered a second of), and spiced crisps, served warm, were truly fantastic, and the butter was also great. 19/20

DUO OF YELLOWFIN TUNA (fennel pollen, socca crisp, tonnato sauce): A wonderful starting dish. This dish truly had everything. Great tuna in different preparations, a bit of crunch, acidity and a touch of spice, and a great complementing sauce. The dish should’ve been served colder though. 17/20

GRILLED WAGYU FLATIRON STEAK (roasted double r ranch striploin, thumbelina carrot, king trumpet mushroom, sauce rôtissoire): The steak was cooked perfectly and the sauce was quite nice, however, all the sides were very mushy, and the dish overall was a bit too sweet. The steak could’ve used more seasoning as well. A very tasty dish overall though. 15/20 

CHOCOLATE PROFITEROLES (vanilla ice cream, salted caramel, chocolate sauce): A fantastic dessert from their restaurant week menu they threw in for free. A delicious dessert with a slightly crunchy, rich, and dense “profiterole” that went perfectly with the great ice cream and the two amazing sauces. The salted caramel could’ve had a bit more salt, and the dish could’ve used a little freshness. 18/20

NOISETTE CHOCOLAT (milk chocolate crémeux, praline croustillant, hazelnut nougatine): Forgot to take a photo so an online one is provided, though my portion was much larger. A very flavorful, textural masterpiece that was incredible, and the small bit of lime they added was a great touch. Just like the profiterole, this somehow wasn’t too rich. Once again, they could’ve added a bit more salt on top. 18/20

Price: $98 

My Rating: 17.4/20 (2*) 

https://www.diegosgyros.com/

Went here based off this review from u/wltmpinyc. Easy enough to get to, a little over a block from both the L and the M.

Counter dude was a kid that was so friendly and conversational that he kinda made my day lol. I got the lunch special, $13.99 for a gyro and soup. Chose chicken because, although pork and lamb are perhaps more traditional, I think that chicken is the real test because so many places phone that in, by making it dry or just not showing as much care as with the other meats.

No worries here! Chicken was tender and not dry at all, and the spicy avocado sauce (recommended by u/lou28777) was definitely the correct choice. Gotta get that on the side next time with fries, which were fresh and crispy. The gyro itself was well constructed and it kept its form throughout. The chicken orzo soup, though, was an unexpected star. Lots of places, when they include something in a lunch special, make that thing an afterthought, but this soup was great, clearly homemade, and even better after you twist in some lemon. I spooned some into the gyro.

I really enjoyed this place and I hope they become a neighborhood fixture. They had a few TVs mounted, and counter dude said lots of people were in here for the World Cup. He also mentioned that on weekends they give you a free beer if you dine in.

Now... there's a trajectory that we often witness for local joints that start out well: their economics tighten over time, they stop doing some of the special little things, it gets worse and worse until they're bare-bones, and then they either close or get purchased by someone that doesn't care or understand and runs it into the ground. Here's hoping this spot sees enough business to have a different outcome.

The list is still pretty whack, but Grand Central Oyster Bar is no longer part of Eater's Top 38 NYC Restaurant list.

I'm taking my friend out for her birthday and she wants to try fufu. What places have good food and vibe for a special day? My budget 60 per person.

So no au cheval, Minetta, etc.

I personally and randomly love the burger at Henry’s End in Brooklyn Heights

Booked a reservation for solo lunch. Seated immediately and the server brought over the customary solo diner complimentary champagne without prompt.

I love the atmosphere and decor of this spot, especially the caricatures on the wall.

Baguette came to the table hot & fresh. Great flavor to the bread but only ate a bit as I didn't want to be filled up on carbs ahead of the main reason why I came - trying the famous Black Label Burger.

Ordered with a side salad with the fries & burger. Perfectly medium on the inside, as requested. A bit longer on the wait for mains than I assumed for a burger. I think almost 20 minutes from baguette being served. Could have been because it was a busier lunch rush.

Onto the burger, I prefer pub-style over smashed. I want to taste the beef and this one certainly delivered. Not mind-blowing as some other reviews I've read about the Black Label. I'd say it was good overall (3/5). For me, not a return visit kind of order.

As a comprehensive dining experience though, I would take friends & family visiting the city to this spot.

Title

Sushi con nyc 2026 tickets sold today, but only full day and half day tickets released. I wasn't sure on how to get vip even though they said additional charges would happen for vip? I was wondering how the restaurant sampling was going to happen.

This is also my first time going so I'm a little lost! Im also going alone so if anyone's gone in the past, was it easy to make friends there or is it like easier to go alone? Any info would be great ty guys!

Hi! As the title says, I’m looking for the best yogurt parfaits in the city. Not frozen yogurt, but a classic Greek yogurt + granola + fruit parfait! I love thick yogurt + some jam/fruit + savory, well toasted granola.

Open to cafe/bakery/restaurants/coffee shops!

Some of my thoughts so far:
- Granola Bar - didn’t think it lived up to the hype… OK but yogurt was not that thick…
- Kona coffee - too much jam in their parfaits
- Tartinery - pretty good but kind of expensive
- Maman - too sweet
- Pura vida - wish it didn’t have pineapple

The only one I know of is Outback Steakhouse that has it as a permanent menu fixture, and though the one in Chelsea closed, I think there's still one in Brooklyn.

Where else can one find Prime Rib on a regular restaurant menu in NYC or even nearby? Alas, I used to live in Las Vegas, America's Prime Rib capital where it was commonplace and sometimes available late into the evening for under 30 dollars! It was a glorious culinary environment alas.

New Jersey used to have this extraordinary spot known as Charlie Brown's with everyday Prime Rib and a salad bar that had chopped liver, but most of those closed during pandemic. Now, I only know of some other chains like Texas Roadhouse in NJ that have it or some spots that do it as a special rather than regular fixture.

Anyway, though... NYC... Prime Rib... any price point? Recommendations, friends?

So pretty much as my title says I recently moved to NY I am in queens but will go anywhere to try to find this.
I grew up in Georgia and there was this bakery that had a sour cream fudge chocolate cake. It was so dense rich and decadent. If you either know a place that you think could scratch that itch or has a similar item I would love to know!

Need the best Ganache Cake in NYC since I'm currently on vacation in NJ close enough to NYC Please

Hi,

I've been obsessed with financiers recently and looking for the best ones in NYC. I've only tried Laduree and it was soooo good!! So crispy on the outside and soft and buttery on the inside.

Thanks in advance!

Nudibranch was on my to-try list and this ended up being a bit of an unplanned visit. One of my kitchen appliances broke and I used it as an excuse to eat out.

Nudibranch is a small plates restaurant fusing Spanish and Korean. The vibe is somewhat rustic, slightly dimmed, with date spot energy, but not so much so that a group of friends couldn't dine there. I sat at the bar and felt perfectly comfortable. The service was attentive but non-intrusive and honestly exceptional.

They have a four course tasting menu for restaurant week and in my opinion it's one of the more worth-it menus. All the items except dessert come from their actual menu, so it's a good way to sample what they offer. Though some items do get a reduced portion size, like the frog legs. I've linked the published menu here, but it is different from what was actually available at the restaurant. The menu there included the endive salad as an option.

I got the frog legs, soba alla bottarga, arroz negro (cuttlefish), and chocolate mousse. I also chose to add the uni and salmon roe supplements to match the actual restaurant dish. This was different from what the bartender recommended, which was the hamachi appetizer, endive salad, and arroz negro. I also ordered the duck confit croquettes off the regular menu.

Most of the food was seasoned and cooked well, but it really wasn't to my personal tastes as I felt it lacked complexity and subtlety. The frog legs were perfectly fried and well seasoned, but I actually regret not following the bartender's suggestion to go with the hamachi, as they essentially just tasted like chicken wings without sauce. The cold soba had a nice textural contrast from the shaved bottarga, but I didn't think the roe and uni actually did much for the dish, and the uni wasn't high enough quality to really incorporate well. The arroz negro was a highlight of the night, nice and savory, good texture, the cuttle fish was prepared perfectly. The biggest disappointment of the night were the croquettes, which didn't really taste much of anything.

Over all I enjoyed Nudibranch's restaurant week menu and its a good restaurant. However, I won't be back soon as its really just not too my taste. The restaurant seems to emphasize textural contrasts in a lot of their dishes and I prefer things that have either bolder flavor or more complexity or a big slab of meat. Someone who enjoys wine bars, may actual really love this place.

https://nudibranchnyc.com/
https://www.instagram.com/nudibranchnyc/
https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/new-york-state/new-york/restaurant/nudibranch

Hi! My boyfriend is coming to visit me while I'm in NYC and I'm looking for a spot to go to for a nice dinner (potentially lunch but dinner timing is better)

We will be in Manhattan mostly but open to suggestions in other boroughs as well as long as they are easily accessible.

Budget: Looking for around $100 max between both of us, could push to $150

Restrictions: I'm vegetarian -- okay with broth/eggs etc.

Boyfriend doesn't really like Italian or Japanese food 🤷‍♀️

Preference for Indian food and other heavily spiced cuisines

Thank you!!

Edit: Some people have mentioned that upscale and the budget don't really align — totally get it! I mean more just a nice ish date spot that isn't like a takeout hub if that makes sense? It doesn't necessarily need to be fine dining I just didn't have a better word for it in the moment. Thanks!

I work in FiDi and love a sweet latte as a pick me up. I like the vanilla date latte from black fox, the one from birch, and blue bottle vanilla latte.

Are there any other lattes I should try?

Burmese Bites has reopened at their new location at 38-01 31st Avenue, Astoria. Their new menu is expanded but has all the old Queens Center Mall classics too. I missed them so much so I really hope they succeed in Astoria. Pictured are the tea leaf salad, pea palata, and chickpea tofu salad. Clearly marked vegan options for my vegans too

instagram.com/burmesebites

https://www.richaudpetitebakery.com/

https://www.instagram.com/richaud_petite_bakery/

I'm shit at knowing about things in my own neighborhood. My dear friend of a pastry chef that commutes from Ridgewood had to tell me about this place, which opened just a few weeks ago and is apparently the creation of French actor Richaud Valls, with whose work I'm admittedly unfamiliar. Both he and his establishment are bursting with personality and Frenchness.

I haven't gone enough to be really familiar with their operations, but I do know that they have everything-seasoned baguettes, and M. Valls will make you a fresh jambon-beurre with that bread if you want... and it adds so much. The butter is Échiré (which should please u/carprin); not sure on the dijon used, but it ain't Grey Poupon, I can tell you that. The sandwich includes ham, Comté, dijon, butter, and cornichons by default, making it one of the most deluxe sandwiches of this kind that I've seen--I've had to supply my own mustard and cornichons for some other places. Add the everything-seasoned baguette and you have something that is altogether on a different tier than your standard jambon-beurre.

Now, I haven't exhaustively gone through every jambon-beurre here. La Bicyclette in particular seems to keep running out before I can get my ass over there. But I've never seen anyone go quite this far with this sandwich before, and I'd give it a good chance at it being the best in the city.

I'm looking for authentic Middle Eastern falafel, not the frozen or overly greasy kind. Bonus points if they make fresh pita, tahini, and good toppings.

Any local favorites or hidden gems you'd recommend?