10 Tasty Smash Burgers In NYC You Need To Devour Right Now
While we wrap up the unofficial “summer of the hot dog” we’re still simultaneously celebrating smash burgers, a movement which has gathered some traction in NYC in recent years. The delectable burgers, which get pressed down and mixed with caramelized fix-ins are as crisp and flavor-packed as you can imagine. Drawing inspiration from Los Angeles’ thriving smash burger scene, it’s only right we uncover some of the best that have creeped their way into NYC’s food scene…one patty at a time.
1. Gotham Burger Social Club, Lower East Side
This insanely viral smash burger spot has been blowing up ever since finding a permanent home in the LES earlier this year, and it’s deserving. Gotham Burger Social Club started as a pop-up during the pandemic by restaurant owner Mike Puma as a hobby, and now it’s maybe the buzziest spot to grab beef in Lower Manhattan.
Their signature Gotham Smash just oozes flavor, a nostalgic smash burger smothered with grilled onions, housemade pickles, jalapenos, club sauce, ketchup, mustard, and melted cheese on top. Plus, they toast both sides of the bun for that extra buttery crisp. It’s running the show right now.
Where: 131 Essex St
2. Hamburger America, SoHo
Since opening up last year and becoming one of favorite new restaurants of 2023, George Motz’s Hamburger America gives that old classic diner feel to the smash burger space. Plop a seat at their yellow-and-white lunch counter and dig into the speciality George Matz’s Fried Onion Burger which will run you 7.25 for a single and $11.50 for a double patty. Don’t forget about the shoe string fries, milks, and sweets too.
They even got a Monthly Burger Special as well, with this month’s being The Theta Burger (from Oklahoma City, OK…a griddled patty on a seeded, toasted bun with shredded American Cheese, dill pickle, mayo, and authentic Johnnie Sauce)
Where: 51 MacDougal St
3. Smacking Burger, West Village
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One of the newest entries into the smash burger world, Smacking Burger is serving their patties out of…an NYC gas station?! That’s right, this Mobil station in the West Village is flinging both single and double smash patties with various toppings and a special “secret sauce.” Order one of their more popular options like The Oklahoma (double patty, caramelized onions, American cheese, horseradish) or All The Way (double patty, caramelized onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, American Cheese, Bacon, SMACK Sauce) and enjoy it at a picnic table outside.
Where: 51-63 8th Ave
4. The Happiest Hour, West Village
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How about an adult happy meal during happy hour?! The Happiest Hour in the West Village is serving one of the best smash burger deals right now on Sunday — Thursday, and Friday — Saturday until 7 pm! For $22 you get one of their specialities The Happiest Smash (special blend grassfed beef patty, bacon umami, onions, American cheese, special sauce, pickles), fries, and any cocktail, beer, or wine. It even comes with a little hamburger toy too just like McDonald’s!
Where: 121 W 10th St
5. Harlem Shake, Harlem
Harlem Shake is most certainly worth the trip uptown, and diving into one of their smash burgers is something you’ll be telling your friends about for weeks. Using Pat LaFrieda signature blend, “smashed and griddled to perfection” you can order a few different options including the standard Harlem Classic (American cheese, onions, pickles & special sauce) or their more unorthodox “Hot Mess” (added pickled cherry pepper & bacon relish) or “Harlem Jerk” (added jerk fries and jerk mayo) which is pictured above.
The retro-diner space is equally awesome to enjoy it in, and if you have a craving they also have a Park Slope location and pick-up only location in LIC.
Where: 100 W 124th St
6. KO Burger, Chinatown
Right in the heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown sits KO Burger, a new-ish spot that’s got some mouth-watering concotions you’ve got to try. Once you walk right up and hit the doorbell, you can have a go at one of their few menu items which are all incredible smash burger variations. Their signature “KO Burger” is pretty solid (American cheese, onions, K.O. Sauce, mustard, pickles, pickled jalapeños), but we recommend one of their specialities like the “I’d Hit That” (Potato roll, smashed burger, white American cheese, black truffe Mayo, onions, pickles) or the holy grail in our book, the pictured above “Meaty Boy” (Potato roll, smashed burger, American cheese, chipotle mayo, Applewood smoked bacon, onions, pickles).
Where: 1-3 Eldridge St Store B
7. Smashed, West Village
For a no frills smash burger, Smashed in the West Village really never goes wrong. Their wide ranging menu has a load of options to choose from, and get pretty tasty too like the Truffle Burger (Double Burger, Tartufo Shepard Cheese, Onion Jam, Truffle Aioli, Shaved Black Truffles, Crispy Onions on a Brioche Bun. Seasoned With Truffle Butter and Truffle Salt) and Chili Cheeseburger (Chili, Beef Patty, Cheese, Pickles, SMASHED Sauce on a Potato Roll).
Double smash patties are around $14-17, or you can opt for the $12 Smashbox Special (Main Burger, American Cheese, Griddled Onions, Raw Onions, Pickles, SMASHED Sauce on a Potato Roll) on Monday – Friday from 12 – 3 pm.
Where: 516 Hudson St
8. 7th Street Burger, East Village
Although now a recognizable brand name and mini NYC chain, the superiority of 7th Street Burger still remains true, especially at their flagship joint in the East Village. Their menu is quite literally as simple as it gets—single or double patty smash burgers—which get topped with loads of American cheese, grilled onions, pickles and house sauce. The “basic-ness of the menu” adds a bit a charm in the way, and makes it easy to grab a bite quickly (especially at 2 am since it’s open so late).
Their loaded beef fries are pretty experimental too if you want to go for something different, and they have veggie patties too. It’s a household name you should try at least once.
Where: 91 E 7th St (but has multiple locations around NYC)
9. Butter Smashburgers, Greenwich Village
If an influencer opened up a smash burger shop in NYC, it’d probably look like Butter Smashburgers. Now that’s not to say it’s bad…because it’s actually pretty damn good. When you walk inside their super modern shop you’ll understand right away…the aesthetic branding, the ultra-metallic seating and menu accents, and cute merchandise.
The food itself is equally as pleasant, the House Cheeseburger coming with cheese, onions, pickles, and house sauce. This is the kind of place you can show off to your girlies on Instagram and then stuff your face shortly after.
Where: 106 MacDougal St
10. Handcraft Burgers and Brew, Midtown
One of our hidden gems in Midtown (we know, that sounds not typical) is Handcraft Burgers and Brew, whose got a grand selection of smash burgers to pick from. They range from the classic “OG” to more elaborate recipes with the likes of umami truffle sauce and roasted hatch chile, avocado, and lime aioli. Or opt for their “Burger of the Month” which is currently the The Perfect Pear (single smashed beef patty, gruyere cheese, glazed pears, pickled red onions, balsamic glaze).
Where: 110 W 40th St
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