No other meal matches the unfussy spirit of summer as perfectly as a burger and fries. After a hot day at the beach or a long night out, there’s no better simple pleasure. Here are seven of our favorite Brooklyn burgers to satisfy your craving, whenever it hits.
Photo: @DinerNYC
Diner, 85 Broadway, Williamsburg
Once upon a time, Diner was the only restaurant in the neighborhood. South Williamsburg has grown up around the farm-to-table restaurant, but it's still worth a trip for their grass-fed burgers served with house-made ketchup, mayo and mustard and perfectly crispy fries. Pair with a class of wine from Diner's outstanding list or a Bloody Mary at brunch.
Photo: @BonniesGrill
Bonnie's Grill, 278 5th Avenue, Park Slope
Go and sit at the counter at Bonnie's with a friend. Order a burger--available in Angus, turkey or veggies with pretty much every classic topping you can imagine including griddled onions--and a cold beer. Get some buffalo wings to share. Bliss out.
Photo: @EatMrDips
Mr. Dips, Vale Park at N. 12 and Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg
Burger lovers who prefer a smaller, summer dairy bar-style burger have seen a real explosion of this style in the past few years. They're not the huge gut bomb you find at a lot of fancier joints and they'll bring back those Dairy Queen memories from high school. Mr. Dips' version comes perfectly griddled with an addictive special sauce and the burger stand, located at the William Vale Hotel, is seasonal, just like the spots that inspired it.
Photo: 61 Local
61 Local, 61 Bergen Street, Boerum Hill
Lukas Volger, a vegetarian chef and cookbook author known for his creativity around Brooklyn and beyond, came up with this beet burger for 61 Local. Savory, earthy and satisfying, it doesn't pretend to be meat, and that makes it even more delicious. The pickled red onions really steal the show here.
Photo: @GrindhausNYC
Grindhaus, 275 Van Brunt Street, Red Hook
The burgers at Grindhaus are sourced from Fleishers Craft Butchery down the street, and ground in-house several times a week, and served with special sauce on Big Marty's buns. They are ridiculously good and perfectly messy in every way.
Photo: Peter Luger Steakhouse
Peter Luger Steakhouse, 178 Broadway, Williamsburg
You can only get a Luger Burger at lunchtime--dinner at Brooklyn's most famous steakhouse is reserved for steaks and chops only. It's worth the mid-day pilgrimage. Weighing in at more than half a pound this burger means business, but don't let that stop you from ordering a side of Luger's bacon and an iceberg wedge with blue cheese to go with.
