Burger Club NY: Island Burger and Shakes

“No man is an ISLAND, entire of itself.” --John Donne

Yet, at Island Burger and Shakes, you are very much in your own solipsistic island of deliciousness. The menu includes over sixty varieties of burgers and Churascos (grilled chicken breast sandwich), so you need a chunk of time where both you and your burger companion have time to review the menu. Granted, there can be times where even with the best of friends, you enter a restaurant, sit down, and want to look over the menu, but there is this weird silence—not even the “uncomfortable silences” from the Pulp Fiction Uma Thurmon & John Travolata scene—but that silence where you are both looking over the menu, indecision creeping in, and feel the need to start half-assed conversations while deciding, so that nothing is accomplished. The food items start working themselves into the conversation…“You got a new job, nice. That Hobie’s burger sounds good. Oh, but you don’t like your boss? No, I am not sold on the onion.” Your dinner companion overlooks your erratic referencing of the menu with a pained, concentrated look and just answers your questions pertaining to the job. Don’t do this. Be an island, ignore your friend, and examine the menu carefully and without distraction. (Then, ask about the new job.)

Reviews for this chicken sandwich are off the charts. “The best chicken sandwich we've ever had" (The Best of New York Issue, New York Magazine, April 14, 1997) among many others with more recent dates that I can’t happen to find at the moment. Point being: Be prepared to get a little chicken curious. Then, overcome. The blackened burger at Island Burger and Shakes is different than most, peppery and earthy, so worth a try. Also, perfect to mix with a shake.

There is shredded lettuce—my pet peeve—but balanced with a scoop of blue cheese that sopped the pieces up, so Anna gives:

Bex:

Be advised, medium rare at Island Burger is more on the rare side. My medium rare was bloody bloody. The flavor of the meat was good, but I bit down on a couple chewy fat pieces, which is always a turn off for me. I added tomato, and the slice was so thick I ended up not using it. The atmosphere is great and our server was really nice. And as you may have figured out by the photos, Island Burger doesn't serve fries- but if you are into potato chips, they have some good ones!

Roger:

Basically I love Island Burger. It could be the fact that I work in Hells Kitchen making it an awesome lunch option. Or it could be the fact the burger is just that good. I don't usually go for big patties but for some reason the blackened burger they make is just perfect. Its messy though and I don't recommend putting it down once you start. The laid back Hawaiian surfer theme is something you don't get much of in midtown either.