Mark Burger: Great Sliders, Fries and Shakes in the East Village

New Contender for Best Burgers in NYC & Best Fries

Mark Burger 

Ever since the Shake Shack opened to huge lines and cultish adoration some five years ago,   many have tried to replicate Danny Meyer’s winning formula of serving up classic American fast food–burgers, shakes and fries–made-to-order, with quality ingredients, all infused with a huge sense of fun. There have been some “nice-try’s” (Bill’s Bar and Burger, for example) and some big misses (Stand), but no one has yet dethroned the Shack for best burger in NYC, under-$10 division.

Mark Burger 

Then came Mark Burger, one of the closest contenders that we’ve tried in a while. Opening this fall among the tattoo parlors and rude-t-shirt boutiques on St. Mark’s Place, Mark Burger may look like a party, but the kitchen is serious about its food. We went with a group a couple of weeks ago, and start-to-finish loved our meal.  

Mark Burger 

Mark Burger has a smartly focused menu, and we tried everything. The burgers here come in Slider format, available with cheese and onions, or with bacon, cheese and onions. Both varieties (the bacon is ground into the meat, so it truly is a different burger) were first-rate–juicy and meaty and well-balanced within their soft white buns. Two of these sliders definitely make for a satisfying “entree”, and will set you back only about five dollars.

Mark Burger 

For your side dish, get the French Fries. Actually, you don’t have choice, since it’s all Mark Burger offers… but once you dive into the crispy, salty, potatoey pile that arrives at your table, you won’t wish for anything else. Seriously, these are some of the best french fries in NYC right now. And bonus points for the honest server who offered the information that the three-dollar size was plenty for two people to share.      

Mark Burger 

For those looking for a new spot to get shakes in NYC, Mark Burger’s shakes and sweet treats were also total winners. We had a straight-up Chocolate Shake, which was hit-the-spot rich and thick and creamy. And for dessert, the sugary, flakey Pecan Pie, baked up in an individual portion (though three of us shared one, no problem), topped with ice cream (we did vanilla), was just exactly the right way to end the meal. All in all, Mark Burger is definitely a keeper.

Mark Burger 

 

Mark Burger details

Mark Burger is located on St. Mark’s Place between Second and Third Avenues (look for the cow standing out front), and is open every day from 12:00 noon to 1:00 a.m.. The atmosphere inside is dim and designed for a good time; the staff friendly and welcoming. For more information and a look at the menu (though we did mention everything above, except for the Guinness Shake), check out the Mark Burger website, here.

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