Ode To Joy

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HAVING TO COVER SO MANY places—of different types and cuisines—makes it a bit more difficult to get back to my favorite places with any regularity. I've had to forgo eating bliss for days—sometimes weeks and months—at a time to to work and recreational scheduling conflicts. (I don't think I've been back to one of my very first favorite restaurants, Caracas, in over three years. Now I have to add that to my to-do list!)

And even when my top burger is just a figurative arm's reach away (and just beyond delivery range) at Joy Burger Bar in East Harlem, I haven't been able to reward myself with just a 10 minute bus ride for my fave cheeseburger with mango chutney at Joy.

I have been fortunate that the owners of Joy Burger have enjoyed my reviews and photos of their burgers, and they have for a few month asked me to try some additional menu items at their new location in the West Village. My friend, Danny, who first introduced me to Joy Burger—and his photographer son and hopeful PHUDE-nyc apprentice, Mike—decided to join me on my first visit to Joy's second outpost. The homey and kitschy-without-being-ironic decor was instantly familiar in feel, with the same diner-style aesthetic and Coca Cola-sported flourishes.

Joy Burger Bar (West Village)

Joy Burger Bar | West Village

Joy Burger Bar (West Village)

After a quick scan of the menu, Danny and Mike knew exactly what they wanted: cheddar burger with sautéed onions and side of onion rings, cheddar burger with side of sweet potatoes fries, respectively. I, on the other hand, always looking to mix it up, ordered an American cheese burger with chimichurri sauce and topped with a fried egg.

Joy Burger Bar (West Village)

Although Danny and Mike have had these often enough—the East Harlem outlet does deliver to Danny's bar, right at the edge of the delivery zone—they both expressed new enthusiasm as to how good their handfuls were. But would my creative roll of the dice pay off flavor-wise? Yes, and then some. Ladies and gentleman, Joy Burger Bar's cheeseburger is no longer my favorite NYC burger; Joy Burger's cheeseburger with fried egg and chimichurri is! An already properly salted, crumbly, seared, juicy burger—winningly attired with fresh produce—gets even better with a homy fried egg with its indulgent yolk, an a bright, floral, kicky, tongue-tingling chimichurri sauce.

So now it seems I have two favorite burgers from the exact same place. Maybe I should indulge myself more often. I'm so eager now to try so of the many other topping and sauce combinations that I can resolve fitting frequent visits in my schedule by pretending that I'm eating at a whole new place with each new burger. It'll be worth it knowing every visit I'll be filled with Joy, in more ways than one!

Bun Apple Tea!

KAC

POSTSCRIPT Since I did have my budding apprentice in tow, it is only fair and with great pride that I include some of his great photos as well. Here are two:

Joy Burger Bar (West Village)

Kerry Alaric Cheeseboro