Faith Is An "Island"
Island Burgers & Shakes | 766 9th Ave. (bet. 51st & 52nd Sts.) | 212.307.7934 | islandburgersandshakesnyc.com
...It is a kitschy space, yet complete devoid quaint cutsiness or hipster irony. The decor, a throwback to the national diners of yore.... [cont.]
...I started with the burger, which was, yes, bigger than the bun, and, although "smashed" (as Shake Shack does, and comparisons will be made between the two for months to come), was still beefy, juicy, loose, crumbly, and a little pink. The lettuce was crisp, and the bread held enough to not just hold up to the clear-running, hot burger juice, but my non-"fancified" condiments as well.... [cont.]
...So, it's not a debate of which burger is better. Sometimes—and thank goodness not often—, I'm really in the mood for a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, and nothing else would make me happier. Most burgers I consume during a year I prepare and cook myself. Could you do a lot, lot worse than Shake Shack? Easily. Could you do better? Maybe, but you'd have to work to find it.... [Full Post]