Day 156 - The Speakeasy Burger

Today was my turn to return the favor and treat my friend Dory to a birthday lunch in an out-of-the-way back room of a lunch joint. (And to celebrate her engagement!) Only instead of falafel in the back of a loading dock, we sneaked into the lobby of Le Parker Meridian to have a burger in the back of hallway off of the lobby.

To find The Burger Joint, head into the main entrance on W. 57th Street and into the atrium. To the left and up a flight of stairs you'll find their hotel restaurant. That's NOT where to go. Go the other way. Look for a dark hallway just to the right of Registration. If the heavy black velveteen drapes are pulled apart sufficiently (if another surreptitious diner is skulking in or coming out) you might catch the glow of the neon sign that tells you you're heading in the right direction.

Even though you swear you're not supposed to be there (I think of that scene from Goodfellas--ducking into the Copa through the back door) you'd be lucky if there wasn't thronged with folks from the neighborhood, ice-skaters-in-the-know from Wollman Rink, and hotel help. The faux-wood paneled walls are dimly lit to reveal a mix of entertainment world kitsch, apparent celeb graffiti, and totems of burgers.

Over the counter window is a magic-marker scrawled menu on brown cardboard and another sign with handwritten directions on how to order. (How many burgers? How do you want them cooked? What do you want on them? There was no instruction for the shake, so I just blurted it out at the end. The guy at the register furrowed his brow and looked up slowly at me, so clearly I didn't do something right, but I got the delicious shake anyhow.)

The crew behind the counter is engaged in a constant smile suffused banter that makes the orderer feel like he's interrupting someone's party. It's not entirely clear when you have their attention sufficiently to place an order, but somehow they convey annoyance if you've waited too long to break in. But as surly as the interactions are, I did get a "here you go Darlin'" when I was called back to the counter to pick up my order.

For $20 we got two deliciously broiled burgers with "the works", an order of fries and split one of the best chocolate shakes I've ever had.

The only trick is finding a free table in this tight spot. Go early (11:30a) or later (after 2p) to avoid that part of the adventure.

Thanks to urbanerd and nascent New York foodie Andrew Caddock for the tip!