I ate three burgers at three famous New York City restaurants on one trip. The cheapest one was the best.
On our 3.5 days in New York City with a toddler, I had the steakburger at Junior's, the Cadillac at P.J. Clarke's on the Hudson, and the Tavern Burger at Tavern on the Green. This is my NYC burger ranking, head-to-head, with scores and prices.
What Is the Best Burger: Junior's, P.J. Clarke's, or Tavern on the Green?
Junior's. The steakburger at Junior's beat both of the others, and it was also the least expensive of the three. Here is the full ranking:
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Junior's steakburger: 8.2/10 ($20.95 with onion rings and steak fries)
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Tavern on the Green Tavern Burger: 7.6/10 ($35 with shoestring fries)
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P.J. Clarke's on the Hudson Cadillac: 7.1/10 ($27 with sea salt fries)
Why Did Junior's Win?
The Junior's steakburger definitely exceeded my expectations, and I would absolutely order it again. It scored an 8.2/10, the highest of the three burgers.
It is a 10 oz char-broiled steakburger on an oven-toasted bun with lettuce and tomato. I got the version with onion rings and steak fries for $20.95 at Junior's on 49th Street and Broadway, and the chef recommended medium rare.
Why Is Tavern on the Green Second?
The Tavern Burger was very good. It was not as good as Junior's, but it was better than P.J. Clarke's, and it scored a 7.6/10.
It is a 10 oz burger with American cheese and shoestring fries for $35 on the Tavern on the Green menu. Our server said it was really good, that it was 10 oz, and that it was very filling. I ate the whole thing anyway, even though it was way too much for lunch. Here, the chef recommended medium. Read the full Tavern on the Green review.
Why Is the P.J. Clarke's Cadillac Third?
When I ate it, the Cadillac was a definite second place to Junior's. After I had the Tavern Burger later in the trip, it slid to third. I gave it a 7.1/10, and I would not order it again.
The Cadillac is $27 with double smoked bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and sea salt fries. P.J. Clarke's credits Nat King Cole with calling it "the Cadillac of burgers" in 1958. The chef recommended medium rare. One knock was the fries, which were skinny and not even warm. Read the full P.J. Clarke's on the Hudson review.
How Should You Order a Burger at These Restaurants?
Ask how the chef recommends it. I always do, and I always go with the recommendation.
On this trip, Junior's and P.J. Clarke's both recommended medium rare, and Tavern on the Green recommended medium.
Which NYC Burger Is the Best Value?
Junior's. It was the best burger of the three and the least expensive at $20.95, and that price includes onion rings and steak fries. The Cadillac is $27, and the Tavern Burger is $35.
What About the Cheesesteak?
The cheesesteak at Danny & Coop's in the East Village scored a 7.8/10. It is not a burger, but it was the other sandwich I scored on the trip. The meat and cheese were top tier. The onions and the sesame roll cost it points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Junior's or P.J. Clarke's burger?
Junior's. The Junior's steakburger scored 8.2/10, and the P.J. Clarke's Cadillac scored 7.1/10.
Is the Tavern on the Green burger good?
Yes. The Tavern Burger scored 7.6/10. It is a 10 oz burger with American cheese and shoestring fries for $35, and it is very filling.
How much is the Cadillac burger at P.J. Clarke's?
The Cadillac is $27 at P.J. Clarke's on the Hudson and comes with double smoked bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and sea salt fries.
How much is the Junior's steakburger?
The 10 oz steakburger with onion rings and steak fries is $20.95 at Junior's 49th Street.
What temperature should you order a burger in NYC?
Ask how the chef recommends it. Junior's and P.J. Clarke's recommended medium rare, and Tavern on the Green recommended medium.
Final Thoughts
Three famous burgers, and the winner was the one that cost the least. Junior's steakburger is the one I would order again. It definitely exceeded my expectations.
