Paul's Place

A couple of Sunday's ago after buying some nike dunks at Transit, I decided to top of the afternoon at nearby Paul's Place. I agree with its plain and basic atmosphere. The open grill was important. No sauce should be needed to truly appreciate a piece of meat, so I ordered a plain burger, medium rare. Although the chuck was definetely fresh, it was bland. The bun was moist and similiar to a Mcdonald's bun. It was a decent burger and had decent value. The bowl of pickles on your table that awaits you is a cool concept. The fries were too much like deli fries. The fries had good taste but were too big. The milkshake was fair. Overall, on a scale of 1- 5 burgers, I rate it a 2. I would go back but only if I go by Transit to buy more dunks, and probably not even that.

The Shake Shack

Spring has come, which means the doors of the Shake Shack are open. This Danny Meyer joint in the middle of Madison Square Park, is well worth the wait. But definitely check out the live shake cam by clicking here The lines can be in excess of 100 people and 45 minutes during a nice day in the summer, but you will not be disappointed. The burger has to rank a top anyone's NYC burger list. I recommend the Double Shack Burger, Fries and a Milkshake to both fill your appetite and clog your arteries. For the ambitious people and ravenous eaters, I would drop the milkshake and add a 2nd Burger. The Burger is tiny, probably 3.5 oz, but is a perfect consistency. With lettuce, tomato, cheese and the shack sauce, I truly savor each taste. The bun has a potato roll like taste, and does a superb job of keeping the greasy style burger inside the bun, not making a mess all over your hands. The bun is outstanding and brings the burger to another level. The fries are just how I like them, nice and crunchy. It's a good thing my office isn't closer to 21st and Madison, or I would be at the Shake Shack 2-3x a week. I give the Shake Shack 4.5 out of 5 Burgers.

Paul's Place

3/21/07- Review #1
I had Heard much hype about this place from many guys and as a burger afficionado I finally went to check it out. I enjoyed the "old school" atmosphere, and I loved the huge bowl of sliced pickles waiting at each table. I thought the burger itself was good quality ground chuck, however it was pretty bland and I had to add grilled onions, pickles, tomato and ketchup to add some flavor. I also don't love steak fries, would rather thin jawns that I don't need ketchup for. Overall, the burger was average and in my mind below other places like The Shake Shack and The Burger Joint. My experience at Paul's which will be the first burger spot rated on the Berkowitz family scale of 1-5 burgers and I give it 3 1/4 burgers. I liked it and I'd go back, but I'm not rushing.

Paul's Place
131 2nd Ave (Cross Street: St Marks Place)New York, NY 10003-8331View Map(212) 529-3033 Directions: 6 at Astor Pl