Out for a Burger
No matter where you are in New York, if the kids get hungry and you get tired, the instant solution is to grab a burger. There are Burger Kings and McDonald's throughout the city, but you can just as easily pop into a really good place to get a burger and fries.
Burger Joint ($)
118 West 56th Street (in Le Parker Meridien between 6th and 7th avenues)
West 57th Street-7th Avenue station (N, Q, R, or W train); West 57th Street station (F train)
212-245-5000
Did you know that there's a little burger joint hidden in the upscale Le Parker Meridien hotel? Burger Joint sells burgers, fries, milkshakes, brownies, and beer. The burgers are good, and the prices are even better. Just go into the hotel lobby and look for the floor-to-ceiling curtains in the back. Burger Joint is behind the curtains in the back.
Jackson Hole
517 Columbus at West 85th Street
West 86th Street station (1 train)
212-362-5177
Jackson Hole is a little bit more than a burger joint, but most people come here for the burgers. It gets a little rowdy after work, but it's a great lunch spot. There's also a brunch at the location at 1270 Madison, at East Nintieth Street, 212-427-2820; East Eighty-sixth Street station (4, 5, or 6 train).
Paul's Place ($)
131 2nd Avenue (between East 7th Street and St. Marks Place)
Astor Place station (6 train); 3rd Avenue station (L train)
212-529-3033
This one's for the kids, both big and little. Paul's is a favorite Greenwich Village haunt because of its juicy, mouthwatering burgers and the crazy décor. There are many other fine eats on the menu, but the star is overwhelmingly the burger in all its iterations. Some are piled so high you'll need a knife and fork. Overhead is a never-ending show of toys, mechanical and otherwise, that entertain tirelessly and noisily.
Two more family options are the New York minichains Burger Heaven and Better Burger. Both have great burgers and extended menus. Burger Heaven has a traditional American menu that will satisfy all members of the family. Better Burger uses natural and organic ingredients. Each company has a half dozen restaurants scattered around Manhattan.
Shake Shack ($)
Madison Square Park (southeast corner at Madison Avenue and East 23rd Street)
East 23rd Street station (N, R, W, or 6 train)
212-889-6600
If you're in town during the warmer months, visit the Shake Shack, a roadside food stand nestled in an urban park in the middle of the city. You'll find award-winning burgers and hot dogs with a variety of inventive condiments and sundaes with a raft of homemade toppings. Try the smoked chicken and apple wurst. During the day, you are surrounded by lush greenery. At night, you can eat under the twinkling lights.
