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Black Iron Burger
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Black Iron Burger
8.5
A chef-built burger shop that treats the basics seriously: seared patties, sturdy buns, and a lineup that rewards people who like their burgers a little engineered. It’s one of the more consistent crowd-pleasers in the area for a sit-down-but-fast burger meal, especially when you lean into their signature builds and fry program.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Masterpiece Burger, The Black Iron Burger, Truffle Cheese Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Signature burger builds with a fry game that holds up.
Who should go: Burger people who want a reliable Midtown win.
When to visit: Late afternoon or late night for less waiting.
What to order: Masterpiece burger, Black Iron burger, truffle cheese fries.
Insider tip: Order fries immediately—best hot and fresh.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site parking. Street parking is very limited and competitive; nearby paid garages are the most realistic option, especially after 5pm.
Dress code: Casual. Jeans, sneakers, and everyday Midtown attire fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate. Lively but controlled—easy to hold a conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak hours without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait outside the noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but available—typically a veggie burger or non-meat build depending on location.
Vegan options: Very limited. Best to check current offerings; not a core strength.
Gluten-free options: Possible with bun substitutions, but cross-contamination is likely—inform staff if sensitive.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something relaxed and low-pressure. The food gives you something to talk about without feeling stiff or overly loud.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes. Walk-ins are common, though you may wait during dinner peaks or late-night rushes.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably so. The menu is straightforward and approachable, but the late-night crowd skews adult.
Best For
Better for: Engineered, chef-driven burgers with consistent execution and fries that actually matter.
Skip if: You want a cheap smash burger, extensive vegetarian options, or a quiet sit-down dining experience.
Black Iron Burger
8.4
A proper sit-down burger bar with a thick, steakhouse-leaning patty style and a menu built for full meals—not just a quick smash-and-go. It’s at its best when you order one signature build, add one side, and let the kitchen’s “burger-first” focus carry the experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Masterpiece burger, Garlic herb fries, Onion rings
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Full-service burger bar with a deep bench of signature builds and sides.
Who should go: Burger-and-beer crews, post-work groups
When to visit: Early dinner or pre-theater to avoid waits
What to order: The Masterpiece, garlic herb fries, onion rings
Insider tip: Pick one signature burger and one side—don’t over-order.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and tough after 5pm; nearby paid garages within a 2–3 block walk are the realistic option.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual. Jeans, sneakers, and workwear are all normal—no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate to lively. Easy to talk at the table, but the room gets louder during happy hour and game times.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak hours without a reservation; shorter if you arrive early.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – a dedicated veggie burger option plus sides that can make a full meal.
Vegan options: Limited – veggie burger can be modified, but choices are not extensive.
Gluten-free options: Yes – gluten-free bun available; cross-contamination possible in a burger-forward kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual or low-pressure first date than a romantic one. The food is excellent, but the sports-bar energy makes it more relaxed than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes, especially on weekdays or early evenings. Weekends and post-work hours may require a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who like burgers and fries. There’s no kids-focused atmosphere, but families won’t feel out of place earlier in the day.
Best For
Better for: Full sit-down burger meals with thick patties, strong sides, and beer—more satisfying than quick smashburger counters.
Skip if: You want a fast grab-and-go burger, a quiet date-night setting, or plant-forward dining with many non-meat options.
Black Iron Burger
8.2
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A compact burger room that’s a practical business lunch when you need speed and satisfaction over ceremony. The kitchen’s strength is straightforward execution—burgers built for repeat orders—plus a quick counter-to-table rhythm that keeps breaks truly short.
Must-Try Dishes:
BIB signature burger, Garlic herb fries, Onion rings
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Fast, repeatable burger lunch with strong execution at scale.
Who should go: Coworkers on tight schedules.
When to visit: Weekdays 11:30am–12:15pm to beat the rush.
What to order: Signature burger, fries, onion rings.
Insider tip: Skip mods—order the house build for the quickest turnaround.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option during lunch hours.
Dress code: Casual and workday-appropriate—business casual, jeans, and sneakers are all fine.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during peak lunch; conversation is easy at off-peak times but tighter during the noon rush.
Weekend wait: Generally short or no wait; weekends are calmer than weekday lunch.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during peak (12–1pm); minimal wait before or after the rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – vegetarian burger option available.
Vegan options: Limited – vegan-friendly options are minimal and may require modifications.
Gluten-free options: Limited – some locations offer gluten-free buns, but cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a romantic first date—it's casual, compact, and built for speed—but fine if you both want something low-pressure and quick.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—this is a walk-in-focused spot. Arrive slightly before noon or after 1pm for the easiest seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes in a casual sense—burgers and fries work for kids—but the small, busy room is better for older kids than toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Fast, reliable burger lunches when timing matters more than ambiance; quicker in-and-out than most sit-down Midtown burger spots.
Skip if: You want a relaxed, conversation-heavy meal or a full-service business lunch with privacy—choose a larger dining room or table-service restaurant instead.
Black Iron Burger
8.8
A chef-driven Midtown burger room that leans into big, composed builds and a bar-first energy—ideal for a late dinner that still feels casual. The menu’s strength is repeatable execution (clean sear, sturdy buns, punchy sauces) backed by craft beer and a sports-bar hum that keeps the room moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Epic Burger, Mushroom Truffle Burger, Herb Garlic Fries
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: High-volume, chef-built burgers that still land consistently at midnight.
Who should go: Burger-first groups and late-night Midtown diners
When to visit: Weeknights late; weekends before the bar rush
What to order: Epic Burger, Mushroom Truffle Burger, herb-garlic fries
Insider tip: Go classic on your first order—save custom builds for round two.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive at night; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual—jeans and sneakers are common, no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate to loud late—easy conversation early, more sports-bar energy as the night goes on.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak late-night hours without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or under 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian burger options available, though the menu is meat-forward.
Vegan options: Limited—no dedicated vegan burger; sides may work with modifications.
Gluten-free options: Limited—can do bunless burgers and some sides, but no dedicated gluten-free prep.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something relaxed and unfussy. It’s more casual hang than romantic, but the food is reliable and the vibe keeps things easy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes, especially on weeknights. Late weekends may involve a short wait, but turnover is steady.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the evening, yes—simple burgers and fries work for kids. Late night skews adult with bar energy.
Best For
Better for: Late-night burger consistency, group-friendly seating, and a bar-driven atmosphere that still takes the food seriously.
Skip if: You’re looking for a quiet, intimate burger date or need extensive vegan or gluten-free options.
Black Iron Burger
8.6
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Happy Hour Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
A Midtown burger room that leans bar-forward but keeps the cooking disciplined—clean sear, sturdy buns, and sauces that actually taste like something. It’s a reliable cheap-eats-plus option when you want a real seat, a beer, and a burger that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Must-Try Dishes:
Black Iron Burger, Mushroom burger, Truffle fries
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Chef-built burgers with repeatable execution in Midtown.
Who should go: Burger-first groups who want a real sit-down
When to visit: Weeknights after work for easiest seating
What to order: Black Iron Burger, mushroom burger, fries
Insider tip: Keep sides simple—fries land hottest when ordered with the burger.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Limited street parking; nearby paid garages on 38th St and surrounding avenues are the most reliable option, especially after work hours.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans and sneakers are fine; business-casual crowds are common at lunch and early evening.
Noise level: Moderate. Lively bar energy, but you can still hold a normal conversation at a table.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak dinner hours; shorter if you arrive early.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or minimal wait, even during the noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes. A solid veggie burger option plus fries and sides.
Vegan options: Limited. Fries and a few sides work, but the menu is not vegan-focused.
Gluten-free options: Limited. Burgers can be ordered without buns; cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something casual and low-pressure. It’s comfortable, unfussy, and gives you real food and drinks without feeling like a scene.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes. Walk-ins are common, especially weeknights and at lunch. For prime weekend dinner hours, arriving early helps.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for older kids who like burgers and fries. It’s more bar-forward than family-oriented, so better for tweens than toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Reliable sit-down burgers with beer in Midtown—stronger execution and more comfortable seating than fast-casual burger counters.
Skip if: You want ultra-cheap grab-and-go burgers or a quiet, intimate dining room—this is more bar-driven than cozy.