Long Island restaurants serving great burgers
The Roadstar at American Roadside Burgers in Smithtown. Credit: Newsday/Rebecca Cooney
Can the world ever have too many burgers? The answer is a resolute nope. The classic cheeseburgers of our misspent youth will always hold an honored place in the burger hierarchy, but patty choices have long been growing to include ever more complex grinds of various cuts. Elk, bison, bean and, of course, Impossible and Beyond Meat patties have combined to render a burger landscape primed for culinary adventure. From chain burger joints to gastropubs to at least one luncheonette, here are places on Long Island where you'll find more than a handful of burgers to choose from.
Nassau
All American Hamburger Drive In (4286 Merrick Rd., Massapequa): A local favorite since 1953, this stainless-steel burger stand is pretty much as it was when it opened. Seating is outdoors only, which doesn't faze the crowds who patiently wait in line for freshly made burgers and hand-cut fries, as well as hot dogs and thick shakes. More info: 516-798-9574, allamericanhamburgerli.com
The double cheeseburger, quarter pounder with cheese, fresh cut french fries and a drink at All American Hamburger Drive-In in Massapequa. Credit: Marisol Diaz
American Burgers (326A Sunrise Hwy., Rockville Centre): American Burgers opened in 1998, decades before burger joints became hip. It's a fun-looking place, decorated with a jukebox, vintage posters and old license plates. The menu lists 50 different half-pound burgers, each named for a different U.S. state, as well as many internationally-inspired versions. The Hamburgueza Peruana, for instance, is topped with fried shrimp and onions. More info: 516-766-2227, americanburgersrvc.com
Bareburger (42 Main St., Port Washington): This sit-down burger joint was one of the first around to offer beef patties from pasture-raised beef and bison, as well as lettuce leaves in place of buns, should you wish. Build your own — there are a few vegetarian patties, too — and get experimental with toppings from alfalfa sprouts to habanero mayo. (Other locations in Great Neck, Rockville Centre, and Plainview). More info: 516-708-9920, bareburger.com
The Impossible Burger at Bareburger in Plainview. Credit: Marisol Diaz-Gordon
Bethpage Burger Bar (4011 Hempstead Tpke., Bethpage): A chili-cheese burger. A guac-topped salmon burger. A burger loaded with lobster and house cheese sauce on a black, charcoal-tinted brioche bun. An open mind is key inside this former diner, but sure, you could also build you own basic cheeseburger with a patty made from ground hanger steak, short rib, brisket and chuck. Plenty of beer and ornate shakes await on the liquid front. More info: 516-597-5309, bethpageburgerbar.com
Black Label Burgers (683 Old Country Rd., Westbury): All burger places take their beef seriously and the USDA prime meat served here hails from a single ranch in Washington state. Specialty burgers range from a basic version to a bacon-blue cheese burger on an English muffin. Upgrade any burger with a dry-aged beef patty for softer texture and bolder flavor. More info: 516-333-6059, blacklabelburgersny.com
The Black Label at Black Label Burgers in Westbury. Credit: Marisol Diaz-Gordon
Burger Bite (616 Hempstead Tpke., West Hempstead): At this ultracasual spot, chargrilled burgers may be customized with any number of toppings, some free (lettuce, red onions, tomatoes and chipotle mayo) and others ( bacon, sauteed mushrooms and caramelized onions) offered for an upcharge. You also can go for a set option such as the Classic, topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and ketchup, or the far-out Big Mash Bite, topped with mashed potatoes. More info: 516-292-3777, burger-bite.com
Burger Village (216 Broadway Mall, Hicksville): Organic, grass-fed beef and exotic meats (think elk, ostrich and boar) reign at this sit-down place on the rim of the Broadway Mall. Toppings are grouped into symbiotic combos, such as the Skinny (Cheddar, arugula, tomatoes, roasted red peppers and honey mustard) and vegan options are plentiful. (Other location at 901 Broadhollow Rd., Farmingdale). More info: 516-597-5336, burgervillageny.com
The Village Elk Burger at Burger Village in Hicksville. Credit: Marisol Diaz-Gordon
Ceriello Fine Foods (541 Willis Ave., Williston Park): The burgers here have a fine attention to detail and the USDA prime beef is a blend of brisket, sirloin, short ribs and chuck. Once they land on the griddle, the patties are salted and covered with a lid to partially steam. The final step: a good sear and a toasted Martin's potato roll. More info: 516-747-0277, ceriellofinefoods.com
No Good Burger Joint (930 Atlantic Ave., Baldwin): This may be the happiest burger restaurant around, thanks to its friendly crowd, stellar service, well-chosen beer selection, signature sandwiches and seemingly endless custom burger combinations. NGBJ’s creative fare — in which half-pound patties come dressed with, say, sauteed onions, bacon and cheese, mac-and-cheese and Colby-Jack or PB&J and bacon, all served with fries — can also come in slider form . Whatever your passion, expect juicy patties that are tender on the inside but seared to a serious crunch. More info: 516-442-5434, nogoodburgerjointny.com
The Pop's Burger signature blend sliders at That No Good Burger Joint in Baldwin. Credit: Daniel Brennan
New York Burger Bar (425 Merrick Rd., Massapequa): At this spot, you'll almost certainly do well with a simple Cheddar burger that's juicy, crusty and cooked to order. A modern classic, the 8-ounce Juicy Lucy comes stuffed with American cheese and topped with grilled red onions, tomato, pickles and a pink mayo sauce, all on a torta bun. It's a gloppy treat. More info: 516-799-9199, nyburgerbar.com
Shake Shack (1570 Union Tpke., New Hyde Park): The burgers here are fail-safe, ranging from the benchmark ShackBurger to the juicy SmokeShack topped with melted cheeses, Niman Ranch bacon, chopped cherry peppers and ShackSauce, a subtly spicy mayo-based pink sauce. The vegetarian 'Shroom burger — essentially, a portobello mushroom stuffed with two cheeses — is super indulgent, and everything comes on potato rolls. (Other locations in Garden City, Melville and Lake Grove). More info: 516-634-2010, shakeshack.com
The classic "Shack Burger" at Shake Shack in Melville. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Wayback Burgers (2306 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow): Stack 'em up here with the Nine Patty Burger, a $28 tower of beef and melted American cheese that can challenge even the boldest of eaters. The less daring may go for the patty melt, a double Swiss burger with onions served on a buttered, grilled bun with Thousand Island dressing dribbling down the sides. Vegetarians can, of course, go Impossible. Round out the experience with a tangerine milkshake and onion rings. (Other locations in East Northport, Mastic Beach and West Hempstead). More info: 516-520-0298, waybackburgers.com
SNAPS American Bistro (13 N. Park Ave., Rockville Centre): Nine burgers crown the menu at this gastropub, from a version with caramelized onions, prosciutto and goat cheese (the Cali burger) to another topped with lobster salad (the Surf & Turf) to a mind-boggling creation layered with braised short rib, blue cheese, bacon and a fried egg (the aptly named Jackhammer). More info: 516-517-2525, snapsrestaurant.com
The Surf & Turf burger at Snaps American Bistro in Wantagh. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Suffolk
American Roadside Burgers (80 E. Main St., Smithtown): You order at the counter inside this burger-centric spot that's done up in a nostalgic roadhouse motif. Even though they're well done, the burgers somehow remain juicy, and toppings are free — so pile on house-roasted jalapeños, red onions, relish and pickles. More info: 631-382-9500, americanburgerco.com
The Roadstar at American Roadside Burgers in Smithtown. Credit: Newsday/Rebecca Cooney
Boom! Burger (85 Montauk Hwy., Westhampton Beach): Beef is ground here daily for an arsenal that includes build-your-own versions (single, double or triple) and specialty creations such as the Cryin' Hawaiian, a double pepperjack burger with grilled ham, pineapple, Sriracha sauce for kick and a side of fried pickles. The Fat Tony kicks it up a few more notches with six patties and fried mozzarella sticks among the toppings. More info: 631-998-4663, boomburgerwhb.com
BurgerFi (6234 Jericho Tpke., Commack): This is the single Long Island location of a national chain that augments Angus beef patties with a Wagyu-brisket blend and two vegetarian versions. Can't decide? Go for the Conflicted burger, which stacks beef and VegeFi patties into a double cheeseburger with verve. More info: 631-462-1824, burgerfi.com
A single cheeseburger at BurgerFi. Credit: Daniel Brennan
Boxcar Burgers (90 Railroad Ave, Ronkonkoma): This place opened in 2020 just a stone’s throw from the Ronkonkoma train station. The thin-patty burgers on pillowy Martin’s potato rolls have a homestyle quality that conjures memories of griddles past, but no self-respecting burger lover should miss the double cheeseburger or specialty offerings like the Switchmaster, a double bacon burger served on a bun fashioned out of grilled cheese sandwiches. More info: 631-615-2717, boxbarburgersli.com
Burgerology (2302B Nesconset Hwy., Stony Brook): The newest location of the growing Burgerology empire has a striking indoor-outdoor bar and a build-your-own approach to burgers. Ten different patties (from a signature blend to Kobe beef to tuna steak), five different aioli and eight different cheeses all render decision-making a challenge. (Other locations in Huntington, Rockville Centre and Patchogue). More info: 631-762-4644, burgerologyusa.com
The "Double Trouble" at Burgerology in Rockville Centre. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Chubs Burgers Burritos and Heroes (625 Horseblock Rd., Farmingville): Exuberance is the guiding principle at this takeout counter, where build-you-own burgers start with a ground patty of brisket, chuck and hanger steak (the owner is a butcher). Add-ons go from mozzarella and melted queso to bacon, jalapeño poppers and tots. More info: 631-880-7999,
Inferno The Restaurant (245 Echo Ave., Sound Beach): A luncheonette vibe pervades this charming burger joint with cozy booths and mid-century memorabilia on the walls. Half-stack smash burgers start at $3, and are cooked fast. More info: 631-821-3202
The Big Smack Burger at Inferno The Restaurant in Sound Beach. Credit: Newsday/Corin Hirsch
Go Burger (271 Rte. 25A, Miller Place): There are three base options here — single, double, or veggie — but they're all cooked with care and to order, with toppings ranging from Cheddar or honey mustard to Cheez Whiz, fried eggs or hot sauce. (Other location at 1899 Middle Country Rd., Ridge). More info: 631-432-3331, goburgerinc.com
Local Burger Co. (62 E. Main St., Bay Shore): Though well-known for their grass-fed burgers on potato rolls — including a cult favorite topped with Cheddar, bacon and peanut butter — the vegetarian house quinoa burger, which is subtly nutty, is a standout. Expect a festive, sports-bar vibe and plenty of milkshakes to spare. More info: 631-647-8300, localburgerco.com
The Local Burger at Local Burger Co. in Patchogue. Credit: Daniel Brennan
Gourmet Burger Bistro (5 Mill Creek Rd., Port Jefferson): The name says it all. The lengthy burger menu at this spot includes the Napa Valley, a grass-fed patty that's marinated in Cabernet, then topped with sliced, grilled San Marzano tomatoes and Monterey Jack cheese. More info: 631-403-4033, gourmetburgerbistro.com
Off the Block Kitchen & Meats (501 Montauk Hwy., Sayville): Though not technically a burger joint, these chefs know their beef, and the handful of burgers on the menu here at any given time always include a superlative double cheeseburger layered with American cheese, pickled red onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles and Thousand Island dressing. It's served on a brioche bun with some of the best fries around. More info: 631-573-6655, offtheblockmeats.com
The Chicken Bacon Ranch Burger at Off the Block Kitchen & Meats in Sayville. Credit: Daniel Brennan
LT Burger (62 Main St., Sag Harbor): Part diner counter, part bar, part boho luncheonette, this spot defies easy stereotyping. The patties — made from a blend of chuck and short-plate Angus beef — serve as the foundation for an arsenal of specialty burgers such as the Mexican, a wonder topped with guacamole, pickled jalapeños, Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream and Cholula hot sauce. Do not miss out on a milkshake, whether virgin or spiked. More info: 631-899-4646, ltburger.com
Vauxhall (26 Clinton Ave., Huntington): At least 10 burgers roll off the grill here, from a version with smoked Gruyère cheese, caramelized onions and roasted mushrooms (the Wild Life) to a Breakfast Binge black bean burger topped with a sunny-side up egg, avocado, bacon and Cheddar. All come on brioche buns. More info: 631-425-0222, vauxhallhuntington.com
The Evil Sal Burger at Vauxhall in Huntington. Credit: Daniel Brennan
Smashburger (36 E. Sunrise Hwy., Lindenhurst): The benchmark Smash burger is a classic of melted American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onions, pickles and proprietary Smash sauce; other versions come with shifting combinations of bacon, Swiss or Cheddar cheeses, sautéed mushrooms, guacamole, truffle mayo or barbecue sauce. (Other locations in Hicksville and Wantagh). More info: 631-450-4324, smashburger.com
