The onion rings at Gotham Burger deserve a paragraph all to themselves. Dipped in a judiciously seasoned beer batter they are fried to an exquisite shade of golden brown and are nothing short of masterful – the best onion rings I have ever eaten. They are also a perfect example of what makes Gotham Burger so successful. Roth could have used the same batter for the chicken fingers, the fried chicken and the onion rings, but each one is different, carefully chosen to best complement the food it is coating and, in fact, Gotham Burger’s menu is loaded with unique ingredients painstakingly paired together yielding great results. Burgers range in price from $9.50 to $15.00, with turkey burgers coming in slightly higher and other main dish offerings include grilled chicken, steak, shnitzel and chicken parmesan sandwiches as well as hot dogs, chili dogs and that amazing fried chicken. There are several varieties of fries, including plain, sweet potato and chili, with garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed green beans rounding out the menu. For those looking for healthier alternatives, a choice of salads includes Caesar, Cobb, Thai beef, avocado grapefruit and a house salad with an assortment of dressings.
Our dessert was quite literally, hotter than hot: fried oreos. Picture double stuffed chocolate sandwich cookies, dipped in pancake batter, deep fried and sprinkled with a liberal dose of confectioners sugar. The cookie gets soft, the filling starts to melt and you find yourself in deep-fried carb heaven. Our dessert also featured Gotham Burger’s signature sweet, thick shakes which was kind of like heaven in a glass. For those looking to imbibe something a little stronger, the bar offers an assortment of red and white wines, draft beers and assorted cocktails including frozen daiquiris.
Gotham Burger’s 70 seat dining room was filled to capacity, with people waiting for tables both when we got there and when we left, and it is clear that this a popular, happening place. The atmosphere in the room is jovial, friendly and loud, more conducive to a night out with your buddies than a business meeting or a date. Sound seemed to carry well in certain parts of the room, while in others, just carrying on a conversation was difficult due to the noise level.
Roth spent much of the time that we were there out on the floor, delivering plates and chatting with customers, and the ever-present staff was welcoming, talkative and seemed to enjoy interacting with the clientele. By the end of the meal I confess that my iPhone was slightly sticky from assorted sauces and dusted with powdered sugar, a sure sign that the meal had been a successful one. Take your friends, take your family, but just go. Gotham Burger serves up great food, great atmosphere and a seriously great time.
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Gotham Burger
726 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY
212-335-0005
Meat
Certified by Kof-K
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