Island Burgers and Shakes

I cannot recommend enough this little gem of a restaurant. Although the decor may not be 5 stars, the food definitely is. I would compare the burger at Island Burger to the finest steakhouse in NY. Also very creative menu. Great find in Manhattan more

So we decided to go for an afternoon lunch and just never made it there until about 8:30pm Yeah i know but it was march and it was one of the first beautiful spring days that NYC had so we got a little side tracked. the place was MOBBED mor so because its tiny. so i give the girl my cell number and we went itnto the bar next door to get a drink and wait. and after about 30 mins she called and our table was ready! more

The bad: it's a small place - that just means you either get there early, get there late, or go for... more

The bad: it's a small place - that just means you either get there early, get there late, or go for take-out/delivery. (In other words, there really is no ""bad"" to this place). The good: great service, frenetic atmosphere, perfectly-cooked burgers, glorious drippy sauces run amok thus needing copious quantities of napkins (what can I say? I'm all about the sauce). The black & white milkshake is beyond delicious. But if you don't have 5 stomachs like a cow, I would advise getting the shake one visit and a burger the next as there's no way you'll be able to finish off both in one sitting. The cowboy (BBQ sauce, onion, bacon, cheddar, ranch, sourdough) burger is my favorite thus far. The only change I'd make is to order it on a bun next time as the sourdough was a little hard to chew through and added an additional couple of napkins to my lap since all the yummy, spicy BBQ sauce was squishing out as I tried to gnaw through the bread crust. Didn't try the fries, but since that wasn't the reason I came here (BURGERS, people!) it would have taken away from the sheer joy of my cowboy burger. Chris the SF transplant and his handy-dandy sidekick ladies provide spot-on service...you need to head here now. more

The bad: it's a small place - that just means you either get there early, get there late, or go for take-out/delivery. (In other words, there reall... more

I love that they have such a diverse menu. Sadly, I always end up getting my favorite Crescent City (blackened, bayou mayo, and onion on sourdough). I've taken all of my out of town guest here and they are amazed...always asking to go back to that ""burger spot"" on their return trips. Just beware, the guac is not very good. Oh and they have FRIES!!! They finally have fries and they are amazing. more

Island Burger is really unique in its restaurant design and huge menu of burgers. It is totally island themed; very chill and laid back. Their menu has many selections of burgers, and different degree of spiciness. I tried their simple mushroom burger and the burger was perfectly grilled on the outside and medium rare on the inside. The bun was alright; definitely not a gourmet bun but nor a cheap wonder bread either. I guess since I ordered the simple burger, it didn't come with any mayo or butter on the roll. But the pattie itself is very juicy and flavorful. Next time I am getting a HOT burger! Pros: Many different burgers Cons: Tiny Space more

This place is way overrated! The burgers, dressing and cheese were tasteless! The only thing that had flavor was the bacon and it was overdone. I had my burger on sourdough and the bread fell apart - a horrible option to have on the menu. This place is beyond over rated! I can't believe it made it to the top of the Best of 2008 list!? The only reason I can think of is the number of options on the menu and not the quality. There are way better options to choose from in this city! Pros: The service was ok Cons: Everything - the food was bad and we were squeezed into the place more

I love love love Island Burger. I order delivery from they practically once a week. I always get the South of the Border burger, but their salads and shakes are amazing also. And I love that I can order online, and the food gets here hot and delicious in 15 minutes. Highly recommended for anyone in the area who loves a good burger and lots of variety. more

Someone recommended Island Burger to us, as it is hard to find a great hamburger. We tried it and liked it very much. The burgers are charred nicely on the outside and med. rare on inside (that is how I ordered it). Although the med well done one was a little dry. The salad was very good. It is a small restaurant, but we would go back. The waitress was nice too. We have been here a few times more and everytime it is great. The Cobb Salad is so good and very large and the hamburgers are so good. The people next to us had a baked potato it was huge! Freedom of Speech! Pros: Very Good Food Cons: A little small but if you know don't complain more

Quaint Burger joint in a clean neighborhood. A must-do for any burger-lover when in NYC. A great menu with decent prices! Burgers were a bit thick, but still cooked just perfect. I have never seen so many choices for types of burgers/chicken sandwiches. Truly unique!! Pros: Great Staff, quick food prep, menu choices, over-all value Cons: Burger a bit too thick, but still tasty more

Island Recipe? The place was cramped, but that was expected from what I read. A good # of combinations on the menu and the milkshake was excellent - definitely shook off the summer heat. As for the burger, it was well presented but poorly cooked - very dry, crumbly...I had asked for medium so maybe that's how it's cooked on the island according to the cook, but it's time to get off this island... more

While the service isn't great the food makes up for it. I always bring friends when they're in town. EVERYONE loves the place. Pros: FOOD, FOOD, FOOD Cons: Cramped more

Among the best burgers in the city. Rest of menu is great as well. Salads are huge and delicious. Chicken Churrascos are large and tender. Fast delivery. Highly recommended. Island Burgers and Shake Shack have the best burgers in the city by far. Pros: Burgers, Salads, Churrascos more

Island serves a SERIOUSLY GREAT hamburger. I've had take out from there 4 times now since I first stopped by two weeks ago (always the ""people's choice"" burger) and it's been better than perfect each time. The service is attentive and friendly and the burgers are swoon worthy. I've always ordered medium rare and they come just as they should - fat, slightly charred on the outside and very pink and juicy at the center. A co-worker of mine has had a couple of burgers from Island ordered well done and thought they were TOO done, so you should probably keep that in mind. As for me, I've never had a better burger in NYC at any price. Pros: The food, Crazy inexpensive, THE FOOD! Cons: can be crowded, occ long takeout wait, no fries more

Excellent grilled chicken sandwiches and burgers with any topping you can think of. Huge portions - two of us ordered chips and guacamole (which was very good, sort of spicy) and were full by the time our sandwiches came. The sandwiches, however, are so so good. Great grilled chicken, huge burgers. The sesame buns are my favorite. Also, they have great milkshakes - very chocolatey and thick. Service may be a bit slow, but is friendly and laid back. The entire restaurant is relaxed and laid back. They play good music and have lots of magazines/newspapers to read. Its my new favorite place. Pros: Excellent chicken, Relaxed atmosphere more

The restaurant is small, but that didn't bother us too much. The service was friendly and their burger menu is extensive. However, being that they specialize in burgers, they should be able to cook it to the appropriate temperature. We ordered our burgers cooked ""medium"", and even though the waitress warned us that it would be a very pink burger, they came out very well done. more

Don't know about restaurant orders, but our delivery orders (burger and salad) just arrived completely mushed up and with oil dripping down the bag, not very appetizing. Of course as always, the delivery boy was totally unfazed. Sigh, is there anyplace out there with customer service anymore? Pros: none really Cons: messy food, overpriced, had to tip deliv boy more

The menu might make your nervous, but the food will make you grin. If you cannot decide what you want, try the bourbon street or the mona lisa (2 of my favorites). The burgers are so big, its hard to stuff them into your mouth without watching them fall apart. Meat is top notch, toppings are one of a kind. Servers are layed back, but food arrives rapidly. Overall, there's something for everyone, including HUGE salads. Pros: Variety, Good Service, Big portions Cons: Cramped, No french fries, Limited Seating more

While the Derrick's churasco is in my unesteemed opinion consistently brilliant, so too is the unwaveringly terrible service & cramped quarters. There aren't more than 9 inches between the edges of the tables, which are teensy islands best shepherded with surgeon's precision. They tried to bring me & my friend the caesar and sandwiches simultaneously last night; are u kidding?!? Where would they go?!? ""Fortunately"" the sandwiches weren't what we ordered; unfortunately the replacements took THIRTY solid minutes to arrive. They were busy; that's still not a valid excuse. Great food, awful service & seating. Get it to go & you'll not be disappointed, but not everyone lives close by. Pros: Derrick's Churasco, Prices, Kitsch Cons: Service, Seating, Service more