The hidden burger counter behind the curtain in Midtown
Burger Joint is the original, deliberately hard-to-find burger counter tucked off the lobby of the hotel at 119 West 56th Street in Midtown, the property long known as Le Parker Meridien and now operating as Thompson Central Park. You find it by looking for a small neon burger sign and slipping behind a floor-to-ceiling velvet curtain into a cramped, graffiti-covered room. It opened in 2002 and is widely credited as one of the spots that kicked off New York’s gourmet-burger era, well before Shake Shack.
The menu is intentionally tight: cheeseburgers, fries, milkshakes, a brownie, and beer and wine, and that is essentially it. Prices sit in the moderate range, with singles around $16 to $17.50 and doubles in the mid-$20s. It runs on walk-ins only, so there are no reservations and lines are common at peak hours.
What to Expect
There is no happy hour at Burger Joint. It is a counter-service burger spot rather than a bar, so there are no discounted-drink windows or specials to plan around. The play here is simple: come hungry, order a classic burger and fries, and grab a beer if you want one at the regular price.
The Room
The room is a small, low-lit box with graffiti scrawled floor to ceiling, a handful of booths and stools, and zero pretense. It fills fast and turns over quickly, and at busy times you may wait or eat standing. The whole point is the contrast: a scruffy burger shack hiding inside a polished Midtown hotel.
Who Burger Joint Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Quick Midtown lunch | A fast, satisfying burger a block from Central Park and the N/Q/R/W. |
| Hidden-gem outing | The curtain-and-neon entrance makes it a fun spot to show a first-timer. |
| Classic burger craving | A no-frills, well-executed cheeseburger from one of the city’s OG burger spots. |
| Post-park bite | Close to Central Park South for a casual refuel after a walk. |
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Burger Joint FAQ
Where is Burger Joint hidden?
Off the lobby of the Thompson Central Park hotel (formerly Le Parker Meridien) at 119 West 56th Street; look for the small neon burger sign and go behind the curtain.
Does Burger Joint have a happy hour?
No. It is a walk-in burger counter with no bar program, so there are no happy hour deals.
Do they take reservations?
No, it is walk-ins only, and lines are common at peak times.
Is it cash only?
No. It historically leaned toward cash but now accepts cash, cards, and contactless payment.
Happy hour times and deals last verified June 2026. Details can change — confirm with Burger Joint before visiting for a specific deal.