A Review of The Burger Bistro

In recent years, with the help of big name restaurateurs like Daniel Boulud, Keith McNally and Danny Meyer, the hamburger went from backyards to a culinary trend that saw versions stuffed with foie gras, some topped with pulled pork and others costing $26. Eventually, that trend spread across our city and into Brooklyn.

Park Slope needed another burger place like it needs more strollers. With the additions of , , 67 Burger, along with already existing places like Five Guys and bars that serve beloved burgers such as , Park Slope saw an explosion of burger options in what seemed like a short amount of time.

With the lack of barbeque and Mission burrito options this could lead to some head scratching. But with the recent opening of the second location of Bay Ridge favorite The Burger Bistro on FIfth Avenue near Lincoln Place, the area actually gets something that it didn’t have before, a burger “restaurant.” The question becomes what, if anything, separates these places? How are the different?

Where Cheeburger offers an old-timey vibe, BareBurger’s menu features more exotic choices like ostrich, wild boar or elk and Five Guys is a higher-end fast food experience, The Burger Bistro offers a sit down, friendly waiter service and one might go as far as to say “adult” (at least in the later hours) experience.

It’s because of this that the owners of The Burger Bistro are unfazed by the competition. And their confidence is hard to argue with. Stripped of pretension and bells and whistles, they offer simply an excellent certified Angus burger.

The menu is small and focused. Appetizer choices are interesting and the portions are generous to say the least. The Buffalo Tots (tater tots with buffalo sauce) with celery and blue cheese ($6) are a nice way to start the meal, as are the crispy Fried Artichoke Hearts with a horseradish cream ($7). However, one appetizer is enough to share between two people. Early on during a recent visit, it dawned on me that you don’t leave The Burger Bistro hungry.

Menus are presented with a red pencil. You simply check off what you want. Your choice of meat for $7, (beef, turkey, veggie or for lamb add $2) and then how its cooked. Choose your cheese of 9 options (smoked gouda, pepper jack, asiago), toppings (frizzled onions, guacamole, fried egg), roll and sauce.

The idea here is that the customer has completely control. The restaurant isn’t telling you what to have on your burger. The patty itself is cooked perfectly (although a little light on seasoning) with a beautiful char on the outside and pink inside.

Weekly specials, which was a kobe burger on my visit, can consist of an osso buco burger or a spaghetti and meatballs burger with tomato sauce and deep-fried spaghetti. Or if a burger is not your thing, healthier options are also abound such as a lentil salad, grilled tuna steak or chicken breast sandwich. There is also the aforementioned, vegan burger which I overheard another diner claim was the best she has ever had.

During the week, from Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., they offer a lunch special for $9 of a beef, turkey or vegan burger or chicken sandwich, one cheese, one topping and one side. 

Many would probably argue that Park Slope didn’t need another place serving burgers, but The Burger Bistro makes a hard argument to prove them wrong.