Navigating the culinary landscape of New York City is no small feat, especially when you’re on the hunt for the city’s “best” of anything. One day, while wandering through Chelsea, a sign outside Peter McManus Cafe boldly proclaimed “Best Burger In Town,” instantly piquing my interest. Having known Peter McManus as a venerable Irish bar since 1936, famed for its classic ambiance and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, this burger claim seemed like a curveball. Could this historic Peter Mcmanus Bar truly house the city’s best burger?
The audacity of the claim lingered in my mind, battling against the countless burger experiences across NYC that already held a special place. The city boasts a plethora of incredible burgers, each vying for the top spot. Yet, a hopeful thought emerged: what if Peter McManus bar actually held the key? Discovering the ultimate burger in this unassuming Irish pub would be a game-changer, potentially ending the endless quest for the perfect patty.
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Eager to investigate, I returned to Peter McManus bar a few days later. The front bar buzzed with lively chatter, leading into a more subdued dining area adorned with vintage portraits and Irish decorations. Settling into a comfortable booth, surrounded by the after-work crowd enjoying beers and nachos, I prepared to put their bold burger claim to the test.
Ordering the “classic burger” at Peter McManus bar felt like stepping back in time. Priced at a reasonable $12, it deviated from the modern burger norm. This wasn’t your typical stacked, cheesy creation. Instead, it presented a half-pound of undeniably fresh beef accompanied by tomato, crispy bacon, and raw onions – conspicuously missing lettuce and cheese. This unique combination sparked curiosity. Was this a traditional Irish bar burger style? Perhaps a deeper dive into other historic Irish pubs was needed to understand this burger philosophy.
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The Peter McManus bar burger deal sweetened further with the choice of steak fries or tater tots. Tots, naturally, won. They arrived golden brown and exceptionally crunchy. And the burger itself? A substantial, juicy patty cooked to a perfect medium-rare (though leaning slightly rarer). The bacon provided a subtle smokiness, while the raw onion took center stage, imparting a sharp, tartare-like edge to each bite. Leaving Peter McManus bar, satisfied but contemplative, the burger was undeniably good, a solid contender. But “best in town”? The jury was still out.
The burger quest continued, leading me to Suprema Provisions in the West Village. Another bold claim caught my eye: “highest rated burger in NYC.” Intrigued by this new challenge and the implicit comparison to Peter McManus bar‘s boast, I had to investigate. Was “highest rated” just a clever marketing spin, or a genuine indicator of burger superiority? And more importantly, could it surpass the experience at Peter McManus bar?
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Suprema Provisions, an Italian establishment, offered a stark contrast to the traditional Irish setting of Peter McManus bar. Their “Suprema burger,” priced at $19, featured a more gourmet approach: black garlic sauce, aged cheddar, roasted tomatoes, and Iberico Bellota jam. The ingredient list alone signaled a departure from the classic simplicity of the Peter McManus bar burger.
Upon arrival, the Suprema burger was, to put it mildly, visually overwhelming. Drenched in what appeared to be black garlic sauce, cascading down the sides like an avalanche, it was served alongside Brussels sprouts. Despite its messy appearance, the flavors were surprisingly well-balanced. The “jam” added a unique sweetness, and the sauce, though abundant, resembled a generously applied, flavorful mayonnaise.
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While undeniably delicious, the “highest rated” claim felt somewhat dubious, attributed to the “Gotham Burger Social Club” – a self-proclaimed exclusive men-only burger society. This revelation added a layer of skepticism. Were these claims truly objective, or simply clever marketing ploys?
Ultimately, both Peter McManus bar and Suprema Provisions offered noteworthy burger experiences, each with its own distinct style and strengths. However, neither definitively claimed the title of “best” or even “highest rated” in my book. The quest for the ultimate NYC burger continues. Readers, are there other burger joints making similar bold claims? Your recommendations are welcome!
