Bonnie's Grill

Cute place with exposed brick and bar seating that makes you feel like you're in an old diner. The burger I had was very good, but the beer wasn't cold enough. I felt that six bucks was a lot for a beer that wasn't even cold. A frosted glass probably would've helped. The bill was close to twenty bucks for a burger and beer.

Pros: food quality

Cons: price, no frosted glass for beer, wait staff

Posted 06/08/09

Not a greatly decorated place, but man, the food is awesome. I highly recommend the burgers, although sometimes not cooked as well done as you'd like, but still delicious. The wings are soooooo good. I don't even like spicey food but it's so worth it. Even the fries are good. Ok it may not be the cleanest looking place on earth , and the wait staff can be a bit rude, but the food makes it all worth while

Pros: FOOD

Cons: Small, crowded

Posted 01/22/09

went here a few weeks ago and i remembered that i was here 2 years ago with a friend and the food was really good then. sadly, however, tghis time it wasnt. i ordered a cheeseburger very well done and got a hamburger that was hardly medium cooked. When i politely told this to the waiter he seemed highly annoyed and unsympathetic. I am sure he was overworked and the place was in fact busy( had to sit at the counter) I did leave a respectable tip regardless, but the manager should reitterate to the servers that the customers shoukd be treated a little nicer. Also, beer bottles on shelf are greasy and dusty. Not a clean place at all.... Too many good places out there to have to settle for subpar

Pros: location

Cons: undercooked burger

Posted 08/12/08

I just spent an entirely satisfying couple of hours at Bonnie's.

You must take into consideration that I went for lunch on a Monday; there were other folks, but it was not crowded.

It is one of those narrow spaces. I sat at a table in the very front, and got to see the interesting folks walking on 5th. There is a long counter, and tables in the back. Those back tables were filled with several groups of friends, it seemed to me. It is necessarily darker in the back, but for friends, that would not be an issue.

And in the front, it was possible to see the beautiful summer day, beautiful even though, actually because of, the alternating sun and threatening rain.

I eat four cheeseburgers a year. One for each season. I want my cheeseburger to be good.

This cheeseburger was very good. I got it medium, and it was a perfect balance of charred and juicy. The meat was flavorful. I got all the toppings, and it was especially nice to have the jalapeno strips on it.

The single drawback was the roll. The founders of Bonnie's are from Buffalo, and they ought to know better. The roll was not bad; it was just not perfection. Perfection would be a roll like Costanza's or several other bakeries in Buffalo, all of whom (for some odd reason) outclass NYC rolls (pizza is better in Buffalo also, but that is another story).

The french fries were good, but not perfect. They were crisp and tasty. But then, no one has good french fries any more. Again oddly, the best ever french fries were made by a chain called Ground Round, which went out of business years ago. The combination of meaty potatoe-y, shattering greasy-crispy, and piquantly but not too much salty is, apparently, like alchemy.

The service at Bonnie's was thoughtful, observant, and amiable. I realize service is always a singular experience, and that only so much can be inferred from a particular experience. When I come to NYC, I want to absorb NYC. No better than Bonnie's.

Pros: All good

Cons: less than perfection

Posted 08/10/08

Just came here the other day because my teacher kept raving about this place a few months ago . When I first walked in , there was a long line but no worries .. you will get your order quicker than you think . I got a super steak which was okay but kind of on the bland side . I'm sure I've had better . They have a lot of different flavors of grill to choose from which is awesome because some grill places don't even carry that . Basically if you're looking for a cheap filling meal , this is the place to go . Order a steak or whatever and wash it down with meat .. nothing can top that .

Posted 08/06/08

Burgers, fries, and everything in between. They are always pleasant, and accomodating even to vegetarians! Get all the free add ons for your salad! Great for late nite munchies.

Posted 04/20/08

I'm a fan, what can I say. There are 4 things to eat at Bonnie's - the burger, the wings, the fries and, last but not least, the chipotle mayo. Never stray and never be disappointed. Don't go to a burger place if you're a vegetarian (although the chili cheese fries look pretty good from a distance). Also don't go every night because you'll gain a hundred lbs. See you there.

Posted 02/14/08

Our first visit to Bonnie's and certainly not our last.

We wanted to try it for the wings. The wings were very good, a step above your typical slathered in hot sauce (think Blondie's, Down the Hatch etc.) buffalo wings. The revelatory menu item proved to be the burger: one of the best I've had in NYC. Not as big as (the late great) McHales but a really wonderful grilled flavor and a perfect juicy medium on a roll up to the task.

The service we received was excellent, friendly and attentive too. The food was delivered quickly and additional beers (Magic Hat and Sierra Nevada on tap, all the Brooklyns in bottles) were brought as soon as requested. The bill was very reasonable by New York standards.

Great food, great service in casual and comfortable surroundings.

Posted 07/26/07

I'd just be repeating myself if I wrote my experience. Read the recent reviews because they're all true. Terrible waitstaff, mediocre food, dirty sticky tables and bits of food all over floor.

Pros: close to better restaurants u can go to instead

Cons: food, service, and atmosphere

Posted 07/04/07

They used to be pretty good but with their growing popularity, they've seen fit to raise prices while letting things go to terd. On my last visit, it took an hour and 1/2 for mediocre overpriced burger and soggy fries. The back kitchen door was open the whole time where I had the pleasure of watching a gloveless employee cut vegetables into the rustiest bucket I've ever seen and then transfer them to more "presentable" plastic bowls before carrying them out to the grill. Did I mention they don't have a sink back there? Nice. Bottles of beers are overpriced and their cans of soda are lukewarm and also, overpriced ($1.50 for a can of Mugs rootbeer!!). Service is the worst I've ever experienced - mean AND slow.

Pros: NONE

Cons: Poor service, Mediocre food, Minimal seating, Dirty working conditions, Overpriced

Posted 07/03/07

Used to be crazy about Bonnie's, and as a former regular, it pains me to say I'm never going back again. The service has devolved from charmingly slow into insultingly neglectful. I had been noticing a steady decline in the quality of the food (and the service, which is probably related) for some time, but would go back anyway since it was at least familiar, but it isn't anymore. The last time I went, a guy led us to a table for two, threw the menus on the table and just kept on walking, not even noticing that there weren't even chairs at the table. Crab cake appetizers came about 45 minutes after we ordered, and instead of the usual size, they were three quarter-sized very thin crab cakes in a soup of tartar sauce. We decided to let it go. Until another 45 minutes passed, a table next to us was seated, ordered and served before I went back up and asked the guy what was going on. He said, "We're just really busy. I'll check on that." The burgers we ordered weren't even on the grill. They hadn't even started after an hour and a half. No apology. I told him we were bouncing. He just said "whatever".

Pros: There aren't any anymore.

Cons: Unbelievably bad service.

Posted 07/03/07

I'm surprised this place has such a high rating. I went on a recommendation of a friend and wasn't impressed. The service was slow, but friendly. I wasn't happy with the food at all, it was okay at best. I might go back if I had to, but I'm not rushing,

Posted 06/14/07

Yeah, so Bonnie's burgers are OK. But the service is ridiculous, even by the slacker trustafarian standards of Park Slope. In the mood for a burger? And even more, in the mood to wait for said burger for ninety minutes while various skateboard kids, NYU film students, Chomsky experts, professors of social justice, drink PBR from a can and dissect oh, how miserable it is to live in the AmeriKKKa of Chimpy McBushitlerburton and his secret cheneybot brain police? Then Bonnies is for you. You can even smug out while waiting your ninety minutes by contemplating the craggy visage of Johnny Cash and various bluesmen hanging on the wall. Then the burger comes. Is it worth the wait? Quite frankly, no. Bonnie's is the sort of place that could only survive in an environment where stupid hippie leftist types equate bad service with authenticity. Me, I'm praying Starbucks buys the space and boots them out. Bad, bad Bonnie. Go serve your time at McDonalds, you pretentious lowlifes.

Pros: The picture of Johnny Cash on the wall

Cons: Everything else, especially the lame and inept service

Posted 03/29/07

My boyfriend introduced me to Bonnies as he loves the burgers (same thing everyone's said here). I don't eat a lot of red meat but the grilled chicken sandwiches are just exactly what they should be -- soft, corn-dusted roll, chicken grilled so it's juicy on the inside and crispy, carbon-striped on the outside, and the cheese is melted perfectly (they make sure it's melted all the way before serving it). I have moved to Boston since living in Park Slope and my boyfriend and I make sure we take a trip back to NYC once every few months just for the burgers and chicken sandwiches.

Pros: Chicken Sandwich, also the guys who own the place are really nice

Cons: Not in Boston

Posted 03/03/07

I wrote a nice review of Bonnie's a few weeks ago, but I'm afraid I have to revoke it now. Look it up on the DOH website: Bonnie's got a 43 on their last Dept. of Health inspection! EW!!!!!!! Dirty kitchen, dirty food, yuck!

Cons: Dirty!

Posted 01/31/07

We did a bit of research and agreed to give Bonnie's a try. The people seemed friendly but reserved and the service was slow. Not overly busy on our visit; I couldn't help but notice that the floor was all wet by our table. The beer selection is great if a bit pricey. The wings were a good choice and they were REALLY spicy; plump and juicy (and we ordered the medium!). My little one had the chicken sandwich and she really liked it. My better half had a burger and it was cooked perfect, juicy and tasty. The spicy cole slaw was tasteless, no spice at all. I was the loser of the day as I ordered the highly recommended cajun catfish burger. What I got was a lot of bread crumbs, no spice, and not much in the way of fish as it was a real thin piece. It was also a bit mushy. Perhaps it was just a bad piece but I was highly disappointed and if I ever return, I won't be getting the catfish.

Pros: Hamburger, wings, great selection of beers

Cons: Pricey, catfish and coleslaw, where the heck is the cajun??

Posted 01/22/07

Bonnie's is a very cute cozy place with delicious food! I had the vegetarian chili cheese fries w/ sour cream and they were delicious!!!! I also had a burger w/ jalepenos and it was huge, juicy and great! I will definately be going back, especially after a night of drinking!

Pros: Good prices and atmosphere

Cons: Small, so there might be a wait

Posted 01/02/07

Service is TERRIBLE....food is terrible! The burgers are all BURNT to a charcoal. Do not go there...it's a waste of time

Pros: TERRIBLE

Posted 12/06/06

after reading the rave about bonnie's burger, i went to check it out. ordered wings and burgers. everything was delicious but i don't know if i would call it the best burger. It certainly is a good place for beer and burger though.

Pros: very casual. good service

Cons: small place. not good for group.

Posted 11/12/06

waited 45 min for a burnt veggie burger. sent it back. came back burnt again. didn't eat it. watied 20 min for the check. dirty place. bad service. bad food. don't waste your time.

Cons: bad food bad service dirty

Posted 11/02/06

Great burger unbiliveable flies great and very good food absoulutly delicous I really recomend for burgers

Pros: great burger

Cons: not much space

Posted 10/31/06

I wonder if Splatooey is talking about me. I was graced with an entire glass of water in my lap. Glad I didn't order beer that day. (Coke comes in a can there so, couldn't have been a Coke.) They could have offered me a few more towels though. Water isn't going to k*ll me. And I ate for free that day.

I still love the fries, garlic mayo on the portabello, tuna salad. Atmosphere...except for one rude back room kitchen dude. Thier WORST waiter though I found out is a friend of the owner so I've never said anything. All the girls have been good.

Posted 09/28/06

this place is supposed to be the place for burgers, but i dont think so. the burgers are big, but dry even though i ordered medium rare. Its not cheap, it was $10 for a burger and fries, and when i was there, the waiter had dropped a FULL glass of coke on a patron, soaking her through! she was really cool about it though :)
i didnt think this greasy spoon was anything to brag about. plus this place looks none too clean.

Pros: big burgers, casual

Cons: not the best, avg food.

Posted 07/21/06

There isn't much to say about Bonnie's that hasn't been said before. Situated right next to Blue Ribbon (whose burger is also worthy of honorable mention) Bonnie's is the perfect place to go for great burgers in a friendly & casual atmosphere. The whole staff is very friendy and remind you of people that you have known forever. Great food by people who actually seem to care about what they do. The jalapenos and the onion rub on the burgers are a great touch.

Posted 05/27/06

the chicken wigs are delicious!!! and the burgers can be shared by two people!

Pros: food

Cons: space

Posted 04/02/06

Whenever we're hungry and don't know where to go, we inevitably wind up at Bonnies. The food is OUTSTANDING! (My personal favorite is the vegetarian (!!) chili cheese fries and their spicy burger) The service is typical diner service -- nothing outstanding, but they try their best to accommodate. Best advice is to go either early or late, especially on weekends -- they're typically slammed between 7 and 9 PM, and may not even pick up the phone during those times, since it gets so hectic. Otherwise, a FANTASTIC meal awaits!

Pros: Great Food, Great Prices

Cons: Can be hectic/crowded

Posted 11/25/05

Their wings are great and they make them hot! Plus they have pitchers to wash it down, and the beer is usually something local and decent. Stay away from the Beef on Weck though. Love the fries and the dipping sauce.

Posted 11/15/05

Seriously, the best. I was skeptical, but it's true. Nice spice to everything. The spicy Cole Slaw is a must. As are the VEGETARIAN chilli fries. Casual atmosphere with nice, normal service!

Pros: Burger, Fries, Spicy Slaw

Posted 04/10/05

Sports on TV, GREAT food, GREAT beer, and a sexy head chef...what else is there to say except get your ass down to Bonnie's and grab some wings and some catfish or burgers or pulled pork or whatever and wash it down with a few pints!!

If you are from buffalo you might even want to head over and watch the Bills try to play football while you try to stay clean eating some beef on weck - you know what I'm talking about.

The place is great and it is VERY affordable. They have some veggie stuff for the veggies and some game for the carnivores and a collection of hot sauces that will keep you burning well after your visit if you like that kind of thing.

Good food, good people and good times. What are you waiting for?

Posted 01/11/05

if you go there for the service, forget it, not that it's bad for this particular establishment. The burgers/wings are just what you want, some decent beers also. O.K. its litely seasoned, but theres a wide range of condiments to chose, add your own special touch.

Pros: quality meats, comfort food, good portion

Cons: , diner service

Posted 12/05/04

I love hamburgers. That said, I am not a foodie. I like my burgers from medium to well-done and I like them without lettuce, tomato or exotic genre-bending sauces, just onion and occasionally cheese. For my bet, Bonnies is the best burger in the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill/Park Slope districtfrom what I've experienced from 4 years living in New York. The beef is high-quality, well-but-lightly seasoned, and the bun and fries (served with plentiful rich chipotle mayonnaise sauce) are top notch. The atmosphere is midwestern-styled very polite indifference, this is not a place to expect pampering, but the staff are efficient, friendly and will remember frequent visitors. The burgers are wide, but thinner than that of Junior's. I love it, I will go again and again. Weekends are crowded, try it out early in the week, they don't hurt for business but are a must for the burger-loving mid-hipster Brooklynite.

Pros: Burgers, Fries, Decent Atmosphere

Cons: , Not in my kitchen

Posted 11/26/04

The service is great, the food is fantastic and the catfish burgers are amazing! It's horrible that a place like this gets overlooked in the Best of New York issues of NY-based magazines while the same old tired overrated restaurants get picked year after year. If you live in this neighborhood, go to Bonnie's while it's still a well-kept secret.

Posted 10/06/04

My brother and I go to Bonnies often. This place is not only great for burgers but they also make great wings(the best in nyc) even better than Down the Hatch in Greenwich village. Their pulled-pork sandwich is the best you will find at least in the Northeast. In fact I have never had a pulled-pork sandwich that was better and I have traveled to many places down south. The Crabcakes are also awesome as are the chipotle french fries. You cant beat the prices either. Its a great place to go for a cheap yet good quality meal. I hope they stay in business for a while

Pros: great food, cheap prices

Posted 07/29/04

My girlfriend and I get Bonnie's burger cravings and we have never been disappointed by Bonnie's food or service. The ambience is low key and relaxed, the service friendly, professional and fun. All the cooking is done before your eyes and the place is immaculate. We love it!

Pros: Yummy chipolte mayo, Quality ingredients, Its FUN!

Cons: , Zero, Nada

Posted 06/24/04

The best burger in the city by far, better than Old Homestead, DB Bisrto and rare. One of a kind burger that can not be found anywhere else but Bonnies in BKLYN.

Pros: BURGER, WINGS, CHIPOLTE MAYO

Cons: , NONE, ONLY ONE LOCATION

Posted 06/05/04

That's what's really good at Bonnie's. I honestly have never tried anything else besides the fries with chipolte mayo, which is delicious as well. Bonnie's wings are real-deal style Buffalo wings - incredibly thick and delicious. The sauce is incredible. Hands down the best chicken wings I've had in NYC.

Pros: The wings!

Posted 04/05/04

Bonnie's is 100% responsible for getting me addicted to chipotle mayonnaise on french fries. Plus, they're really good fries! The pulled pork BBQ is excellent, as well as pretty much everything on the menu, especially the wings, like others have mentioned.

It's a great place to get american food without having to go to a run-of-the-mill diner. :)

Posted 02/02/04

This place rocks! One of the slopes great places to eat, whether dining in or taking out. The cheesburgers and the buffalo wings are rockin!

Pros: inexpensive, great food

Posted 03/07/03

Bonnies does certainly have one of the best burgers you may find in Brooklyn. The Chipatole used for the fries are a nice change and the wings are quite good. The beer selection is above average and they change the art on the walls from different artists making it always something different to see.

Pros: Great Food, Well Priced, Beer Selection

Cons: It can get busy

Posted 01/02/03

ooooh the fries, wings, burgers !!! It's all good there!

Pros: friendly, amazing food

Cons: faced paced, small tables

Posted 10/03/02

And this is one of the best burgers I've ever had.

The wings are also delicious.

Mostly, I love that the food is so excellent, but the feel of the place is still friendly and casual without being a loud sports bar. It is a great addition to the neighborhood.

Pros: Food, Good value, Friendly

Cons: Small tables

Posted 08/22/02

Go here all the time for great burgers & wings. Quick effecient service we are usally in & out within 45 minutes

Posted 08/06/02

Chicken wing, chicken wing, oh how I love thy chicken wing. You fry it in your batter and roll it up in spices, big chunky blue cheese makes them taste so nice's. French fries with chipolte mayo perfectly cooked, god damn that hamburger tasted almost as good as it looked. Jalepeno slices and a little bit of cheese, yes again them hamburgers make me weak in my knees. Anywhere I go I know I never have it better, Bonnie's Grill's food helps me fill my winter sweater. This food is no joke! I challenge any of you to find a better chicken wing!

Pros: Inexpensive, Delicious, Friendly

Cons: Don't Deliver

Posted 07/31/02