Corner Bistro

Okay, so I was introduced to Corner Bistro or as we like to call it The "CB" about a month ago. Let me tell you I am not a big hamburger fan, but one bite of this hamburger and I was hooked. This by far is the best hamburger I have ever eaten in my life. If you do one thing before you die you better eat this hamburger. CB is always there for you day or night... stumbling home at 2 am where else can you go but CB to satisfy that late night hunger ping.... oh yeah you can go anywhere, but you won't be satisfied....

Posted 02/18/06

I love this place: cheap beer and great burgers! I know that you have to wait but it is worth it!

Posted 01/30/06

I was told this is the best burger joint in NY. My friend and I cued for 1 hour before being seated by the rude little man who was our server... he didn't offer any smiles, thankyous, please, you're welcomes... hardly looked us in the eye once. Our burgers arrived, and they were disappointing... I could easily make better myself at home, and the fries were greasy.
I would not recommend it at all

Pros: cheap beer, cheap greasy food

Cons: terrible service, GREASY food, long wait for table

Posted 01/09/06

i love burgers and corner bistro is definitely my favorite place in the city! you must get the bistro burger medium rare...the fries are just ok but the burgers are big you don't even need fries. $2 beers cant be beat! i would eat here everynight if i could!!!!

Posted 12/16/05

I love this place. It's a bit overcrowded, and sometimes you have to wait quite long to be seated (especially if you are with a lot of friends), but the food is an incredible value for money... The hamburger is amazing! very tasty! and the fries excellent.

Posted 11/04/05

This is for sure my favorite burger in NY.
service is not special. It's what you get at a packed bar...
Go in off hours!

Posted 10/19/05

I agree with the previous poster that said that the late night bartender is beyond surly...he's a maniac! We stopped in Saturday last weekend and he threw two guys out who clained about how long there burgers were just as the server was setting the burgers down in front of them! But please, he fits in at that hole in the wall bar like a glove. Dingy, no atmosphere, dark, zero personality on the staff...and the best burgers around bar none!! Laugh off the bartender's attitude and enjoy your stay, it's well worth it!

Pros: burgers, burgers, burgers

Cons: long wait, no atmosphere, surly bartender

Posted 10/07/05

If you're out drinking and you're looking for a delicious and filling snack for cheap and beer to wash it down with, then Corner Bistro is the place for you. I've been going up and down the best burgers in nyc lists for months now and Corner Bistro is definitely top 5. The burger was huge and juicy. Get it with cheese and bacon for the true experience. It did not have a char broiled flavor like a BBQ but it wasnt made on a griddle, it was broiled so it was meaty and delicious and adorned with a small bun, sliced white onion, lettuce, and tomato. The fries were also crispy and very tasty. I compare them to McDonlads except with less grease and more potato. This place is the spot, you've gotta try it. I got all this deliciousness (fries, burger, beer) for 10 bucks.

Pros: Prices, Burgers, Fries

Cons: Crowded at night

Posted 10/03/05

OK so it's no big secret. Bartender told me they but their meat up the street on 11th (the ole' meat district) every day. They use a "Salimander" to "above" broil and slow cook. The bun is small to bring out the burger. Simple but unreal! Try it - try it - try it! The tap beers are a bit pricey though. NO PINTS! Just small mugs. Burgers served on a paper plate with small pickle slices. Just the way I like em'.

Pros: Great Burger, Dark and Cozy, Cool Hangout

Cons: None So Far

Posted 08/03/05

The bartender (who works the late night shift) is rude, inconsiderate, and inhospitable. He clearly has social and anger management problems, and is not fit to work in the hospitality industry. My friends and I would have had a lovely time if we weren't treated so horribly.

Pros: inexpensive food , inexpensive drinks

Cons: the service, the ambiance, the customers

Posted 07/31/05

The burger was as good as advertised, although I have to say the fries were a little puny. Excellent prices for the beers though, and overall a great cheap eats experience.

Pros: Drinks, Burger

Cons: Far to get to.

Posted 07/27/05

If you can get past the crowd and actually get a table, you'll get a great burger. The food and beer are cheap and fast, even late night. Everything is served on paper plates and there's nothing fancy about it, but thats part of the beauty of it. Corner Bistro has been around for a long time, and is well known for having a great burger. They live up to their reviews.

Pros: Cheap, Good food, Open late

Cons: Always Packed, Paper plates, Little variety

Posted 05/21/05

A true institution....you're not here for the ABSOLUTE best burger in the city, it is among the best, you're not here for the clean glasses, the beer is great though, you're not here for a quick bite, beer makes the hour long wait go faster. At least it keeps the tourists away.

Pros: Food

Cons: Wait

Posted 04/25/05

This place is not what it used to be...not even close. For years I would tell anyone and everyone I knew that if they wanted the best bacon cheeseburger ever, to go here. Now, it's simply a hollow shell of what it used to be. The burgers are dry and overcooked. The wimply plate of cold, overcooked fries is a joke. And, the service is just abysmal. I've been a few times over the last 2 years and it's just been disappointing. I never minded waiting in line because I knew what I was getting in return...not anymore. There are better burgers to be had....MUCH better..don't bother with this place.

Pros: was once good, open late

Cons: dry overcooked burger, terrible fries, lousy service

Posted 02/08/05

These were by far the best french fries that I have ever had. Man, they were awesome.

Posted 01/12/05

People.. what you're all missing here is the bacon... it's like a work of art. Take a peek at the deep fry thing next time you're there (under the burger grille)... They cook cook the bacon in the same grease the fries are in!

This makes the bacon unbelivably delicious and crunchy, the fries have a delicious meaty bacon grease taste, and the whole place smells like bacon... Genius!

Also, the burgers are pretty darn good.

Pros: Bacon!

Posted 11/10/04

so that the jostling, spilled beers, and hour long wait doesn't bother you. The waiters were brusque but really efficient - they got all our orders right and even heard my quiet request for water. They serve all burgers well done regardless of what you ask for. It's cheap but I probably won't go back unless it's empty (I guess, like past reviews said, before 6 pm), which will probably never happen.

Pros: Burger, Pickles, Fries

Cons: , Annoying line

Posted 11/05/04

At 3 am this place is money to grab one more beer and a burger. The menu's are on the wall and it's just bench style tables. The place is crowded late nite from all the heads rollin drunk so you may have to wait for a table....but go to the back, you have a better shot of getting one. Can't beat the prices either.

Pros: Late nite eats

Cons: , when, drunk

Posted 10/15/04

Although it looks like a whole in the wall, its a cool spot for a late night burger, espcially if your in the mood to relax, but you better order two burgers if you plan on getting full....Its old fashion and thats the beauty of it.

Pros: burger, decor

Cons: , can be a wait

Posted 09/27/04

I finally ventured to Corner Bistro yesterday to see whether their burgers deserve the accolades lavished on them.

Well, they don't. The cheeseburger I had was fine-- good, even-- but the patty was a little dry and the bun was thin and soggy. The fries were good, but identical to McDonald's version for twice the price; I don't think I would be able to tell the difference in a blind taste test.

The antique feel of the pub is nifty; I didn't have to wait for one for of the ten tables at 5:45, but there was a line out the door by 6:15. Service was lacking; my coke was served in a recently washed mug and tasted vaguely of rum, and I had to flag down my waiter twice for ketchup and napkins.

Corner Bistro has personality and decent food; you'll enjoy it if you don't go expecting fireworks.

Pros: Good food, not great, Has personality

Cons: , Long waits after 6, No credit cards

Posted 08/17/04

I don't understand where some of these people get off calling the Corner Bistro not good. Look, even Peter Luger's has an off night and the steaks don't come out right. But that's part of what makes the place special...You'll wait a long time by a dark crowded bar, you might have something spilled on you but when you leave you'll understand why you did it. You also can't beat $2 beers. I'm by most accounts a CB lightweight, having only been there about 30 times. I'd say I've had a bad burger there once or twice. And it was still better than anything Jackson Hole turns out, which was an oversized soggy piece of meat and bread.

Pros: Fantastic Burgers, Cheap Beers

Posted 07/09/04

The burgers here are good, but I don't know how this is always rated the best. Its just a plain burger-nothing special. The french fries were really good, though. The price is definately right for both the food and the drinks. The burger is pretty tastless and doesn't have much cheese on it. The bun is a little too small, but very good. The problem is that the bun gets all soaked with the burger juice and everything starts to fall apart. If you want a better burger go to Boxers on W4 between 6th and 7th. The burgers there are way better and its not overcrowded and overrated there. The atmosphere is a lot nicer, too. It'll cost you a little more though, but you get what you pay for.

Pros: Good too small bun, good fries, good prices

Cons: , not very tasty burger, overrated/overcrowded

Posted 07/05/04

Too many people are on to this place for a great burger. The wait sometime can be long since the place is so small. The burgers are consistently excellent fare.

Pros: geat burgers, inexpensive

Cons: always crowded, limited seating

Posted 06/18/04

I've been twice and both times were great. The burgers are so soft and the fries are perfectly crisp! The ambiance is typical of a pub and there's a long line. But, if you go with some friends and order a beer while you wait, it's well worth it.

Pros: Fantastic burgers, inexpensive, unpretentious

Posted 05/17/04

This is by far the worst hamburger I have ever had. I have no idea who said it was the best and why, but this person surely was raised in some sort of desparate conditions where red meat was not readily available.

The burgers were dry and overcooked regardless of how they were ordered. The fries sucked and the atmosphere is a cross between MASH's Mess Tent and Animal House!

Don't buy into the hype and wait 45 minutes being pushed and shoved around by drunk frat boy wanna be's in order to get possibly one of the worst meals you will ever eat.

Pros: Cheap

Cons: , Crowded, Service? What's that

Posted 05/13/04

The Corner Bistro HAD the best burgers in the city. My boyfriend and I went back recently and found the burgers to be bland and the texture was like sawdust. And the chili for the chili burger was flavorless..tasted like ground beef with tomato sauce...not chili! I don't know what they did to the burgers but they are definitely not as good as they were 2 years ago.

Pros: inexpensive, unpretentious

Posted 03/26/04

This place has got to have, hands down, the BEST burger I have ever had in my life! The atmosphere couldn't be better, and the service was outstanding -- at the time there were only two people working the entire bar, and we still got taken care of like it was a five star restaurant. Not to mention that the portions are enormous, but delectable in every way -- and the prices can't be beat. One thing, make sure you have plenty of napkins -- they're pretty greasy (but in this case greasy is good). This place deserves five stars, all the way!

Pros: Outstanding food, Great service, Even better prices

Cons: , Limited Seating

Posted 03/22/04

Whats all the fuss about. Granted, the meal was a bargan by NYC standards but there was nothing special about my burger and the fries were hard and greasy not crispy. Ive had better burgers and fries at the local dinner in my neighborhood: 3 guys dinner on 96th and Madison Avenue. I guess what they say is true. Given enough hype, people will buy almost anything.

Pros: inexpensive

Posted 03/15/04

I waited an hour on line Tuesday night (2/24) for a Corner Bistro hamburger and it was definitely worth it. The wait is ok because you can usually make friends with the folks on line around you. Have a drink while you wait...
Yes, the food is greasy and th space is cramped but it is so worth it. McSorley's are $2 and hamburgers are $4. Where else can you get a deal like that?
Channel 11 News was actually there the night I was. The place is famous! Try it... at least once.

Pros: hamburgers, price, beer

Cons: , small space

Posted 02/26/04

The burger was OK!! Not the best by any means. The place itself is unique, but if you are a germaphobe watch out because at first glance the place looks a little raunchy. I will not be returning for a burger... ever. There are so many other places that have better burger in NYC. The price is cheap, because that's the quality you get.

Pros: Unique Setting, Cheap Food

Posted 02/11/04

Great place to go to grab a beer and some food with a few friends. Yes it is crowded at times, but usually you can wait around the bar and evenutually get a seat. Its cheap, has good food, and a wonderful jukebox!

Posted 11/07/03

The restaurants is small therefore crowded with 1 hour lines on weekends. In addition, the bar is only staffed by one bartender. We had to wait 20 minutes before getting a beer, and we never got our burger order. We even got yelled at for checking on our burger order. We ened up walking out after an hour with no food.

Cons: Rude Service, Crowded/lines

Posted 08/26/03

Though have been slightly less impressed lately (little less moist than in the past) this is one of the best burgers in nyc. the fries are also top notch, and all at bargain prices!

BEware: the place gets verry busy after 6pm.

Posted 08/13/03

I have been going to the Corner Bistro for 7 years now and it's still one of my favorite places to go. For those who just want chill and relax with good friends over beers and burgers, this is the place to go.

Pros: good food, great prices

Cons: waiting for a table

Posted 07/24/03

I went to Corner Bistro on a recommendation. I love the easy going atmosphere and the burger was really tasty. I don't know if it's the best, but it is one of the better places to grab a casual burger. Perfect for a late night craving.

Pros: Relaxed, Inexpensive

Posted 07/02/03

People keep telling me that the burger at Corner Bistro is the best in town. It is almost impossible to get rid of that myth. In fact, it is not. I have tried it several times. I met people that haven't even eaten there but still claim it to be the best burger in town. There you have it. It's a myth. Most people are merely disseminating a legend. The only good thing about that burger: It's inexpensive.

Pros: Inexpensive

Cons: overcrowded

Posted 06/03/03

Best burger I ever had! Very inexpensive and so good! Very nice atmosphere. Seated promptly.

Posted 05/24/03

this place is one of those places in the city where popularity has gone to its head and it takes advantage of the fact that people actually like its food. waiters and bartenders think they can treat the patrons any way they want to. it is usually crowded, loud and noisy, with people most of the people in the restaurant on a line to get seated. the burgers are admittedly good, but not the best i've ever had. it's good value but isn't worth the aggravation and effort to eat here.

Pros: decent burger, inexpensive

Cons: service, service, service

Posted 05/09/03

I don't think there is a better thing on earth than a $6 burger at any time of day or night. And it's a good burger...a damn good one. I live so close to this place that it literally is my corner bistro. I love it, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Pros: food, price, ambiance

Posted 04/24/03

Having long enjoyed the world's greatest burger at J.G. Melon, 76th and 3rd, I finally (after 15 years) got around to visiting the one place in town that is supposedly better, Corner Bistro. Result: big disappointment. The burger is good and worth experiencing, but it's not QUITE as good as J.G. Melon's. Corner Bistro's burger absolutely does not deserve to beat J.G. Melon's for the top spot. Melon's simply tastes better. Also Corner Bistro's burger is SO thick that it is difficult to eat. Gross.

Other than the burger of high quality, Corner Bistro has absolutely nothing to recommend it. The ambiance is really awful, a broken down old place with slanty floors and very uncomfortable seating. Retro? No, just bad. Tiny paper plates, extremely awkward. Really the cheapest paper plates they could find...awful...

Pros: A good burger

Cons: Ambiance, service, uncomfortable

Posted 04/22/03

I am actually surprised & disappointed that Dewey/Gayle have bought into this "hype".The burgers can be described simply as:Ground Beef
Lettuce Tomato Onion Bun Self-inflicted condiments.
Anything else tasted during your experience is solely in your mind.There was nothing special about this burger whatsoever.So, this begs the questions:1)Apparently Gayle likes ketchup. Perhaps the flavor of the ketchup is what she tastes & that drove her burger appreciation, perhaps this is what motivates Dewey as well.
2)None of the aforementioned ingredients were particularly stellar, nor was the bacon or the processed cheese slice they pawned off as "cheese".Anyhow, I went, I saw, I ate & while I can say it was "OK" its certainly not a place I would suggest anyone else go.Cozy Soup and Burger is a better burger,but by no means do I believe that that's the best burger in NYC. It can't be and neither can Corner Bistro

Posted 04/10/03

If you don't like Corner Bistro then you just don't get it. I have been going there for over 25 years and it is clearly a NYC original. Does it really matter that their hamburger isn't the greatest ever? It's the "real" crowd, the classic jazz/oldies jukebox, the unchanged decor and cold beer that make it timeless. Perhaps you should turn around and head back towards the Village as I need my seat now.

Pros: timeless music, yummy, greasy food

Posted 03/16/03

Great Burgers, no pretense. Doesn't get better than that.
Dive-y restaurant with a real mix of New Yorkers.

Pros: Burgers, Prices, Beer

Cons: Wait

Posted 03/07/03

I just went here for the first time and thought the burger was so great. I cannot wait to go back. And everything was so cheap!

Posted 02/08/03

Filled with smoke and crowded... often a wait... burgers are pretty tasty but small and not that exceptional. You're better off going elsewhere and saving the headache. If you are seeking a great burger, Silver Spurs and Paul's are better.

Pros: inexpensive, better than average

Cons: small burgers, long waits, crowded and smoky

Posted 02/02/03

The burgers are awesome! Totally worth the 45 minute wait on line. Not so bad, you wait on a long line but you can grab a couple beers at the bar while you wait, and they have McSorley's on tap for $2. Go with friends and its a great place to hang out and get some good all-american cheap eats.

Posted 01/30/03