Burgers & Cupcakes doesn’t beat around the bush. The name sums up exactly what the place serves—burgers and cupcakes, and great ones at that.
From the straightforward name to the no-nonsense ambiance, Burgers & Cupcakes—hidden on an unassuming block at 36th Street and Ninth Avenue—thrives on its utter lack of pretension.
The overwhelmingly beige interior features a swarm of simple wood chairs clustered around little round tables. Even though the restaurant rarely seems busy, it is difficult to eat with a party larger than four—the maximum number able to fit around one of the tiny tables without rearranging the entire seating area.
Fortunately, the food more than compensates for the awkward dining area. Hamburgers, while not huge, taste juicy and freshly cooked. Each comes served in its own cozy wicker basket, nestled next to a pile of thick, immaculate tomato slices, and mixed greens—a modern take on the typical burger presentation.
At $6.50 apiece, the burgers are pricier than those at Upper West Side favorite Shake Shack, but Burgers & Cupcakes offers a variety of specialty burgers that competitors do not. The chicken breast burgers, either lemon-grilled or crispy, almost make plain old beef seem passé. The delicately-breaded, golden “crispy chicken breast burger” is a standout, with a coating that is flavorful, but not overpowering. A neat, homey presentation somehow makes fried chicken appear elegant—blame it on the bed of mesclun greens.
As if the burgers are not reason enough to trek down to Hell’s Kitchen, the cupcakes ($2.50-$3.50) feel even more satisfying. There are at least ten varieties available on any given day, displayed tantalizingly in a clear case between the kitchen and the seating area.
Although Burgers & Cupcakes offers classic flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet, mint chocolate chip is an unexpected treat for adventurous eaters. Despite suspiciously green pastel frosting, the minty cupcakes stay far away from toothpaste territory, instead remaining both fluffy and oddly refreshing.
The berry vanilla cupcake tastes delicious too, proving that blueberries aren’t just for muffins anymore. A downy vanilla batter disguises a surprising layer of berries resting at the bottom of the cupcake’s wrapper.
Finally, for chocolate lovers, skip right to the ganache varieties—particularly the marble cupcake with peanut butter and chocolate frosting. Even the most ardent Jif haters will appreciate the smooth, rich swirl of peanut butter and dark chocolate ganache. The marble chocolate and vanilla cupcake underneath is tasty, but subtle enough to let the frosting play a starring role.
At less than $10 for an entree and dessert, Burgers & Cupcakes serves up fresh food that caters to students’ appetites for both grease and sugar—the restaurant may not be the most diet-friendly, but at least it doesn’t hurt the wallet.
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