7th Street Burger West Village: Your Go-To Smash Burger Destination in NYC?

New York City’s burger scene is as diverse as the city itself, but lately, smash burgers have been stealing the spotlight. From humble diners to trendy eateries, the crispy-edged, intensely flavored smash burger is making waves. In my ongoing quest to uncover the best, I recently found myself exploring the West Village in search of a standout smash burger experience. My journey led me to 7th Street Burger West Village, a location that had piqued my interest amidst the growing buzz around this mini-chain.

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The smash burger trend isn’t exactly new. Its roots trace back to the classic American diner, where cooks would aggressively smash burger patties onto a hot griddle. This technique wasn’t about finesse; it was about speed and maximizing flavor. By smashing the patty, you create a larger surface area for searing, resulting in a deeply browned, crispy exterior and a juicy, flavorful interior. In recent years, this old-school method has seen a resurgence, perhaps as a counterpoint to the thick, juicy burgers that dominated gastropub menus for a while. The rise of Shake Shack also undeniably played a role in popularizing smash burgers, spreading the technique far and wide.

Eater NY has been closely tracking the smash burger phenomenon in New York City, noting its evolution from a niche style to a full-blown trend. Chains like Smashburger and, notably, 7th Street Burger, have not only survived but thrived, expanding their reach across the city. In an era where food costs are rising, the relatively affordable burger is experiencing a renaissance, appearing on menus everywhere from casual joints to upscale restaurants. This prompted me to revisit some key players in the smash burger game, including the increasingly popular 7th Street Burger, to see if they are still delivering on their initial promise.

My first stop was Smashed, a Lower East Side spot with a West Village outpost. Wanting to keep things simple and affordable, I opted for their single cheeseburger, priced at $8. It came with the classic fixings: onions, pickles, and American cheese. However, in the competitive landscape of trendy smash burger joints, especially in neighborhoods like the West Village, the basic burger is often just the entry point. Menus quickly escalate with multiple patty options and a dizzying array of toppings, pushing prices upwards. At Smashed, you can go from a single patty to a triple, and even indulge in a truffle-laden burger for a hefty $28. It’s clear they’re encouraging you to go beyond the basics.

The patty at Smashed was indeed thin, almost wafer-like, with a dominant sear. It tasted intensely salty, suggesting a liberal use of salt on the griddle to achieve that extreme crispiness. While the sear was undeniable, the saltiness was overpowering, even after multiple swigs of water. The fries, however, were a redeeming factor. If this is the direction smash burgers are heading – prioritizing extreme sear over balanced flavor – I might need to reconsider my allegiance.

Moving on, I found myself in Long Island City and stumbled upon Petey’s Burger. A Queens institution since 2008, Petey’s was serving smash burgers before they even had a name. Their cheeseburger configuration is similar to Smashed, but with the addition of lettuce, tomato, and a mayo-based sauce, resulting in a less dry experience.

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Petey’s stripped-down cheeseburger was even more budget-friendly at $6.25. Despite planning to visit more burger spots that day, I devoured it with gusto. This was closer to my ideal fast-food burger: a patty with substantial meatiness, expertly smashed and seared to achieve a delightful crust without sacrificing juiciness. Two of these would make a truly satisfying meal.

Finally, my focus shifted to 7th Street Burger. When the original East Village location opened two summers ago, it created a sensation. Its menu was refreshingly simple: cheeseburgers, fries, and Mexican Coke – reminiscent of classic, no-frills burger stands. Many considered their burgers to surpass Shake Shack, praising their sloppier, greasier, and more flavorful patties. Adding to the intrigue, the buns often appeared deliberately “mangled,” contributing to the overall rustic charm.

Since then, 7th Street Burger has expanded rapidly, with nine new locations opening or in the works in the past year. This rapid growth naturally raises concerns about maintaining quality. Would the magic of the original 7th Street Burger translate to these new outposts, including the West Village location?

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Stepping out of the subway at 23rd and 7th, heading towards their Chelsea location, I was immediately greeted by that familiar, enticing aroma of grilling beef. The Chelsea branch mirrored the other locations I’d visited: a basic counter, a seemingly chaotic kitchen with a busy cook, and the same concise menu. The only deviation was a handwritten addition: fries loaded with burger toppings – a hint of menu expansion.

Ordering the standard cheeseburger ($6.50), I was relieved to find it tasted just as I remembered – perhaps even greasier, in the best possible way. The Impossible vegetarian version, while also flavorful, was slightly more crumbly. Interestingly, the “tortured” preparation seemed to make the Impossible patty taste surprisingly meat-like.

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Classic bottled Coke remains the beverage of choice at 7th Street Burger. Outside, a group of individuals who appeared to be part of the management team were discussing a potential new location near the South Street Seaport, even delving into the specifics of a milkshake machine. Milkshakes? That’s certainly a menu evolution! But if their shakes are as good as their burgers, I’m all for it. Perhaps they’ll even consider adding malts to the menu.

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While this review primarily focused on the Chelsea location to assess quality consistency, the positive experience certainly extends to other branches, including 7th Street Burger West Village. If you’re in the West Village and craving a no-nonsense, delicious smash burger that won’t break the bank, 7th Street Burger is definitely worth checking out. It embodies the essence of a great smash burger: flavorful, greasy, and utterly satisfying. Whether it’s your primary destination or just one stop in your West Village food explorations, 7th Street Burger offers a solid, craveable burger experience.

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