We'd like to have a great burger in a diner-type atmosphere while we're in NYC. Can anyone recommend a good place in the west 40's or 50's? THANKS!

The Brooklyn Diner is almost on the corner of West 57th and Seventh. It is next door to Pick-A-Bagel which is one the corner.

Owned by the Shelly Fireman Group which also has Redfire Grill, Shelley's New York, Trattoria d'ell Arte which all have excellent food.

It should be noted that Brooklyn Diner is NOT a typical Manhattan diner, it is a good casual restaurant.

"Great burger" and "diner" do not go together that much in my experience. But what do I know, I only live here.

There's also Ellen's Stardust Diner, http://ellenstardust.com/ . It is 50's style, and a fun spot.

QC, it is the only thing that came to mind in Midtown West. Any better ideas? After all, what do I know I don't live there.

Ellen's looks fun, only I did read an NY Times column where the guy said if a burger costs more than ten bucks, it's not a real diner (or maybe he said it wasn't a real burger). I'm very lowbrow when it comes to food (no cranberry beans or ginger-lime sauce, please), so I might not even recognize a "great" burger. I apreciate everyone's suggestions!

Agree that in Manhattan you are more likely to find a good, cheap burger at a pub than in a diner. Sadly, I don't know any in that neighborhood, but if you make it down to the Gramercy neighborhood, I highly recommend both Old Town and Molly's.

Maybe not what you're looking for, but I love the buffalo burgers at Heartland Brewery. There's one right by Rockefeller Center, but more of a TGIFriday's atmosphere.

Had a great burger -- thanks to Zagat's at a real "hole in the wall" in Hell's Kitchen on 9th -- just north or just south of 51st -- called Island Burger.

Also good pretty cheap burgers at Film Center Cafe on 9th around 45th.

The Skylight Diner,
402 W 34th St

Directions:
It's a couple blocks West of Penn Station, and really, just about a block before you turn off for the Lincoln Tunnel. And I think it's open 24 hours!

We found this place on one of our many drives between NYC and our old house in Maryland. Typical DINER food, burgers yes, but also meatloaf, roast chicken, and blue-plate specials. This isn't like the deli's that cater to the tourist crowd with exorbitantly expen$ive burgers and rubens, etc.

Come to the West Village and have an awesome, cheap burger at the Corner Bistro -- a pub that specializes in burgers more than beer. Beware, however, that the only other item on the menu is a grilled cheese sandwich.

Skylight a definite possibility, as we'll be arriving/departing at Penn Station. DUH! Didn't even think of pubs! And we love pubs. Esp. the ones with good food.

Not a diner, but we enjoyed Mickey Mantle's. If you are headed to Central Park, then it would be a good option - right on Central Park South. Catch a carriage ride across the street.

There are not a lot of diners left in Manhattan but the ones there are tend not to have the best burgers. First, here's a fun article about diners

http://www.forgotten-ny.com/STREET%2...rs/diners.html

But my reco for what you want, a good, inexpensive burger is at McHales bar on 8th ave & 46th st.

Btw, I also agree with Patrick's recos of Island Burger & Film Center Cafe (haven't tried Heartland) and I LOVE Old Town bar and Corner bistro but they're not in the area you requested.

ttt

We ate at the Brooklyn Diner a couple years ago. From the outside it is real cute with the retro 50's art deco diner look, but once inside it was just another typical restaurant. Food was average. There are probably better burgers mentioned in the above posts.

I know that this is not in the area the you are looking for, but the Comfort Diner (45th bet. 2nd/3rd) has the diner retro look, including get-up by the waitressses.

I've never been there but passed by it many times and my former neighbor used to talk positively about it.

It's not a diner, but if you want a GREAT burger, the Parker Meridien on 57th St. is home to the Burger Joint.

$5.00 (I think $5.50 w/cheese) for a fabulous burger. Shakes have about 1/2 gallon of ice cream in each one!

Burger Heaven -- 49th just East of 5th Avenue.

A bit higher than the 40's/50's but Big Nick's (71st and Columbus) It's $5.25ish; deluxe extra $2.25. The questionable looking pickles in the milky substance in the bowl on the table are some of the best pickles I’ve ever had. There are more different kinds of burgers than you could ever ask for. They are great, and I could barely finish just the burger alone!