Could These Be The Best Burgers Ever?

The handwritten sign telling you how to order your burgers and fries at Manhattan's quirky Burger Joint.

It's called The Burger Joint.
And it's an understatement to say that it's aptly named. In fact, calling it a "joint" may be too kind.
If you don't know exactly where it is, you'll never, ever find it -- even though it's in one of the choicest neighborhoods imaginable.
This place is almost literally a hole in the wall. It's a spare box with no windows and drab wood paneling with some sports photos, old movie posters and graffiti (where people have signed their names and added comments) on the walls. There's an open kitchen and a few faux-leather booths along with simple tables and chairs and dull, dingy lights. Orders are taken quickly and strung from a flimsy clothes line. You name will be called when your order is ready and you're well-advised to be prompt. To make it simple, order your hamburger or cheeseburger with "the works."
Everything is tight and cramped and no one lingers since it's always crowded and the booths are hovered over shamelessly by those who are waiting to sit down.
But they're all here for the food. And the food is great.
The burgers are think, juicy, fresh and wonderful. And the fries (though they do not seem to be fresh-cut) are almost as good. New York magazine has placed these burgers among the city's Top Ten. Others have called it THE best.
Burgers are wrapped in paper. Fries are tossed into small brown paper bags that instantly sport grease stains. And you'd better know what you're ordering when you get to the counter or you'll have to go to the end of the line.
Hamburgers are $6.89. Cheeseburgers are $7.35. Fries are $3.67. Shakes are $5.05. That's pretty much the whole menu -- though you can also have a beer, a brownie, a whole pickle or a grilled cheese sandwich (I TOLD you it was quirky).
But where is it?
Believe it or not, it's in a swank hotel (Le Parker Meridien) at 119 W. 56th St, in Manhattan.
But, even after you get into the hotel, you've got to look for The Burger Joint to find it. It's behind a curtain and down a long, narrow, dark hallway. The only thing to identify the joint (no real signage) is a neon burger placed high at the end of the hallway. You'll probably see people waiting in line under th neon sign. That's it.
Go. Wait. Order. Eat. Enjoy. Leave.
And know that you've eaten a fantastic burger in the world's most exciting city.