The Experience: I have been remiss in my duties as a collector New York City burger experiences. I say this because, despite spending my first three years as a New York resident living in Harlem, I have yet to report on a single Harlem burger. Capitalizing on the viral bastardization of the neighborhood dance craze, Harlem Shake opened back in May. I grabbed Burgermeister Simon, waited in line, listened to the incredibly loud music that plays in the burger shack, and ordered a type of burger I’d never had before.
Burgers Ordered: The Harlem Classic with Cheese and the Jerk Fry Burger
I went with the Jerk Fry Burger and a side of fries. Needless to say, I overdid it with the fried potatoes. I actually had to take a few of the jerk fries off of the burger because they made it a little too tall to eat. Still, the jerk seasoning made these fries stand out from the ones I got on the side. If you’re not a fan of heavy seasoning you’ll probably want to play it safe with a regular hamburger, because these bad boys packed a punch. The jerk mayo on the burger was also no joke. This was an incredibly flavorful meal. It got to the point that, while I loved what was happening on my tongue, I was in dire need of a lot of hydration when all was said and done.
The Verdict: The Jerk Fry Burger is different enough from a regular hamburger that the fries on top act as more than a silly novelty (I’m looking at you, Burger King). Moreover, Harlem Shake’s patties are tasty enough to warrant a visit for even a regular hamburger.
Harlem Shake is located at 100 West 124th Street in Manhattan, New York.
