How could it be possible that such an average burger has such a big following

Easy.  The Black Label burger at Minetta Tavern.  They serve two burgers, but they are worlds apart.

I'm not sure the DB Burger really even belongs in the burger category, but I can say this.  It is insanely decadent!

I have sampled the kobe burger at homestead. I was totally disappointed $41 later.....5 guys blew it out of the water. Parker meridian is next...still searching for...
NYCs BEST BURGER....
sigh

CSJ

please just go there...or should i take you

just head on over to the cozy soup and burger.

Let me know about Le Parker Meridien

Try the burger at City Hall restaurant, 131 Duane Street.  

Try 8 oz. Burger and Burger and Beer Joint in South Beach

In NY Luger's burger is great

The Wall St Burger Shoppe, (they have burgers that cost as much as $1k, and a lot of arrogant wall st. azzholes)

Shake Shack, it's more than hype it's a great burger.  Get two and a black and white shake.

West 3rd Common

Peter Luger's in Williamsburg Brooklyn (it's 1 stop from Manhattan on the J/M/Z train), it takes less than 20 minutes from midtown.  Plus, eating at Lugers should be on your bucket list anyway.  Make sure to get bacon as an appetizer and onion rings with your burger.

Dumont Burger - also Williamsburg (1 stop from Manhattan on the L train), it takes 8 minutes to get there from Union Square) go there prepared to eat, because leaving without trying the onion rings and mac/cheese is a crime.  They have a fun beer list as well.  They do a quality black and white shake here too.

5 NAPKIN Burger

A sleeper is a place called Crif Dog in the East Village.  This is the best hot dog joint on the planet, but they do an awesome burger as well.  I wouldn't go there unless you also like hot dogs (get a "good morning", a "spicy redneck", and/or a corndog along with some awesome tater-tots with your burger).  They also sell "stoner packs", so if you smoke too much pot before going you tell them how much you want to spend and they put an order together for you.  If you go, walk into the phone booth and through the secret door in the back of it.  The quasi-secret back room is a much nicer place to eat.

All of those places make their burgers with love, you can't go wrong with any of them.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/flip-new-york-2

ok ok!

When you come to DC I will take you to Ray's Hellburger, the best I have ever had. Much superior to Le Parker Meridian.

hopefully I am at least better then the kobe beef burger at the HS

and the hits keep coming!

brooklyn no!
I have nothing a against the boro>>i am just looking for something on our own island here

It's called "McDonalds".

Sorry. I'll crawl back under my rock now.

Agreed. I haven't had a burger there in years but it has stayed in my mind as the best.

you have yourself a DEAL!

once upon a time I actually liked big macs

this is the second time I am hearing about this place...color me there!

details!!

Besides, aren't the rules made to be broken?  

I havent been there yet but I saw this on FN and they seem to have the cheesieset Juicy Lucy in NYC.

The Stumbel Inn
1454 2nd Ave
New York, 10021
(212) 650-0561

http://www.nycbestbar.com/stumble/

so many burger joints so little time!

I totally agree.. that burger is TOTALLY OVER-rated... and kind of gross! lol  Especially their fries... they SUCK!

Well, you certainly have tried some good ones.  And this thread of yours has great legs, almost as good as yours, almost.

Personally, Kobe beef has never done it for me.  Give me good old dry aged Midwestern corn-fed any day.  

But beyond just great taste, what else matters here?  Are you including any points for ambiance, etc.?  

I'll tell you what on that score.  The food at Brooklyn Bowl (yes doll, Brooklyn is still NYC) is pretty terrific comfort food.  It is not the high end $41 burger you got soaked for a The Old Homestead (which is a great steak house nonetheless), but it stacks up well with so many here that it warrants mention.  Added to the fact you got every great Brooklyn Brewery beer on tap, bowling (yes, probably about 20 lanes), and the best small venue for music anywhere and that burger tastes even better.

you said the B word again!
No I have nothing against Brooklyn like I said..I am just lazy LOL
The kobe beef burger at the homestead sucked but the company was wonderful I could have been eating cardboard and have been happy that day....but I think its amazing that they get 41 dollars for it.
I just heard today from someone about this thread (its hysterical how much attention a burger thread gets on TER ) that there is 120 dollar burger downtown somewhere. He said it was good but not great. He said FIVE GUYS was better LMAO
And no...ambiance doesn't count with burgers. At least not to me

So it purely based on the meat, sort of.  I mean taste and nothing else.  The lovely Edita suggested Shake Shack.  They're burgers are well worth inclusion here, but they're fries come up short, which sort of puts a damper on how good the burgers are, as good accompaniment is important - at least it is to me.  Sort of like it takes two to tango.  You may be the greatest time in the universe (OK, you know you are), but if your dance partner doesn't bring it, doesn't that dampen your enthusiasm to reach the highest heights?  We are defintely going to have to catch burgers together someplace.  Chateau Blanc can be great, in an altered state, according to Harold and Kumar.