BurgerClub

It's in Williamsburg. I can only guess that that's why it never appears on any of the food blogs, food sites, food boards, etc. I think in the Venn diagram of New Yorkers, the food fanatic circle and the Williamsburg-dweller circle do not overlap. Much.

But I'VE been there, and I think Sparky's is one of the best burger spots in the city. they've got a simple menu. Burgers, hot dogs (about 10 different topping types), fries, shakes. Fries are impeccably crisp and tasty, shakes are thick with good ice cream (the creamsicle shake is superb), dogs are so...fresh - it's a strange word to use for a hot dog but they actually taste and feel like they're made of good meat (and the chili and other toppings are first-rate).

The hamburgers are a perfect incarnation of that type of burger that comes in a wicker basket with a sheet of waxed paper on the bottom: not too big, cooked just right, very fresh toppings, redolent with charred-beef flavor. Sparky's has never failed me.

The fact that all the beef and dogs are from Niman Ranch, the veggies organic, the plasticware is actually soy-based and biodegradable - these are nice but wouldn't bring me back if the food wasn't so good. Every time I go there I'm afraid that this will be the time that they disappoint, and the fear mounts as I place my order with the inevitable sallow-faced hipster behind the counter. But so far, so good.