Tucked between 1-Penn Plaza (between 33rd-34th st.) and 7th ave., this lunch time spot has gone unnoticed by my burger eyes for some time now... and I work right around the corner. Mrs. B and I were strolling back to the subway from B+H this past weekend, and we decided to detour through the little park/walk way on our way to the train. The Bruce's Burger sign was staring us in the face, how could something like this so close to where I walk almost everyday go unnoticed? Well, you have to either be strolling as I never seem to do during the work week, or shopping at the K-Mart across from it. I was excited to make it back on Monday (only open weekdays) to see what Bruce could do.
When I arrived on Monday around 1pm, there was a small line, not like the Shack or anything, but long enough to make you think that this can't be bad. The inside is not very big, and it shares the space with healthier alternative wrap/salad type place. Decorated throw back style with a fake gas pump of yesteryear, and a neon sign, it felt like a mini Johnny Rockets.
The menu allows for choice... burgers with varying toppings, chicken sandwiches, turkey, veggie, bison, and what looked like a tasty boneless rib sandwich. You have three choices for fries, curly, spicy cajun, or sweet potato.
I ordered the "Cheese Pack" which is a meal type order consisting of a cheeseburger, curly fries, and fountain soda. I asked if I could specify doneness, and was allowed to order med. rare. At a total of $5.60. The burgers are cooked over a flame grill, and the patties looked prefab as expected.
If I had to rate this burger, I would lean more towards the C+/B- grade for it's lack of fresh meat... it wasn't gross or anything, but it was more like a burger you get from one of the hundreds of nYc delis that dot the streets. The curly fries were a bit cold and tasted too starchy, the cheese was standard sliced american, bun a bit bland, tomato and lettuce were fresh. Overall, I was happy to see something i never noticed near work (although we're moving in three days). And can see why people who don't have the time to goto the other better burger places in the city... cheap lunch and don't want to hit McDs style burgers for food full of preservatives. If I were craving a burger I would spend the time and few extra $ to get something else.
