The Food Section reviews The Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien Hotel:
Is putting a burger place smack in the middle of an upscale midtown hotel the last gasp of trucker hat chic? Perhaps, but that's where the "irony" ends. For every Ashton signature there is also a Jerry Stiller autograph, and, thankfully, the "joint" stays true to its simple handwritten menu of burgers, fries, beer, and milkshakes without the high prices and wannabe hip vibe you would expect to find in a concept restaurant like this. You won't find any ironic "takes" on greasy spoon cuisine. No, the burger's the thing here.
Related: The eGullet Burger Club is on a quest to find the best burger in the city. Some of the contenders: Blue Smoke, Burger Joint, Cafe Luxemburg, Chumley's, Corner Bistro, Fairway, Landmark Tavern, McHale's, Molly's (a personal favorite), Old Town Bar, PJ Clarke's, Peter Luger, Smith & Wollensky's, Tavern on Jane. See also: New York Citysearch's Best Burgers, NYMetro's Best Burgers