There's magic in good ground beef that's been shaped by hand and grilled to an ideal state of juiciness. These five Long Island spots offer burgers that relegate fast food patties to the slow lane.
Lucy's - 135 Deer Park Ave., Babylon, 631-669-1640.
At this stylish little hideaway whose hours vary, the "bistro burger," served at both lunch and dinner is a knockout. It comes on a brioche bun topped with bacon and Gruyere, but even naked, it does the restaurant proud.
Main Street Cafe - 47 Main Street, Northport, 631-754-5533.
Here, the hand-shaped half-pound of Black Angus beef is char-grilled to a smoky juiciness, served on a fine bakery roll that's been butter-grilled. Reason enough to visit this friendly little pub.
Majors Steakhouse - 8289 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury, 516-367-7300.
This moderately priced steak house serves up a dandy burger, its exterior nicely charred, the meat endowed with a good, mineral-rich flavor. The bun, in comparison, is dry and pedestrian.
Peter Luger - 255 Northern Blvd., Great Neck, 516-487-8800.
This half pound of prime ground beef is the answer to the most primal red meat craving. Its toasted brioche bun stands up to all the juices while allowing the burger to dominate. With meat this sublime, nothing else is necessary – not salt, not cheese, not bacon, not ketchup, not even the celebrated Luger sauce..
Houston's, Roosevelt Field, Garden City, 873-1454.
This stylish mall-side spot boasts a grand burger – juicy, mineral-rich, smoke-infused and served on a butter-grilled bun. Management is so customer-friendly that on one occasion, they divided the burger in half and grilled each part to order for two people who liked theirs cooked to different degrees of doneness.
North Shore
