Black Iron Burger

Wrought-iron fixtures, refurbished lamps, exposed light bulbs, and other reclaimed materials forge a cozy, familiar vibe at the Black Iron Burger Shop. The decor’s worn edge, however, is at odds with the smooth, clean chrome surface of the diner’s Keating Miraclean griddle. This pristine grilling machine chars a meaty, moist flavor into burgers molded from a custom mix of chuck, short rib, and brisket. Diners can build their own burgers by layering avocado mayo, grilled onions, blue cheese, or other toppings. Or they can opt for imaginative, intriguingly named burgers such as the Black Jack or the Iron Horse, the latter a house special that the New York Times calls "a serious burger" for its flavor and tendency to pepper conversations with Goethe quotes. Local and East Coast craft beer selections wash down meals, and rich shakes ditch straws in favor of spoons for scooping up an icy consistency that New York Magazine praises as "particularly velvety."