When you picture a diner, there’s a good chance you envision a place that has a classic “1950s-Americana” aesthetic. Known for their classic breakfast fare, a solid burger, and an abundance of pastries, the classic American diner has been a staple in the food world, especially in New York.

This month, my colleague, Finn, and I, Evie, ventured to a diner with that very classic aesthetic in the heart of SoHo, Manhattan. It was quite an interesting experience.

Welcome back to Beacon’s Bites! This month, we journeyed to a diner called Hamburger America, founded by a well-known chef named George Motz. Unlike our usual articles, this restaurant was not recommended to us by a member of Forest Hills High School. Finn happened to stumble upon this place, and it’s worth reviewing.

The restaurant is located near the W. 4th Street station in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan. Finn and I traveled over, and upon finding the place, we skimmed the menu that was pinned to the wall. The menu was limited, with only three types of burgers on it: a typical smashburger, George Motz’s fried onion burger, and a monthly special burger. This month, the special was a green chile cheeseburger. As well, the menu listed a handful of different non-burger items.

For our new readers, our review system is broken down into four components, ranked out of five stars.

• Quality: The caliber of the food itself
• Affordability: How much does the food cost? Is it “high school affordable”?
• Service: Did the customer service exceed expectations?
• Aesthetic: The vibes! Is the food presented well? Can you bring somebody on a date there?

Our goal was to assess Hamburger America under this rubric. Upon arriving, we could tell the aesthetic was -perfect-; it was the classic American diner experience, with an in-open-view grill and a counter where customers can sit and eat their food. Unfortunately, the counter was full, so Finn and I opted to sit at a table closer to the back. We ordered our food, waited for a table and sat down.

Evie: I went for a classic and ordered a double fried onion smashburger with a side of fries. Sprite as a drink. The smashburger was juicy and the melted cheese meshed just right with the flavor of the meat and grilled onions.
It was truly a high caliber burger.

The fries were also quite good; they were salted in a way that the salt hit you in waves. It would dissipate and come back. A fun and tasty experience. The aesthetic was very charming and the Sprite was strong and flavorful. No dirty soda guns here!

Overall, I give Hamburger America a 5 stars out of 5.

Finn: I discovered Hamburger America while out in SoHo one day and I loved the aesthetic and the retro-feel it gave, so I knew we had to go there. I had their signature fried onion burger which was, honestly, out of this world. Considering it is just bread, meat, cheese, and onions, it’s somehow one of the best burgers I have had in the city. It was $7. Simple and cheap. It’s a well-sized burger that will fill you up and not make you feel too full.

I also tried a hot ham sandwich, which is what it sounds like. Just Swiss cheese and ham cooked on the grill, and for 5 bucks, it was good, but nothing to go crazy about.

Last, I had the key lime pie they offered and it was good, just way too sweet for my liking. So sweet I felt a little ill after. I feel like a glass of water could improve that issue. So between the cheap prices, the lovely retro dinner aesthetic, and the great burgers, I would definitely go back. I’ll just be skipping the pie next time.

Overall, I give Hamburger America 4 stars out of 5.

The results are in! Beacon’s Bites gives Hamburger America…

Quality: 4/5. The food was delivered quickly. Quality of food was excellent for the amount of customers served at once. Way worth the travel and the money paid. The burgers are as savory as it can get, and that’s nothing more than we could have wanted. The desserts just could have been a little bit better.

Affordability: 5/5. Considering the amount of food and its quality, the price is awesome. Order an extra side, it’s cheap and worth it!

Service: 5/5. It was quick and gets served to you at your table which is the typical diner style service that fits the theme of the restaurant. It’s that simple.

Aesthetic: 5/5. The aesthetic is, in Finn’s opinion, the best part of the restaurant. I love this type of retro-style that teleports you back to the ‘50s and ‘60s. It just makes it so much more fun to sit down and have a burger while listening to old-fashioned music while enjoying the ambiance. It’s so enjoyable.

Overall, we give Hamburger America a 4.5/5.