Blue 9 Burger Leaves You Feeling..Well...Blue

Originally planning to hit S'mac, the claustrophobic East Village hot spot dedicated to the fine art of Mac N' Cheese preparations, we realized our group of 9 and the pinsized joint weren't going to work. After minimal wandering, and running into a ridiculous lunch time wait at The Smith (what the hell?), we found ourselves at one of the most chat-worthy of the many burger spots that straddle 3rd avenue: Blue 9 Burger.

Seeing as I take great pride in keeping up with the food scene, especially as it pertains to burgers, I was well aware going into this eating excursion that Blue 9 consistently finds its away on the bevy of "Top 10 Burger in the City" lists that orbit cyberspace today. (Something you are reminded of by the giant white sign plopped in the window).

That said, with high hopes, moderate expectations, and some element of relief knowing I can cross off yet another "must-try" on long short-list of culinary feats, I tackled Blue 9 burger.

Firstly, while I realize it's irrelevant to the burger itself, I can't help but comment on Blue 9's rather depressing interior. Admittedly, I can be too eager at times to crown places as depressing, but at the same time my Ubereating nature makes it impossible to remain completely objective about my surroundings, regardless of the circumstances.

And Blue 9 is no exception. The place is dingy, dark, and somewhat dungeon-like. Drab walls, dim-lighting and a strangely out of commission smoothie bar are immediate mood killers. It feels like you're eating at Chapter 11 bankruptcy-protected, bank-owned Checkers located in someone's half-finished basement in Corona, Queens (no offense). It goes without saying, that the burger at this point, had better be out of this world.

I went for the double cheeseburger, with nothing on it. There isn't much in the way of fixin's at Blue 9, aside from pre-packed side portions of Thousand Island dressing available upon the request. Instead, the specialty of the house is the "Mango Salsa", a creamy, pinkish-red homogenous sauce that you "pump" yourself. As a whole, though cosmetically underwhelming, my double-decker was remarkably satisfying. A oil-glistened run-of-the-mill bun is home to two, griddle-crisped beef patties wearing a scant, though thoroughly melted layer of tangy orange cheddar cheese. The meat is grainy, loosely-packed, and well seasoned and takes to the cheese well - creating an aspect to this burger that, dare I say it, eerily reminds me The Shake Shack. Of course, with its flaccid, Joe-Schmo-bun, and minimal "wetness", the comparison, however controversial, stops right there. In terms of the New York City burger continuum that ranges from craptastic fast-food chain on one end, to haute hamburger couture al a' Zaitzeff at the other, I would say Blue 9 falls somewhere just below Five Guys. Not fast food, but certainly not clean enough to prevent you from hating yourself after you eat it.

Blue 9's burger, in terms of flavor, certainly hits the mark, but its beleaguered appearance and sadly scant dressings, are a turn off. This is the retarded younger brother to The Shake Shack and I won't be going back.



So where should you head in search of a quality burger? Head a block south to The Smith. The Roasted Tomato and Cheddar Soup and the Burger together, will do the trick.

Blue 9 Burger
92 Third Avenue
212-979-0053
Food: A
Ambiance: D
Service: Bare minimum.