Gotham Burger Social Club
whoaaaa burger is the color of my energy
The first burger of my 2025 was chosen from a combination of recommendations, online acclaim, and geographic serendipity. Gotham Burger Social Club happened to be somewhat local to my start-of-year custom (two years in a row a tradition makes) - getting my aura read.
So on the somewhat sunny afternoon of January 3, 2025, I headed into Manhattan on a two pronged mission.
I won’t get too in the weeds about my aura reading, but check out the change from 2024 to 2025 - lots of orange and pink springing through the blue from last year! Orange represents creativity and growth which is a really exciting omen for what’s to come with Burger Diva alongside my other creative endeavors.
I trekked eastward to Gotham Burger Social Club. When doing my research for this edition, I discovered the Social Club was started as “an exclusive society for finance guys devoted to trying and rating the city’s best burgers.” (Warning, that links to the NY Post)
I’m a little glad I didn’t have that tidbit going into this meal but somehow I’m not too shocked!
I walked into the inexplicably Western themed spot in the LES. But thinking about the proliferation of line dancing, Morgan Wallen and cowboy-core fashion with the fresh-ish grads in the neighborhood, the Year of Yeehaw being a style influence on this banker-turned-burger maven’s restaurant felt unsurprising.
I pulled up to the counter and ordered their classic double Gotham Smash ($12) with grilled onions, housemade pickles, jalapenos, club sauce, and ketchup - I passed on the cheese and mustard. The single will run you $9 and the triple $14, and fries are $4.25.
While they had a full house, I didn’t have a terribly long wait on my food as I watched their giant flattop actively churn out smashes.
My burger looked a lot better than it tasted. It appeared well crusted but I didn’t get that salt and crackle upon biting in. I enjoyed the jalapeños and pickles enough and you really can’t go wrong with a potato bun.
Reader. This burger tasted weird. Almost..gamey? This is when my lack of a food background really gets to me because I wish I knew how to explain how the burger tasted too Beefy. And it’d be one thing if it was a joint that advertised robust, grass-fed pub style burgers. But this is an accessible smash joint that’s open late night for stumbling masses - I can’t imagine this is an intentional culinary decision.
In that same NY Post article, the founder Mike Puma says, “I mean obviously it’s a 10 – it’s a perfect burger, but I’d rather other people rate it.” I’m sorry to be the voice of dissent, Mr. Puma, but the Gotham Smash is far from a perfect burger. Congrats on the sick name, though. Mike Puma. That rules.
I’m placing Gotham Burger Social Club at number 25, under Schnipper’s and above Bernie’s because hey, at least the sauce and toppings created a yummy bite on their own.
This one did make me pumped to try K.O. Burger, another smash spot that tops their burger with jalapeños! You can check the details on that spot and everything else I’ve still yet to try when you upgrade to a paid subscription today!