This cozy little diner wraps you in nostalgia with its Formica counter and serves up hearty American classics and delightful desserts.
"Almost everybody at this Gramercy diner gets the burger, which is exactly the kind of burger you’d hope for at a summer barbecue if the person hosting knew their way around a grill. A bonus: you can watch a cook flip the patty, layer it with cheese, then add bacon from a towering plate that sits precariously above the grill. Make it a deluxe with fries, lettuce, tomato, cole slaw, and a pickle, $15.85" - will hartman, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, sonal shah
"The Joe Jr. burger is super economical, a modest diner with an iconic sign (that you’ll see an homage to when you head to Superiority Burger). Go here for an under $10 burger that’s nicely seared on both sides without being turned into the consistency of a potato chip. It’s cheaper than some fast-food burgers served in a more relaxing environment." - Robert Sietsema, Melissa McCart, Emma Orlow
"Joe Jr. is a throwback diner, with a sign so iconic, that it inspired the one at the new Superiority Burger. Around since the 1980s, it offers the most traditional of burgers and fries for under $10. It’s an exceptional deal as the price of burgers continues to climb, with many averaging $25. Take note of the daily specials, and consider the classic Greek diner dishes, too." - Robert Sietsema
"Coffee: $2.30 Almost everybody at Joe Junior gets the burger, which costs $7.30 and is exactly the kind of burger you’d hope for at a summer cookout if the person hosting knew their way around a grill. At this Gramercy diner, you can watch a cook flip the patty, layer it with cheese, then add bacon from a towering plate that sits precariously above the grill—or get a tuna melt, which we like even more. Joe's is tiny, the tables are taken up by returning customers, and the decor consists mostly of things that guests have left behind: Lost glasses hover above the cash register, and forgotten keys hang on hooks over the counter. " - willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, will hartman, bryan kim, neha talreja, sonal shah
"At this low-key diner-coffee shop, frequented by locals and looking blissfully untouched by time, resides one of the city’s best burgers. The no-frills, griddled burger here is crafted from seven ounces of fresh ground chuck. A standard white bun encases the juicy, crumbly patty, which is accessorized with the classics: lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and, if desired, American cheese." - Eater Staff