Mister Dips

"Blink, and this city changes. Bodegas turn into matcha shops. Vacant lots become condos. Laundromats make way for boutique pie stores until everyone eats too much boutique pie and the spaces become CrossFit studios. Which brings us to the William Vale Hotel. It’s in Williamsburg, but it has a rooftop bar worthy of the Meatpacking District and a ground-level restaurant that looks like it was airlifted in from Nolita (with everyone trapped inside). It’s shiny and massive, and pretty soon all of Brooklyn is going to look like this. And if that upsets you, there’s really nothing we can do about it. Although there’s something that might take the edge off. It’s in a trailer in a grassy park directly beneath the William Vale, and it comes with an 80’s soundtrack that makes you want to get a perm, put on a leotard, and do some high kicks. Its name is Mister Dips, and it’s from the same people behind the bar and the restaurant at the William Vale - although it probably cost about half of what those places spent on rugs. Mr. Dips is just an airstream trailer in a park, and they make the sort of food you want to eat outside in summer. Burgers, fries, ice cream - it’s like Shake Shack, but smaller and more fun. They do waffle fries covered in nacho cheese and soft serve dipped in chocolate. And while their burger isn’t quite as good as the one at the Shack, we could still see ourselves choking on one trying to eat it too fast. More importantly, however, Mr. Dips is a feel-good place. It’s cheap, the staff is friendly, and they only play music that could have plausibly been on the Top Gun soundtrack. It makes you feel like you’re back in middle school and thinking about bleaching your tips but are unsure what emotional impact this will have on your Tamagotchi. So if you have kids or you want to feel like a kid, stop by. Walk up to the trailer, place your order, then eat some candy-coated ice cream while you stare at the Manhattan skyline. It’s fun and nostalgic, and, if you don’t look back, you might even forget for a second that you’re standing in the shadow of a fancy new hotel that makes your apartment look like Oscar the Grouch’s second-best trash can. Food Rundown photo credit: Noah Devereaux Double Dip Mister Dips doesn’t do lettuce, tomato, or onion. If you need those things, bring your own in a little ziplock bag. Also, get the double dip. It has two patties, and it’s a relative bargain. Special Dip If you only eat spicy things, get this burger. We prefer the regular one, but you won’t be mad. Although maybe ask them to go easy on the sauce. Green Label As far as veggie burgers go, this isn’t a bad one. There’s something in here that makes it just a little bit sweet, which sounds gross but isn’t. Dirty Dipped Waffle Fries These are waffle fries covered in the same “cheese” they use at movie theaters. They’re good in a way that makes you feel kind of sleazy, and if you’re committed to the nostalgia thing, go for it. Or maybe just get the plain ones. Ice Cream Burger, fries, ice cream. If you go to Mister Dips, you have to get all three. They’ll have a few different types of cones when you go, and you really can’t go wrong." - Bryan Kim

"Inside a 1970s Airstream trailer at the William Vale hotel, Andrew Carmellini (of Locanda Verde, the Dutch, and Lafayette fame) and team keep the vibe loose and delicious by churning out a simple menu of the ultimate comfort food. The burgers, wrapped in a wax paper sleeve, come with a mix of cheese and a special tangy-sweet sauce on a potato bun. (All the burgers are available as singles or doubles.) There's also a veggie burger, made of black beans and mushrooms, and waffle fries. Don't leave without a soft serve—especially the Berry Gibbs, with strawberry, Nilla wafer, and sweet cream, which lives up to all the hype. And yes, there’s a lot of hype."

The Brooklyn Guide

"This Saturday, May 8th, one of our all-time favorite summer spots is reopening at Vale Park at the William Vale hotel in Williamsburg. If you’ve never tried Mister Dips, they operate out of an airstream, which is cute, but the three main draws here are the views of the Manhattan skyline, the smash burgers, and soft serve. The food is all takeout, but there’s a lot of seating. Bring a date who’s down with great fast food, or your kids and a dog. After this Saturday, Mister Dips will be open 12-9pm from Wednesday to Sunday." - Hannah Albertine

"Soft serve is great all by itself. But soft serve from an airstream trailer that comes with a view of Manhattan is even better. This place is right below the William Vale hotel in Williamsburg, and it’s what we think about when we close our eyes and wish for summer." - Hannah Albertine, Emma, Bryan Kim, Katherine Lewin, Hillary Reinsberg

"Mr. Dips isn’t fancy. It’s just a vintage Airstream trailer in Williamsburg where you can pick up a burger, some waffle fries, and soft serve. But you can get that soft serve with a salted peanut butter candy shell, and the trailer is hidden in a grassy park that’s up a flight of stairs beneath the William Vale Hotel. Bring a blanket, and you and your date can share some cheese-covered fries on the grass while you stare at the Manhattan skyline and say cliché things about New York." - Bryan Kim, Katherine Lewin, Hillary Reinsberg