I appreciate the restaurant's stubbornness to not be bought out by some swanky real estate developer. Glad you enjoyed your meal and the great ambience!
Love that James is building a great library of reviews to help us all. I too enjoy the history of landmark restaurants for the atmosphere and hopefully the food tradition continues for many years after! Solid beef flavor, but I think an aged beef burger has that additional complexity make make a great burger!
Looks good James. Sometimes keeping it simple is best. You did leave too many pickles behind lol. Pumpkin pie is one of my favorites. Looking forward to Thanksgiving 🥧
Yeah, I probably should've put a pickle or two on the burger, but it was pretty satisfying as it was. I'm definitely looking forward to Thanksgiving as well.
Wow that burger is pretty much a no frills good old quality burger.....I love simple good old burgers. That story with the restaurant not selling to the developer reminds me of a Mickey Rourke, Don Johson movie. Harley Davidson and the Marlboro man.
Great review- walked by PJClarke’s when I was in town a few weeks ago. Definitely will put it on my list for my next time in town! I think that the show “Mad Men” had a few episodes that both mentioned PJ Clarke’s and/or shot in “P J Clarke’s” (a downtownLos Angeles restaurant doubling for PJ’s) ? Having enjoyed JG Melon’s burger recently, I will try the “competition “!
That looks like a meal you would get a mom and pop joint, an that is a good thing. Buy mom would have charged you 25 if you cleaned your plate and didn't make a mess.
In the 1980's P.J. Clark's was a yuppie hangout for young executives and difficult to get into after work. I went only a couple of times but said the hell with it because of the overcrowded and noisy room. It was not worth it. The hamburg in this video might be tasty but its appearance is bland. Anyway I sure do like this channel and just subscribed... thanks...
I love Original Classic joints from back in the day the burger looked pretty good at least it wasn't frozen patty😂 overpriced yes but it's in Manhattan we pay for the land lease per month anyhow happy eating
Hi James. Thanks for bringing back a fine memory. I ate at the same PJ Clarke's many years ago and completely resonant with your evaluation of the burger and the place. It's too bad that the pumpkin pie was overly cold, but it looked very tasty. I haven't been to Manhattan since the pandemic started but enjoy seeing your escapades about town. Keep up the fine work! Ciao.
I know what you mean. Appearance-wise it's nothing special, but it's still a decent burger and for me, dining in such a historical restaurant was one of the main draws.
The pie was most likely cold because they don't sell as much of it as other desserts and in a hot kitchen, the staff can't take risks. Would have reather seen you review an appetizer instead.
Yeah, if I knew the pie was going to taste like that, I probably would've gotten an appetizer instead, but it was still decent despite the cool temperature.
Thanks James. Excellent narrative on this establishment. My husband says you hit on this food perfectly, always had a good experience there. P.S. I like my pumpkin pie 🥧 on the warm side.
Nice review James. Seems like this restaurant offers pretty good value for the money. I always appreciate your reactions to each meal. Its priceless! Stay well my friend.
Hi James, glad you had good burger at PJ's. I really enjoy the historical details you offer about the building and the famous visitors who have dined there. I 'm not usually a fan of raw onion on a burger.... BUT caramelized onions - Now that's a different story🏆. On a side note i was watching and episode of "Billions" yesterday and they feature a lot of NY restaurants. During one scene they were at Raoul's and I was thinking... where have i seen /heard about this place before? And then i remembered . . it was from your previous review lol! So thanks for all amazing places that you take us!
Thanks for watching! Yeah, I've heard the show features a lot of notable NYC establishments. It's definitely something that I want to watch in the future. I completely agree with you regarding the onions. Caramelized onions or even fried onions are just so much more exciting to me to have on a burger.
Yeah, that's kind of true. Although, P.J. Clarke's offering does come with fries. Even though I liked it, Luger's is far superior in terms of taste and value, but it was at least nice to dine at such a historic restaurant.
I absolutely love vintage buildings with history and charm. You cannot reproduce this kind atmosphere in a modern restaurant. I would take a restaurant like this vs a “follow the crowd” modern restaurant any day. I dislike that almost every restaurant is remodeling into modern and removing all the charm with the mid century vibe. I didn’t like it went it came out then and I certainly don’t like it now. Thank you for bringing us this video.
Thanks for watching! Yeah, I appreciate a restaurant that stays true to their roots and preserves their history. It makes for a much better dining experience.
Every time I watch your videos about restaurants in NYC l travel there and is like visiting the city. The city l always wanted to visit but l never had the chance. Thank you.
Sorry we didn't meet up on Tuesday Oct 31 or Wednesday Nov 1st. We got caught up with our wedding in NYC and ended up running around and didn't have time. Both of us are sad. We will be back in NYC in May for the Westminster dog show. Hopefully, we can meet up with you. Keep up the great videos!!
@@thecrimedog8424 It went pretty well despite the fact that it was very hot the day of the race, and I didn't get the best time. Still, it ended up being a very fun trip and a good experience.
Hey James, trying to decide if I should try the JG Melon burger or the PJ Clarke’s burger. I’m sure they have their differences, good or bad. Which would you recommend ultimately? So far, my fave is the Peter Luger burger, although I still have yet to try the more hyped-up burgers like the one from Nowon, etc. I prefer a simple classic over the saucy, exotic ones. I noticed that JG Melon’s is about $14, and PJ Clarke’s are over $20. I think Peter Luger’s is a great value for the quality, also around $20. I’d rather spend $14 if the JG Melon’s is better than the PJ Clarke’s. So curious to know which one you think is more worth checking out.
I thought of JG Melon a lot when I was having this burger. Both are pretty historical restaurants and serve similar food. JG Melon's burger doesn't come with fries so when you add that to the equation they're both similar in price. I feel like P.J. Clarke's burger was just a bit better, but I would make sure to go to the original establishment. Plus, JG Melon doesn't take credit cards, which is another point for P.J. Clarke's. However, neither of the two restaurants even come close to matching the great taste of Peter Luger's offering, which is a real bargain in terms of price. Even though I think P.J. Clarke's is a bit better, I would still give JG Melon a try if you have a chance.
@@Jamesnu It's a Williamsburg original and has been around a while. It got good press years ago but has flown below the radar for the past few years. It's a real hole in the wall, but it's still really good.
@@MrChristopherMolloy Thanks for letting me know. Even good establishments in NYC can fly under the radar when there's just so much available in the city. I'm looking forward to trying it sometime.
@@Jamesnu Totally fair, but in Canada it's drilled into us that hamburger must be fully cooked so it always freaks me out. If it counts, I eat my steak rare!
@@Turkeyinthehay Interesting! Yeah, I know things like meat temperature can vary from place to place. When I was in Argentina they typically prefer all beef to range from medium to well done. I was definitely an outlier there getting my steaks cooked medium rare.
There's another burger place out in Massapequa, NY called the All American Hamburger Drive - in. Although, it's not actually a drive in. It's a walk up window. The burgers there are amazing and inexpensive. It's been open since 1963. I hope you get to try it some time. Love the videos!
There's a burger place called Piper's Kilt in Eastchester, NY you need to try. There's a place called The Candlelight Inn in Scarsdale, NY for amazing chicken wings. Then you can have a slice of pizza at Sal's Pizza (although they're well known for the Sicilian slice) and a hot dog at Walter's Hot Dogs both in Mamaroneck, NY. I hope you give them all a try.
Great video love PJ Clark's I love these old time pubs Pete's Tavern on Irving place also Toots Shor was like that but no more. I'm going to Le petit Chef this sat and just made reservations for Noksu on Dec 9
Thank you! Yeah, I love the historical feel of P.J. Clarke's and similar restaurants. I hope you enjoy Le petit Chef and Noksu sounds like such an interesting establishment.
I had one of my two bachelor parties at PJ Clarke's on Third Ave (upstairs in Sidecar). Iconic NYC spot and always fun. I agree they have a good/great burger, just not the best. I would rank them behind places such as Minetta Tavern, Peter Luger's, Burger Joint, JG Melon or Joe Jr,....
Nice! For sure! I don't consider their burger to be among the city's best, but it's satisfying, and it was a great experience to dine in such a historical place!
PJ Clarke’s is mentioned a few times in Jacqueline Susann’s novels! Especially in The Love Machine - the main character often drinks and sometimes eats there 😀
@@Jamesnu you should watch the classic movie The Lost Weekend sometime. About an alcoholic writer, Ray Milland, the bar is modeled on P.J. Clarke's. They couldn't film in the real one.
22 bucks to spend for a burger that looks like a bigger BIG MAC IS out of your mind..btw what do you do to pay for all these exp meals..your main hustle..thx
Is an ok Burger, nothing fancy,just has a name from a Fancy Place. But this burger is just an overpriced 5 Guys burger. Didn't impress me at all when I had it. But their stout are really good
Another superlative review, production and presentation. One question: Have you ever considered dialing back that grating background music? It really gets in the way and is honestly annoying. The music in this video sounded like clown car circus music. You're better than this.
Okay, you have "pulled me in once again" & proved you are a "foodie" I can trust. I was born in NYC & was raised on 47th Street & 2nd Ave before my parents moved us to the suburbs. I worked in midtown many years and since I was a salesman enjoyed the lunch & dinner requirements of entertaining clients for business purposes. I am not sure if I was truly a great salesman, but I do know I was a "master" of selecting an appropriate venue for camaraderie & business fellowship!!!! Your assessment of PJ's is "spot on" & valid from your perspective of a "midwesterner". ( no offensive) You know food & you understand restaurants potentials & possible gifts to the public. This is obvious & a "given"!!!! Thank you for sharing this post!
It was a favorite of mine when I lived nearby on E 54th Street & Sutton Place. Burgers were their “trademark” and so convenient for me. Pete’s Tavern was a close second although not as convenient. Great place to catch up with friends.
Nice! I haven't been to Pete's Tavern yet and I just looked it up. It definitely seems like a place that I should check out. Thanks for the recommendation!
Don’t forget The Landmark Tavern on 11th Avenue! Famous for its Fish & Chips and Bangers. Equally as old as PJ Clark’s. Although not gourmet, it definitely is “comfort food”. Legend has that the writer O’Henry who lived nearby wrote “Gift of the Magi’ in Pete’s. Both establishments have an incredible and historical history.
@@russelliott6751 Thanks for the recommendation! Even though I've lived in NYC for 4 years now, there are still clearly a number of special places that I've still got to try.
James, I love going to pubs like PJ Clarkes. Would you you try the food at other historic pubs, not giving 100% of your opinion to the food? I know, I'm going against what your channel is for, however using the same outlook as you did for PJ's?
