Black Napkin

It didn’t occur to me there is usually a line here, until I saw what was written on the window. We came during mid-afternoon, not a lot of people out and about. The Google reviews sold me, as they usually do. A chance to try something new & different, we picked this spot vs a bunch of other options for: -small, fast menu -to-go -close to the highway -4.9 stars Never could I have imagined the magnificence of the rusty dusty fries omgosh, I could’ve just eaten fries and that’s it. They are crunchy on the outside and perfectly soft in the middle. As soon as I opened the bag I could smell the EVOO and paprika. Such a beautiful, warm scent. Thankfully I did get a sandwich, le college dropout. My first time having a Michigan smash burger was better than expected. It was a nice change bc you could experience the toppings as well as everything else. Love arugula, will order anything arugula is in! The single patty was enough for me - I still have half my fries which will re-heat beautifully in the air fryer. The sodas were fantastic. I drank the whole thing before even considering taking a pic. What my husband and I both noticed is they don’t fill your cup up with ice first. The drink lasted a little while (half my meal) and that’s not usually the case. Thanks for the wet naps also, those were a lifesaver while getting back onto the road to finish our roadtrip.

From the fresh, locally made bread to the locally sourced popsicles, everything here is bursting with flavor! The Smashburger was on a whole new level… JUICY …juicy, perfectly seasoned, and paired with crispy fries and homemade dipping sauces that were out of this world. Even the made-in-house soda was delicious and refreshing. While you can EXPECT A LONG LINE. You can also EXPECT One of the best burgers full flavor I’m going say these are gourmet burgers! #Facts “I ain’t even lying!” Service was excellent, we were seated and served in about 10 minutes, which made the whole experience even better. This place is the kind of spot you’ll want to come back to again and again (and I definitely will). Totally worth the trip every day of the week!

Don’t know why anyone would give this place less than 5 stars. It is so good. Maybe people don’t understand what a smash burger is, it is supposed to be crusty and crispy on the edges. Those are the best parts. If you don’t like them, then smash burgers aren’t for you. Stick to pub burgers without crispies. When we got there, the line was wrapped outside and around the building. It was a nice day, so I didn’t hate waiting, but it was about a 30-40 minute wait from start to getting our food. the place is super tiny inside too, only four small high-top tables in a very cramped loud area (didn’t love that, hence the 4 starts for atmosphere). When we got to the front of the line the lady taking our order was so nice. Patient while my kids ordered and we figured out the menu. Also offered us off menu items for kids like the “lil Wayne” small smashburger. I got the classic double and it was fantastic! Got so full I couldn’t finish it. My husband got the Senior Ding Dong burger and he loved it! Said the special sauce was very good! I also got the Olive Mayo which was yummy, would have been great on the burger but I just dipped my fries in it. My kids all got lil Wayne’s and we got the rust fries and sea salt. My husband got the pistachio drink and my son got the bottom drink on the menu, lol I don’t remember the name. They were different that’s for sure. Wish we lived closer, it was so good! Took about 15 minutes to get food after we ordered.

Oh their burgers are GOOD. I walked up and there was a short line, not an overly long wait. The line grew very quickly! They have handcrafted pops/sodas. There are two fries, one with a season - I ordered it, for me it was too much, it was tasty but after a while it was competing with the burger. Good to split. I ordered the regular fries as well and they were very tasty with the sauces. I will surely return.

There are places you go where formal dining experiences are had and then there are places like Black Napkin. A quaint burger joint with a small lobby with tons of character, but nothing but love and warmth pouring over the counter. The slaps were sold out, the popsicles only has a few flavors left, but the food was hot and the smiles were friendly. The line here wrapped around the building but it was more like a hug for the community than a long wait. I'd have waited longer. We took pictures, joked, laughed and waited... In the moment. Once inside, the staff was attentive and kind. There weren't any open tables and that was okay. We ate back at our car where we were all speechless as the tastes we consumed. The fries were, quite possibly, the best fries I have ever had. The crispy edges on the burger melted on you tongue and the popsicles exploded with flavor. I loved this place in every way. It made me feel so many things. And if you took the time to read the signs outside the door, every little note in small font, these people care deeply for their patrons and their coworkers. They want to see success where it matters and fill the space with a love of burgers and chicken sandos. So good, I can't wait to tell everyone AND come again. The two hour drive was worth it.

The burger was good.little heavy on the sauce,pickles on bottom was where it was kicking. The hot and sticky chick sando was very flavored,chick could've used a bit more seasoning,but it was very tasty.

This place is amazing. Burgers, awesome! Fries, delicious! Homemade soda, great! Popsicles, finger-lickin'! Only downsize is it is small, not much room to sit. But the service was great, and food amazing! By far, my new, favorite new burger place!

This was our first time visiting the black napkin. It only seats, maybe 8-10 people, but as we are in line, I notice that most people just pick up their order to go. The employee running the counter was very helpful, being our first time and was very personable. Our food order was complete and about 10 minutes. We both had the big malcolm burger, ruby redfresca, one order of rust fries with sun-dried tomato mayo & one order of original fries with olive mayo. Everything was delicious! We both fought another drink to try and take home. They also have a large selection of homemade popsicles.

While visiting my family, on their must do list for us this trip, was visiting Black Napkin. A casual, high traffic, small takeout only burger spot (few small tables inside). To make it even more exclusive. You have to order in person, no calling ahead or pick up orders. They clearly have a a great rep as they seem to have a consistent line wrapping around their building, which I think is par for the course (sounds scarier than it is, or does move at a reasonable pace.) They're open Wednesday's through Saturday's or until they sell out, which they did this fine holiday weekend! On to the important stuff: They have a lean line up of burgers, chicken sandwiches and a few weekly specials, a variety of seasoned fries, homemade pops and popsicles. You can get the burger as a single, double or triple. I opted for Le College Drop Out burger, that came with a delicious tomato jam, arugula, caramelizes onions and grand cru cheese. Two words: Chefs kiss*! Classic smash burger thinness, gooey cheese and lots of flavor. I highly recommend getting at least two patties, as they're only 3 oz each, which is honestly my only gripe, a single should have at least 4 oz for the price, but I regress. On to the fries, honestly I can't describe how good these fries were. They are generously seasoned, flavorful, crispy potato perfection. Don't hesitate, just order! They have lightly salted or a few specials seasoning blends including kimchi and white cheddar, rust, which is a combination of paprika, coriander and garlic or salt and red wine vinegar and of course a line up of dipping sauces to pair. I do wish each fry came with one, as they are extra, but still worth it. I also tried my sister's pop and it was very good, so if that's your jam definitely get one! Everything traveled so well too for our 20 minutes back home, including the fries. The vibe of the place is super fun, artsy and friendly service to match. They do check the line periodically as well, to make sure no one waits for a sold out disappointments. I don't know if it's a "quick" bite spot with their rep, so plan accordingly, but if you got a little time or don't mine waiting, it's definitely a burger worth getting! I'll be back Black Linen!

Black Napkin is the place for an incredible smash burger. They also serve chicken sandos but we'll have to wait for our next visit to try the chicken. Black Napkin is a tiny place with a very chill vibe. The line goes out onto the street and wraps itself around the building. Kinda feels like Disneyland. The anticipation is overwhelming. But the wait is worth it. Ordered a double 'Le College Dropout' smash burger. My partner in crime ordered a single 'Fussy Hussy' smash burger and an order of 'Rust' french fries. To wash it all down was a 'White Peach Lemon Fizz' hand crafted soda. Get to that website to get all the ingredients for these dishes. All I can say is OMG. It was all better than good and everything is more than you can imagine. Make it an adventure. Wait in the line. Order your food like a boss and you'll never be satisfied with any other. Yes...it's that good!

Was visiting GR for the weekend and stopped in! Recommended by a local and glad I went. Line was about 20 minutes long and there are only a few tables inside, so expect a wait or plan to take it to go. Staff was unreal -- seriously some of the friendliest people I've ever met. Everyone there made you feel like the most important person in the world. I had the double Big Malcolm burger. Solid smash burger, super thin patties and nicely topped. A little too salty for me, but still good. Added onions and liked the extra crunch. The salt n red wine vinegar fries were awesome -- hot, crispy, fresh cut. Tried a few sauces too (50 cents each) and they were all solid. Had a ruby red fresca to drink, kind of Squirt-adjacent but better. Finished with a popsicle, which was a fun little treat. Worth the stop if you're in town.

I'M In LOVE.!! I will never settle for a regular fast food burger ever again. The Service was so warm and inviting, literally the lady who rung me up had a sweet and warm smile. The ambience is a vibe. The burger was out of this world. Everything was so fresh and the fries. Taste like someone crushed up. Pringles and LAYS potato chips made mashed potatoes out of them, THEN FRIED THEM. Don't even get me started on the sun-dried tomato ranch. I'm hoping in the near future they sell this in jars.

The food was good. The star of the show was the fries - fantastic seasoning and crispiness. We also loved the soda they make - we tried the guava and peach one. One was more sweet than the other and they were fantastic when mixed. We tried the le collage dropout, big Malcom and basic bish. My favorite was the le collage dropout. My husbands favorite was the big Malcom. Dont be discouraged because there is always a line but they move pretty quickly. We might of waited 30 minutes total to order and for the food.

This was our first time trying black napkin and we've heard great things about them but never had the chance to try them until recently. I don't know why we waited so long to try this place out. Hands down one of the best burgers we've had! The patties were so fresh and flavorful! The fries were well seasoned and fried to perfection.

Service was great the ladies in the store were very nice. The location and space inside was decent for size . Food was actually seasoned unlike a lot of places in gr you can tell the difference :)

Easily my FAVORITE burger spot in all of Grand Rapids! This tiny spot almost always has a line of people waiting to get in because it is just THAT good. If you don't believe me, you gotta go check it out. Their menu is pretty standard with some classic burger options where you can choose between a single, double, or triple patty. The burger patties are from Michigan craft beef and smashed very THIN. Thin and crispy around the edges! I freaking love it and crave it and think of nothing else when I want a smashburger. They also have chicken sandwiches that are phenomenal and their fries are out of this world with different dipping sauces to choose from. It's amazing. Every week there seems to be either a burger or chicken sandwich special and sometimes both so keep and eye out for that on their chalkboard or socials. The sodas are made in house, and the Golden Cola is my go-to. Absolutely divine and so tasty! When you walk inside there are some small tables set up for you to eat but mostly this place is meant for takeout. And they have cool decor and some merch for sale. Almost forgot to mention they have some popsicles too! I'm always so focused on the burgers. But beyond that, the people working behind the counter are just so kind and the best gems! They always make you feel so good before you leave. Check this place out!

The black napkin is definitely a place to check out if you're in the area! Their burgers are absolutely delicious! It was definitely worth the 20 minute wait! Their burgers are large, yet perfectly thin and crispy! You should also check out their homemade drinks, the peach fizz was the best! We will definitely be in again!

I finally got to try Black Napkin after hearing every single person I knew rave about it. And it did absolutely live up to the hype. I'm a big fan of local art, and the local art dispenser was so great to see upon entering. The staff is incredibly warm and inviting as well and knowledgable. I got the "basic bish" chicken sandwich with no shredduce. The chicken was super crispy and moist even after a car ride home. I also ordered the "rust" fries which were HEAVILY seasoned which was phenomenal. The fries were the highlight of the meal! My fiancee got the special burger "dr funkenstein" which had kimchi and gochujang mustard. He said it was really good! I'd definitely like to come back here and try the other menu items.

Wow, the smash burger was the smashyist and the most crispy burger that I have ever had. I ordered the olive burger and it was great. I also doubled down on the fries with olive sauce. What a great place for this neighborhood. Luv'd every minute of my visit. The staff are awesome and so friendly; they kept checking in with each customer to make sure the experience was superb. I need to try one other their fried chicken sandwiches on the next visit.

Service: take out service only however phone number was not easily found on website. Hmmm?!? Food: Burger was decent but the fries?!? OMG THE BEST FRICKEN FRIES IVE EVER HAD. I was supposed to share but I don't think much was left for my brother. He did tell me the chicken sandwich is better. Ambiance: again, it's a take out spot with very little seating.

Great smash burger spot in GR! There is almost always a line out the door, but the service is really pretty quick and very helpful. It's very small inside so we usually pick your food up to go home but when we stopped by we managed to grab a small table and ate inside. Their fries are always fresh and super crispy, they have a lot of fun flavors and sauces to try. I got the classic smash burger and it was great - will definitely continue to come back for more. Would love if they got an order ahead feature or became offered on food delivery services to avoid the long lines in the future.

This isn't your typical burger joint...this is like art! Many fun combinations of foods to make a medley of flavors in your mouth. Our server was perky and serious at the same time. Very friendly and helpful. It was a fun experience to pick from their imaginative menu. It isn't an extensive menu but everything was well thought out. I ordered the Hot and Sticky chicken sandwich (so many sauces and a turmeric slaw made this sandwich aptly named) and my husband ordered Le College Dropout (and inventive hamburger with high hopes). Both were absolutely mouth watering and wonderful! We had the kimchi fries which were also delicious. I wanted to try their different drinks and chose the Ruby red and The Cola drink (the name eludes me). Not sure what they put in the drinks but I loved them. The place doesn't have many places to sit, but I noticed that most people would get their food to-go. It's a quirky joint and that's part of what makes it a great place to be.

Easily the best burger in Grand Rapids! Go here. The kimchi fries are fantastic. Get a house made soda while you're at it!

Very simply. The best burger in Grand Rapids in my personal opinion. Staff is super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I would 100% take the advice of the staff member at the counter when they ask you if you'd like recommendations on sauces. The vibe is super dope as well.

literally the BEST smash burger in town. add some fries (rust dust is my fav) and you will be in the most blissful food coma.

As a vegetarian I am very impressed with both the impossible burger actually being made into a smash burger! I actually will get a double next time! Also the veggie chicken sandwich with the chicken cutlet was very good! Love that almost everything on the menu can be made for me and the fries were very good! We'll be back soon!

Great burgers here place is always packed and there's a reason for that. they're gonna be a little sloppy but boy they are good

I was recommended this place by a guy in my culinary class and BOY and I glad I tried it! The line out the door was more proof of how good it would be! I ordered the classic burger with salted fries and I wish I could eat them for every meal. I will be back! My only thing is that there is no seating but I had no problem taking it to go!

Absolutely worth the hype! The double burger special was so good. Great flavor. Smash burger to perfection. The fries were awesome along with the sun dried ranch dipping sauce. Near place that backs up quick, but worth the wait. Staff were great. Don't miss out.

The best burgers and fries in the city. Hands down. My parents were also impressed! Everything from Black Napkin hits the spot. Small local businesses like this make Grand Rapids so special.

Black Napkin has been on my list of places to try since the day they opened and I am soooo glad I finally had an opportunity to go! I wish I went sooner! Easily one of the best burgers in Grand Rapids. I went for a pretty basic/classic meal but I feel like just getting regular fries and normal cheeseburger is the best test of a burger restaurant. It was so ridiculously good and now I want this meal every day haha. I also got a side of the olive mayo to dip my fries in and this was so tasty and good as well. I love that this is just a takeout place because it makes for a quick and easy in and out. They were super quick from point of ordering to getting the food and the woman that was working the register was literally so nice! The burger was HUGE so you're definitely getting what you pay for. I would probably go for a single patty next time, just personal preference, but I cannot wait to try every other sandwich they have on the menu.

We got to Black Napkin the other week, and it was a TREAT. I ordered le college dropout burger and Derek got a chicken sandwich that was on special. I LOVED my burger. Not only was the flavor great, but the smash patties were sooooo thin! I got mine as a double, but honestly I would've been fine with one. The patties are thin, but they're pretty wide. Derek's chicken sandwich was also good, but I'm interested in trying more burgers We took our food to-go (seating at Black Napkin is limited!) and ate on the patio of Pux Cider. We also got an Any Colour You Like pop from Black Napkin, and not gonna lie, I was skeptical. How much can you really improve a popsicle? But once I tried it, I was pleasantly surprised- literally the best popsicle I've ever had in my life. If you're gonna check out Black Napkin, be prepared to wait a bit! It was BUSY on a Friday night! 100% worth the wait though!

I'll keep it brief: I loved the red vinegar fries but was underwhelmed on the smashburger. I got the double patty and while I get it that smashburgers aren't going to have thick slabs of hamburger, I felt I could barely taste any burger. So for me, the burger was too thin. We tried the regular and the cumin/spicy fries too, and I didn't love the spicy fries but the regular are ok. Would for sure get the red vinegar ones again. We both got burgers but would like to try the chicken sandwich next visit.

Great little gem! Staff great! Helpful and informative. French fries and sauces were perfect! Burgers were delicious! Thank you and we will be back!

I don't know why it took me so long to try this take away burger joint, just outside the heart of Grand Rapids. Located at the corner of Fulton and Damond, you can stand in line and get one of the best burgers in town. Parking sometimes a challenge there so just plan for that. There will also be a line, but I think that's a sign good food. The space gives off diner vibes, but it's very small inside because it is take away only. Once you get inside, they played some fun house music which added to the overall aesthetic. The staff knew what to do with the long line, and they were all very courteous. The menu is small, and features smash burgers, french fries, and chicken sandwiches. They also have homemade sodas and Popsicles. I thought the price is for everything on the menus was very fair. The burgers and fries were hot, and fresh, I got a double, because I didn't know how hungry I'd be, and it was more than enough to fill me. I also got a side of their regular salted fries and I was satisfied. Will 100% return, and maybe just get a single next time so I'm not in a food coma after my meal. 5/5!!!

The best. Burgers, chicken sandos, fries (especially the vinegar ones), popsicles...it's all the best! So worth waiting in line, I have never once been disappointed. Converted me into a burger lover!

This place has their poop in a group!! The sandwiches, the sodas, and the popsicles are beyond amazing!! This place is the absolute best!!

The line was long but it was worth the wait. The burgers and fries were amazing. Very tasty. I would 110% recommend getting food here.

insanely good food. i got the le college dropout burger as a double. the sweetest kindest lady at front even asked if i needed a gluten free bun before i asked for one! i asked for no cheese as i also have a dairy allergy, and she explained they use butter on the bun to crisp it up and they could use avocado oil instead if i would like. i didn't even say i had a dairy allergy yet, and she was so attentive and friendly!!! so so so caring! the fries are not gluten free, just a heads up! but the burger was insane and perfect and i will most certainly be back soon!! i also tried the home made cola, such a unique and tasty drink. give it a try when you visit! :)

After hearing numerous rumors from the Gen Z underground, I decided to venture into the world of supposedly overpriced, overhyped, 30 minute wait time fast food. And I was astounded. The place is a shack. Maybe room for eight people to sit down, and at the wee hours of 5:45pm on a Thursday, there was already a line out the door as I arrived. $34 and a mere sub-10 minute wait later, I was blessed with two chicken sandwiches, two orders of fries, and two little cups of their tomato basil ranch. The hot, sweet and sticky chicken sandwich lived up to its name, delivering tangy and spicy peaks to cut through the fatty, oily fried chicken thigh. Topped with a turmeric slaw to provide a complimentary crunch to the crispy and surprisingly thick layered batter, and the basil Mayo tied everything together with a little green bow. While it's not the best in GR (the Commons has it locked down at the moment), it was still delicious and, frankly, everything you can expect from a chicken sando. "The incogmeato chicken sandwich was really good too!" - my vegetarian girlfriend. But the star of the show - and I'd never thought I'd say this about a restaurant - is the mf fries. I ordered both the plain and the Rust fries, and by god was I blown away. The rust fries are like Hopcat's crack fries but if the fries did Fentanyl instead of crack. See my only photo below to reference the legit tablespoon of residual seasoning at the bottom of my fry boat. Heaps of powerful and vibrant flavors and aromas barraged my tastebuds with every. Single. Bite. Heck, even the plain fries were delicious. Is this place convenient? No. Is it cheap? Certainly not. Will you see Michigan's highest concentration of small beanies within 100 square feet? Yes, and it was 65 degrees when I went. But will it deliver a unique and delicious take on America's most famed and honored cuisine? You'd better believe it. The Black Napkin is whack packin some of the tastiest takeout in west Michigan as of 2024. I will certainly be trying everything on the menu within the next year, as whoever is crafting these meals is on to something special.

This is worth the hype. We were blown away. Just asked the server "what's your fav?" She listed two choices "Yeah we'll have that and that" Fries were amazing too. Flavor combinations are top tier

This place has amazing burgers, sandwiches and fries! The creative combinations of flavors are amazing. I had the Big Malcom smash burger single and it was amazing! I'll never eat a Big Mac again! The fries were also amazing with creative dipping sauces. My friend & I were extremely pleased and will be back often. Small dining space but most just get take out. Fast service and super friendly!

This is a small take-out place that makes awesome smash burgers! I really liked the vibe when I went in. Very nice workers and quick service. Lots of cool variations and options. If you're in GR, you should really check it out.

I haven't personally ordered but when my mom in law has me look at the menu and pick something she loves the place and I've yet to be disappointed in anyway. She swears by it so I will too.

Service: 5 stars. Have an odd name, they even ask how to spell it to get it right. This seldom happens. Super kind folks. And attentive. The food: easily the best hamburger I have had. Perfect seeded bun. Hamburger is seasoned well and perfectly crispy. Great fries. And the pistachio orange blossom soda is my all time favorite. Not a huge soda fan (or pop as yall call it) but I love theirs. Perfect option for on the go or try to grab one of the few tables they have.

Just a bunch of reviews of their features from the past month! I'd highly recommend trying their features if they sound good to you (they're limited time!). Service was EXCELLENT as always, love the staff at this place. If you have questions about literally anything on the menu, they will help you and provide good recommendations. EL VIAJE MISTERIOSO - they really sauced me up with this one. The black bean chipotle mayo was 100% the star of the show. It reminded me of when Panera Bread was actually good and they would use that absolutely delicious chipotle mayo on their sandwiches. Also, I'm a total sucker for picked onion so of course I was going to be crazy about this burger. NAGINI - AMAZING. Such a strange combination of toppings but it worked so well. American cheese (I hope you know what that tastes like) and the smoky ssamjang mayo made this sando absolutely incredible. Strangely enough I think my favorite part about this sando was the sesame carrot daikon slaw. It tasted like one of those Asian salads and gave it some nice texture. NO TIME FOR LOVE DR JONES - coconut tomato curry and chili lemon mayo on a chicken sandwich? Sounds like heaven. The curry really was the star of the show - it tasted like a very creamy tomato soup. It was quite literally dripping off the sandwich. Peanuts gave it a nice crunch. Didn't get much mint flavor but the mayo spread gave it a nice citrus zest. Loved it. I FEEL LIKE IM GOING TO DREAM TONIGHT - probably my least favorite feature/item in general from this place. That's not to say it was bad - it sure as hell wasn't. My main issue is that it was a bit dry and lacking in flavor compared to their other items. Maybe I just didn't get enough of the brandy onion jam on mine but I really could only taste the patties and onions. That combined with the fact that it didn't have any cheese just made me not a huge fan of this feature.

Discovered Black Napkin last winter doing a Yelp search for highest rated reviews in the general vicinity. They kept popping up so I bookmarked them. Finally gave them a go and have been back a couple of times since when I am in the area as I travel for work. This small shop place makes some of the best smash burgers and fries I've ever had. No joke. It's the little things that count too, and another thing I love about this place is they have these dipping sauces made in-house. My favorite is the Thai Basil Mayo - - and I've had basil mayo before but it's never been as good or impressive has theirs. Wow! Nice strong basil flavor and you can tell they put the love into it. Their fries are so good as they have some unique offerings you cannot get anywhere else. I love the Rust seasoning and the Salt n Vinegar is a close 2nd place. Kimchi White Cheddar is pretty solid too, but Rust and S&V take the cake for me. They are so crispy and quality good that I can never skip the fries when I go here (which I do on a regular basis at other burger spots). The Big Malcolm is my go-to burger and I always upgrade to the double patty. I will try the single version next time just to see if that is enough to satisfy me, but Malcolm never fails! I liked the Fussy Hussy too - their version of the Olive Burger. There are plenty of olives in it and as the flavor doesn't get lost due to excess mayo, theirs is a perfect balance. I will eventually try the College Dropout but there's a lot going on and I have to be in that kinda mood. The Hot Sweet & Sticky Chicken Sandwich was phenomenal! There is no Chicken Sandwich out there like this - especially the glaze. I had this last time and wow - full of flavor and a nice big piece of chicken too. I want to try the Basic Bish too. My food has always come out hot and fresh, and even though I get it to-go I never can leave without first opening it up and getting a few bites right off the grill. Same with the fries. By then I've eaten half of it and then I think I can leave now and have the rest at home. My burger is always perfectly cooked, never dry or overcooked or burned. Even though they get busy with a line you don't have to wait that long to get your order. They do a great job back in the kitchen in completing your order in a timely manner. They also make soda the old fashion way and have a few unique refreshing drinks which I have yet to experiment with. The owners here are really nice people, very customer service oriented, professional and courteous. Even though they are busy he will walk out from behind the counter to your table and personally give you your order, and he will also come back and check in with you (if you dine in) to ask how your food was and if there's anything else you need. Great customer service and exceptional quality. I have yet to find a burger place in GR or surround areas that comes close to matching the quality and wow-factor here.

Food was on point! Smash burger was a 10 out of 10, the fries crispy and tasty, chicken sando was out of this world! Service was fast and friendly. It's just take out or a few seats for dine in.

I had been hearing about this place and wanting to try it for a while. We finally got there and it did not disappoint. We arrived and the line was out the door and around the corner. The place is small and has a couple tiny tables inside. Staff was friendly and didn't rush us while ordering. After a short wait we ordered Le College Dropout and one of the specials, the Italian Stallion. In addition, we ordered the salt-n-red wine vinegar fries, a ruby red Fresca, and sparkling blueberry lemonade. The drinks were refreshing and tasty. Everything was delicious! I have to say Le College Dropout was the best burger I've had in Michigan. We will be back for sure. I'd even consider standing outside in a snowstorm in January for this burger.

Man, do they know what they're doing!! It was our first time last night and we move out of GR tomorrow... don't be like us!! This place has been on our list for a couple of years but we don't do take out very often. Geez we've been missing out! We both had the Le College Dropout (mine with a smashed Impossible burger) and they were phenomenal. I am very sensitive to overly salted food so I was weary with all those toppings but they were blissfully harmonious and perfectly seasoned! My partner almost ate allll of his Rust dusted fries on the way home because they were so good. I also had a London Fog popsicle while we waited, primarily because I've been wanting to try one of their pops for as long as I've known about their burger spot! That's actually how I found about this place so don't sleep on those bad boys when you go! We may just have to go back again tonight to make up for lost time and try their fried chicken sandwiches... Super fast & friendly service too!!

Finally made it here! Have been trying to stop by many times but in the summer the lines are quite long and since there is no ordering online/calling ahead and orders must be placed in person, it can make it very challenging especially if you have kids. We got there right around 11:30 and there were already 4-5 parties ahead of us, some eating inside with the limited seating present, and some to go. Tried Le college drop out on a GF bun and it was delicious. The best GF bun I've had at a restaurant yet and only $1 extra. The patties while thin are quite large. All of the fixings on this burger work so well together and it's delicious. Husband got the hot sweet and sticky chicken sandwich. It was not very hot, and quite sticky. Chicken was tender and overall it was a delicious mess to eat. We just tried the regular salted fries since we had a toddler with us and she gobbled them up as well as various parts of our meal. Of note, the fries are not GF. We did try eating there (which was a mistake with a toddler) and she sat on our laps since we didn't trust her on a stool. As expected - there are no high chairs, there'd be minimal room for a baby car seat/stroller. Overall, food was a 5/5, price was 4/5 (on the higher side, prepare to spend $15-20 if you get fries and soda). I think it would honestly be better if they made it truly take out only and allowed you to order online/order ahead in general and didn't worry about seating in their small space.

GR Cheeseburger Tour, stop 1: Black Napkin was delicious with their perfectly crispy smashburger patties and their perfect pairing of condiments. And the kimchi and white cheddar custy dust fries were amazing! My son had the "Le College Dropout" burger and I had the Big Malcom. The special sauce on burger was delicious and had a bit of a spicy heat kick! My ranking for the Big Malcom is: 1. Meat patty quality/taste - 5/5 2. Condiments to patty ratio - 5/5 3. Overall appearance - 4/5 4. Bun quality - 4/5 5. Restaurant ambiance 4/5 (it's takeout, so it's a courtesy ranking) Overall score: 22 out of 25!

The people who work here are so nice -- despite being a small takeout place it's got a fun vibe and it feels cool to have a quirky spot like this in our city. The burgers are very good, but not worth the hour-plus wait. This is my second time visiting, the crazy wait has been true both trips. On this second trip, two of the three burgers we got had hair in them. I won't be making a third visit.

don't understand estimate the size of this restaurant, the flavors of their food pack a big punch! to start off, when you walk in there's very limited seating. we had a group of 8 and took up the half of the restaurant seating. the service was not bad at all for a wednesday night! their housemade sodas were very interesting, flavorful, and unique as well as their sauce options! the portions are pretty good too as we had 2 orders of fries to share with the group. i had the basic bish chicken sandwich which was delicious. i also tried a bite of the featured sandwich johnny tsunami which was good too. i would love to come back to try their popsicles and try a different burger. if you're looking for some good burgers and fries and need it to go, check this place out!

EASILY the best burger I've had in a long time. If you combo what it takes to have a great burger: size, proportionality of bun and toppings, quality of ingredients, and flavor, it nailed it all. I had the special a few weeks back along with my partner that ordered the "le college dropout." We each had a soda, a popsicle, and split the rust dusted fries. The line was out the door the entire time we were waiting to order and waiting for the meal. The fries were WAY BETTER than Hopcat's crack fries, which in my opinion, are incredibly overrated. They're good, but not anywhere near the best. While I have not tried a couple of the other grand rapids staples as far as burgers go, I doubt they will reach the creativity and taste this meal brought to the table. Remember, they're FUNKY. And that's always a compliment.

Black napkin was overhyped for me. I heard raving reviews on their smash burgers and was let down once I tried for myself. Ordered the classic and my first reaction: this is super salty. The patty is thin (being a smash burger) so over-seasoning can happen easily. The bun to patty ratio was skewed also, so you may wanna double or triple up. Took a bite of the hot, sweet, and sticky chicken sandwich which was underwhelming. It was not spicy nor sticky really. It is on the sweet side. Had the flavor of curry from the tumeric and a slight bitterness from the slaw, but overall had nothing going for it. I will say the chicken was tender at least. The fries, though thoroughly crispy in each bite, was over fried to me. Tasted slightly burnt. Ordered the ruby red fresco (grapefruit soda) which was true to grapefruit. Tart and bitter with some sweetness. It would taste better sweeter in my opinion. Overall, decent place to get burger/sandwiches, but I had higher hopes for it.

I've been hearing a ton about Black Napkin and I was super excited to finally try it out! They have a ton on their menu: burgers, fries, chicken sandos, sodas, popsicles, etc. They also have vegetarian/vegan and gluten free options too if you have any dietary restrictions. We ordered the Le College Dropout burger and the Salt-N-Red Wine Vinegar fries. Both were super delicious and flavorful! Be prepared to wait in line, especially on the weekends! The line moved pretty quickly, and it definitely was worth the wait.