Bronson’s Burgers

"The owners of Wayla and Kimika have closed their burger shop on Mulberry Street. Bronson’s Burgers, named after a dog, opened in 2021. Eater’s critic stopped by in the first month and found that the meat 'lacked flavor' among other flaws. The restaurant was run by Rivers and Hills Hospitality Group. In addition to Wayla and Kimika, it owns the specialty coffee shop Kodawari and the Chinese food stall Lotus and Cleaver." - Luke Fortney

"These days, people love to line up for a smashburger. But Bronson’s doesn’t serve smashburgers, and that’s probably why you can eat here without having to fight through a crowd. Instead of wafer-thin patties, this counter-service spot serves thick pucks of meat on regular or gluten-free buns. Their burgers are some of the best in the neighborhood, and you can easily get a table in the barebones space and enjoy a quick meal while you stare at your phone. We’re also fans of the shakes, which are made with vegan soft serve." - bryan kim

"Everyone's into smash burgers. We are too. Yes, smashed patties have those desirable crispy, almost burnt edges, but the problem is that achieving anything close to medium-rare is pretty much impossible. At Bronson's Burgers in Nolita, the burgers are relatively small in diameter, with thick, juicy patties. (Think of them as super-sized sliders.) You do all of your ordering on your phone here, and every burger is highly customizable with options from a sunny side up egg to pico de gallo and chili. We don't like to overcomplicate things, so we order the signature Bronson's Burger with cheddar, pickles, and plenty of caramelized onions (which make every bite a little sweet) on a brioche bun from Balthazar. We love their crispy skinny fries, which are very reasonably priced at $3, but the cheeseburger hash brown balls are disappointingly bland. The burgers are deceptively filling, but if you have some room for dessert, end your meal with one of their milkshakes or a root beer float." - Kenny Yang

"“It wouldn’t even matter if someone were to open next door,” which nearly happened a month after he opened, when Bronson’s Burgers landed in nearby Nolita." - Luke Fortney

"Not yet two weeks old, Bronson’s Burgers is named, not after movie star Charles Bronson or rapper Action Bronson, but supposedly after a dog. It’s a project of Rivers & Hills Hospitality, the outfit behind Kimika and Wayla, though this place bears no resemblance to either. The burger dubbed “classic” ($12) is a compact affair, with a great bun that sits up high, and a relatively thick patty that’s been expertly cooked so that it’s darkly seared on both sides. Trouble is, the meat lacks flavor. Two other defects plague it: The slice of cheddar sweats like a student taking a test, and the caramelized onions command too much attention, making each bite sweet. The fries ($3) are better than average, and don’t miss the root beer float ($5.50)." - Robert Sietsema