At Lovely’s Old Fashioned, grab a juicy burger or patty melt at the counter in this cozy, nostalgic 1950s-style joint, complete with unique spiral fries and delicious onion rings.
"No gimmicks. No proprietary sauces. No patties smashed until razor thin. This ’50s-themed spot in Hell’s Kitchen (think tiny Johnny Rockets, but good) serves an impeccably normal burger with lettuce, tomato, and onion on a potato bun. At less than $9, it’s a great deal. Stop by for a solo meal at the counter, and get a side of the corkscrew-shaped fries." - will hartman, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, sonal shah
"Lovely’s Old Fashioned is a luncheonette-like spot on 9th Avenue where you should grab a stool at the 10-seat counter and watch a fry cook in a paper hat work a crowded griddle. The mid-sized burgers on a fluffy potato bun are great, as is the hot dog topped with a heap of fried onions, and the messy mushroom reuben. Remember this place for a quick lunch or a late-night meal at 1am on a random Thursday." - bryan kim, willa moore, neha talreja, hannah albertine, will hartman
"Retro hamburger stand Lovely’s has a window on the street for easy hamburger acquisition, but you can also sit inside at a Formica-clad lunch counter. The burgers might have been made 40 years ago and transported here by time machine: well browned, of moderate size, and juicy. You can also get a patty melt, onion rings, and chocolate chip cookies." - Robert Sietsema, Eater Staff
"Lovely’s offers a spare menu centered on a smash burger with cheese. It’s served on a buttered bun with mayo, pickles, and raw onion by default, and a couple of premium sauces are available for an added cost. Traditional fries can be replaced with onion rings, and there are two desserts on the menu: chocolate chip cookies and bundt cakes." - Robert Sietsema, Eater Staff
"Grab a spot at this 10-seat counter on Ninth Avenue, and watch a cook in a paper hat squish a beef patty onto a griddle next to a mound of thinly sliced onions. Lovely’s Old Fashioned is for when you need something quick and satisfying, with a side of 1950s nostalgia. The offerings are simple and straightforward—burgers, a hot dog, and a few patty melts, including a vegetarian version—and there are no misses. Bring $20, get a side of crunchy onion rings, and finish your meal with a chocolate pistachio bundt cake. " - neha talreja, bryan kim, hannah albertine, sonal shah, will hartman, molly fitzpatrick
