The best burgers in New York City can be found on the Lower East Side where Mike Puma opened his Oklahoma-style smash burger joint. New Yorkers can stop by Gotham Burger Social Club to grab a mouthwatering but reinventive bite of traditional midwestern cuisine without ever having to leave the Big Apple!
Puma’s burger joint is a perfect addition to the culinary culture of the Lower East Side. Just a few blocks up from the Essex market and the Delancey subway station, Gotham Burger has asserted its status as one of the must-try stops on any foodie’s itinerary.
The moment you walk in you can smell the smash burgers cooking on the grill and can even see the cooks working just behind the counter. It is inviting, non-pretentious, and reasonably priced with burgers ranging from $9 to $14, qualities that are hard to find in Manhattan.
Gotham Burger has a rather unconventional history compared to many of the other traditional restaurant stories that you hear. “We did pop ups for almost four years before we ever even opened the doors here,” Puma said. It has always been his priority to just serve the food without any frills or extravagance while maintaining the quality of his smash burgers. Having started in the midst of the pandemic with so much uncertainty in the food industry, the pop-up concept allowed freedom and experimentation with the burgers before ever signing a lease on an actual brick-and-mortar restaurant.
During the pandemic he was inspired to feed servicemen and firefighters who were struggling or simply needed support. He has always been motivated to give back to New Yorkers in need whether they be volunteers working at animal shelters or simply anyone in need of charity. “It’s always important to give back, there is always a community that is in need.”
As a self-described foodie, he began his burger making journey simply by reviewing and rating the best burgers in the city before eventually taking his knowledge into his own hands and beginning Gotham Burger Social Club. By building upon a traditional concept like the Oklahoma onion burger and really making it his own, he managed to attract hordes of customers during the precarious climate that the pandemic presented.
“It’s taken New York by storm, it’s amazing how many places are doing them. We put our own signature twist on ‘em and always try to elevate the experience to make it your own and people seem to enjoy what we’re doing.” Puma has plans to grow Gotham Burger and continue feeding New Yorkers but until then you can try out their famous smash burger at 131 Essex St.
