Fat Ronnie’s Burger Bar, best known for serving first-rate Angus beef burgers in Martha’s Vineyard, has officially opened a location in New York City. The long-awaited New York debut is a true homecoming, bringing a 70-year food legacy back to its roots.
This beloved eatery is a fifth-generation, family-owned burger concept founded by native New Yorker Reynaldo Faust, whose family has operated some of Harlem’s most beloved restaurants, butcher shops, and bars since the mid-20th century. From a young age, Faust (affectionately known as “Ronnie”) has worked alongside his grandmother and father, learning and perfecting the craft of burger making. The opening of Fat Ronnie’s in the West Village marks the return of Ronnie’s family business to Manhattan.
The Knockturnal visited the Manhattan location at 303 6th Avenue for a tasting and we were completely blown away by the delicious food, especially the burgers. Fat Ronnie’s Burger Bar specializes in all natural, butcher-grade, pub-style Angus beef burgers that are grilled to order and the results were outstanding. The patties are never pre-made, and nothing is frozen. The meat was perfectly cooked and melted in our mouth. We tried the smoked bacon cheddar burger and the caramelized onion-American burger and both were spectacular. Fat Ronnie’s doesn’t do smash burgers, so the portion size of the meat patty was full-size and huge. Overall, their burgers were flawless and customers can even customize their burgers with over 32 toppings like grilled pineapple and house made sauces. The options are limitless.
Courtesy of Fat Ronnie’s Burger Bar
Their wide ranging menu also offers hot dogs, turkey burgers, CGB-n-Cheese bodega sandwich with chopped ground beef and onions smothered in cheddar cheese sauce, and an assortment of chicken sandwiches, tenders, wings and wraps. The chicken sandwich was truly exceptional. It was perfectly balanced with a thick, craggy, and crunchy exterior with juicy, boneless tender meat, anchored by a soft bun. I could eat this everyday if I could!
Aside from burgers, there’s a plethora of seafood based meals, including fresh Atlantic cod fish sandwiches, Fish & Chips, and a claw-and-knuckle lobster roll that was absolutely sublime. It was fresh, had massive chunks of lobster meat, a buttered and toasted bun and minimal seasoning to highlight the seafood’s natural sweetness. Fat Ronnie’s succulent lobster roll is high-quality and a must-order. You won’t want to miss out on eating this.
The food options don’t end there. The menu also features six varieties of Mac-N-Cheese dishes, including ground beef Mac, Buffalo chicken Mac, BBQ chicken Mac, bacon Mac, four cheese Mac and lobster Mac. Fat Ronnie’s Mac-N-Cheese was packed with flavor and had the correct ratio between the cheese and pasta. It was smooth, velvety, and heavenly rich. It’s the ultimate comfort food and worth getting at Fat Ronnie’s. There’s also vegetarian options that span a selection of salads as well as five varieties of veggie burgers featuring house made sweet potato black bean and quinoa cauliflower patties.
Courtesy of Fat Ronnie’s Burger Bar
The vibe at Fat Ronnie’s Burger Bar is casual with a no-fuss atmosphere. The unassuming space has plenty of seating for dinners to indulge and relax. The employees and management were incredibly friendly and created a seamless dining experience. They maintained a positive and professional attitude making all guests feel welcomed and well-cared for.
Fat Ronnie’s Burger Bar is crushing the burger game and slinging out the best food in a fast casual setting. At the moment, there’s really no comparison in terms of the quality and value of their delicious hamburgers in all of New York City. Eating at Fat Ronnie’s Burger Bar is an excellent culinary experience. You’ll be full and satisfied.
