Schnack - CLOSED
Categories: Burgers, American (Traditional), American (New), Vegetarian, Hot Dogs [Edit]
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Columbia Street Waterfront District122 Union St
(between Columbia St & Hicks St)
Brooklyn, NY 11231 (718) 855-2879
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner, Late Night
29 Reviews for Schnack
over rated. the food kind of sucks sometimes and it's dirty in there.
but the guinness floats are good.
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Three words: Chocolate Beer Shake! The perfect elixir for 90-degree weather and an even better accompaniment to the delicious burgers and hot dogs served up by this little Red Hook/Carrol Gardens outpost. Schnack's motto is "Hot Dogs and Cold Beer", though sadly they are now B.Y.O.B. This should not discourage from sampling their delicious 1.5 oz burgers-called Schnackies-that are billed as sliders but are actually far more beefy and substantial. The frank selection ranges from Black Angus Beef to Kielbasa and, like the burgers, come accompanied with any range of toppings on the gamut from sauerkraut to jalapeno garlic mustard. The onion rings and cheese fries are also popular, though I didn't try them. All in all, a great place for real simple food and well worth the hype!
Sad word on the street: Schnack is closing soon.
Better get your beer milkshake/Schnack sauce/chili cheese fry fix now.
I'm going to miss those little burgers. Sigh.
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Schnack's burgers are like crack. I'm addicted to them, and I can't decide if it's because they're so deliciously salty, or because of the perfect ratio of burger to bun, or because the burgers are perfectly cooked. I can't decide if they're better than Shake Shack, but the two are neck and neck in my mind. The onion rings are delish as well. The only thing about Schnack is that it can be kind of depressing to be in there - it's always empty. I wonder if since they don't serve alcohol anymore, their business dropped off? It is BYOB though, which I thought would be a huge draw. Ah well, all the more mini burgers for me.
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Oh yeah ! Beer shakes, shoestring fries, sliders double triple quad.
What more could you taste what more can you want?
A trip here from an excursion to Red Hook.
Im hungry 'lets go to Schnack!' - Thats all it took!
Friendly service and open air dining room.
Dirty? maybe. See if I pick up a broom.
Give me your grease, your grime, your food.
Man, that Schack put me in a good mood!
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They have good burgers but were surprisngly snack size small. I ordered the triple burger, really juicy and cheesy.
I liked the chili cheese fries which is a heart attack waiting to happen. Very large portion btw compared to the burgers.
Another large plate of the mac and cheese which was very saucy. I'm more a fan of the baked mac but this was okay. Just didn't like the little diced onions in it.
The restaurant is kinda retro looking. Nothing fancy but the food was overall good. Staff was friendly. I'm just happy I was able to get parking right in front.
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Pretty good burgers and fries. It's another one of the spots I used to order from with my ex (I have a whole list - check it out). Last time I ordered was take out, and the burgers were already cold when I ate them, so I guess that ruined the whole experience for me, but it was still decent and I like the special sauce they put on them. Don't think I'll be making the trip from Manhattan into Brooklyn anytime soon to get a Schnack burger tho.
Little burgers, lots of chioces = good time! Seriously, there's about 315 different combos of toppings on those lovely little patties. I like having all those options. Even the regular kraut and onions is a good choice. But try everything. Try a beer shake too (I mean, if you're going to have a coronary, might as well make it worth the trouble, right?). And when they say "share the side of fries," listen to the man... cuz they're huge. I always enjoy coming here for casual style and reliable food when the burger craving takes hold. I would say that they don't get 5 stars b/c the mac and cheese was very uninspired and kind of bland, but very greasy. Not a good combination. Otherwise, it's great. It has been sadly empty lately and I'm kind of depressed by that, but it means you'll never have to wait for a table or get stuck by the door when it's 50 degrees outside!
To be realistic, my expectations for quality of food nosedive after 11pm... especially on a random wednesday. Well, it was 12:30am Wednesday night, Thursday morning, and the Schnack sliders were simply scintillating. Let's think through the opportunity cost at that moment in time...
a) i could've wolfed down a MickeyD's burger... ugh! I tried this a few days later and I was nonplussed to see them pull the patty out of a metal cupboard probably incubating in their for hours. Yuck!
b) go hungry. but my low blood-sugar yields crankiness and pissed off friends.
c) raid the pantry for old halloween candy. Probably the best BATNA of the group... but still, not the answer.
Fortunately, I had a Schnack Attack. These mini-me burgers get much more expensive as you add on more accoutrements... but they are so gosh-darn cute... you gotta dress them up! Three sliders with cheddar cheese, bacon, guac. Wash it down with some ginger ale.... i might be krazy (yes, that's with a 'k') but i ain't sucking down caffeine at one in the morn.
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I'm tempted to give Schnack a fifth star just for their name. Eet maakes me vant to shpeek in zee cherman agsent chaast vor vun!
-ahem-
Getting past the name and walking in the front door, you enter a bizarre but friendly little diner that has an odd collection of dishes. I opted for a double Schnack Burger with cheese and was not disappointed. Square patties, nice and greasy with melted cheddar on toasted buns.
The fries were tasty and copious and I washed it down with a diet coke. I noticed that they had a collection of sausages on the menu and made a mental note to come back and try some other dishes.
This ain't health food but would I like it so much if it were? I think not.
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damn. how did i miss this place??? sliders are practically my middle name!
as other folks have mentioned, this place closes in about a month and it's a BYOB. but the great toppings on the perfect little sliders and the beer shake are two things you have to try before it closes its doors. otherwise, your life just ain't complete. schnack...you complete me. *sigh*
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This place gets three stars for a few factors. The first is the Schnack attack (it really does a number on me physically). It's a bit dirty (and I have some insider insight) and the service can sometimes be questionable or inconsistent.
I usually stick to the sausages. I get the Jubilat Swojska or kielbasa with kraut but have decided I can no longer endure the Schnack attack.
Most people rave about the Schnackie sliders. I have never had one so can't comment. A surprising factoid is that their vegetarian options are actually pretty good. I've even enjoyed a great fake duck special here.
It's a surprising thing coming from a place that worships meat and grease. And the beer selection is totally acceptable. A tasty Dentergems to wash down that grease. They also are open and deliver later than anyone in the hood.
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We were on mile 4 of an unintentional hike across southwest Brooklyn when we finally stumbled into our final destination, Schnack. Thank god for RC Cola and huge fry baskets. For some reason the place was BYOB so the rumoured beer shakes would have to be passed on. Sweet tea, special sauce and some kick-ass burgers made the night especially grand. Honestly, you'd think that NYC was kicking out all of it's American instituions for other country's cuisines. Schnak's brings hope to the lovers of great burgers.
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Around 10 tonight, I was hungry again, so I ordered in from Schnack, a place I've been meaning to try for some time. I'm sure the food is better in the restaurant than by delivery -- the buns get a little soggy in the styrofoam container -- but the burgers are still quite nice.
I got three single burgers with different toppings on each. The one with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo was not surprisingly the least interesting. In middle was the mushroom and onions burger. Not overly flavorful, but not bad, given the Schnack sauce. And my favorite might have been the one with spicy sauerkraut. An interesting combo!
Add to those a cup of sweet iced tea, and it's not a bad meal. Like White Castle for borderline foodies.
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I am seriously concerned that they are putting something addictive in the burgers here. We stopped by this little diner for some late night grub after a night on the town. The burgers were absolutely insane! I can't tell you why they were so good, but dang they are good. We got the combo (giant Schnack burger, fries, and a drink) and I was completely and overly satisfied.
My friend informed me that they used to serve beer, and the place was always packed until 2 am. Sadly, when we were visiting they seemed to have lost their liquor license??? It was very quiet in there for a Saturday night. It's a pity, because that place would be my destination for some drunken eating.
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On a greasy burger binge, I once convinced my then fiance to drive to Schnack for a late lunch. It has a cute atmosphere (things to color on for kids) with vintage-y stuff but if you really think about it, it's just old and dirty (I remember seeing ripped chairs). But the service was extremely slow here (the place was nearly empty) and the worst part -- there was a dead roach in the soda!
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Sliders, Pabst, good times in Brooklawn.......See for yourself!
What isn't there to like here. Burgers, onion rings, beer, beer shakes? The plain fact of the matter is that Schnack is the perfect place to go and get greasy. It isn't brilliant if you are on a diet, to visit, unless you want to end your diet. For everybody else, I would recommend just about everything. I'm not crazy about their Cuban sandwich, but it isn't bad. It's a little far, but you can catch the bus nearby.
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I love this place....This is the one thing I miss about living in carroll gardens. The fry baskets are amazing and they serve coke from the bottle!
I dont drink but their beer specials are really sweet and they have beer shakes too.
The atmosphere is great. Its cozy and colorful and theres always something to watch on the tube there.
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Schnack is one of my favorite places to eat down in Brooklyn. It is a bit out of the way especially if you are in uptown Manhattan or coming from Staten Island (like me), but if you are already in Brooklyn, you might as go to try this place.
It is located on the edge of Red Hook, but getting here is as easy (depends where you are) as taking the F to Carroll Street, and walking down Union Street past the BQE.
Inside it is pretty cozy, a few booths and tables, warm lighting, usually a game on TV and music playing. A lot of mementos such as Domino Sugar boxes stacked against the walls.
The service is here quick and attentive - they usually give your side dishes first so you don't have to wait around as the rest of your food is being made. Try the fries or onion rings and share with a friend as you wait.
The menu has gotten a tad small in my opinion, but the main draw still remains for me. Schnackies (Slider Burgers), higher quality than a place like White Castle (obviously), the sausages are great as well. I usually get one sausage/hot dog with 2 burgers on the side. This leaves me satisfied upon exiting Red Hook. They have simple beer choices, I've gotten the "Schwag" because of the price, and the risk/reward factor. I believe that the "Schwag" is a rotated beer, because the first time I had it, it was very dark, the second time it wasn't. It may not be the greatest beer at time, but afterwards you'll be having a good time walking to the Brooklyn Promenade. I recommend that walk after Schnacks so you can burn some calories as you gaze at some amazing brownstones.
Anyway, the food is really good, I recommend the Schnackies with whatever your may like on the menu. It could be kielbasa or a chili cheddar dog or RC Cola Ribs...whatever it may be, just try the burgers.
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A great place tarnished only by its location and inconsistency. I would love to give Schnacks 5 stars, but on occasion the food is not so great. Once the fries where so greasy I thought I would need a quadruple bypass right after my meal. I don't put too much weight on this since it only happened to me one time, but it is worth mentioning.
The other major drawback is the fact that Schnack is in the middle of nowhere and can be quite difficult to reach unless you're driving. I personally like the neighborhood, but being so out of the way is really inconvenient.
Aside from these minor annoyances this is a great All-American joint. The co-owner, Harry Hawk, is a nice guy who likes to chat it up with his customers. He's quite the character.
The food at Schnack is very experimental and that's what I love most about this place. From their Beer Shake to their Banana Bread Pudding and even their tiny "Schnackie" burgers this burger joint oozes with creativity. I admire their ever-changing specials which always surprise and have not yet disappointed. Currently, for the summer, Schnack is offering RC Cola Ribs which I intend to try on my next visit.
Schnack even has a personal blog (http://schnackdog.blog...) which I believe is a restaurant first. So my advice is to definitely check this place out. Schnack is worth the trip.
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Schnack, located a bit out of the way in Red Hook if you don't happen to live there, is a small restaurant specializing in fast comfort food like burgers and hot dogs. It's also a great place to spend a night ordering wave after wave of grilled delight. The Schnackies, mini slider-style burgers, come 1-4 on a bun with various toppings, and the various grilled sausage offerings are top-notch. Don't pass up the decadent bread pudding or the beer milkshakes, which are a much better idea than one would think. One of the owners used to be involved with the nearby Gowanus Canal Yacht Club in Carroll Gardens, which offers similar fare, but isn't open year round.
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Schnack is becoming a place I crave. Their hotdogs are simple but tasty, the onion rings are very good (though sometimes they're reallllyy greasy), and they have cheap pitchers of beer. Try the Schwag beer. I have no idea where it's from, but it's cheap and delicious. I have yet to try the desserts for lack of room in my belly, but I'm sure they're good. You can even get a beer float, and no, I don't mean root beer.
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Schnack is less of a restaraunt and more of an addiction. I was introduced to their burgers by a friend and was hooked. Their schnack sauce makes the burgers (though the rest of it isn't too bad either). Last summer this friend and I managed to get the entire management staff of the best buy I was working at hooked as well.
Their onion rings are tasty, their burgers are great, the beer shakes are a very unique experience (for me at least), but that isn't all to it. Explore the menu! The turkey thai fingers are a favorite of everyone who has tried them and the "trump this" is a burger to be reconed with.
Also found on their menu is that you can setup and all you can eat AND drink special. Thats right, all the food you can handle and all the beer you can drink. Who can say no to that?
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Schnack puts Corner Bistro to shame. I'm addicted to the Schnack burgers... really tasty and they range from sliders to an all-out "quad" which is 8 yummy ounces of burger bliss. Every time I go there, I'm tempted to try one of the specials or perhaps something new, but my craving for burgers inevitably trumps all ideas of that. Yes, they're really that good.
Also, check out the beer float with vanilla ice cream... some people say it's an acquired taste, but I like them! The only negative about this place is that this year they raised the prices so it's not as cheap as it used to be. Plus, any burger toppings are extra (though at .75 for cheese it won't exactly break the bank).
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This place is all that I wanted and more! Being a fan of "Cookin' in Brooklyn", I have been itching to try it. But I have to say that my enthusiasm was heightened when, en route, I was told that they have beer milk shakes...um, yes please. We tried the vanilla one and it was fantastic. I'm going to try to recreate it tonight! The sliders were fantastic...but the best part is all the dips! Our group (some new yorkers & brits) adored dunking everything on the table in them. I would also highly recommend the onion rings...greasy but delightful. Fries a little over-crisp (which I never thought possible). We were far too full to get dessert but it sounded delicious! Too bad I don't live in bkln and can't frequent often but one of my favorite brooklyners confessed that those sliders cure you of all drinking ailments if eaten right before bed. I bet a beer milkshake in the a.m. might also do the trick.
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I love greasy food. And I admit this shamelessly. The best thing for me about Schnack is the sausages. AMAZING sausages. Can't get 'em like this elsewhere.
I love the sliders here, washed down with a beer shake. That's right, beer shake. It's mostly ice cream but the beer adds a little malted flavor. I came here last night and am ready for more. The burgers are addictive. Stick to the basics here. The times I strayed (mac n' cheese, not so good) I regretted it.
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well worth the trek out to carroll gardens which might as well be red hook. cheap beer and delicious food. when you decided that you really can't stick to that diet and need a fix, roll on down to schnack!
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