Corner Bistro
331 W. 4th Street
(between 12th St & Jane St)
New York, NY 10014 (212) 242-9502
- Nearest Transit:
14th St-8th Ave (A, C, E, L)
14th St-7th Aves (1, 2, 3, F, V, L)
14th Street (PATH)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-4:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-4:00 a.m.
Sun 12:00 p.m.-4:00 a.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
190 Reviews for Corner Bistro
Great burgers. Cheap beer. Quintessential dive bar from a bygone New York era, more specifically a bygone West Village era. Don't expect sexy servers or sleek interior design. I might agree with some other posters that you could pass on the fries, they're not the best ever fries, but in my mind you need fries with a burger.
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This is some pretty serious fat people food. Bacon? Processed cheese? A huge softball sized beef ball? If you have salivated at these things, you must order the heart-stopping Bistro Burger with a side of fries fried in bacon grease.
Wash it all down with a cheap ass (2 dollah holla!) McSnorzzzleyzz, the carbonation will clean your poor arteries.
NOT. HAHAHAHAAHhahahAHAHaha.
It usually gets crazy-ass-muthalovin' packed in this hole. Just fucking come when there are a shit ton of people, it's the ultimate West Village neighborhood exprience, Brits included!
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Went there on a Sunday afternoon at about 5:00. The burgers came out like 5 minutes after we had ordered. This makes me think that these famous burgers are already precooked, my cheese was also not melted. The fries are pretty good, and the burger itself was tasty. I wouldn't say that it is the best burger in nyc, far from it.
What turned me off was the amount of fruit flies that were flying around. I understand that a few here and there is just the cost of doing business in NYC. But this place was swarming with them, not cool in my book. Though their beers on tap are "cheap" they use the craptacular beer "mug" that really doesn't hold a true pint. I won't be making a return trip.
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Like an old man who's been living in his rent-controlled apartment since 1953, Corner Bistro has and always will be a staple of the NYC burger scene. Since I don't do hour+ waits anywhere, it took me a while to make it out here. Come for lunch - we walked right in.
There's not much new to say here. The place is unapologetically divey but it's part of the charm. The menu only has about 6 items on it - most of them have to do with how you like your burger prepared. The servers are crotchety and surly, but what do you expect for a $6 burger from a tiny corner dive bar?
As for the burger, yes, it's pretty fantastic. Big, juicy, cooked the way you like it and topped bacon and cheese in classic Bistro style. I never thought I'd ever say this, but skip the fries - they're not bad, but not really worth the calories. Overall, I doubt I'd brave the dinner crowds for this experience, but for the burger alone, an easy 4 stars.
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Yeah, it's a little overrated, but they do make a damn good hamburger. It's always crowded, it's fairly dirty, and the servers can be downright rude.
But one ought not expect white-glove service when their grub is a humble-but-tasty hamburger, right?
Oh, and a few words of caution: If your religion forbids you to eat pork, do NOT order their French fries. My buddy loved their fries and then one day I saw them frying the bacon in same deep-fryer. I told him and he didn't believe me, so I said, "See how the bacon on my hamburger is all curled up? They deep-fry it."
So he peered over into their galley, which is in plain sight of the bar, and sure enough, he saw the cook tossing bacon strips into the fryer as if the guy was practicing free-throws. My buddy's expression was priceless. If only he knew (well, he knows but refuses to acknowledge) what else was in his food when he eats out. Ach.
Just get a hamburger here. With bacon if it doesn't offend you.
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This is one of the most overrated sh*tholes in town. The atmosphere is dingy but not in a charming way. The burgers are greasy and fatty. The place is filthy. The bartender was easily the rudest I have ever dealt with and it's a crowded sweatbox. Go anywhere else. And if you must go here, make sure you save the bathroom for the end of the tour because you will not have any appetite once you see/smell it.
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In my quest to find a burger in NYC that could rival an In-N-Out cheeseburger, I've been pointed in many directions by friends and even strangers. A couple of people suggested Corner Bistro.
First of all, the name itself is a bit misleading. Yes, it's on a corner. But something along the lines of Corner Dingy Pub or Corner Dive Bar seems more appropriate. Other than that, the burgers are good. Not great, but good. They're even better washed down with a cold McSorley's Ale (for just $2.50!).
Holy awesome. My HUGE beers were $3.50 each, my burger was $6, and all were actually FANTASTIC. I mean, I'd pay that much for crappy food; I do nearly every day...so when I bit into that tasty, thick, juicy burger I think I had a few moments of shock.
My one complaint? Our table was covered in graffiti. Literally COVERED. So my friend and I whipped out some pens and began adding to it, and totally got snapped at by a waiter. Um, dude - don't like it? Clean your tables.
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This place is like the anti JG Melons. Leave all pretention at the door. This place has a ridiculous line, that works itself down the bar, so plan on drinking a few before you even sit down.....which is damn easy cause they are dirt cheap.
The burgers and fries are served on what looks like coffee filters, but they are delicious. And coming from a guy who has had 20+ dollar burgers all over the city, I prefer the $6 version at corner bistro
This is a great place to start the night, and a great place to come with a few friends no matter if your an artist or a banker, people are friendly but keep to themselves. Better yet, go somewhere else, so I don't have to wait in line for so long.
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Good place to eat a delicious burger, but maybe a bit overhyped. The wait seemed a bit ridiculous for a burger, and the place wasn't even that nice (yes, I get that it's a bar, but I would have expected something a little nicer and bigger). Our waiter was a little rude and seemed annoyed to be serving us. However, of course, the burgers make up for it. If you have some free time and are in the West Village, I'd stop by, but I wouldn't necessary go out of my way to come here.
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Best burger in the city. Thick and juicy. Cheap ale. Don't wait in line for a table, just order at the bar, it's so good you'll swallow it in less than 3 mins anyway. Bistro burger comes with cheese & bacon. It does not, however, come with ambiance, spacious accommodations or a smiley bartender.
I think people confuse no attitude with bad attitude. That gray haired bartender dude simply has no attitude, neither good nor bad. Does that make him a douche bag? He does not say "what can I get you" He simply points at you. You order, he delivers and that's it. He won't ask if you enjoyed your burger or whatever. He knows this shit is good.
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Came here with 3 friends after one of them insisted we come here because the burgers are 'ahhmaaaazing'.
Came in and saw a line! Immediately I am ready to walk out the door, because I hate lines. I am told by one of my friends that I can stand online with a drink in my hand - and she proceeded to hand me my 'usual'. Ahhh much better.
We got seated in about 15 minutes. We did get skipped once because one of the members of our party went outside for a minute and I guess they don't seat incomplete parties? Whatever. We got a table less then 5 minutes later. Considering we were drinking I didn't think of it as waiting on line, more like waiting at the bar.
I got the bistro burger which is their bacon cheeseburger. I ordered it medium and... it was actually served medium! Well seasoned, juicy and delicious. My only peeve was that the patty was too thick - I would have liked it flatter. I had trouble keeping the whole burger situation together because it was really bulky!
We got 2 orders of fries to share for the table and it was more then enough for 4 people. The fries themselves were ok - good but not as good as the burgers.
Will be back for more deliciousness!
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I've waited a long time to dine at Corner Bistro. I've heard rave reviews from friends about the burgers here as well as the long lines. That being said, I knew I didn't want to go on a Thursday - Sunday. This past Wednesday I decided to check it out with P as we both love a good burger. We ordered cheeseburgers (I'm not a fan of bacon) - mine was medium, his medium rare. The burgers finally came out and they looked great....big fat patties, toasted buns....then I bit into it. Wow, where did the flavor go? I felt like I was just eating a huge meat patty...with no salt/pepper/anything else. It was so bland I almost didn't want to eat the rest. I could've made a better burger. If you want a decent sized mediocre burger, then this is place for you. If not, go somewhere else.
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LOOOOOVE me some big juicy burgers. This place is an institution. you seat yourself, the menu is on the wall, so you gotta figure it out yourself. The fries arent the best but the burgers are great.
Atmosphere is really grundgy low maintenence hole in the wall kinda deal.
uuuuh oh yeah and the server I have everytime I go there is really chill, really cool guy. Love it.
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Corner Bistro is on my top five burger list. You often have to wait in line and the place is a bit rough, but it's got character and I like that.
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My girlfriend and I are obsessed with meat. I love it bloody, steaming, and fresh (unless it's aged steak which is of course just fine with me). Which is why when she came in from London and wanted an american cure to her british starvation we shot over to the old corner. She was super into it as has been anyone I've ever brought here.
Anywayz..... this place makes quite possibly the best burger in the city even after all the hype. Fuck the trop cher BLT burger or kobe stuff the michelin guys will push on you - the broiled Bistro burger rules. Juicy and tender every time, perfect rare.
Even with it's insane waiting times on weekends the prices are still reasonable and the food is consistent (they cook the little guys constantly).
One downside - one of the bartenders is a bit of a d. bag, but hey, it's not worth writing the place off over and it's New York, where being an asshole is a right.
I'd schlep down here anytime. If you haven't been yet you're life is about to improve.
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Corner Bistro is a weekly stop for me.
I am a straight up french fry JUNKIE, so when I first moved to the West Village, everyone insisted I go to Corner Bistro. I was not disappointed. The fries are fried in bacon fat, and sooo yummy. I get two orders every time I go, and still reach over and grab my friends leftovers (if applicable). The burgers are great too. A little too big - but I have them cut it in half. I also bring my own Yellow Mustard since EVERYWHERE on the east coast only has spicy... Guess I'm a lil hood that way ;)
Awesome: $2.50 drafts (makes the line go quicker), no pretense fries & burgers, open late, pretty cheap, with tons of character (it's dark, and all the tables are full of etchings, my name is on a couple of 'em).
Not-so-awesome: It's Cash Only (ATM inside), and this one VERY rude waiter, you'll know him when you get him. Feel free to leave him a snarky comment on your bill like I had to once.
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This place has delicious burgers, but I felt like I could've eaten a second one (maybe they're just that good.) The burgers are a bit smaller but piled a bit higher. It tastes top notch. I also had about 4 stellas prior so maybe that has something to do with it. minus one star for west village. come to brooklyn.
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I had my first corner bistro experience recently and I'm dying to go back. I usually like a thinner patty on my burgers - easier to eat and most of the time more flavorful - but there's no denying that these huge burgers (at least I think so) are scrumptious and well worth the mess. I didn't try the much talked about bistro burger because I'm not a big bacon eater. in fact, I just got a plain old hamburger. in retrospect, cheese probably would have been a good idea, but the meat was so good that I honestly didn't miss it. nothing particularly noteworthy about the fries...they're fries (but crisp and satisfying nonetheless).
I also love the simple and grungy atmosphere (especially the small menu because I'm easily overwhelmed). delicious, delicious, delicious. five stars all around!
Okay the place is pretty raunchy but there is no better burger in New York... hands down. Shake Shake is a close second perhaps, but this still is the best around.
Went in with high hopes on a ten burger tour of the city and was shocked by how bad it was. By far the worst burger of the day, and definitely one of the top five worst burgers I've ever had (only counting real burgers here - not fast food/airport/hospital burgers).
The meat was dry as sawdust, it was overcooked, the cheese was not remotely melted, and it seemed as if the kitchen forgot to buy salt and pepper this week because there wasn't the faintest hint of seasoning.
Of all the hyped burgers in the city, this is the least deserving.
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BEST BURGER EVER!! bistro burger with fries & a beer = enlightenment. the fries have a bacon taste to them and are so delicious. the burger is a juicy morsel of epic proportions. anytime i'm in new york i have to go here. anytime anyone talks about burgers i always bring up corner bistro. go now!!!!!!!!!
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I was expecting much more...so much more. Considering I've been told this was one of the best burgers in town. Unfortunately, it wasn't. I thought Burger Joint was better.
On the flip side though, the patties were fat and juicy, medium done which I did like and the fries were yummy.
J was kinda surprised by its dive-bar interior. I suppose we were expecting a burger place not a bar. Anywhoo, at 3pm on a Saturday it was full and just when we were done eating and stepped outside, it started to POUR!!! boo.
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Longest line I've ever stood in? No
Best burger I've ever had? No
$2.50 drafts? Hell Yes
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We love this craphole! Do not go there for:
- clean bathrooms
- niceties
- vegetarian food
DO go if you like greasy burgers, old-school wooden booths, and good beer on tap. My boyfriend is lucky enough to work near here and I ENVY the tales of his lunch breaks spent among the regulars at this place.
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I'm not normally a fan of lines; however, the seemingly always hour-long line at Corner Bistro saved me from being that "late friend" when I took a wrong turn somewhere in the maze of the village and ended up at the river. By the time I hiked back up Hudson, my friends had spent an hour imbibing in line and were in a much better mood than if they had been seated right away, grumpy waiting for me.
Corner Bistro's five-item menu and long waits are proof keeping it simple, cheap and consistent is never going to get old. Delicious burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries and a round of drinks came to less than $50 and we all left stuffed and happy.
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Last saturday afternoon, there was an hour+ wait at shake shack, so we put our heads together and decided on corner bistro. The prices can't be beat and the service was great as well. The bartender (Harold?) was amazingly friendly and everybody sitting at the bar seemed to know him.
Overall a great place - reminds me of a pre-war father's office in terms of the seating situation, but with much simpler food/drink.
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Went here after attending an event a few years back and can still remember the amazing burger that I got!
My friends and I were at an event that had plenty of booze but no food to speak of. Needless to say we were all craving food by the end. One of the girls suggested Corner Bistro and off we went. I'd never been before but two of the girls I was with had been before and were raving about the burgers. I was worried this might be a big build up and a let down but that was definitely not the case.
The burger was moist, the cheese perfectly melted and overall it was exactly what I needed.
I haven't been back but I definitely am always up for a stop into Corner Bistro when I am down in that area!
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This place leaves me a bit torn. Part of me adores the place. They serve cheap and delicious compact balls of meat as burgers. Tasty, plain and simple. They have a bunch of beers on draft that are $2.50 every night which is also awesome. It is in the West Village, which is my favorite neighborhood, and it's always nice to stumble out to the wasted model wannabes strutting to Beatrice around the cobblestone streets that look lifted directly from a studio backlot. Lastly, it's close to my place of work, which makes for a great after-work watering hole.
The drawbacks are few, but are big issues. The first is that it is virtually always crowded. Table seating is reserved for only those who get food, so if you are just there for drinks you either have to pray for space at the bar or stand in a crowd behind those on the stools enjoying their beverages. The other detractor is that the bartender is EXTREMELY moody and awfully particular about the way he likes to be dealt with. I have seen him bitch out customers more than once for trying to get his attention. If you are a regular, you can expect a smile and some conversation and some free drinks, but until you hit that level of comfortability, expect to only be served when he feels like it. I find myself cowering and shaking in fear every time I get up the nerve to ask (or plead, rather) for a drink. Those two factors make this potentially amazing neighborhood gathering spot a bit less than appetizing.
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Where's Darwin when you need him? The human race needs to evolve (yes I believe in evolution) to the point where we can dislocate our jaws like a snake so I can get the first bite of my burger without spraining my jaw. That's not a slam on these burgers which are juicy, thick and good. Grab a napkin, grab your burger open wide and... good luck. I'd say 'bistro' is a bit of a stretch for this beer and burger joint, but they do serve a tasty burger and fries at a good price.
Wheelchair Access: YES, sort of. Strange, 3 votes say it is (now 4) and 7 say it isn't. It's certainly accessible getting in. The bathroom is not though - perhaps that's the reason for the 'no' votes. I guess if I went to drink beers the inaccessible bathroom would've been a problem.
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At the bar, the menu is on the wall. No cherry coke. Instead, the bartender substituted cherry with grenadine. I ordered the burger medium and it was thick and juicy. The meat was a tad too dense though. I would have preferred a more relaxed burger. Went at 1:30pm and had to sit at the bar. Started getting packed at 2pm and a line started to form. Definitely going back. I was dared finish 3 bistro burgers next time. Not a problem! =)
$5.75 for a hamburger,
$6 for a cheeseburger,
$6.75 for a bistro burger..aka a BLT cheeseburger.
$3.75 for a grilled cheese sandwich,
$5.50 for a grilled cheese sandwich w/ TONS of bacon in it).
$2.50 for shoestring fries
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i have only set foot in this place in the wee hours of the morning when the beatrice is particularly boring, so i don't know anything about alleged lines. what i do know is that the place is great. i treat it primarily as a bar where i get my nightcap before heading to bed.
and, of course, the burger must be mentioned. a bit messy, but in a good way, just as a delicious medium rare burger should be, it is juicy and filling.
i like how this bar is just a good old bar. i'll certainly keep coming back.
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Not as good as Burger Joint, although they'll serve you a perfectly cooked medium-rare here. A little messy and tough to get your mouth around, but great flavor, tons of meat, and cheap beer make it more than worth while.
The wait can be insanely long, but once you find a booth or muscle your way to a sliver of space at the bar, you're golden. The burger is great and the beers are cheap. Though I haven't been in a while, I still remember one especially fun night involving a Swede named Espen, but that's a story for another day.
I don't really need to put my two cents in on how AWESOME this place is because I see it's no secret. This "hole in the wall" is now rockstar famous but you still feel like you stumbled on to a treasure chest when you go in.
I started going here 6 years ago and every time I get an out of town visitor, that's the first meal they get. The menu is simple: cheeseburger, burger, chili burger, or bacon cheeseburger. The burgers are at least 1/2 lb and 1.5" thick. Meat just melts in your mouth and the best part is - it's only $5! And you can wash it down with a $2.50 pint of beer. You can't go wrong here, and the location is great - gotta love the west village.
Note: it's small and crowded so be prepared for a wait and don't be offended by the stand offish bartender. I think he's the owner. He might not look at you, but he knows you're there, he'll take care of you, and if you want a conversation, he'll jump right in :) Hey, when you work in such a solid place, you don't have to kiss a$$.
BEST BURGER JOINT IN NYC, and possibly the world.
I like it better than shake shack (completely outdoors) and j.g. melon. J.G. Melon is definitely worth trying but the style is totally different. It's an actual restaurant and the beef is very soggy. I think they soak it broth as their trick. The buns completely soaked through and that's the way it's supposed to be. Don't go me wrong, it is delicious, but my loyalty lies with Corner Bistro. J.G. has an awesome bloody mary though.
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Really solid. That's how I would describe this place. Everything is pretty cheap (for NY prices anyway), and it all tastes pretty good as well. The burgers are great, possibly the best I have had in NY (I really like the Burger Joint too). They were thick and juicy, with perfectly done cheese on top. I didn't get bacon because I am usually nervous about getting soggy, gross bacon (this is standard in 90% of places), but a friend ordered a bacon cheeseburger, and the bacon looked magnificent. I guess I should have gambled.
Things are really cheap too. Beers are something like 2.50-3.50 for a glass, and the burger was around $5-6. The only disappointing thing here was the fries. They weren't terrible, but they were not special at all. I really wonder why all of the good burger places in this town insist on either having no fries, or totally mediocre fries.
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everytime i go to NY, i HAVE to get a bistro burger.
i remember the first time my date took me here.. i was thinking " Omg, how can he take me to a place this ghetto" i wanted to sit near the front next to the exit and in front of a window so everyone can see us if something were to happen. I swear, there were cowboys at the bar and the tables were old wood with carvings all over it. I just thought to myself... " i wonder how many germs are embedded in these crevices." while trying to hide my LV.
But when the food came out - I WAS IN LOVE. it was the BEST and juiciest burger I've ever had! the fries were good and the beer was cheap. They serve you everything on what seems to be coffee filters.
The waiters are always great. I've even eaten this at 2am ( yes, the wait can be long cause all the drunk folks head here after a night out) the food is equally as good no matter what time you go.
If anyone has had a burger this good in Cali, please let me know....... its getting expensive to fly out to NY for this =).
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Worth the wait. $2.50 drafts and cheese fries (wish they had veggie burgers!). Great place - you'll wait in line for about 30 or 45min. that runs down the center of the place (and thankfully right along the bar) until you can grab a table. But it's worth it. Everyone enjoyed their burgers, I enjoyed my cheese fries and left in a happy food high and great beer buzz. Cheap cheap cheap and wonderful!
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the bistro burger is great and inexpensive, beer is cheap ($2.50.. it doesn't get any cheaper than that in the city) and the bartenders are friendly. what more can you ask for! the line to get a table is long but it moves fast. grab a beer while waiting!
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Some people have missed the point of this place as I see it. It has gobs of character, just a homey, wood worn pub with an ineffable sense of warmth of charm, which is even more appealing because it's tucked in a real fancy pants part of the village. They have McSorley's on tap, but the Guiness came from a can which is the main reason that this place falls to 4 stars.
The service is rather laissez faire, but that seems to be due in part to the relaxed atmosphere; you need to be ready to just chat with your friends at your own pace.
The burgers are really special - they are huge, really juicy, and topped with perfectly crisped bacon. They do cook them in large batches in this specail looking oven, and mine was a little more medium than medium rare. Oh well it was delicious anyways. We noted that the drippings congealed into pools of semi-solid meat fat almost immediately on the plate, so they may be getting their flavor simply by using a really fattty beef mixture. Either way they taste great.
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