Table for Two

Comfort food with a slice of nostalgia

Posted

Biggie Burgers
2224 Jerusalem Ave., North Merrick
(516) 992-8600, www.biggieburgersny.com

Open since last January, Biggie Burgers is a dream-come-true for Bob Brooks, a retired Nassau County police officer. He incorporates much of what he remembers growing up in the 1960s, offering made-to-order comfort food with a nostalgic touch. His shop is modeled after the old Burger n Shake in Rosedale on Sunrise Highway, where he used to sell hot dogs, many decades ago.

Opt to take out or have your food delivered. The storefront — which was once Romeo’s Barber Shop and still has the sign to prove it — is small, with an open grill, four stools and a tiny table for two. Burgers, of course, are the main attraction, be it a 2-ounce, slider-sized “Biggie Small” or an 8-ounce. “Biggie Big.” You can build your own, with lettuce, tomato, pickles, sauces and/or “Get Loaded,” with add-ons like chili, bacon, avocado, a variety of cheeses, fried egg, jalapenos, grilled onions, etc.
And there’s plenty more. Turkey Burgers, Veggie Burgers and Grilled Chicken Breast are alternate choices, joined by Chicken Tenders or Nuggets, Grilled Cheese, Hot Dogs and BLTs. Sides include Gabila’s Knishes, Mac & Cheese, Chili, Fries, Potato Tots and Onion Rings. Leave room for a Hand Spun Shake, or for just $1 a scoop, Italian ices. Daily special sandwiches might include Pulled Pork, Sausage or Philly Cheese Steak.
Prices range from $1.99 for a Hamburger Slider to $7.99 for a Biggie 8 ounce. Prime Burger. Add-ons are 50 cents to $1, and sides are 75 cents for chips to $3.99 for onion rings. Shakes are $4.99. A Hot Box Lunch — burger, fries and a bottle of water — is $5.
My Biggie Big Burger was flavorful and juicy, served on a soft potato bun with lettuce and tomato. My “Get Loaded” choices were melted Swiss cheese, avocado and a generous slab of bacon. Potato Tots, Fries and the Onion Rings were all crisp and tasty. Honey mustard, ketchup, mayo, and spicy Biggie Sauce are all on hand. Gabila’s Knish was a great choice too. Mac & Cheese, made with shells and Bob’s grandma’s secret recipe, was beyond creamy. A Black & White Shake was as good as it gets.
 Everything except the chili, which Brooks makes in bulk, is prepared one order at a time. His shakes are spun in a vintage malted machine. Old-fashioned egg creams are made authentically with Fox’s U-Bet chocolate syrup.
Biggie Burgers is open seven days a week (except major holidays) from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Delivery is available to Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh, Seaford, Freeport and Uniondale, via platforms like Seamless. Biggie Burgers was recently featured on News 12 Long Island by Elisa DiStefano for Tasty Tuesday.

Recommendations:
■ Biggie Burger
■ Fries
■ Tots
■ Mac & Cheese
■ Onion Rings
■ Potato Knish
■ Black & White Hand Spun Shake