5 Napkin Burger in Astoria

The Bottom Line

If you're looking for substantial and delicious burgers in Astoria, 5 Napkin will fill the bill. Classic flavors abound, along with some interesting twists in both the burger and fries tradition. And never fear - shakes are here, too. You can even order sushi. There's really something for everyone.

Pros

• Plenty of seating inside and sidewalk cafe seating outside.
• Close to both the Museum of the Moving Image and UA Kauffman 14 for a post-movie meal.
• Brunch menu available.

Cons

• Parking, as in most of Astoria, is challenging.
• Ambient noise level can be a little loud when the restaurant is full.

• 5 Napkin's Address - 35-01 36th St, Astoria, NY 11106
• Phone - 718-433-2727
• Website - http://5napkinburger.com/astoria-queens
• Hours - Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m. - midnight; Sat, Sun 11:00 a.m. - midnight; brunch on Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Public Transportation - N/Q to 36th Avenue; E/M/R to Steinway Street
• Parking - Parking is troublesome in the area; it's better to take public transportation.

5 Napkin burger opened in Astoria in summer 2010, and received a huge welcome from Astorians. 5 Napkin's core offering is a 10 oz burger in the form of either the Original 5 Napkin Burger, a bacon cheddar burger, or just a simple hamburger (with or without cheese). These burgers are made with ground chuck from Pat LaFrieda.

The Original 5 Napkin Burger sets itself apart by its toppings - caramelized onions, gruyere, and rosemary aioli. It gets high marks from many New Yorkers, even the likes of Martha Stewart. Eating it makes for a savory, messy, and tasty meal. Depending on the way you eat, you may very well need five napkins.

Non-beef burgers include the Italian turkey burger (melted mozzarella, spicy tomato sauce, and vinegar peppers), the lamb kofta burger (chopped tomato, cucumber, pepper amd onion salad, and tahini sauce), and the ahi tuna burger (marinated in ginger, scallions, and soy with wasabi mayo, and tempura fried onions). You can even get an "inside out burger," which is a burger wrapped in a lettuce leaf - a good choice for those cutting carbs or going gluten-free.

5 Napkin also serves one of the best veggie burgers in Astoria. It's made from grains, legumes, and vegetables, and has a wonderful flavor. It's served with 5 Napkin sauce and comes on a multi-grain bun.

Classic sides like fries and onion rings are available, as well as house made tater tots. Sweet potato fries are also offered. If you are looking for appetizers, consider the pork taquitos and the deep fried pickles and pastrami.

And what else goes well with a burger? That would be a milkshake! Vanilla, black and white, and strawberry are all there, but perhaps consider something little more daring. The salted caramel and peanut butter and chocolate shakes are well worth checking out.

And just to prove that 5 Napkin is more than your average burger joint, there are some unusual yet enticing items on the menu: the half pound foot long Kobe beef hot dog; the lobster roll sliders; fish tacos; a variety of sushi; and the peanut chicken salad.

Finally, don't forget brunch! A lot of the same things on the lunch and dinner menu are still available for brunch, but there are some fun additions - chili and eggs; egg benedict sliders; and a belgian waffle with strawberries and cream, just to name a few.

As far as the space goes, it's the old Cup Diner, so it's pretty large. There are plenty of booths, some tables in the middle of the room, and a bar on the east wall, where cocktails, wine, and beer can be ordered. Be sure to check out the faux meat hooks hanging from the ceiling.

Also know that there is a private room that can be rented for parties and events. It's behind and to the left of the bar, and is quite spacious.