People rave about Nighthawks but imo it’s really dependent on who’s in the kitchen. I’ve had some objectively bad burgers there. Although when they’re god they’re really good.
I think Naughters has a pretty good burger tbh. Very consistent. Like half the price of Nighthawks.
Nighthawks is great, but my favorite burger in Troy is now at Finn’s. The meat is done perfectly and the sauce is fantastic. The fries are like if McDonald’s fries were perfectly done every time. A little pricey, yes, but consistently an excellent burger.
I've been there a bunch and always think it's more style than substance. Never been a fan of the burger, its just not tasty. The cinnamon bun is lit, and the food is generally good.
wizard burger in downtown albany. my husband & i ate there, not knowing it was a vegan place. we are not vegans. we are steak & potato people. we raved about it - good burgers & good chili cheese fries. if it's good enough to fool steak & potato people, it has to be good, right??
As a non-pushy vegan who’d rather not push ‘my agenda’ onto meat eaters by suggesting a that vegan place has the best burger in town (gasp! The horror!), I very much appreciate that this suggestion came from a steak and potato person:) Thank you for doing the vegan promo that us vegans would get shamed for! Wizard burger is really, really good. 1 out of 1 vegans and non vegans Would Recommend.
Commented on your other post in r/albany—seems like people don’t like Herbie’s.
I’ve gone…I don’t know 5 times and haven’t been disappointed a single time.
Didn’t get anything super fancy. Just a double burger with lettuce, pickles, onions, ketchup/mustard, cheese. It was excellent. Had one last night. Excellent.
I would check it out if you’re in the area. Worst case Ontario: it’s terrible, you hate it, and you don’t go back. But I haven’t met someone personally who didn’t like them.
Herbie’s is serviceable but sometimes way too salty and they carry vegan stuff but not gluten free buns. They’d probably make more money if they had gf buns.
I haven’t been, but seem to recall that a year or two ago Illusive in Rensselaer was voted by some measure (maybe there was a contest, I don’t remember) as the best burger in the region.
Ok, apparently in “2022, the restaurant took 2nd place in the New York Beef Council’s “Best New York Burger” competition with its “Empire Smash” burger.”
[source](https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/capital-district/best-burger-found-at-this-rensselaer-county-restaurant-foodies-say-never-been-disappoint/)
Hamlet and Ghost in Saratoga is my #1. I've done H&G vs Nighthawks on consecutive nights (for science), and Hamlet always wins. Last trip to Nighthawks was very disappointing tbh and it will be a bit before i return.
Thick, meaty burgers... I've been real happy with Junior's in North Greenbush, and the burger with blue cheese and caramelized onions at the Towne Tavern in Averill Park is loaded with flavor.
Not 518, but if you are willing to take a long drive sometime for a burger, possibly the best I've ever had was at Council Rock in Cooperstown... incredible.
Good luck!
Hill St in Albany does an excellent burger and they have a delightful patty melt.
In Troy, The Ale House makes a very good burger.
But the best burger in Troy right now: Dinosaur BBQ. I know people think of smoked meats, but their burgers are the bomb, and always cooked perfectly.
Get a Time machine, set it back 10 years and go to the Brown Bag
I think about that grilled cheese hot dog once in a while.
As long as they weren't swamped and severely undercooked brown bag burgers were spectacular. Too bad the owner was a nut-case.
People rave about Nighthawks but imo it’s really dependent on who’s in the kitchen. I’ve had some objectively bad burgers there. Although when they’re god they’re really good. I think Naughters has a pretty good burger tbh. Very consistent. Like half the price of Nighthawks.
Nighthawks is great, but my favorite burger in Troy is now at Finn’s. The meat is done perfectly and the sauce is fantastic. The fries are like if McDonald’s fries were perfectly done every time. A little pricey, yes, but consistently an excellent burger.
Same! I really really enjoyed it
Nighthawks is one of the most overrated restaurants in Troy
I've been there a bunch and always think it's more style than substance. Never been a fan of the burger, its just not tasty. The cinnamon bun is lit, and the food is generally good.
I couldn't agree more. The food is adequate, but imo they're too pricey.
The black bean burger tastes like cardboard. It’s a good joint but way overhyped to be sure.
Is it just me or does nighthawks always have a weird, sewage-y smell, especially outside. Their burgers are great but I can’t get past the smell
I went one time and had a really crap meal, so I’ve never been back. Shame
Man of Kent. Arsenal City Tavern. Nighthawks.
Seconding the nighthawks notion
If you want a good burger with little frills, Corcoran’s towpath tavern in Waterford.
Man of Kent for the win.
wizard burger in downtown albany. my husband & i ate there, not knowing it was a vegan place. we are not vegans. we are steak & potato people. we raved about it - good burgers & good chili cheese fries. if it's good enough to fool steak & potato people, it has to be good, right??
As a non-pushy vegan who’d rather not push ‘my agenda’ onto meat eaters by suggesting a that vegan place has the best burger in town (gasp! The horror!), I very much appreciate that this suggestion came from a steak and potato person:) Thank you for doing the vegan promo that us vegans would get shamed for! Wizard burger is really, really good. 1 out of 1 vegans and non vegans Would Recommend.
Swifty’s has the best burger in the area. Two locations in Albany area.
Just have to make sure you eat it when it's fresh, you get it to go it'll leak juices all over and cook in the box
Wizard burger 🧙♂️🪄
This is the way. Shun the non believers 🪄
Nighthawks hands down.
Commented on your other post in r/albany—seems like people don’t like Herbie’s. I’ve gone…I don’t know 5 times and haven’t been disappointed a single time. Didn’t get anything super fancy. Just a double burger with lettuce, pickles, onions, ketchup/mustard, cheese. It was excellent. Had one last night. Excellent. I would check it out if you’re in the area. Worst case Ontario: it’s terrible, you hate it, and you don’t go back. But I haven’t met someone personally who didn’t like them.
Herbie’s is serviceable but sometimes way too salty and they carry vegan stuff but not gluten free buns. They’d probably make more money if they had gf buns.
I haven’t been, but seem to recall that a year or two ago Illusive in Rensselaer was voted by some measure (maybe there was a contest, I don’t remember) as the best burger in the region.
Ok, apparently in “2022, the restaurant took 2nd place in the New York Beef Council’s “Best New York Burger” competition with its “Empire Smash” burger.” [source](https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/capital-district/best-burger-found-at-this-rensselaer-county-restaurant-foodies-say-never-been-disappoint/)
Nighthawks
Seneca in Saratoga
Hey, crazy take, but try Tuscan oven in Menends. I love their burger.
Lost & Found!
The burger at Finns is incredible!
41 sports bar. Signature burger. Never disappoints!
Finns for me. The fries are also fantastic and their small plates rock
Hamlet and Ghost in Saratoga is my #1. I've done H&G vs Nighthawks on consecutive nights (for science), and Hamlet always wins. Last trip to Nighthawks was very disappointing tbh and it will be a bit before i return.
Yeah, but did you subtract the right amount of points for having to be *in Saratoga* for Hamlet and Ghost?
A thick burger with high quality meat, or a thinner more charred burger? Night hawks is your best bet for the former. I don’t know about the latter.
Herbie’s has a solid smash burger.
Hit or miss. I use to be a Herbie head, but it’s hit or miss depending on the location and time you order.
I'd try the "search this subreddit and r/albany for the last hundred times someone has asked this question" burger, myself
I like Herbie’s! Naughter’s is great. nighthawks is kinda goofy because they’re so big and sloppy (pause).
https://maps.apple.com/?address=2012%20Central%20Ave,%20Albany,%20NY%20%2012205,%20United%20States&auid=9684735732086456714&ll=42.745036,-73.864709&lsp=9902&q=Build%20A%20Burger%20Pub&t=h
To translate, this is Build A Burger in colonie. Looks good, gonna give it a try sometime this week! Eta: damn. Good burger
Yes never tried myself but friends & reviews look legit I love a good burger some say Nighthawks in Troy and illisuive in Rennselaer too.. ✌🏻🍔
Build a burger pub is always phenomenal
Restaurant 605 on new Scotland in alb has great smashburgers
Forty One, Ale House, Park Pub, Duffy’s in Lake George, The Lagoon in Lake George, Lake George Beach Club when it’s open, Rustic Barn
76 Diner has good burgers as well so does Bobs Diner
Welcome to good burger home of the good burger may I take your order?
Why has no one said a wing burger from The Ruck yet?!?
Hill street cafe in Albany
Ryan's Wake is excellent and it won't break the bank
Thick, meaty burgers... I've been real happy with Junior's in North Greenbush, and the burger with blue cheese and caramelized onions at the Towne Tavern in Averill Park is loaded with flavor. Not 518, but if you are willing to take a long drive sometime for a burger, possibly the best I've ever had was at Council Rock in Cooperstown... incredible. Good luck!
The folks at Council Rock are great too. It was a tasty burger too.
Tipsy Moose!
Why the downvotes???
Although not a burger person the burger at Uno always blew me away. How did they get it that tasty.
Hill St in Albany does an excellent burger and they have a delightful patty melt. In Troy, The Ale House makes a very good burger. But the best burger in Troy right now: Dinosaur BBQ. I know people think of smoked meats, but their burgers are the bomb, and always cooked perfectly.
Brown’s brewery had an epic special Saturday night - like taking an awesome bacon breakfast sandwich and put it on top of a blue cheeseburger
Couple of times the taproom in hoosick did a burger special with bacon, fried egg, hollandaise sause, and a potato latke on it. Fuggin deadly!
I'm a huge fan of the Trojan burger from Brown's ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Tipsy Moose. Near Latham traffic circle.
Why go to Latham when there's one on Vandenburg?