I’m officially in love with Black Tap Burger. Opened by Chef Joe Isidori, this burger bar is a unique, creative, and the ultimate neighborhood burger joint… a restaurant concept that New York City surprisingly lacks. A burger bar may sound NOBREAD-unfriendly, but Chef Joe’s care and attention to catering to diners with all allergies and preferences is incredible and totally evident. With gluten free buns, a GF veggie burger, GF sauces and GF BEER… yes GF BEER… Chef Joe ensures that there is something for everyone at his new hotpot.
An incredible and delicious looking list of burgers fills the menu at Black Tap, and not only can you ask for your burger with a gluten free Udi’s burger bun, but you can also ask for your burger to be served on top of a salad as well. I finally made it to the burger bar this week and opted for the California burger (no cheese). The Californian burger was a turkey burger topped with avocado, cheese, and truffle mayo, and it was absolutely one of the best turkey burgers I had ever had! One of my friend’s also ordered the Californian, but had hers with cheese, and loved it. Another friend ordered her burger on a salad! The salads seem small at first, but they are incredibly filling, and the perfect option if you are in the mood for a hearty meal minus the bun and fries. For the vegetarians out there, the falafel burger is one of the most unique burgers I have come across to date in NYC, and Chef Joe exclaimed that the restaurant nearly sold out of this burger nightly! Most veggie/falafel burgers contain gluten, soy, and other allergens, but this burger simply contains chickpea, parsley, cumin, and onion, making it VERY allergy friendly.
The sweet potato fries are amazing at Black Tap, and some of the best I have had in New York City. Unfortunately, the sweet potato fries and french fries are cooked in the same fryer as the onion rings, so if you are sensitive to cross contamination you will have to sit these out. Lastly, the Brussels sprouts at Black Tap are amazing and the perfect side order to supplement your meal. Served fried, these sprouts are NOT subject to cross contamination and they are cooked in a separate fryer! Oh, and the sesame-tahini sauce used on the sprouts uses GF soy sauce! Although we didn’t try any of the beef burgers, I heard they were AMAZING–I will absolutely be giving them a try on my next visit to the bar.
Whether you go with your buds to watch a game and enjoy a burger and beer, or go and sit solo to have a quick bite on the go, you will absolutely love Black Tap Burger. I recently learned that Black Tap’s burgers were ranked in the top 5 ‘Best New Burgers in NYC’ by Eater, and after indulging in the burgers, I absolutely agree with Eater’s decision! Black Tap Burger is delicious, and the perfect, casual neighborhood joint, and if you haven’t been yet, I highly recommend heading down to SoHo soon!