When Burger on Smith opened in January 2012, Kyle Huebbe and Blessing Schuman-Strange, the culinary team behind the farm-to-table eatery, described the menu as "New American, but elevated."
Their burgers were made from grass-fed beef, ground daily and supplied by a local butcher.
Obviously, they could not compete with all the new burger joints that opened in the neighborhood, though Huebbe beat out four other contestants to win Brooklyn Paper's first Burger Bash contest in 2009.
This is the second restaurant to call it quits at this location. Before Burger On Smith, it was the home of Faan, one of the first Asian-Fusion eateries in the neighborhood.
Are you surprised at the closing or was it predictable?
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19 comments:
It never looked that crowded so I suppose it's not a surprise. Moo Burger seems to be doing well though.
When I went, it was mostly empty, the whole space seemed disjointed design-wise, nothing on the menu really made it stand apart, and they only took cash. I'd like something to succeed there as that front glassed in space is great, but not too surprised this burger joint didn't last.
I get the feeling that the large space there = expensive rent and that's the reason that things don't stay very long there.
This place could have worked, but the service was just too terrible. Long waits and nothing impressive.
Does anyone else remember when this used to be an empty lot and someone in the neighborhood would decorate it for holidays?
Unfortunately, the space is too large for a restaurant. With the plethora of eateries good and bad along Smith Street, it is no surprise that it closed. And the downstairs "lounge" could never achieve a following.
Anyone been to Bare Burger on Court and Pacific? May give Moo Burger a run for the money now that 5 Guys and Burger on Smith are extinct.
It's tough to stand out in Cobble Hill's Burger District. Seriously, I love a good burger, but how about something different besides a pretentious burger joint?
I never once had a good burger there. Gave them 3 chances, since they are nearby. Always way overcooked. Slow service, way too much competition.
If someone put even just a little love into that atrium, and marketed it like a bar that happens to serve a few good dishes, I think the space could work.
And why was their menu so damn big? If they weren't filling the place, menu should have been slashed and eliminated a ton of food cost. Do a few things well, don't be everything to everyone.
I knew this place was going to close... large space that was not utilize. If The smith would take this space over it would be packed every night. Owners can not let drive the ship when the chef is not a free thinker
the whole place - inside and outside looks rundown and not maintained. Litter on sidewalks, broken window
and they got a B from health dept.
So not surprised.
I can't believe this bldg looks like slum and probably only 10 years old or so.
Katia,
If I am remembering correctly, the owner of the restaurant and adjoining apartment building also owned Faan. I wonder if he still owns the building. Maybe he can bring back the pad Thai and sesame noodles.
Yes. I loved the empty lot, actually. It would hve made a nice community garden had it stayed undeveloped. Yeah. I know. Burger on Smith was a bridge and tunnel garbage. I had one delivery and the guy who deliverd was like some guy. No bike. He got lost and I live 3 blocks away. Horrible mess.
please please will the Smith Canteen empire take over? What a nice place to hang out and drink coffee in that open patio. There truely is no place to just hang out in the hood anymore.
There's no way a coffee shop where people hang out for hours could succeed in that space. One cup of coffee paid for a four our squat does not pay the rent!
What about 61 Local? And that place Jarro has those big open windows. But, you are absolutely right, the open air patio of Burger on Smith is completely wasted. Don't know anything about the owner, but seems too cheap to bring in competent restaurant operators. Which is foolish on a street with a Michelin star down the road, and Battersby the other way, among many other solid meals around.
I have been to the new Bare Burger. Food was cooked correctly, which was nice. Pretty boring experience overall. I go to mooburger once in awhile, and I prefer the taste of the beef at mooburger. Nicer room too, but bare burger looks fine. There's a really good burger on Atlantic too... 282? I'm boring myself. Burgers are boring. Do it well, or don't bother.
"There truely is no place to just hang out in the hood anymore."
Well, not without being surrounded by crying babies and gossiping moms. Abilene isn't even that old, and it was a dive bar when it opened. Now it's daycare.
With the space that big they should try Korean BBQ. There aren't any in the surrounding neighborhoods. The space is good for something like that.
Rob: Straightforward Korean BBQ similar to the ones in Flushing and devoid of hipster pretensions is a brilliant idea. I think the owners are Koreans so this should be within their realm.
Loved the space but found the burger to be okay to good and way over priced. Much prefer Moo Burger.
I always thought their regular burgers were way too salty, and their weird specialty burgers weren't very interesting. They actually had some of the better wings in the neighborhood though.
I agree, Korean BBQ (or Japanese Teppanyaki) would be a good choice for the spot, what with all the open space.
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