5 Napkin Burger

A very interesting spot to be sure. The atmosphere is part 50’s diner, part Italian, and part upscale. Plus they have chicken and waffles, what more could you want? As much as it was tempting, I had the five napkin burger instead. It was perfectly cooked and was juicy enough. The waitress Claire was super awesome and talked me through choices and helped me put something together. Overall the value for the food was pretty good considering that the Pru is one of the most expensive buildings to rent from in the city. Im definitely coming back for the chicken and waffles though.

The only 5NB in Boston, but just like the ones in New York. They haven’t got as big a selection, in terms of burgers, as you would think they would– I’d say they’ve got 8 – 10 different kinds. Nothing that really struck me as, wow, I’ve got to have that! A friend actually ordered the Kung Pao Veggie Bowl, and that was probably the best thing out of any of us who had ordered burgers. Good to try and good if you’re in a group with varied tastes.

The service is really, really bad. It is not very busy yet it took 10 minutes to be acknowledged and then another 10 to get a drink and menu. The two parties nearest me were both apologized to. Great. New I know I’ll be here a while.

Unfortunately a mouse ran across the floor while we were eating. I didn’t yell, o make a big deal about it. However I made a mental note. We won’t be back.

Well the staple has to be the smores milkshake! So good! Bacon cheddar burger was okay, and fries were on point.

A good stand by. We come here for happy hour. the best best best best Moscow Mule. It is called a velvet mule and I dont care if it isn’t discounted. I love it. The sliders are good and big. If you get 3 it is like getting a regular sized burger. NIce atmosphere and fun place. WE enjoy coming here.

Pretty good!
I was at a conference over at Hynes, and tired of the terrible food they were feeding us, so I wandered over to here since they seemed to have some solid gluten-​free options.
The kafka burger was fantastic, as were the fries. Both were gluten-​free, which as ever is required. Service also was very responsive and courteous. They also continued filling my drink after I finished my meal, which is always a pet peeve if they do not. I don’t like feeling like they’re trying to shuffle me out, so 5 Napkin got some bonus points from me on that.
All in all, a good time and not too bad on the wallet (for the area).

4.5 stars. Maybe it was the company, or the chilly night that amplified the warm interiors with dim/​red lighting — whatever it was, I enjoyed this 5 Napkin Burger establishment a lot. So, let’s get on to the grizzly details.
Parking — semi-​validation? Not sure what it was, we were probably there for about 1.5−2 hours and parked within the Prudential Center, but still had to pay either $ 4 or $ 14, go figure.
The meal — Really enjoyed the lamb kofta burger that was done medium well and the milkshakes (vanilla and strawberry flavors). I had a bite from of the original 5 Napkin Burger, or whatever the name was, and that was mediocre– nothing to elaborate. I was really happy with how juicy and well seasoned the lamb ager can be created without that gamey smell/​taste. The sauce used was a stroke of genius which brought out that unique lamb flavor without compromising the flavor or overpowering. It is hefty to pay ~$ 17 for a burger, but one should try it at least once. I was made a fan.
Onto the other item that I took a sampling of — the Teriyaki Salmon Bowl. Maybe it takes a special kinda taste bud to appreciate this, cuz this bud sure did not want a second bite after the first. It was spicy, like a sour wasabi drenched in more soy sauce and vinegar. After having the first bite, I was like — whhhaat is this!!! See, if I can remember the disgust in taste after more than 3 weeks, it does not bode well. I would not get adventurous with an Asian-​esque dish in a burger joint, and I think this is definitely a case in point.
Service was decent, neat joint that is a couple stairs down from the shopping center, so you get the privacy — if you want it. Overall, if I’m ever in the hood again, I’ll stop by for the Lamb Kofta — count on it.

Wanted a quick burger and thought this was a «fast-​food» joint, but were we wrong! 5Napkin Burger (5N for short) is a very nice sit-​down restaurant with a pretty extensive menu. We had just gotten to Boston and had not gotten used to $ 15 hamburgers, so we opted for the $ 9.75 slider dish where you get to chose two (of four options) burger sliders with chips. I chose the 5N and the spicy cheddar and both were excellent! I overheard the waiter telling another table the «spicy» cheddar was hot, but it really wasn’t that hot, just spicy. Service was good and the menu was varied enough that I would definitely return!

If you like to wait and wait and wait go here ! The burgers were nothing special the fries were cold and everything was really expensive… I guess we should have known better. It’s a burger place in a great location but there are so many other places to visit in that area. I wouldn’t bother

Ate here near the Pru while visiting Boston. It was about 5p. m on a Tuesday. Place was pretty empty considering the area and the time of day. The host was very friendly and nice even helping us with their glass ketchup bottles and our waiter although seemingly spaced out was friendly enough.
We started with the chips and guacamole which was refreshing and delish (I’m a San Antonio native and we know a thing or two or fresh made guac). The chips were warm and crispy too, although $ 10 was a little steep for something that’s usually free or a few bucks back home.
I ordered the BBLT with pepper jack cheese and my boyfriend ordered the original-​both medium. I thought my burger was really good especially the bacon and for $ 15 it wasn’t too bad. My boyfriend was not a fan of his and neither was I. It had caramelized onions on it with some type rosemary sauce and just tastes kind of off.
Overall the menu seems to be hit or miss depending on what you order. Our bill came to around $ 50+ tip when all was said and done. Was it worth it? Possibly, depending on taste etc. It wasn’t the best I’ve ever had but also not the worse. The food and environment were good, service was good and the prices seemed fair for the area.

Pretty cool place with really nice folks greeting and serving. Our order took way too long and we were finished with our meals before anyone came by to see if everything was ok. Orders were not correct, but we didn’t get he chance to have them corrected so we just ate missing items and scraping cheese off burgers.
The food was ok. nothing great and their toppings were way too salty and contained too much garlic. One of the reasons we picked this place was that they offer gluten-​free rolls. Of course they were out of them so two in my party had hamburgers without buns. That’s poor management 101.
I’ll find another place next time.

We finally gave Five Napkins a try for a late lunch. It was good but not in my top five burger spots.
The ambiance was nice… had an industrial, boho feel. The place was spotless. Our server was great. He was training with another server but both were friendly and attentive. Unfortunately another diner who was there before us did not fare as well as he had yet to be served after our food had already made its way to us. We overheard that his meal was comped so at least they made it up to him.
At any rate, our food was good. I had a 5N and a Spicy Cheddar slider. The beef was good quality and cooked as I liked it but it didn’t wow me.
I did enjoy the homemade waffle chips which were very tasty.
My husband had the 5N which he enjoyed along with some fries he thought were tasty.
Overall, it was good and we’d come back but there are other spots I’d choose over Five Napkins.

I came here for happy hour because who can turn down $ 2 sliders and 50cent wings? Anyhow, this location is slightly awkward if you enter from the Prudential Center so try to enter from Huntington Ave because otherwise you’ll have to walk through the restaurant and have everyone stare at you before you reach the hostess. If you’re there for happy hour, let them know! You must be seated in the bar area for that and they don’t automatically give you the happy hour menu or advertise it until you ask for it. Or at least that’s what happened with me.
The food is standard. I recommend the 5N sliders and the wings! Everything is on the greasier side but it’s flavorful and cooked properly. Service is quite slow though, from taking orders to picking up dishes to getting the bill. It took at least 20 minutes before the server came to pick up the empty dishes and then 5 after that to bring the check. The bar and restaurant were not crowded at all on the Thursday afternoon so I was very disappointed that it took so long.
I would come here for happy hour to catch up with friends over a drink and quick food because then time will go by quicker, but if you’re coming here just to grab a bite, be warned about the slow service.

There’s nothing like a $ 16 burger.
And 5 Napkin is nothing like a $ 16 burger.

I stopped in for a late lunch and the place was pretty empty, especially when you put the size of the restaurant into consideration. The service was a bit below average, had some issues getting the waiter’s attention, especially when I was ready to pay the bill. I got a bacon cheddar burger and it wasn’t very flavorful. The meat had barely any seasoning and was a bit dry. Most of the flavor I got was really only coming from the bacon on top. I don’t think I’d come back, the burgers were pretty pricy and it just wasn’t very good. For a place with «burger» in the name I was expecting a lot more.

So this is my first review ever and I had to, simply because how horrible it was. If I could give it a 0 I whole heartdly would. Service horrible…10 mins to get water, really?! Potato skins made out of fingerlings? 6 less then bite size pieces for 6 $ again, really!?! Mexican street corn, not even on the cob with a dollop of some cheese sauce. Appetizers and entrée burgers out at the exact same time.
The name of your reataurant has burger in the title and yet the two 16 $ burgers we order you have the audacity to over cook. A medium burger to well done and a medium rare burger to well done. I think at that point its time to hang up the towel. If you are in the area and want a good burger head over to Newbury st and hit up Shake Shack save some $, time and spare yourself from a wtf moment!!!

The staff was really friendly, so that’s a plus.
As for the food, maybe my expectations were too high because the person who brought me here said it was the best burger they’d ever had (They’d visited a New York location beforehand)… I got the Original 5 Napkin Burger. It was a large portion, but the actual toppings weren’t doing it for me. The onions weren’t crisp enough and the rosemary aioli tasted like normal mayo.
I hear you can get cheap sliders at the bar, so that might be the way to go.

I enjoyed the food, but the service was horrible.
A friend and I went for the happy hour on a Saturday afternoon; the place was a ghost town at 5:30pm. My friend had arrived early and was drinking a glass of water that the waitress brought her. When I got there, she brought over the menus, but no water for me :(
We each ordered two sliders, planning to get more depending on how much we liked them. The waitress said it was no problem and to flag her down whenever we were ready for more. When the food finally came (it took forever), I really liked the 5N burger and the taquitos. My friend had the veggie sliders and I would recommend them as well. Being completely satisfied by the food, we were ready for more. «Oh sorry, we ended happy hour early tonight. We have a lot of reservations.» Excuse me, what? She knew we were interested in more, and frankly I couldn’t care less how many reservations for people dining after us there were. We were in the restaurant in the middle of our meal! The least she could have done was ask us if we wanted anything else BEFORE they end happy hour early. Unacceptable.
Anyway, we ended up getting the edamame hummus appetizer and it was delicious. After finishing, we asked for the check and a water for me. She brought the check, but no water. Dying of thirst at this point…
Was the food worth the frustratingly slow and inconsiderate service? Time will tell.

Schmeh. I expected more from a burger place. Don’t get me wrong. I ordered the classic cheeseburger and it was good. It was NOT $ 15 good. It lacked a certain amount of flavor. I can’t put my finger on it though. To date the best burger I’ve had is dinosaur bbq in NYC.
With 8oz of meat, it served as my only meal for the day, so that was a plus. I asked for medium and it came cooked to order. Bun was ordinary and slightly toasted. All the fixings expected came with (lettuce, tomato, raw onion, pickles). I went with regular fries specifically asking for well done. Liked them a lot.
There is ketchup on every table but I had to ask for mustard.
They have a decent wine list, what appears to be a great cocktail list and a very good beer list.
All in all a good experience but way too pricey for me. I likely will not return.

Mir persönlich hat es sehr gut gefallen. Vielleicht lag es daran, dass ich dort den mit Abstand besten Vegetarischen Burger meines Lebens gegessen habe. Der — war — rich — tig — gut. Dazu gab es Pommes und einen Cesar Salat. Beides ebenfalls top. Das Ambiente war ok — das Personal sehr freundlich und zuvorkommend. Die Karte hat auch eine großartige Bier-​Auswahl, die ich leider nicht testen konnte (am Mittag).
Nicht ganz billig, aber (1) was ist in Boston schon billig (2) war es, wie gesagt wirklich lecker und damit sein Geld wert.