Big Nick’s Burger & Pizza Joint

The spicy waffle fries weren’t at all spicy and they really weren’t good fries in general. And my $ 9 chicken sandwich was decent but so small, I was starving after. Overall not too great.

We came all the way from Cali to eat here again only to find it was closed down! Soo sad! What a loss to this community that seems to be losing quite a bit of small businesses. So long Big Nick’s!

Back during my life in Nyc I used to visit this place once in a while. Living on the upper westside was an experience within itself. Seeing celebrities almost daily coupled with insane food prices. Big Nicks fit in with all of the Manhattan craziness. I vividly remember paying $ 13 for a hamburger and this was in the mid 1990’s! I am sorry that Big Nicks is no more. Much like ‘Atomic wings’ where Rosie O’Donald use to frequent across the street. It will be missed. The place was not a choice for those who are claustrophobic. I always worried about getting trapped inside and being crushed by the building. There was literally no room in Big Nicks to sit or stand. However the place is where I think SNL got its famous 70’s ‘cheeseburger’ sketch from. If you have seen that sketch then you have seen a good example of how Big Nicks use to be.

I stupidly ordered an open face turkey sandwich from here and it was inedible. I don’t know what they smothered it in but within minutes of the delivery it had my entire apartment reeking and had to be thrown out down the shoot in the hallway. The waffle fries were ok, the rice pudding was off, and the soup that came with my turkey was terrible. $ 25 spent on just a few mouthfuls of edible food.
Never again.

Good-​bye Big Nick’s.
When you closed I decided to move out of the UWS. I don’t need to live surrounded by banks and Starbucks. New York City, where are you? Do you still exist under this huge pile of corporate crap?
Big Nick’s you meant the world to me and will always live in my childhood memories. I loved you with all my heart. You were it, you were New York City.

When you are eating in the UWS (Upper West Side) expect to burn a hole in your wallet.
The cost of my burger with fries was $ 15 + change (including the tips).
NO BURGER SHOULD EVER BE WORTH THIS MUCH… UNLESS the burger is so big that you would need 2 mouths to ingest it all.
Or you personally had a choice of which part of the animal you want the burger from.
I still wouldn’t pay that much for ONE burger.
Any who, the store is small, cramp and rather uncomfortable.
You walk in on a HOT, HUMID summer day and you can forget about the 4 bottles of water you drank an hour ago.
You will be sweating that shyt out on the seats, ESPECIALLY towards the back of the dining area where I foolishly decided to sit because it was dimly lit and I assumed that the breeze would cool me off a bit.
It actually got HOTTER the longer I sat at that place.
In between the fanning of the HOT air from the ovens baking pizzas, the outdoor heat that is ushered in by each time someone enters/​leaves, AND the collected heat of the bodies in the place already… I felt like maybe I was the one being cooked…
ALIVE…
HOLY SHYT.
The space gets EVEN MORE CRAMPED as you make your way to the bathroom as you are being taken on a tour of the back area where the servers go to get utensils and other knickknacks.
The bathroom is presented to you by a vintage green painted door that would be uncomfortable to enter even as a toddler.
It is that damn small.
BUT if you have read this far then you will know I save the best parts for last.
THE OSTRICH BURGER WAS DELISH.
Despite all the cons that I have already listed, the burger was well done but was still JUICY.
The patty came with a slice of tomato, a leaf of lettuce, 2 pickles, and a small portion of medium finger fries in a long rhombus shape.
The tangy sauce that accompanied the burger was also amazing as it tasted like Italian Dressing with a mildly sweeter taste with chopped cucumbers and onions.
Put that on your burger and you are good to go.
The bun leaves much to be desired though as it was just a plain sesame bun.
It could have been at least a little toasted.
The SERVICE is something that you will really have to ignore but I have to mention because if you come in expecting hand and foot service, you will be EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED.
The waitress who I informed that I would be taken the occupancy at the corner seat under the dimly lit area as I made my way to the bathroom acknowledged me.
What I didn’t know was after I embarked on the «grand» tour to the bathroom and came back, she was on her lunch break.
This would have been fine except now I’m left with this chunky fella who seemed to have downed one too many kegs within the last 10 minutes since I have walked into this fire pit.
To top THAT off he spoke broken English and I was very afraid he would have gotten my order wrong.
In fact, after I damn near had to RE-​RAISE my voice twice to tell him that I would like FRIED PICKLES with my meal ($ 2 extra) he acted as if I was the one mispronouncing.
No BRAH, it is YOU.
Funniest moment came when he came back to inform me that they ran out of fried pickles and when my meal came delivered by the Asian waitress it came with…
YOU GUESS IT, PICKLES!
Couldn’t you have just FRIED those? SMH.
Next, you’ll tell me you ran out of dough for bread.
This store is well known as a local UWS eatery landmark which my curiousity gave into.
But alas it most likely is a 1 and done trip.

Love the burgers — every time we are hanging in the city or having a day in central park… this is our go to place for burgers.
I will say that. I haven’t had anything else other than their burgers… so can’t comment on anything else. I do love their pickles… I would have given them five stars. but I am very picky about the buns that people use for their burgers. I a like my buns to be regular burger buns… not some fancy bread which takes away from the burger.
I also have to say that the fries sometimes are a bit too oily… but I always prefer the waffle fries. If you are adventurous… I would suggest the SUMO burger… VERY Good

A great place to get a bite to eat late night. From my experience, I find that the pizza is the best option although I have had their Greek salad, bruschetta, and a few other items and all were good. The regular pizza is great and the Sicilian Pesto (pizza slice) is fucking awesome (this is something I would go any time of day for). Also! They serve wine and beer until 4am, which is convenient considering most bars in the area stop serving food by 1am.
The atmosphere is super casual and divey so you can show up wearing pretty much anything. Don’t go if you’re looking for a fine dining experience. Duh.

An old school burger shop.
It’s a must for any tourist to come here to feel New York and its near Lincoln Center.
The place is a bit cramped and messy.
Kitchen staffs are friendly.
Their offer huge selections of items which sometimes make customer difficult to decide what to eat! (good and bad)
I ordered onion burger (medium well). But ended up, they gave me an overcooked beef patty. The taste was quite good but over cooked patty spoilt the whole burger.
Will go back to try other items when I’m in Lincoln Center area.

I wish I had been hammered at 3am when I went here. Instead I was stone-​cold buzzing, starving, and it was 9pm.
I wanted this to be the greatest place in the world. Instead, it was just very… New York, in all the good ways of course.
It’s more of a 24-​hour greasy spoon diner than a place that specializes in burgers and pizza, although they have oodles of both. It’s just that they have oodles of everything, and they don’t knock either the burgers nor the pizza out of the park. Not even close.
Again, had it been 3am, I might be singing a different tune.
The place is sort of an establishment, given that it touts being open since 1960-​something all over the place (apparently that branding wasn’t good enough to remember, but that might be due to the fact that there are tons of laminated placards advertising all sorts of greasy foods in every spare inch of the place).
The waitresses here are so old-​fashionedly awesome I can’t say enough about them. They are the sweetest ladies, so good at what they do, you’ll think you are in a Midwest diner and not in the city, save their accents, of course. Not only are they attentive, but they also know when to stay away and when to make friendly banter. One even handed me a free sample of some delicious cinnamon flaky desert yumlette. It could have been due to the fact that I was all over my smartphone taking pictures of my food, but let’s not let my Unilocaling head get too big, just me belly.
The pizza:
Thank God New York always does it right every time. I can fold nearly every damn slice NY style and eat it the way I prefer. I ordered a slice of pepperoni, and the slices were large. This seems awesome when you’re looking at it, but for some reason large slices seem to provide less taste than smaller slices. Perhaps you can pack more meat on a slice with smaller slices, or something. The cheese was… regular…nothing special. Same with the sauce. What stood out most was the crust, and not in the best way. It was too… grainy. I tried to see if it was due to the cornmeal that many places put under their pies as they are baking. It could be. Or it simply could have been the consistency of the crust. I imagine some soul would love this crust, but I felt it detracted from the slice as a whole.
The burgers:
Disappointing! Granted, I ordered the Cajun something or other, which was supposed to come with a dollop of hot sauce. Man, that thing wasn’t spicy at all, but was topped with some sort of goo that was supposedly «Cajun.» Sigh. I deserve it. Why am I ordering anything Cajun in the Yankee stronghold? Some cheese could have markedly improved this burger, but I for some reason wanted to be a purist and order as is. The burger meat itself was pretty bland, like it needed seasoning, which is problematic as I was ordering the CAJUN burger. Sigh agin. Lots of meat on this burger, just not a lot of taste. Again, 3am Mike might disagree.
Other particulars:
Pay up at the front, don’t leave cash on the table. I just gave my server her tip by hand, though you can do it on your receipt if paying by card. Limited bathroom space. They don’t like people on laptops, which seems to be recalcitrance toward the day and age. Get over it.

Unfortunately, the relationship between me and Big Nick’s is close to being done. I was extremely disappointed with overcooked burgers topped with canned diced pineapples the last two times I was there. The burger isn’t juicy anymore and they’ve started doing Living Social and Groupon, which makes it even worse!
I’m always still hopeful and maybe one day I’ll go back and they’ll win my burger heart again.

Big Nick’s is a no-​nonsense dive of a diner that’s been around since the 1960s. Their menu is so extensive that it lines the walls of the restaurant. Honestly, you probably don’t even have to look at the menu– just tell them what you want and they’ll make it for you. (In all seriousness, when I was a kid, my brother wanted oreos in his milkshake and they actually sent someone to buy a pack of oreos for him…)
Management isn’t incredibly friendly but service is speedy. Don’t bring a laptop or talk on the phone… this place encourages face-​to-​face conversation!
The establishment really hasn’t changed a bit (other than the prices going up, but they’ve got to pay the rent).
They have delicious gyros and souvlaki. I don’t know what they put on their waffle fries, but whatever it is has me hooked! They have incredibly generous portions. Burgers and pizza are good. It’s New York. A lot of the time they give you free baklava at the end of your meal and it is oh-​so-​good.
I love the Three Stooges videos they always have playing in the background.
This place is what it is. I love it, but some may find the atmosphere less charming and more… dingy…
The UWS is becoming unaffordable to keep a business running, so visit this place before it disappears!

Seriously who can’t get enough of this place. Excellent and Consistent Burgers that don’t make you feel like you just ate a greasy mess and leave you all disgusting. Love the pizza burger with fresh mozzarella on a giant English muffin, never disappoints. I usually get the waffle fries as steak fries are not my cup of tea. This is the kind of place you want to order a vanilla coke, cherry coke or shake, it has that old school appeal.
The place is a throw back to a different era, I’m surprised with all the rules and regulations of NYC today, they aren’t on some Bloomberg Hit List. Also love all the menu items listed on the wall, kind of makes it unnecessary to open the menu. The neighborhood over there has changed so much over the years, I hope Big Nicks lives through the ever changing apple. If there are six million stories in the naked city, hopefully one of your stories gets to end late in the morning at this place.

What do we have here. A real estate listing for the Big Nick’s space?

Sad. After 50 years of being in business, looks like this beloved dive is getting kicked out…
Big Nick’s screams «New York» — especially the waitstaff’s don’t-give-a-F attitudes. (They’re not nasty, just not the most warm.) The woman who settled near us with her newspaper said that she’d been coming here for 30 years. Her mushroom pizza was mammoth, piled with fresh mushrooms, and smelled amazing. On her rec, my friend and I both got burgers. God, my burger was so good. Flavorful, juicy, and just the right amount of messiness. (Never trust a neat-​looking burger.)
Perching a single waffle fry on top of regular fries seems to be a «thing» they do.
The space is dark and crowded — more character than finesse. Our cramped table all the way in back almost caused an employee lugging a bag of something to hit my friend in the head.
Loved the food. Respected the irreverent attitude. Big Nick’s is worth going out of your way to visit — especially before their landlord boots them and puts in an Urban Outfitters or something.

On a wet and gloomy Sunday afternoon I decided to get something to eat, and being in the area I was told why not try this place they are delicious. I’m not one to judge a book by its cover but sometimes you have to, and in this place I think my first impression was right.
Walking up to this «Joint» you know you are taking a step back in time into the old days of diners and dives. As Guy Fierrie would say this is not a diner, not a drive in, but a Dive. This is a dive in ever sense of the word. It is packed and the place is extremely small and cramped. The place looks dilapidated and not well kept.
Well I still didn’t let this look have an impression on me about the food. I ordered a portcheddar cheeseburger and a vanilla milkshake. But I must say this, the menu is mind boggling because there is WAY too many items on the menu and honestly it is way to many things to look at. Plus you don’t need the menu because they have their specials and almost the whole menu taped onto the walls. It’s kind of funny if you think about it.
Well back to the food… The burger was big and a good portion and cooked right, but honestly the cheese on top was way to much and overbearing. The cheese actually took away from the meat and it took away from the essence of the burger. I think if you cut down your menu and choose the dishes you can cook, and cook right, those will be your money makers. But on an upside the fries and milkshake were actually good. The deli fries cooked perfectly and the milkshake nice and thick was delicious.
Would I go back? Probably not, but it is opened 24hrs so that might be a reason for me to go after a night of drinking.

What’s not to love about their phone-​book size menu?
They literally have something for everybody. You don’t even have to look at the menu. Just think of something, anything, and they’ll pretty much have it.
I’d give it five stars for their variety, but I take one away for that bathroom. It has to be the worst restaurant bathroom in New York City. I’d rather pay $ 7 and buy a beer at a local bar and use theirs.

The place has been around since 1962, and hasn’t changed much. The place is not clean and there are certain crowds I wouldn’t take here for that reason.
The menu is expansive. To the point where I find it hard to believe they can do that many things good (and fresh!).
We all ordered burgers. All of ours were overcooked to the point where they were crunchy, except our friend who ordered his rare (and it came more medium well). Two of the burgers were so dry, we couldn’t even finish them.
The service was laughably bad. We had to ask for water 4 times, and when they brought it, they were in 4oz glasses. We asked for larger glasses, and he said, «I’m not allowed to give you larger glasses.» He was dead serious.
We had to ask for mustard 3 times and onions and pickles twice (although we were told when we ordered that they came with the deluxe order).
If you go, you want to sit outside. A) you won’t be able to see how dirty the inside is and B) you’ll be way more comfortable — the inside is HOT and crowded.
Also, was that a bug zapper I saw inside? Oy vey.

Okay, so… stupid me. I went to Big Nick’s Burger and Pizza Joint Too before going to Big Nick’s Burger and Pizza Joint… And then yesterday I was trying to go back to Too and then ended up here!
What a pleasant surprise that this is Too’s glorious predecessor. A little bit more expensive, but more (outdoor) seating definitely makes it a must stop…
I tried Big Nick’s Special (pizza) and it was delicious. Wouldn’t have missed the curry powder on it though. But the combination of mushrooms, onions, garlic and beef made this a delicious concoction that I had to refrain from wolfing down in 4 bites. Rus ordered Big Nick’s club salad. which was also amazing. Had pieces of boiled potatoes? Interesting.
Service is friendly, fast and helpful… which I also appreciate. The server didn’t stare at me blankly when I shared my stupid story about thinking that this was the Too place… Instead she laughed at my inability to use my Unilocal app correctly! WhooHah!
Next time I am tempted to try the Mac and Cheese slice.
May I just say, I love the Upper West Side. I have died and gone to Jerry Seinfeld/​pizza/​NYC heaven.

Its a place to go when you’re hungry, no frills, just good olé greased up diner food that will satisfy all cravings. If you can think of a diner food or combination, they probably have it on their 30+ page menu or they can whip it up for you!
Clogged arteries and satisfaction is bound to ensue.
Great after-​Boat Basin spot.

I felt like I just entered an episode of «Hoarders» when sitting down to have a burger at Big Nick’s. I mean, its claustrophobic-​ally cool in all it’s dive-​tastic griminess!!!
There is crap everywhere on the walls of this place. Old pictures of pseudo B-​grade celebrities hang everywhere, ragged posters adorn the walls, signs are all over the place, along with motivational /​humorous /​common sense sayings plastered on every single available spot. The tables and chairs look like the 1970’s threw up. The ceiling is warped and looks about to collapse on everyone. The service is NYC gruff — sit down and order dammit! The whole place looks like it needs to be sterilized with an acid bath and power wash. Holy germaphobe Batman — I don’t even want to know what the cleanliness factor is in the food prep area. From the looks of the outside walking by it might even scare many people away.
And you know what. I friggin love this place, and would not change a thing!
Huge menu of greasy hole in the wall burger goodness. Plus, terrific waffle fries!
It’s one of those hole in that wall places that are left over from a bygone era here in the city. Since 1962. Just a down and dirty burger joint open 24 hours a day. Sure, the menu is huge by why order anything else other than a big delicious sloppy burger on a huge fresh bun, an order of spicy waffle fries on the side, and an egg cream? Perfecto!
Yeah, the waitress lady can be a handful, but at least she calls you «honey» or «sweetheart» while snidely waiting for you to decide what you want to eat. The menu is daunting and reads like the Readers Digest and is just about as thick. It’s kind of ridiculous how many food options are actually in this thing. I don’t know who the heck would really order pizza, lasagna, meatloaf, soup, or steak, but the burger menu is like an encyclopedia. So many types to choose from.
When we dropped in one night this past weekend I was craving a burger, and this is an appropriate late-​night spot to satisfy a bad food craving. Barbecue Burger slathered in zesty BBQ sauce, spicy and crispy waffle fries, and a chocolate egg cream. Pure old school NYC comfort food burger meal after a night out drinking. The burger was big, tasty, and filling. Sure the bun was much larger than the burger, and it still fell apart at the end, but so what? I was buzzed and hungry. Waffles fries done just right. Washed down with a NY institution — an egg cream made with Bosco chocolate syrup. Satisfaction. Ohhhhh yeahhhh!
They just don’t make ‘em like this anymore.

As soon as I heard «Puppy Love» play, I knew Big Nick’s had character.
This Upper West Side pizzeria is open 23 hours (!) a day, and their burger/​restaurant side never closes. I’ve enjoy their pizza; their 9-​Lives pizza ($ 6.30/slice) is fine stuff. Big Nick’s Special ($ 4.80/slice) comes in second place, but still hits the spot. Their slices are big, and they don’t skimp on the toppings. Grab a slice and sit inside, or people-​watch by the sidewalk.
Amicable service.

Riesige Auswahl an Burger, Subs, Sandwiches und Pizza. Die Speisekarte ist gigantisch (was sonst kein gutes Zeichen ist), und kann fast jede Lust befriedigen. Die Portionen sind ordentlich, das Fleisch saftig und die Pommes knusprig. So wie man sich das wünscht.
Wer auf der Suche ist nach klassischem amerikanischen Fast Food kommt hier voll auf seine Kosten.