Lunchtime wait at BK Diner is never bad, you can always sit at the counter.

When I’m back in queens I’ll have to check out Gyro World & Fontana’s and compare.

Lil NYC Food Guy,

You said it about Cherry Valley, its just not as good as it used to be. Unfortunately, I don’t think the sandwiches were ever that great it was just novel in the beginning and the more you went the more you realized the quality of the sandwiches is pretty mediocre. Plus, they provide Hunt’s Ketchup not Heinz. Terrible.

No love for Fontanas? I’ve been there a few times I’m definitely one of the love it guys…but I haven’t had any of the other places so I can’t really compare…what do you think of VIP Pizza? I’ve had a few good slices there

You sound like someone who would go to Cherry Valley too…its definitely gone downhill but I’m still good for a nice beast or bomb hero now and then

When I went to the Woodside Donovan’s they actually didn’t get the onions fried enough and when we sent them back they wouldn’t get them more well done so we ate a bunch of undercooked not so tasty onions…definitely poor service

Definitely give BK a shot again its easily my favorite burger too…and Joint is awesome

BK Diner, wow I haven’t been there in ages, certainly haven’t had the burger but that photo is a convincing argument. I’ll try it out this week if I can tear myself away from my desk. How are the wait times at lunch?

Gyro World
19423 Northern Boulevard
Flushing, NY 11358
(718) 428-3800

This place is on the corner of 195th and Northern Blvd, definitely worth a stop when you want an authentic gyro experience.

The place you’re thinking of is Fontana’s across from PC Richards on the corner of Nothern and Francis Lewis…which I don’t really care for much…one of those love it or hate it, nothing in between establishments.

Saint’s and Sinners is known for thier Guinness – Which is all I really need to gague a pub by…most pubs that care enough to draw thier beer from manual pumps usually correlates to attention to detail in the kitchen. I haven’t been to this place so I can’t vouch for either, I just hear stories and that’s usually a good place to start a journey.

To speak for Donnie, “Donnie’s” is short for Donovan’s.

Id rather have an old school Donovan’s Burger than Burger Joint. Old School Bayside Donovan’s when it was on point, was the best burger I’ve ever had. Burger Joint is definitely up there, probably my present time 2nd favorite after BK Diner. Have you tried BK Diner Seth?

As for Gyro Express, is that the spot at the intersection of Francis Lewis & Northern? You definitely make it sounds solid and I’m totally on board with the layering of fries, pork and tatziki. Is Gyro world the Roy Rogers looking place across from PC Richards or is that Fontana’s?

I don’t know anything about Saints & Sinners. What have you heard is good? If I’m going to Woodside, I’m going to have to try Sripraphai Thai, have you been there?

Donnie’s in Woodside has a dank burger eh? I have to admit, the last time I heard someone use the word dank to describe something in a positive way was in college and the item in question was an herb, not a protein

I haven’t heard of Donnie’s but I’ll try almost any place once.

I don’t know if I should start a new string but this is burger related:

Has anyone tried the food at Saints and Sinners in Woodside. I hear good things about that joint, can anyone confirm or deny? If you liked it what was good there?

Thanks for the comment NYC Food Guy. There are a few places in Bayside that I like. I happen to like that place (Mythos) a lot for sit down Mediterranian food, and Erawan is on my list of places to go to when I can’t think of anywhere to go eat.

To answer your question, burgers that I think give Donovan’s a run for it’s money include the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park – a walk up burger stand that will actually make a rare burger if you ask for it! And the Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridian in Midtown (56th and 6th) – order it with the works but hold the mustard, it’s a little too overpowering.

Just two blocks west of Mythos on Northern Blvd. is GYRO WORLD, which consistently puts out some of the best traditional Greek gyros and souvlaki I’ve ever had. You’re probably familiar with the American gyro which consists of ground beef and lamb, but a Greek gyro is 100% sliced pork meat, seasoned with lemon and herbs and skewered rotating in the vertical rotisserie until the meat is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. They serve that up with fresh potato French fries that have been soaking in salt water until they’re ready to go into the fryer to give them a crispy exterior and pillowy soft interior. You can also opt for traditional lemon potatos, quartered potatos that were marinading in a lemon vinagrette and then roasted…but the french fries are really where it’s at. Layer a slice a pita with a handful of fries, put down a heaping spoonful of tzatziki sauce, throw some pork gyro on top of that, squeeze on some lemon juice and try not to lose consciousness when you hit your food high (or when your body shuts down when it realizes how much insulin it has to start producing).

Very thorough review of Donovan’s in Woodside. Great job. Glad to hear that it was up to par. I haven’t actually had the burger at the Woodside branch but the memories of the Bayside branch (pre-renovation) still buoy my burger dreams.

Its funny you mention the onions because earlier today I was telling someone about Donovan’s and how the new Bayside branch owners ditched the old style onions thereby destroying the Bayside Donovan’s burger. I’m very happy to hear that onions are alive and well at the Woodside Branch.

What are some of your other favorite burgers? Have you been to Erawan Thai on Bell Boulevard? It’s pretty serious. I’ve only been once but was please. Also, Mythos, the greek place a little further down Northern past Bell Boulevard is also excellent.

Thanks for stopping by, keep up the solid comments.

NYC Food Guy,

I was in the mood for a tasty burger and I didn’t know where to go in my area (Bayside). I read your review of Donovan’s in my neighborhood and heeded your warning (I’ve been consistently disappointed eating in Bayside so I figured your review was probably on the mark). I decided to take my crew for a drive to the original in Woodside.

This pub is beautiful. Old world Irish with wooden stools at the bar, wood panel everywhere, dim lighting, and tons of seating. We got there Sunday at about 4 in the afternoon so there was no waiting.

The three of us ordered burgers 3 different ways. I’ll tell you about mine – I had a bacon cheeseburger (cheddar) with fried onion cooked medium. I got exactly what I had in mind. A hefty burger, very juicy and well seasoned, meat was tender and cooked to my order (all of ours were cooked to order perfectly and my sister in law is VERY particular about the done-ness of her meat orders). Bacon was plentiful and crisp, cheese was just right. But the best part of this burger…what tied it all together, was the pile of fried (sautéed) onions that added that perfect mild onion flavor while adding a little sweetness to the burger.

The waitress brought extra napkins with our order, thank goodness. These burgers made a delicious mess of my hands as the bun couldn’t absorb all the juice and fat from the burger, cheese, bacon and onions.

The fries were good – I’m more of a Belgian frites fan but these nubby potato nuggets complimented our burgers just fine. Ketchup was in a traditional Heinz bottle, just like it ought to be (you have to tap that 57, scooping ketchup from a ramekin isn’t the same).

I don’t think that Donovan’s has the BEST burger in NY, but I can say that this is the burger I would have made for myself at home if it hadn’t been so damn hot this weekend. This is a burger I can recommend to friends that know I don’t suggest anything that isn’t up to par. This burger satisfied me and my friends that were with me on Sunday, and for 3 burgers and 4 pints of beer at less than $75 with tax and tip, it was a very, very good meal. If it’s not too out of the way for you, it’s worth the trip for a burger fix.–Seth, Bayside Queens

Im embarrassed to say I haven’t been to Harriet’s I live right near there. Keep an eye out, I’ll make it happen. What makes it so good?