3. Droves of hungry New Yorkers wait in line at the original Shake Shack before taking to Madison Square Park’s grassy knolls where they savor burgers and other American comfort foods. The experience is half the fun, but the burger and milkshakes stand on their own (and prices begin at $4, making it the cheapest burger on my round-up).

4. Tucked away in the West Village is the Corner Bistro, located at West 4th and 8th Avenue. Although I very much enjoyed the $6.75 bistro burger and pub-like décor, Corner Bistro fared poorly against some of this list’s competitors. A bit dry, and served by a virtual zombie, I think I’ll reserve the Corner Bistro for late nights and hungover Saturdays when only grease and hair of the dog dutifully revive me.

5. Nearby in the trendy Meatpacking District is Bill’s Bar & Burger, another dive with more space and menu variety than Corner Bistro. Bill’s classic cheeseburger clocked in at $6.95 and, albeit salty, offered more flavor than some of the others on this roundup.

6. Schnipper’s Quality Kitchen appears at first glance to be a chain, perhaps a cleaner Fuddrucker’s: how else does a large, clean newcomer take residence in the New York Times Building? I’m not sure. Someone better suited to investigative journalism (perhaps a reporter at the NYT) can demystify this conundrum. What I can say is this: the Schnipper’s menu incorporates some odd combinations (fish tacos, sandwiches, salads, burgers, and 3 different blends of macaroni & cheese all grace the menu), so I was surprised to discover such a delicious and grease-free burger amidst its offerings (burgers start at $5.50).

7. Walk into the hotel lobby. Note thick tapestries concealing several walls, and follow your sense of smell toward the The Burger Joint, Le Parker Meridien’s best-kept secret. That such a dive thrives within a luxury hotel is no surprise: who wouldn’t appreciate the irony? And the burger starts at $7! Neatly dressed bankers scramble to the Burger Joint at lunchtime, so consider stopping by for pitchers of beer after work or during the weekends when lines are invariably shorter.

8. I had to diverge from the staple cheeseburger when a chef at Black Iron Burger brought me a sampling of the horseradish cheddar that tops the Iron Horse, a decadent two-patty burger served beneath grilled onions. This LES burger tasted like heaven, especially with my side of fried green beans (burgers start at $7, but the Iron Horse is $10).

9. Just when I thought I could burger no more, BLT Burger called to me during a casual stroll through Greenwich Village. Its menu reminds me of Shake Shack’s, except that booze factors into some of its milkshakes. Try one, and get an order of fried pickles, next time you visit chef Laurent Tourondel’s casual eatery (burgers start at $9).