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Watchlist // SoHo
burgers · SoHo, ManhattanNO. 317 / 342

Hamburger America

An 11-stool SoHo diner run by burger historian George Motz, serving a deliberately tiny three-item menu that draws a walk-in-only lunch-and-dinner crowd.

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//The line

Hamburger America is an 11-stool diner in SoHo run by burger historian George Motz — who has said he's eaten roughly 20,000 burgers researching the format — and it deliberately keeps the menu to just three options (the fried onion burger, the classic smash, and a rotating monthly special), which turns the tiny counter over fast.

Reviewers describe it as walk-in only with a wait during lunch and dinner rushes, but they also note the line moves quickly because the menu is so short and the small crew is efficient. There's no indication the restaurant takes reservations, so hitting it in the off-peak window between lunch and dinner appears to be the main way regulars skip queuing for one of the 11 stools.

//When the line peaks
Lunch hours reportedly draw a walk-in wait Dinner hours are also called out as busy in reviews Friday–Saturday evenings (open until 11pm) likely see the longest lines given extended weekend hours Off-peak weekday afternoons appear to be the easiest time to get one of the 11 stools

Patterns as reported by press and regulars — not measured by damnlines.

//FAQ
How long is the wait at Hamburger America?

Damnlines doesn't have a live camera at Hamburger America yet, so we can't give you a real-time line count. Reviewers describe a wait during lunch and dinner hours, but say the line moves quickly since it's an 11-stool walk-in counter with a short, three-item menu — arriving off-peak is your best bet to avoid queuing.

Does Hamburger America take reservations?

Nothing in reviews or the restaurant's own site suggests Hamburger America takes reservations — it appears to run as a walk-in, first-come-first-served counter with only 11 stools.

What are Hamburger America's hours?

Reported hours are Monday–Thursday and Sunday 11am–10pm, and Friday–Saturday 11am–11pm. Always worth double-checking before you go since hours can change.

What's on the menu at Hamburger America?

The menu is deliberately small: the fried onion burger, the classic smash burger, and a rotating monthly special burger.

Where is Hamburger America located?

51 MacDougal St, on the SoHo/Greenwich Village border in Manhattan.

Sources: Yelp — Hamburger America · Hamburger America — Hours & Location

Hamburger America Line — How Long Is the Wait? SoHo, NYC | damnlines