A couple years ago a new burger restaurant called Schnipper’s opened in the new NY Times Building across from the Port Authority. There was a lot of debate across the blogs about whether it was the new Shake Shack. The competition heated up when Shake Shack opened a new location nearby. The gauntlet was thrown once again, once Schnipper’s announced it would open a second location nearby the original Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. Take that Danny!
We have never made it across town to the original location, but when the second location opened we knew we had to give it a shot. I had off on Thanksgiving week and CT was working from home that day, so we splurge and headed down there for lunch.
The restaurant is a little hidden if you are walking over from Madison Square Park since it is on the north side of 23rd street across from Shake Shack. Further down on 23rd on the other side of Park is the dark horse, Fresh N Fast. I have never been, but doubt it will ever win the race.
The space is quite large with plenty of room for 5 or 6 cash registers and a line of people that won’t hover over the multitude of tables. We went during the prime lunch hour and there was a line, but it moved pretty quickly unlike at its neighbor. After ordering, they give you a number tag and food is brought to you at your table.
Schnipper’s has quite a large menu with a variety of different burgers, sandwiches, salads and more! We stuck to burgers and fries to judge how much of a competitor it truly was.
On hindsight, I realize I should have gotten one of the plain cheeseburgers in order to best compare against Shake Shack, but we shared two of their speciality burgers instead.
Schnipper’s Classic Burger ($6.99). “Our special cheese blend, caramelized onions, bacon, baby arugula, Schnipper sauce.”
This was a good burger, but as you can see it had way too much cheese. The peppery arugula and sweet onions were the strongest flavors in the burger. The meat became an afterthought. There wasn’t that much bacon, but enough for a little taste in every bite.
Green Chile Cheeseburger ($6.99). “Our special cheese blend, house roasted poblanos, Schnipper sauce.”
This was the burger I was most looking forward to trying since it isn’t on many menus in the NYC area. As with the other burger, this had way too much cheese on it. A lot glooped onto the tray when the burger was picked up. Fortunately the chiles had very good roasted flavor, but not much heat. I am glad I tried it, but probably wouldn’t get it again.
Our friend, Hungry, from Tasty Eating highly recommended the chili cheese fries. It turned out that the fries were topped with sloppy joe, not chili. Hence the name; Sloppy Fries ($5.99). They were indeed quite sloppy and really needed a fork to be eaten. We were a little disappointed because we didn’t realize it was sloppy joe and not chili until later. Call me a purist because I prefer plain old fries. I definitely like Shake Shack’s crinkle cuts more than these shoestrings.
Schnipper’s also has quite a variety of drinks including many different flavored milkshakes. When I saw that one flavor was Salted Caramel ($5.50), I knew I had to try it. Along with Yvo, I appreciate good salted caramel. While the shake wasn’t very salty, I think the salt did a great job of toning down the sweetness of the caramel. I am enjoyed it but from what I am sure is a ridiculous amount of calories, I wouldn’t get it again.
In addition to regular fountain sodas, they offer sweet and unsweetened tea, lemonade and LIMEADE! CT and I made ourselves an Arnold Palmer while we ate. It was quite good and refreshing. On the way out, I went back for a refill and tried unsweeted tea with the limeade. While Arnold Palmers have surged in popularity over the past couple of years, I don’t see the limeade tea bumping it off that pedestal anytime soon.
All in all, it was a pretty good lunch and first experience at Schnipper’s. While they quite an extensive menu, I still prefer Shake Shack in its simplicity. They let the burgers speak for themselves. That isn’t to say, you wouldn’t find me in Schnipper’s in the dead of winter instead of outside at Shake Shack.
skippymom says
Being able to make my own Arnie is enough for me! 🙂
Sara says
I live and work near the original, and while I always enjoy the burgers, the SALADS are actually the superstar that we keep going back to. SUPER fresh, big, and quite tasty. We order them for the office weekly.
TT says
I noticed a lot of the office workers eating salads when we were there, they must be good. Although would be hard for me to order with so many non-healthy foods around.
BeerBoor says
I like Fresh N Fast, I really do for the most part, but the comparison is to Shake Shack, burger-wise. The Schnipper’s burgers don’t look like they’re even remotely the same ratio of meat to bun, or for that matter the type of bun, as SS or FnF. But I’d believe that under the cheese lies a fairly tasty patty, and flavor-wise, it would stand toe-to-toe with the Shack.
TT says
yea as I mentioned, the burgers would be hard to compare. especially the “flavors” we chose that day.
BeerBoor says
That plus the bun-to-meat ratio, and for the matter the bun — Schnipper’s bun seems much more “hearty”. Maybe it’s more brgr than Fresh N Fast or Shake Shack (though not close by)? Lots of toppings that seem designed, for no reason, to obscure the meat?
Hungry says
Too bad you didn’t like those sloppy fries as much as I did. I mean salty potatoes smothered in meat and cheese is mighty fine by me.
TT says
who wouldn’t like that? it was just meh in the execution.
Goats says
I had Schnippers and liked it—but I didn’t pay for it. I do prefer it to shake shack, but schnipper’s price is ridiculous for what you get.Those burgers are TINY! Pricewise, shake shack seems a bit more fair. Regardless, I’d rather spend double at Houston’s….and get a giant amazing burger and fries. Or I’d just go to mcdonalds and dollar menu it up! 7 bucks goes a long way!
Scout says
I read this from my cage and was very upset that you would even think that any place could be better then SS.
Also I am channeling this comment through BLC who is writing it for me from 30,000 feet
on her iPad.
T.C. says
I enjoyed the classic just fine but it won’t replace SS’s burgers for me either. Their chocolate shake is also just okay to me.
I would try the sloppy fries sometime. SS regular fries are terrible. McDonald’s fries are more highly regarded for my consumption.
Chekmark Eats says
The peanut butter shake is great too!
Feisty Foodie says
I’ve been meaning to take DLS to get a burger one of these days… thanks! Salted caramel milkshake ftw 🙂
Feisty Foodie says
How is it that I STILL HAVEN’T GONE I WANT A SALTED CARAMEL MILKSHAKE RIGHT NOW