Big Nick's Burger and Pizza Joint

The Scene – A dive that's been featured on the "Late Show," Big Nick's lines its walls with photos of the famous and not-so-famous people who have eaten here. Signs describing the various dishes are hung every which way, and the waitstaff criss-cross constantly between the diner's two rooms. – – The Food – It might be easier to decide what you're in the mood for, rather than trying to slog through the massive 14-page menu. Burgers, pizza, pasta, steaks, calzones, salads, chili, souvlaki, shakes, sandwiches, smoothies, desserts--there's not much you won't find here.…

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Editor's Tips

Where to Sit:: Solo diners will feel comfortable here. Grab a counter stool and amuse yourself by trying to figure out who the celebrity patrons are.
The Extras:: For something slightly more upscale, head to owner Nick Imirziades' sit-down Greek restaurant, Niko's, just a few doors down on the corner of 76th and Broadway.

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User Reviews (60)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“Great food in a setting heaped with personality, not posh but fun and crowded.” “for all of it's "dive" atmosphere, Big NIck's is really quite clean and friendly.” “wonderful atmosphere, busy, and small but the food is spectacular.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“The Burgers and Pizza are the highlights but I love the aunthetic spinich pie.”
drinks	100.0% positive	“try the port wine burger or even a big nicks hot dog with chili awesome and the cheese pizza can't be beat.” “had a SUMO Burger once with carmarlized onions and mushrooms, muster cheese and all the trimmings, it was great, it also comes with a huge order of fries and a large drink.” “The best part: open 24 hours so it's a great place to stop on your way home from the bar strip just a few blocks away.”
food quality	89.94999885559082% positive	“best burger I ever had in my life” “This place is authentic.” “burgers are juicy, reasonable prices.” “The food is good and the portions are awesome.” “enjoy coming here with my family every so often - it is a very tight squeeze for larger parties, but the service is fast and the food is w.” “of the best burgers in the city.” “Onion Soup tasted fresh, like it was made from scratch, and did not come from a can.” “Good food, but please don't touch it with your bare hand!” “The greatest part is big nick is always there and will ask you how your doing and whether your meal was good.” “good burgers-pizza not too bad either” “The burger truly is the best!” “We sat outside in order to get fresh air and our server was very rude.” “The food is always fresh tasting [no matter what time] and it always leaves you wanting more.” “the food is really good stuff, also they string twinkly lights everywhere.” “Big Nick's has big burgers: there must be a 1/2 pound of meat in each burger!” “Excellent cheap burgers” “The service is fast, burgers are juicy and fresh.” “The food is the best.” “best pizza” “consistantly the best food” “The food is good, especially the pizza and there is a wide selection of everything.” “Chicken sandwich in a pita is delicious.” “Without a doubt one of the best burger's Ive ever had.” “But not to be overlooked is their 100% vegetable soup, their garlic soup, their fantastic ceasar salad.” “Fantastic burgers, photos of b-list celebs, and great service with a smile.” “The food is mediocre, burgers are ok, the pizza tastes like the box it's delivered in.” “The burger meat tased weird, they probably too much bread in it.” “We were in the area and asked some folks where we could get a good burger and they directed.” “Hands-down, it's the best burger joint on the Upper West Side.” “We have been to Big Nicks many times, and I think the pizza is very good, and so are the burgers.” “Well, once you make up your mind, food is terrific.” “Definately the Big Nick burger is the best in new york.” “had a SUMO Burger once with carmarlized onions and mushrooms, muster cheese and all the trimmings, it was great, it also comes with a huge order of fries and a large drink.” “great burger.” “The food wasn't even that great.” “the pizza at this place is amazing, It is always really busy there, but so worth the wait.” “Great value, amazing assortment of cheap food, done well.” “Not to forget that they also have incredibly good burgers!” “Its pretty cheap there and you get a lot for the price, not only is it a large quantity its good food.” “What you see is what you get and what you get is a pizza that is better than most and some of the best burgers around.” “GREAT burger!” “They have a huge menu, so if you don't want a burger, they have a bunch of other specials on the menu.” “There's too many good places in NYC to waste a meal at this drek palace.” “Great food in a setting heaped with personality, not posh but fun and crowded.” “The burgers here are awesome and they are all made to order.” “Big Nicks makes great burgers” “Don't go there, the food is disgusting and the service is unacceptable.” “Big Nick's has a good variety of cheap (for the upper west side) diner-like food.” “Big Nick's was sooooooo delicious.” “Great burgers and steak fries” “Comfort food is the specialty, burgers and pizza are very very good.” “Big Nicks is by far the best burger joint in the entire Northeast.” “All the dishes are good, maybe not mind-blowing, but always good.” “The pizza was good.” “wonderful atmosphere, busy, and small but the food is spectacular.” “Great burgers and fast delivery.” “the huge burgers are classic.” “Order or go sit and eat and I guarantee the food will be great.” “try the port wine burger or even a big nicks hot dog with chili awesome and the cheese pizza can't be beat.” “It is a little dive, but the burgers were awesome!” “Also, it took forever to get a cold bowl of soup, which was terrible by the way.” “pizza by the slice, big, foldable, hot.” “The bathroom is disgusting, tiny, and difficult to get to because it's located by where they wash the dishes.”
menu variety	87.88000106811523% positive	“Big Nick's has a good variety of cheap (for the upper west side) diner-like food.” “The menu was HUGE, almost too big.” “The only downside is the menu is huge, and the waitress was kind of hurrying us along to get our order, I didn't even get to read half of what was offered, so I felt pressured to MOVE IT ALONG, but otherwise a great experience.” “The menu contents are extensive and full of some of the best variety a diner can offer.” “They have an amazing menu which never ends, charismatic and sweet waitstaff, and lots of charisma about it in general.” “The menu is ridiculous.” “love variety, but it could be better organized.” “Get past the appearance of the place, dig into their HUGE menu, and enjoy!” “The food is good, especially the pizza and there is a wide selection of everything.” “The joint has character, for such a small place what a great big menu!” “They have a huge menu, so if you don't want a burger, they have a bunch of other specials on the menu.”
overall	100.0% positive	“The best part: open 24 hours so it's a great place to stop on your way home from the bar strip just a few blocks away.” “Its a good place to go to on late nights there are open 24 hours with 24 hour delivery.”
service	71.4300012588501% positive	“Don't go there, the food is disgusting and the service is unacceptable.” “enjoy coming here with my family every so often - it is a very tight squeeze for larger parties, but the service is fast and the food is w.” “The only downside is the menu is huge, and the waitress was kind of hurrying us along to get our order, I didn't even get to read half of what was offered, so I felt pressured to MOVE IT ALONG, but otherwise a great experience.” “Let's face it - people aren't coming back because its 5 star dining - it's the quirky style and a unique NY local style that makes it a” “We sat outside in order to get fresh air and our server was very rude.” “for all of it's "dive" atmosphere, Big NIck's is really quite clean and friendly.” “The service is fast, burgers are juicy and fresh.” “We called to ask for any compensation and the manager was very rude and spoke with an unacceptable tone.” “big nick himself is a really good guy (he also owns nico's a block or two down) and the staff is really friendly and will remember you.” “Very bad service and even worse Management” “Horrible service, dirty place” “The waiters are nice to you but wont be hovering all over you.” “Fantastic burgers, photos of b-list celebs, and great service with a smile.” “Thats good service.”
value	100.0% positive	“They have a huge menu, so if you don't want a burger, they have a bunch of other specials on the menu.” “No nonsense good cheap eats” “the huge burgers are classic.” “Great value, amazing assortment of cheap food, done well.” “had a SUMO Burger once with carmarlized onions and mushrooms, muster cheese and all the trimmings, it was great, it also comes with a huge order of fries and a large drink.” “The only downside is the menu is huge, and the waitress was kind of hurrying us along to get our order, I didn't even get to read half of what was offered, so I felt pressured to MOVE IT ALONG, but otherwise a great experience.” “burgers are juicy, reasonable prices.” “Big Nick's has a good variety of cheap (for the upper west side) diner-like food.” “Excellent cheap burgers” “Its pretty cheap there and you get a lot for the price, not only is it a large quantity its good food.” “The food is good and the portions are awesome.” “the pizza at this place is amazing, It is always really busy there, but so worth the wait.”
wait time	0.0% positive	“diner whose many is 10 pages long is always overwhelming, but can b.”

04/10/12

So Happy To Have Wander Into Nick's Burgers!

by Kelly Melillo

After looking over 3-4 other menus on our stroll my kids settled on this "joint". On first look I thought "oh great" but they did have wine and beer so I figured that would take the edge off. Upon looking at the menu cover I noticed all these accolades for best-burger, so shame on me for making a snap judgment. The burgers came out perfectly cook, one medium rare and the other medium. They were juicy and flavorful and awesome! We also had a piece of pizza and a "small" salad that looked like costco's version of small! Our waitress was fantastic. We'll definitely keep this address on hand for our next trip to NYC.

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12/13/11

best Pizza

by Dave Waldman

I have been eating here for many years and I love them

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10/27/11

still my fav NYC burger

by 50burgersangel

I’ve been going to big nicks for decades. I will warn you, you must have a love for small, not so clean, greasy spoons or you won’t survive. The menu is big, the food is great, and the menu items wallpapering and photos to keep you entertained.

While on a trip to the city to find the “best burger” my friend and I hit up Corner Bistro and Burger Joint. Both are well know and highly rated and in the end we both felt that they were overrated. After splitting the two burgers we still needed to end the night right with a big an juicy Big Nick Bistro burger. So far my favorite NYC burger!

For more, other burger reviews and stories from the road search for 50 burgers or bust.

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08/13/11

Greasy Comfort Food!

by JulieM101

Sure....

The servers are snarky

The space is at a bare minimum

The bathroom is laughable (and in the dishwashing room, I've used it ONCE, I think it's smaller than an airplane bathroom)

BUT you know what....the food is greasy & amazing! I don't go often anymore (because I'm no longer in dance class dancing it off) but their food is like comfort food. As a vegetarian they have plenty of options! (Their tofu dogs with sauerkraut,creole mustard & waffle fries is out of this world!!) Their menu has a friggin table of contents it's so big! Their pizza is amazing, my sister ordered a slice with pepperoni & the pepperonis were about the size of my palm!

Just go to enjoy a decadent meal, and don't expect much out of service and use the bathroom somewhere else.

Ohhh, might I mention if you can save room for dessert try the mochi ice cream from Beard Pappas a few stores down! Great stuff! But only if you save room of course!

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01/01/10

DO NOT GO TO BIG NICKS

by UWSider27

Lived on the UWS my entire life and have frequented Big Nicks, but my most recent experience there has turned me to never support or eat at any of Nick's eateries EVER again.

Save yourself from Big Nicks, trust me on this one! Unfortunately it took me 27 years to learn about this horrible business. . . if you are looking for late night eats, there is always Chirping Chicken, Europan and other clean, respectable establishment who treat customers appropriately.

Big Nick's Burger and Pizza Joint

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What People Are Saying About Big Nick's Burger and Pizza Joint

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Editor's Tips

04/10/12

So Happy To Have Wander Into Nick's Burgers!

by Kelly Melillo

12/13/11

best Pizza

by Dave Waldman

10/27/11

still my fav NYC burger

by 50burgersangel

08/13/11

Greasy Comfort Food!

by JulieM101

01/01/10

DO NOT GO TO BIG NICKS

by UWSider27

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