Island Burgers and Shakes

Fifteen years ago, Will Brown and Mark Calvino, friends and co-workers living in Hell’s Kitchen, realized there was not one place in their neighborhood to get a good burger. Not one place offering the public a fresh char-broiled, loosely packed, steak house quality burger. Up to that point, one had to make do with the generically grey colored, over cooked, griddle style burgers served up by many Greek diners and Irish pubs.

Island Burgers & Shakes was born!

In the midst of 10 feet high snow drifts, in the middle of January 1996, Hell’s Kitchen’s residents got their first taste of a restaurant dedicated to the all American classic.

Years ahead of the current burger craze, Island Burgers & Shakes dedicated itself to the freshest quality meats and produce and continues that practice to this day.

A full service restaurant with over 64 options of burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches (churascos) and thick creamy handmade milk shakes have made Island Burgers & Shakes a Hell’s Kitchen institution.

The restaurant’s reputation does not end at 9th Avenue and 57th street. It is a world famous food destination listed in all of the major European and Asian guide books.

And now after many moons Island Burgers & Shakes is coming to Mark’s former neighborhood, the upper west side, locals can enjoy the offerings of the Mark and Will’s great burger joint, Island Burgers & Shakes at 422 Amsterdam Avenue Btw 80th and 81st street.