The emerging cheap eats strip on lower Essex Street has gained a new player. Burger joint, L.E.S. Kitchen, opened for business a few days ago at 15 Essex St.
The small restaurant is owned by Christopher Wong, who also operates the Breakroom, a burger spot at 83 Baxter St. in Chinatown. The burgers are made with Pat LaFrieda meat, buns from Parisi Bakery and pickles from the Pickle Guys, Wong’s Essex Street neighbor. We’ve posted the full menu below. A cheeseburger will cost you $6. The bacon cheeseburger (pictured above) is $8. There’s also a turkey burger, roast pork and fried chicken sandwiches and a cheese steak sandwich.
Wong grew up in the neighborhood, His family has for many years run the New Kam Hing Bakery on Baxter Street. He remembers hanging out in the playground across the street next to Seward Park (during a time when no one could possibly imagine gourmet burgers being served on the LES).
Other affordable spots that have opened in the last couple of years on the same stretch of Essex Street include: Cabalito, Sam’s Spring Rolls, LES Crepes and Taco Recipes.
Ate there last night. Was excellent!
Ate here last week and really liked it! Burger kinda reminded me of a knockoff of Shake Shack and the tots were super crispy and salty, just as they should be. I’ll be frequenting here for sure.
excellent burger and the tater tots were too good… welcome to the nabe.