When people start talking burgers on Staten Island, the conversation quickly becomes more than food. It turns into memories, neighborhood traditions, and longtime favorites that residents have been recommending for decades.
This week, one thing became clear: while dozens of spots earned passionate support, a few names consistently rose to the top.
Duffy’s Continues Showing Up Near The Top
Across countless responses, Duffy’s repeatedly appeared as one of the borough’s most mentioned burger spots.
Residents highlighted everything from the English muffin-style burger setup to nostalgia and consistency over the years. Some longtime Staten Islanders described it as a place tied to childhood memories, while others still consider it their go-to burger destination today.
Not everyone completely agreed, though. A handful of burger fans felt ownership changes and evolving tastes have changed the experience over time — proving burger opinions can become serious business around here.
Staten Islanders Also Started Going Into Full Throwback Mode
As the conversation grew, it quickly turned into a walk through Staten Island history.
Names that repeatedly resurfaced included:
- Bacci’s Charcoal Haven
- Burger Chef
- Wetson’s
- A&W
- Country Club Diner
- King’s Arms
- Victory Lanes snack bar
- Corner House
Many residents remembered charcoal-grilled burgers, old-school luncheonettes, and places that no longer exist but apparently still hold legendary status decades later.
Other Current Favorites Also Made Strong Appearances
While Duffy’s drew a huge amount of attention, several other current spots also kept showing up repeatedly:
- Griff’s
- Joyce’s Tavern
- Andrew’s Diner
- Rock House Bar & Grill
- Rab’s
- Hop Shoppe
- Ralph’s Sports Bar
- Trackside Bar & Grill
Interestingly, several residents also gave unexpected shoutouts to places like Chili’s, Shake Shack, Tommy’s Tavern, and even White Castle.
Maybe The Real Winner Was Backyard Grilling
One answer may have actually outperformed every restaurant.
A huge number of people insisted the best burger on Staten Island isn’t found in any restaurant at all — it’s cooked at home, usually by a parent, grandparent, spouse, or on a backyard charcoal grill.
The Bottom Line
Burger rankings may never be settled on Staten Island.
But if this week proved anything, it’s that food here often becomes part of neighborhood identity. People remember where they ate as kids, where they went after games, and the places tied to family traditions.
And based on the volume of mentions, Duffy’s may have walked away with one of the loudest crowds behind it — though Bacci’s nostalgia still appears to have a strong hold on the borough.
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