Here’s a few things to note about Happiest Hour.

Don’t come here for a quick bite. This is a velvet rope situation. If you come without girls, you will be asked if any girls are joining you.

HR is a lively, popular watering hole and you will, most likely, have to wait outside in the cold before a bouncer lets you in.

If you’re like me, you’ll stop reading right there.

I have no time for a velvet rope. I’m too old and I’m too hungry.

If you’re also like me, the only reason you’re coming here is to try their version of an In and Out burger, that you’ve probably seen all over Instagram.

That’s really the main reason I came here. That and their off-the-menu tiki drinks. I’m a sucker for anything Tiki. Sorry earlier spelling of Tiki that I didn’t capitalize. I promise I’ll never disrespect you like that again. At least I went back and made you bold.

Here’s what I liked about the place. The servers were friendly, the vibe is lively and festive with fun, faux-vintage wall paper. The drinks are great. The prices for both food and drink are VERY reasonable.

Almost too reasonable. If you’re going to velvet rope my ass, you’d better charge more than $10 for a fried chicken sandwich. Well, ok, I don’t really mean that.

Speaking of which, it was definitely the worst fried chicken sandwich I’ve ever had. Just awful. soggy, flavorless and so gristly! Yuck!

The burger, was good. Not great and definitely NOTHING like an In and Out burger. Not sure what every food writer ever was smoking when that lie got passed on.

Come here on a week day, when there’s less chance of a bouncer being present, order some tiki drinks and soak up your booze with a cheeseburger ONLY if you’re hungry.

If you can wait, just grab a slice on your way home.

121 W 10th St
New York, NY 10011
b/t 17th St & 18th St
West Village
(212) 243-2827
happiesthournyc.com

Manhattan – $12

I have no clue what this was or what it cost, but it was good!

Also, no clue what this was. Sorry.

The Happiest Burger – $12
Two all beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, confit onions, special sauce

Fried Chicken – $10
coleslaw, pickles, spicy mayo

Meatballs and Sapporo – The two best things here

St. Mark’s Place is chock-a-block with little eateries and stores and various, esoteric happenings. Coming here is always a good time.

Tonight was not one of those times.

Just kidding. I wanted to be dramatic.

Yakitori just means skewered meat, so if you’re ever on a low-carb diet and see that word in the title of a restaurant, go!

I usually adore things on sticks. Well, food on sticks. Let me clarify.

That being said, many of the things we ordered on sticks, here at Yakitori Taisho were just ok. The steak and chicken skewers were both a little bland. The chicken with plum sauce, also bland. The shrimp had to be peeled, so too much work.

The meatballs were amazing, however! Order lots of those. Balls on sticks! Say it with me, folks.

The ramen, was good. The Yakisoba noodles were better. If you want noodles, skip the ramen.

The potato salad reminded me of the super mayo-ey stuff that comes on the side of Korean BBQ. Which means, I loved it.

This place is very small; just a few tables outside. Don’t come with a group. Don’t sit outside. Are you sick of me telling you what to do, yet?

Since I was seated facing away from the street, I had zero people-watching time. Thanks a lot, selfish friends!!

5 Saint Marks Pl
New York, NY 10003
East Village
(212) 228-5086

Potato Salad

Yakitori Sampler

Skewers! Beef, Meatball and Chicken with Plum Sauce

Yakisoba

Tonkotsu Ramen