There aren’t many gas stations in New York City, but let’s be honest, good food isn’t easy to find either.
New York has a stellar reputation as a global food hub—think bagels, pizza, pastrami, and halal. Now, it appears we can add another feather to our cap. Tucked in the heart of Manhattan is home to one of the finest gas station restaurants in the country.
Smucking Burger snagged the 7th spot on Yelp’s National Top 10 Gas Station Restaurants List.
This viral smash burger joint is along 8th Avenue and Horatio, right in Greenwich Village.
As per Yelp, the most popular item on the menu is the Big Smack, which is grilled on flat tops.
Priced at $10.99, this makes complete sense for a burger in NYC. It features two crispy smash patties, caramelized onions, American cheese, homemade butter pickles, shredded lettuce, and a special “smack” sauce.
There’s also “The Truff,” a $9.99 burger with a single smashed patty, topped with grilled mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and truffle-infused mayo. Not to forget “The World Famous Fries,” which are loaded with crushed patties, American cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, and hot chimichurri.
Quite the lineup!
The small establishment also offers vegetarian options and even welcomes pets.
To top it off, they recently introduced milkshakes, making it a great pit stop to kick off a journey from Manhattan.
According to Yelp reviewers, the flavors offered are “plenty” and strike the “perfect balance between classic and unique.”
Opened last year by Brooklyn native Tommy Hondros and his girlfriend Elizabeth Torres, the spot features a compact setup—just four pumps alongside a small convenience store and a grill.
Hondros has a history with gas stations, having started working at them since he was nine. Now, he owns several in Brooklyn. He recalls wanting to create a unique burger joint that deviated from the usual fast-food offerings.
“I wanted to bring back that classic vibe. These days, it’s mostly just Burger King,” he shared previously.
However, it was Torres, with her second-generation restaurant background, who really brought the vision for the menu to life.
“She’s incredibly passionate about food,” Hondros mentioned to Yelp. “She kind of crafted the whole menu.”
When the shop opened in spring 2024, it quickly gained traction on social media. Unlike many fleeting food trends, Smucking Burger managed to stand out.
Yelp’s national recognition solidifies its place, alongside eateries like Yosemite’s lobster tacos and Washington’s Hawaiian Loco Moko. In fact, it’s the only New York spot on the list. Just don’t mix it up with New York Pizza & Wings No. 8 in Mesa, Arizona.
Top 10 Best Gas Station Restaurants of 2025
1. Tioga Gas Mart & Whoa Nellie Deli Lee Vinning, California
2. Hillbilly’s Hideout Ozark, Arkansas
3. Unko’s Kitchen Silverdale, Washington
4. El Carajo International Tapas & Wines Miami, Florida
5. 3BBQ & Bakery Chesterfield, Missouri
6. Cafe Rel Franklin, North Carolina
7. Smucking Burger New York, New York
8. Brooklyn New York Pizza & Wings Mesa, Arizona
9. Taco Bar El Guero Gaithersburg, Maryland
10. Bing’s Burger Station Cottonwood, Arizona
