Flavorful,Fun, and Fast Vegetarian Restaurant in the East Village
The newly grown Superiority Burger (or Superiority Burger 2.0) on Avenue A in the East Village is much different from its original location in terms of size and design…but it is still the popular fast-food hot spot for vegetarian and vegan foods in the Village.
Located directly across the street from Tompkins Square Park, the new Superiority Burger is on Avenue A between 7th and 8th Street. It is in the space that used to home Odessa, a Ukrainian Diner known for its pierogies and European dishes, that closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Transport to the East Village is a bit scarce with the closest subway stations being 1st Avenue & 14th Street (L train), Astor Place (4&6 trains), 8th Street Station (N,Q,R,W), and Broadway-Lafayette Street Station (B,D,F,M). You may need to walk a few blocks to and from these subway stations…but hey, you are in the city, so walking is to be expected.
A June 28, 2023 NYT article and review calls Superiority Burger a NYT Critic’s Pick, giving it 3 stars. Eater also did a review when SB 2.0 first opened on Avenue A in April 2023 and outlined some “things to know” which we will share here. First they comment on the setting, particularly the placemats that remind you of a 90’s diner but instead of advertisements for real estate agents you have the house cocktail menu in addition to advertisements for local businesses. The menus are also designed to go with the 90’s diner theme as they are secured in plastic with the thick leather spine to hold it together. Also like an old school diner Superiority Burger’s new location also has leather booths for diners to sit in while they are taken aback 30 years. Next, Eater also comments on the utensils…which are provided in individual plastic boxes. Those utensils may or may not be used…depending on what your order. Handheld burgers and wraps may not need a fork or knife but the twice-baked potato, sweet and sour red beets, pearl pie, and half-pint malted date shake definitely will.
Speaking of food…there are several different sandwiches to be eaten with your hands (superiority burger, collard greens sandwich, sloppy dave, yuba-verde) and vegetables to be eaten with your fork (broccoli salad, spicy lentils with cornbread and cabbage, soy burger lettuce cups, rice and beans, steamed vegetables, beets, baked potato, and sweet potatoes). On a separate menu you will find the desserts (gelato assortment, grilled banana bread, malted ate shake, orange flower funnel cake) as well as a dessert-only specials menu. Per the menu “everything (at Superiority Burger) is vegetarian & a lot is accidentally vegan” and it is very clear on the menu which is which.
photo credit menu: Jenn Back via Google & photo credit (far left drink & far right burger): Justin Rogers-Cooper via google
In terms of beverages, there is a nice selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. They have your typical sodas (coca-cola, ginger ale, doctor pepper, etc.) in addition to house made sodas and other house specials (best seltzer ever, The Mighty Quin, Praidon Mearl, Sugarless Cape Cod), plus teas and coffee. For alcoholic beverages, there is wine by the glass and bottle, a few beers and ciders, and one sake that per the menu “goes with everything”.
Many of the Google reviews are carried over from the previous location but as of June 28, 2023, there are 1,284 reviews giving Superiority Burger a 4.5 star rating. The most highly rated menu items per these reviews continue to be the veggie burger, the variety of vegan options, broccoli salad, gelato/sorbet, sliders, and the sloppy Dave. Pricing is rated at inexpensive to moderately expensive. The food is on the less expensive side with the handhelds priced between $13-$19 and sides between $10.50-$13. The alcoholic beverages are more moderately expensive with cocktails priced at $17, wines varying by type and size, and the non-alcoholic beverages being less expensive, or what you would expect when dining out.