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Black Napkin Takeout

4.8 (198 reviews)
Closed • 11:30 am - 7:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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BLACK NAPKIN TAKEOUT ATMOSPHERE

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Recommended Reviews - Black Napkin Takeout

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Hot, Sweet & Sticky
Adetola O.

We stopped in after realizing that it was only another block down from the Fulton Street Market. We got there at 11:20, which was 10 minutes before opening, and a line was already forming which was a good sign. Even better, it moved quickly and efficiently once doors did open. The service was impeccable. They provided recommendations & told us what was most popular, noting there was nothing you could go wrong with on their menu. And they were right! We tried two sandwiches and an order of fries, and once we took the first bite, there was nothing but silence as we ate because it was THAT good. Although the lobby area is small and seating is limited, they do provide self-served cold water for people to enjoy while waiting, which is nice on warmer days. We can't wait to go back and try their house made popsicles, more burgers, and another order of the fries. Black Napkin did not disappoint!

Justine C.

This smashburger spot was BUSY! It had a line out the door as usual, we waited about 30 mins in the middle of a Saturday afternoon but it was well worth it. Staff was efficient and had some seats available indoors to dine in. I found it really cool how they make their own sodas and they have some unique popsicle flavors from Any Colour You Like! I had the big Malcom burger and the special sauce was delicious. The kimchi white cheddar french fries were suprisingly my favorite part of the meal, they were seasoned to perfection and had a nice kick to it! Definitely recommend checking this spot out!

Sara Annela T.

YUM-ME. This was on a 'Top 10 best burgers in' and figured to give it a try. Ordered the classic double, Malcom double, and kimchi fries with Thai basil mayo. Absolutely delicious! Forgive me when I say there were multiple old couples sitting inside and a line out the door of college aged kids waiting to place their orders. You know it's good when you have that much diversity in age. I wouldn't recommend sitting inside unless you like small spaces and people watching. A lady walked out raving about the pistachio soda, so we tried it. SKIP. The blueberry lemon was better, but still not something I'd order again. King is cash, but they do take card. There are a few tables inside, but once it gets busy, it feels a bit cramped and awkward.

College Dropout
Alaina B.

Folks talk endlessly about the quality of food at the Black Napkin. Inventive, delicious and fun. Interior as simple. I tried the golden cola, fries, and Le College Drop Out. They are smash burgers- please, please, please get at least two patties. Staff is very friendly. Expect to wait in line! Worth a try!

Misgana S.

Everyone calls black napkin the best burger in Grand Rapids and honestly I can see why. I got the classic double burger and it was delicious. Simple but done really well. The smash patties were flavorful and cooked to perfection. The fries were really good too. We tried all of their sauces except the regular mayo and liked most of them! The line is almost always out the door, which might feel intimidating at first, but it moved pretty quickly so the wait was not too bad. It is a takeout style spot with a couple of tables inside but the food definitely lives up to the hype. If you are craving a really solid burger, black napkin is worth a shot!

Just Salted Fries with Sundried Tomato Ranch
Izzy W.

We were a little intimidated walking up to building with the line going outside the door but it was SO worth the wait and didn't take long at all. Our server (order taker?) was so sweet and had such a kind, chill vibe. We both got doubles and they were so delicious and filling. I got Le College Dropout and I loved it, the crispy edges on the patties is superb. This one does have a bit of sweetness due to the tomato jam I think so if you're into that you'll love this burger. The fries were also delicious, perfectly salted and soooo crispy. So glad we went with the sun-dried tomato ranch as well. The sodas were also super unique! I tried a few sips of the golden cola and it was super interesting and full of warm spices.

Aaryn J.

A true takeout staple in Grand Rapids. A set thin salty patties with fresh veggie topping, creative sauces and a fresh bun from nantucket bakery. The line may be long, but it is truly worth the wait! Only a couple tables, but my favorite thing to do is grab a burger and fine a bench or park to eat at!

Inside black napkin
Tatiana M.

A must-try burger place in Grand Rapids! A legit smash burger place where they don't mess around with any frills. Quality and customer service are the only two things you need, and they serve them up perfectly. The burger itself was very good. Not great, but very good. The outside of my burger meat had this smell that was a little... "what is that smell". I couldn't pinpoint it, and I still can't. But aside from that, it was delicious. The fries are an insanely generous portion with the most amount of seasoning I've ever seen. It was great. It's a local spot in the heart of one of Grand Rapid's best neighborhoods. Support them if you're nearby!

Hans Gruber
Sam A.

Easily the best restaurant in all of Grand Rapids. Well, more takeout than restaurant, but the food is unmatched. Not a ton of indoor seating, FYI. Big Malcolm is an elevated Big Mac Le College Dropout is one of our favorites and it comes with smashed onions, arugula, peppercorn tomato jam, and an herb de Provence mayo. They've also got a rotating burger special that you can find on their Instagram account. Make sure to get a double on the patties or else it's sort of bun/topping-heavy. Fries are battered well and very crispy. By far and away my favorite kind of fries. Try the kimchi and white cheddar dusted ones with a side of the Thai Basil mayo or the tomato basil ranch -- all of them are a great addition for just 50 cents. Also get an "any color you like" popsicle while you wait. Bunch of fun flavors to pick from. Same goes for their house made colas. It's soda water mixed with their house made syrup, and somehow they can do no wrong in whatever they make. Drinks, burgers, fries, sauces, dessert -- all top notch and paired with the nicest people working there. Can't ask for more than that. 5 stars and continues to be our favorite burger spot in Grand Rapids.

Not 100% sure what was on this burger but it was delicious the French fry's and home made pop as well... I'll be back...'

Very good smash burger and fry's home made pop all delicious...the only thing better would be my son Joey joining me as he suggested black Napkin ...

Bailey L.

While visiting my family, on their must do list for us this trip, was visiting Black Napkin. A casual, high traffic, small takeout only burger spot (few small tables inside). To make it even more exclusive. You have to order in person, no calling ahead or pick up orders. They clearly have a a great rep as they seem to have a consistent line wrapping around their building, which I think is par for the course (sounds scarier than it is, or does move at a reasonable pace.) They're open Wednesday's through Saturday's or until they sell out, which they did this fine holiday weekend! On to the important stuff: They have a lean line up of burgers, chicken sandwiches and a few weekly specials, a variety of seasoned fries, homemade pops and popsicles. You can get the burger as a single, double or triple. I opted for Le College Drop Out burger, that came with a delicious tomato jam, arugula, caramelizes onions and grand cru cheese. Two words: Chefs kiss*! Classic smash burger thinness, gooey cheese and lots of flavor. I highly recommend getting at least two patties, as they're only 3 oz each, which is honestly my only gripe, a single should have at least 4 oz for the price, but I regress. On to the fries, honestly I can't describe how good these fries were. They are generously seasoned, flavorful, crispy potato perfection. Don't hesitate, just order! They have lightly salted or a few specials seasoning blends including kimchi and white cheddar, rust, which is a combination of paprika, coriander and garlic or salt and red wine vinegar and of course a line up of dipping sauces to pair. I do wish each fry came with one, as they are extra, but still worth it. I also tried my sister's pop and it was very good, so if that's your jam definitely get one! Everything traveled so well too for our 20 minutes back home, including the fries. The vibe of the place is super fun, artsy and friendly service to match. They do check the line periodically as well, to make sure no one waits for a sold out disappointments. I don't know if it's a "quick" bite spot with their rep, so plan accordingly, but if you got a little time or don't mine waiting, it's definitely a burger worth getting! I'll be back Black Linen!

Fries and aioli
Cole R.

This is probably one of the top 3 burgers I've had in my life, certainly one of the best smashburgers I've had. Stopped in here on a Saturday for some late lunch. Small line outside and a little bit cramped inside with only a few tables open if you want to eat inside. Its takeout so not a knock against them for that. Food took a little bit but you can tell everything is fresh so well worth it. The artisan sodas are really cool. I got a golden cola and it tasted like spiced wine lol, interesting flavors. The fries were super crispy and perfectly salted. Really really good fries and choices of dipping sauces are a plus. And the burger !! Loads of crispy meat bits around, and the patty was flavorful and delicious. Everything tasted very fresh and amazing. My girlfriend and I both sat back after and noted how incredible it was, and we ate in the car! Wish this place was closer, but just about worth making the trip! If you're in Grand rapids or passing through, it's worth it. If this place was in nyc there would be an hour+ line everyday.

The battered fries. I am not a fan.
Phil G.

This is a fun, hip little takeout place on Fulton and Diamond. There has been an extraordinary amount of hype regarding this place and so my kids and I tried it out not long after it opened (in 2022, I believe). We all got the smash burgers and were not really impressed. Since then, I've tried it twice more just to make sure our first experience wasn't a fluke or an off day. It wasn't. (I went alone since neither of my kids wanted to return.) Although the service is always friendly, the prices are reasonable and the vibe is cool, it doesn't make up for the food. My take: this is a prime example of the "Emperor's New Clothes" effect. The burgers are nowhere near the best in GR, and do not even crack my top 10. I find the patties to be consistently over-salted and overcooked, even for a smash patty. The sauces are ok, but nothing special, and the battered French fries are 'meh'. If you get the "Custy Dust" flavored fries, then be ready for a full-on sodium bomb that eclipses any 'flavoring' they were supposed to have had on them. Is this place terrible? Not at all, but there is zero chance I would opt to stand in line for their burgers when there are so many superior places in town to choose from. I could understand if you've not been to many of the other burger places in GR, but I've been to over 40 of them and I am not going to follow the crowd on this one. The king is nekkid, and his food is 'mid' at best.

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3 months ago

My daughter went with her Boyfriend, She said it was outstanding and there was a line around the block.

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Hancock is a fun spot to get some fried chicken and enjoy their outdoor space. Nate and I love to…read moreget a "drink and a snack" to share, and Hancock has a perfect option for this during their happy hour: two sliders and a boozy slushie for $12 (or a n/a slushie combo is $9). They also had $1 chicken tenders during happy hour, so I ordered six - they were a bit smaller than I was expecting but at $1 each it's a great deal. The tenders were cooked well - crispy on the outside and juicy inside. I'd rank Hancock's chicken tenders in my top 5 in GR. Other food options include sandwiches, wraps, a burger, bone in chicken, sides like pimento mac and cheese, and their jalapeno cheddar cornbread. They also have a vegan option (seitan patty). I love the hot spice level, which isn't super spicy. Their boozy slushies are refreshing and tasty, and they usually have one or two rotating flavors. The patio has some yard games and space for groups. There's metered street parking available.

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So we placed an order on Door Dash. It was supposed to be ready a half hour ago. We are still…read morewaiting. No hurry on their end. Plus no bathroom so we will have to go somewhere else to get a bathroom break. Do not recommend and I have no idea what the food situation is. Seems one person in the kitchen and nobody is in the front. I'm not gonna lie. I'm not impressed with this place at all.

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I had high hopes for this place reading all of the things about me to order chicken and it be…read morenatural. It seemed pretty popular as a couple of people had placed orders before me and were waiting for their food and then they were a few people after me as well. It does take a while for you to get your food, though. I was willing to wait. They did mess up my order and gave me a barbecue chicken wrap instead of a buffalo chicken wrap that I ordered. I feel like this may have thrown them off maybe not but my chicken was way over sauced it really took away from the flavor of the chicken itself and I'm pretty sure I don't even know if there was any blue cheese because all I could taste with sauce. The jalapeño poppers were meh and they didn't really have a special sauce that comes with them. I am surprised they didn't do anything to make up for messing my order and making me wait longer. I may give them another shot but will have to request that they only put a little sauce or on the side.

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