I absolutely adore this place, their vibe, the menu offerings, chatting with the owner, and the prompt service. The wings and potato wedges are absolutely top notch, but I've not yet had an item from this place that was less than excellent. Sometimes they have special pricing for certain items, especially in Wednesday afternoons. They also have regular off-menu special items posted in the store but not always online. read more

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Service was quick and friendly. Clean interior with minimal decor. Comfortable seating and several tables. My order came up quickly and you can see your order being made. The burger was tasty and the wedges were flavorful and crispy. I just wish there was some more sauce on the burger. read more

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I got the falafel burger and wow it was AMAZING! It was perfectly seasoned and huge, but didn't leave me with that gross feeling after eating too much. The side was potato wedges and although it was only a few, they were big as well. The burger was crumbly, but honestly exactly what you'd expect when eating something like falafel. The host was happy to help picking out what I wanted to order and got the food out timely. It was a bit bright in there and not extremely welcoming (just because of the lighting) but that doesn't take away from the experience! Can't wait to try it again! read more

Kofta Burger - Falafel Smashburger - Burgers Near Me - Syracuse, New York

I finally got to try Kofta Burger. Service was friendly and quick. I ordered the Spicy Harissa Jalapeño Burger. I loved the soft, fresh bun and the portion was super filling. However, despite the name, it wasn't spicy at all. I ended up adding their garlic sauce, which really brought the flavors together and made the burger more enjoyable. I also tasted my partner's Kofta Burger and honestly liked his more. I definitely will be ordering that next time! We also shared the chicken tenders, which were fresh, crispy, and even better when dipped in their BBQ sauce. Overall, I would definitely come here again. read more

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Kofta Burger is what I get when I'm having a bad day. Their burgers are some of the best I've had and I just love the char they get on the patties. I wish I had a picture but I've also gotten their lamb mac and cheese and WOW! That's a comfort dish right there! read more

Kofta Burger - greek smashburger - Burgers Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Had a really pleasant exchange with Jullen (employee) after I left a less than positive review. Thanks for reaching out to me so professionally!!! Will definitely give you guys a try next time I'm in town. read more

Kofta Burger - Burgers Near Me - Syracuse, New York

The kofta burger was delish and the potato wedges are real tasty as well. I really enjoyed the flavors. I hope to come back to try new things. This is a great location in the heart of downtown Syracuse, near the Landmark. I ordered over the phone and the food was made on time. read more

Kofta Burger makes a burger you will never forget. Their intentionality with how they season & respect every elements of their burgers (along with everything else on their menu) can be tasted in every bite. Their chicken is a home run especially with the fun variety of sauces they have. They also have vegetarian options which they always treat with respect. If you're looking for a meal that will check off all the boxes on how you appreciate flavor & portions- Kofta Burger is the place to go. Perfect for casual date night, take-out, or spending time with your family. read more

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Always a great choice if you're looking for somewhere to eat! Everything on the menu is so flavorful you really can't go wrong. It has been so convenient since they moved into their downtown location. Service is always super fast and reliable! 10/10. read more

Kofta Burger - Lamb Pita Pocket - Burgers Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Place is excellent. There plenty of seating inside and very well maintained. The food is made fresh from scratch and very flavorful. Staff is also very friendly and accommodating in helping you decide what you want. read more

Kofta Burger - Harissa Burger - Burgers Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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LOVE THIS PLACE! It is one of my favorite lunch spots downtown. The food is excellent, it is quick, but is always made fresh by the chef. My go to is the garlic chicken mac, but I've tried many things on the menu and there is no bad choice! The seasonings are a fun spin on traditional dishes. read more

Great experience having lunch at Kofta Burger. Amazingly, with only one staff member, he was able to greet us, take orders, cook the food, and make sure that takeout orders were available as people came in. I arrived with a friend who uses a wheelchair and the space was plenty big to accommodate her without feeling that we were in the way. Tables were clean as was the restaurant. I was happy to find that they had Pellegrino as a drink option. It's hard to find drinks if you don't want sugar or soda in most places. Their burger was great and came on a very sturdy bun. I ordered their Kofta burger which had diced tomatoes and spices and tzatziki sauce and was just fabulous. The potato wedges really stand out. They are perfectly cooked, huge and have just the right amount of zaatar seasoning. My friend ordered a salad that looked so good that I was jealous that I didn't have one. I already have that picked out for what I will have the next time I eat here. read more

Kofta Burger - Kofta burger - Burgers Near Me - Syracuse, New York

I was looking forward to visiting this burger joint before going to Landmark. My husband and I rolled in - only one other couple there before us, so they weren't busy - and the tables still needed to be wiped off and the single trash can there was already full. It was about 5:30pm on Sunday. We placed our order with the kind young man at the counter. He did not ask us how we wanted our burgers done (well done, rare, etc) so I assumed they made them all the same way. Another couple came in after us, ordered and sat down. They received their order first, which was actually our order, and we received a small apology about it after the staff realized what happened. The food itself was underwhelming. Both burgers cooked to oblivion and the fries (a potato cut into lengthwise sections) were quite hard and undercooked. Flavor wise it would have been good if the food was cooked appropriately. The location is good, but the staff is aloof. I'd try them again but with that much money on the line I don't think I will unfortunately. The restaurant needed to be cleaned up but the decor & ambiance was neutral. read more

My previous review is from their old location- new location but same great food! Just came here for a yelp event and had a garlic burger from their secret yelp elite menu. The burger was flavorful yet light on a puffy buttered bun, very high quality! You also get gigantic potato wedges that are really nicely spiced on the side. This is a cute little eatery in the heart of Syracuse with a very friendly owner and deserves all the recognition! Would really suggest you stop by here!! read more

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Kofta burger had such great ratings we had to try it! It was quiet inside on a cold day but that just meant our food came quickly. The chicken burger was good but slightly dry. The chicken bowl was good but reported as bland. The mac n cheese was to die for. All 3 meals and 2 drinks for $55. The inside was very clean, I would come back read more

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Absolutely delectable burgers in a casual setting. The Gochujang Smash is the best smash burger I've ever had. The gochujang aioli is amazing. The owner answered all of our questions and recommended the harissa Mac and cheese, it was spicy, smoky, and seasoned perfectly. I can't wait to come back! read more

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This is hands down one of my most favorite spots in Syracuse. You cannot go wrong with anything here. I came to try their smash burgers and ended up trying the lamb and harissa Mac & cheese. Let me tell you, it was beyond delicious... it was scrumptious! The service is always friendly, informative and helpful when trying to choose what food to get. I tried the root beer with my meal, as the sodas are a local company; phenomenal! It's a great vibe inside with good music, local art and modern design. If you haven't gone yet, what are you waiting for??!! If you've been before, you already know how worth it it is to go and eat anything on their menu. A must for Syracuse! read more

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Since Kofta Burger is now downtown, I checked them out for restaurant week. I ordered the Kofta Burger, which was delicious (no pictures). Since then, I've been back two times. I had the spicy harissa-jalapeño burger; it was flavorful, but not particularly spicy so that was a bit of a let down for me as I love spice. I'd seen some reviews raving about the steak nachos. The steak was well cooked and it was just an amazing dish. Certainly not 'traditional' nachos in any sense, but that's been my favorite dish I've had. Service is quick and efficient and the restaurant is clean. Also love whatever music station or playlist they have on! read more

Kofta Burger - Spicy harissa-jalapeno - Burgers Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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I waited far too long to try this burger. I heard a rumor they were moving out of their current location at the end of December, so I wanted to grab a bite while they were still in Eastwood! I dropped by the restaurant and ordered in person. There were so many intriguing options on the menu. I asked whether they'd be willing to swap out the burger on the Tangy Tahini for a falafel patty and they were happy to oblige. I also ordered a side of potato wedges and garlic sauce. The owner was working by himself, but my order came together quickly. The potato wedges only come with a few pieces but they are HUGE and perfectly seasoned. Garlic sauce made the perfect dip, even though my breath was funky for hours after. The burger was an explosion of flavor. The spices and sauces brought such a unique taste profile, and the challah bun so so soft. Delicious from start to finish. I will definitely be following them to their new location. (May even have to stop in one more time before they move!) read more

Kofta Burger - Toasty Tahini (with falafel patty) - Burgers Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Food is super flavorful. Never a disappointment anytime I order to either sit down or grab and go. I can literally say everything on the is delicious because I had everything at least once. They got a customer in me for life. Super quiet even when it's busy it doesn't seem busy. read more

All I can say its OFF THE CHARTS! What a great vibe and the owner Julien is such a gentlemen! Great work! read more

Kofta Burger - Kofta Burger - Burgers Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Ordered from the airport to pick up as I drove through downtown. Easy to find , cute little shop, food was ready when I arrived. My lunch was amazing I had the Greek smash burger and potato logs. It was excellent. Check this spot out. They have a lot of options. read more

Was flying out of Syracuse airport and arrived a few hours early. Looked on Yelp for recommendations. Found Kofta. I had the Korean style burger and wife had the kofta burger. Both were very good and the flavors were on point. Would definitely recommend this place if you're in the area. read more

Been here several times since they moved downtown now, and it is consistently great. The burgers are cooked perfectly as ordered, toppings and sauces are delicious. Love the seasoned potato wedges too. Quick service at lunch with food cooked to order, doesn't get much better than that! read more

I rushed here to their first location as soon as they opened up. They opened hot with a ton of publicity, and for one of the first times ever, I was in on the ground floor. The first time we went, we ordered a signature burger and a tahini burger, but got two signature burgers instead. Not a huge deal, and they were some of the best burgers we'd had in a while. I mentioned the mishap just incidentally in a public Facebook group - not even complaining but actually talking about how good they were. The owner saw my comment and reached out to me to apologize and offered me the tahini one at no cost. They were so nice and apologetic, I felt bad because I absolutely did not need the free burger to come back! Then we tried the falafel smash burger, which was even better than it sounded. They'll falafel any burger on their menu, and it works so much better than I imagined. Turns out, falafel burgers really well. This week we checked them out at their new downtown location. The last location seems like a fine starter spot, but I'm really happy to see them thriving downtown. They've got way more on their menu since we were there last year, and we had a hard time deciding on a reasonable number of things to try. I'm a sucker for a good spicy chicken sandwich, and always eager to hear out any good restaurant who wants to toss their hat in the ring. This one was a great chicken sandwich, but doesn't shine against the rest the same way their burgers do. The breading was soft, and didn't have a ton of flavor to make it pop. We had similar thoughts on the curry burger. Same perfectly cooked burger, but the curry was pretty subtle and they didn't really commit to the bit. Adding some salt to it actually brought out the flavor a lot more. I was really excited about the rice bowl, but not a lot of action on that front either. I have to imagine it's just a difference in style preference. We usually go for the red and white sauces, or the full-on Greek style with tzatziki and feta. This one was a light garlic sauce that mostly formed the texture and background. It did have a nice fresh feel to it, but it was just the sum of the ingredients as they came. The thing that totally blindsided us was the Cheeseburger Shawarma wrap. In prime burger form, Kofta Burgers can't be stopped, and this was like the Megazord where all their best attributes came together. The pitas they used in the wrap were crispy enough to keep the best possible form, and soft enough to get the full benefit of a pita wrap. These things were so loaded with sauce, cheese, and the most endearing possible amount of grease. After trying the other items first, we were actually happy to see the stain on the cardboard container. It won't be possible to come back without ordering this again. All their entrees come with potato wedges that are just the right texture. They're soft and a lot fresher than even the best fries. They would go absolutely amazing with labneh. We wanted to try the pomegranate BBQ sauce, so we used a side of it with the wedges. It went well with the wedges, and it tastes exactly how you hope it will. Good BBQ sauce with a kick of sweet and tart. Their burgers get a decent amount of hype, and I still think they're massively underrated. Try at least one of them with a falafel patty, because it's an entirely unique experience. read more

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Kofta Burger is inside the Marketplace on James. You can enter through the Marketplace's James Street entrance or the Kofta Burger entrance on S. Collingwood. (The Marketplace has interesting stuff, walk around it while you're waiting for your food. Or pop over to the Curd Nerd, which is next door.) It has taken me much too long to get to Kofta Burger. The food is amazing! I eat very few burgers, because I don't want to be disappointed. This burger definitely did not disappoint! Delicious. Cooked perfectly. The potato wedges were also very good. The Falafel Smashburger was also outstanding! This is good that you want to eat quickly because it tastes so good and you want to eat slowly to savor every bite. If I lived in the Eastwood area, this would be a constant temptation! While I don't live in Eastwood, I look forward to getting more food from Kofta Burger! read more

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Jullen Merrill opened this Middle-Eastern fusion stand in the back of the multi-vendor gift shop Marketplace on James St, at 2802 James St. The storefront had been the Tip A Few Tavern for decades before the city shut it down in 2019. The kitchen here was basically a turnkey operation that came with a freezer, fridge, sandwich counter and stove. All Jullen had to provide was a concept and a menu, so he created a spread of sandwiches, pizzas, salads and appetizers with a Middle-Eastern flair. He's cooked at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, Pastabilities, the Arad Evans Inn, the Century Club and Justin's Grill. He went on to become the executive sous chef at Citronelle in Armory Square. The owner, Methin "Max" Chutinthranond, ultimately promoted him to executive chef at his flagship restaurant, Lemon Grass. My wife and I ended up at Kofta on accident. We were actually heading to the Curd Nerd for a Yelp Elite event, but also looking for somewhere to grab lunch. As we grabbed some on street parking, Kofta Burger was right in front of us and it seemed serendipitous, so we headed inside. The wife and I LOVE Mediterranean food so this was right up our alley. My wife chose the falafel smashburger - a falafel smash patty on a challah bun with tomato, parsley, sumac onion & tzatziki, while I chose the spicy harissa jalapeno burger - a burger patty on a challah bun with lettuce, tomato, cheddar, sliced jalapenos & spicy harissa sauce. Both came with a side of za'atar potato wedges. Came to about $30 for both with a bottled water. We sat down to wait, our food was brought maybe 10 minutes later. We were there early and were the only people inside at the time. We were both very happy with our burgers and tried each others. The falafel on my wife's was great and I loved the harissa sauce on mine. My burger was cooked exactly how I wanted it. My only very slight complaints were that, while the potato wedges were tasty, they were cut a bit too thick and also probably would've been better with some sort of dipping sauce, even if just tzatziki. The owner Jullen was the cook and order taker and he was very nice and open to answering questions. Nice little accidental find and we'd definitely eat there again. read more

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Great burgers! Not your average place very tasty and friendly staff :) great place for a casual date

Incredible food with flavors inspired by the Middle East and North Africa!! Service was also excellent and friendly! read more

Kofta Burger - Steak Pita Nachos - Burgers Near Me - Syracuse, New York

I ordered the chicken shawarma , and I will say it's the tastiest shawarma I've ever had. The wrap was grilled to perfection and the balance of flavors was impeccable. I will absolutely go back. read more

I've tried Kofta Burger at their old location on James Street. My favorite is the steak pita nachos, the pita held up nicely to the toppings. The freshness of the mint and pop of pomegranate seeds throughout were a perfect touch and bite. The steak was seasoned perfectly as well. I loved the garlic sauce that topped it, but I saw at the new location he switch it to tzatziki so I'll probably swap to the garlic(give me all the garlic sauce lol). My husband enjoyed the shawarma wrap, the outside was perfectly toasted and meat seasoned well. His came with potato wedges, I tried one they tasted good but nothing special. I prefer the ones where you get like at a pizzeria(that's just my preference). I can't wait to stop in their new location it's a tad bit closer to me. I'll definitely need to try their burgers, I will update my review once I head back. read more

Kofta Burger - Steak Pita Nachos - Burgers Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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The food and the 1 guy working there was excellent. Told my husband to go the next day ( Wednesday) & when he got there at noon they were not opened (?)! He was stuck having lunch at a local Subway. I had a salad and they were out of lamb so I had falafel as the protein. Not a fan of falafel but theirs was pretty good. read more

This spot in the back of the Marketplace on James is more easily accessed from the side door near Found Things, around the corner where Curd Nerd is (what a great corner.) This wasn't even in the plan when we stopped in, it just happened to land in our path and we took it as a sign to try them out. If we had arrived during a busy time, I could see the space being difficult to navigate but on a crisp Saturday afternoon, we were the only folks in for a little bit. A few cafe-style tables, a few stools at a bar on the wall and lots of cute little statue planters mean the space is sparse but still welcoming. I grabbed a falafel smashburger, which was great until it fell apart (and no forks were to be found, so the rest of mine landed in the bin). Others have photos with forks, so I'm sure they have them but the one person working was already busy making other orders by the time my need for one arose. The flavors are so well balanced that you don't even notice how strong the onions are until you get one alone. An amazing experience and certainly better than most veggie burgers I've encountered. My dining companion said their burger was amazing, as well. I feel like the potatoes could have used something - tzatziki, maybe since it's already here, or something else. Ketchup wasn't the right call, despite being on the counter, and I knew it without trying it - the potatoes are worth so much more than a squirt of Heinz. (I also would have liked a drink option that wasn't Poland Springs water or Coca Cola - a sparkling water? A light juice? Tea?) This location is dangerous, how am I supposed to stop in here without spending money in neighboring shops? Well played, Eastwood, well played. read more

Kofta Burger - Falafel Smashburger and za'atar potatoes - Burgers Near Me - Syracuse, New York

TL;DR: Delicious uniquely-flvored burgers. A must-have for Syracuse. Will definitely repeat! ***Ambiance*** The store has a welcoming and clean ambiance that enhances the dining experience. The uncluttered space and casual atmosphere, along with the charming chalkboard menu, create a pleasant setting. The enticing aroma of the food further adds to the overall appeal. ***Staff and Service*** I was picking up food for my group, and it was a togo order. The service at Kofta Burger was exceptional, with courteous and friendly staff members. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted warmly, setting a positive tone for the rest of my visit. The attentive service added to the overall satisfaction of my experience. ***Food*** We ordered four different burgers and everything was very delicious. Although I ordered the Greek burger for myself, I tried all the burgers we ordered. The tanginess of the feta cheese was perfectly paired with the juiciness of the patty that gave the greek a unique flavor profile. Although I really loved the Greek burger, I was blown away by the Kofta burger and it was my favorite. I was not surprised by that, and I anticipated that the Kofta burger would be the winner. When a store is putting their name on a food item, you know it is going to be good and I was not disappointed. The only reason I ordered the Greek for myself was that someone in the group had already called dibs on the Kofta. The unique combination of spices and meat in the Kofta burger made it an exceptional burger for me. ***Overall*** It was an awesome experience, and I will definitely repeat. Highly recommended. read more

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Best burger in town. The seasoning is very unique, same goes for the potato wedges. Will certainly recommend it

Kofta burger is UNBELIEVABLE! Can't wait to try the chicken sandwich but I can't stop eating the Kofta burger!

Amazing place in Syracuse, i've never had a spicy harissa-jalapeno burger before, but it was just what i needed for lunch. The young man working there was incredible kind and serviceable and very personable. Also really digged the ambiance of the place, looked really cool inside to sit down and eat. read more

I am always craving their burger and fries. Very kind workers as well. When we were there, there was this homeless lady that walked in and hadn't eaten anything for God knows how long, and it was cold and rainy outside. These selfless workers gave her full meal to eat. read more

Kofta in Syracuse is a recent addition to downtown areas to eat. Jullen and Phil cook up fresh made burgers with really great flavor, strawberry salads and vegetable pitas. Place is well decorated along with a photo op near the Kofta sign on the wall. Should you need the bathroom to wash your hands, ask for the code, go thru the double doors down the hall and after inserting the code on the key pad turn the lock for entry. A definite place to add to your list to stop by when in the area. read more

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1st visit. Everything was delicious. Got their signature kofta burger and harissa-buffalo wings. Everything was delicious. read more

Kofta Burger - Kofta burger - Burgers Near Me - Syracuse, New York

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