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July 1, 2009

No Shortage of Demand for Checkers

checkers-line-063009.jpg
Checkers has only been open for a couple of weeks in its first New York location at 111 Court Street but it's safe to say it's been well received so far. After getting a tip that the burger joint's been packed at lunchtime and when the movies let out across the street, we stopped by at around 2:30 yesterday—not exactly prime time—and the lines were still several persons deep. It's nice to see a business doing well in this environment!
Streetlevel: Checkers Opens! [Brownstoner] GMAP
Checkers Looks Ready to Open [Brownstoner]
Streetlevel: Checkers Signage Goes Up [Brownstoner]
Court Street Checkers In Progress [Brownstoner]
Checkers Checking Into 111 Court Street? [Brownstoner]




Posted by Brownstoner at 10:31 AM | Comments (21)
Categories: Brooklyn Heights, Streetlevel

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Comments

serious question - is checkers supposed to be something special? isn't it just a fast food chain?

Posted by: i disagree at July 1, 2009 11:01 AM

I agree, i disagree, but don't underestimate fast food! It appears to be pretty popular with a significant percentage of the posters here, even.

Posted by: East New York at July 1, 2009 11:12 AM

It's a far better burger than Wendy's, McDonald's and BK. It's no Jackson Hole but it's a s good as a Goodburger

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at July 1, 2009 11:14 AM

Another example of how much the Brooklyn consumer hates national chains and how we have to fight them constantly so we can properly deny the Brooklyn consumer their choice in retail/hospitality vendors!!!!

Posted by: fsrg at July 1, 2009 11:24 AM

not underestimating its popularity, at all! i just thought it was more like McDonalds so was kinda confused as to why brownstoner seemed surprised that it's got a crowd. i like goodburger - they use those yuppie "better" ingredients and are fairly eco-conscious for a fast food place...but i'm also no stranger to five guys which is good but nothing fancy. so i guess i'll just have to try it out!

Posted by: i disagree at July 1, 2009 11:30 AM

Perhaps this bodes well for the - horror of horrors - Arby's planned for the old Gage & Tollner space.

Posted by: East New York at July 1, 2009 11:58 AM

I tried it. It's ok for fast food, the fries are decent, my burger was too salty. I much prefer Five Guys.

Posted by: zgori at July 1, 2009 12:16 PM

I really don't get it.

I bought into all the Brownstoner hype and headed to Checkers a week or so ago, but standing there looking at the menu overhead, my boyfriend and I turned to each other and said in unison, "Five Guys?" And off we went.

Checkers is much more McDonalds than Goodburger.

Posted by: alsawo at July 1, 2009 12:19 PM

We've never even eaten there...we just like to blog about it.

Posted by: brownstoner at July 1, 2009 12:22 PM

I grew up with one in my hometown. It is nothing special...but their fries are pretty damn good.

Posted by: mrkknox at July 1, 2009 12:50 PM

okay, that is weird. tho i guess a new mcdonald's would be "news" in some parts, seems so odd to be all giddy about it. as for arby's, i can stomach even a mcd's burger if i have to, but that roast beef thing just grosses me out. nevertheless, it'll be successful just like all of the other fast food joints around there are - because it's cheap and food (arguably) and fast and there are tons of government offices nearby.

Posted by: i disagree at July 1, 2009 12:57 PM

had to report this establishment to sanitation dept (via 311) twice in the past week for garbage covered sidewalk in the mornings. they need to sort out proper garbage disposal / pickup and also looks like people are just throwing cups and burger wrappers on the sidewalk on their way out. hopefully just part of their startup learning process. not interested in their food but i fully support any sucessful business on that space.

Posted by: martis at July 1, 2009 1:12 PM

alsawo - you get my QOTD - you are such a typical brooklyn blog poster it is amusing.....You are criticizing a place that despite hearing good things about, walking over, and then waiting in line - YOU NEVER ATE THE FOOD. You don even say why you left - was their signboard not as good as 5 Guys? - if you dont like it fine - but as I tell my little children if you dont try something - you cant say you dont like it - it just makes no sense.

BTW - one of the best burgers in Brooklyn is now found at Flipsters on 9th St and 7th Ave - I know, it doesnt seem possible - but its true.

Posted by: fsrg at July 1, 2009 1:21 PM

"We've never even eaten there...we just like to blog about it."

QOTD! Is there a rule against it going to Brownie?

Posted by: altervoce at July 1, 2009 1:35 PM

No shakes (idiots!), no BHO.

***Bid half off peak comps***

Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at July 1, 2009 2:43 PM

Having been forced to travel through the Atlanta airport for a job for a while, I grew fond of the spicy fries. But when I walked into this place a couple of weeks ago and saw the calorie counts on the food, I was stunned. How in heck do they even get that many calories in there? In some cases, 50% more calories than Five Guys, which is a much higher quality fast food indulgence. Weird. 5G all the way.

Posted by: lucille at July 1, 2009 3:08 PM

Mr. biatch picked up food from there on his way home last week. I got chicken strips - which were good but no different than McD's and fries. I INHALED those fries - thy are s freakin' good. He got wings which were very average. Now, just thinking about it, I want more fries...

Posted by: columbiatch at July 1, 2009 3:35 PM

When my wife and I stopped by, the menu looked generic, and we didn't feel like waiting in line (we had the baby in a carrier). We went a few doors down to the sandwich place (blanking on the name -- it features all kinds of Boar's Head products), and it was terrific. Really good sandwiches, and with sodas it came to $10 a person. Yet, it was relatively empty. We couldn't figure out why.

I'm willing to try Checkers (if I don't have to wait in a long line carrying a baby), but just looking at the photos on the menu, I can't imagine how it could be as good as Five Guys.

Posted by: ProfRobert at July 1, 2009 6:26 PM

There is a Checkers in the Bronx and Staten Island, making this the third Checkers in the city.

Good job fact checking the story.

Posted by: ckf at July 1, 2009 9:47 PM

"There is a Checkers in the Bronx and Staten Island, making this the third Checkers in the city."

Everyone knows by "the city" they mean manhattan south of 96th street and gentrified brooklyn.

big DUH to ckf

;)

Posted by: dirty_hipster at July 1, 2009 10:52 PM

fsrg -- I was just expecting a totally different establishment based on all the excitement. In my opinion, there's a big difference between a real burger and a fast-food burger, and I was expecting the former. The picture menu made perfectly clear that Checkers offered the latter.

Posted by: alsawo at July 2, 2009 10:05 AM

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