Skinny Louie Brings More Burgers to NYC

Skinny Louie, the fast-growing smash burger concept that built a cult following in Miami, is making a serious push across New York City.

After debuting in NoMad in 2025, the brand expanded with a West Village location that opened in March, adding another late-night burger spot to downtown Manhattan. More openings are already in the pipeline, with the Upper East Side expected next, followed by East Village, Penn Station, and Park Slope as Skinny Louie continues to grow its local footprint.

Founded in Miami in 2023 by Gonzalo Rubino and Matias Palloni, Skinny Louie first took off in Wynwood, where lines regularly stretched down the block. Its appeal is rooted in a simple formula: a tight menu, fast service, approachable pricing, and a strong focus on quality. That approach helped the brand grow quickly across South Florida before making its move into New York.

The concept keeps things intentionally straightforward. Skinny Louie’s smash burgers are made with 100% fresh Black Angus beef, seasoned simply with salt and pepper, then cooked on a hot griddle to develop a deeply caramelized crust. Burgers, fries, shakes, and house sauce form the core of the menu, keeping the focus where it belongs.

The burger that has attracted the most attention is the “Very Best Burger,” a double smash burger topped with smoked gouda, truffle aioli, and jalapeño relish. Originally created as a one-off for Burger Bash, it went on to become an off-menu favorite and helped put Skinny Louie on a bigger stage. In 2025, it earned top honors at both the South Beach and New York City Wine & Food Festival Burger Bash events, including the Pat LaFrieda Judges Award.

But after visiting the West Village location, our personal favorite was the Classic Burger ordered double. With American cheese, tomato, lettuce, onions, ketchup, and mustard layered over crisp-edged patties, it delivered exactly what a great smash burger should: simple ingredients, done well, with no extra distractions.

As more locations get ready to open across the city, Skinny Louie is shaping up to be one of the more notable burger expansions in NYC right now. For anyone keeping tabs on the city’s smash burger scene, this is a name worth knowing.