HELL’S KITCHEN — When Island Burgers & Shakes opened in Hell’s Kitchen on a snowy January day in 1996, a classic burger cost $5 and cheeseburgers were $6.
The price of a hamburger has since risen to $9.95, but on Tuesday, Jan. 19, patrons nostalgic for prices of yore can order burgers at 1996 “throwback prices” to celebrate the joint’s 20th anniversary.
“With all the regular customers we’ve had and continue to have over the years, I thought it would be a nice little flashback, and a way to show our appreciation,” said owner Mark Calvino, who launched the Hell’s Kitchen Island Burgers on Ninth Avenue between 51st and 52nd streets on Jan. 13, 1996.
Along with $5 and $6 hamburgers and cheeseburgers, the venue will offer complimentary prosecco and sparkling wine to patrons between noon and 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The James Zeller Trio will also be on hand performing live jazz between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
The upcoming festivities have given Calvino, 45, a chance to reminisce about what the neighborhood was like two decades ago.
“Hell’s Kitchen was still pretty grimy at the time,” he said. “There were still a lot of empty storefronts.”
Thanks to an appearance on a Time Out New York cover and a write up in New York Magazine, Island Burgers “took off,” despite the still-prevalent drug use and prostitution in the neighborhood, Calvino said.
“It was just as Giuliani was changing the zoning laws to get rid of the porn houses around Times Square,” he recalled. “We were fortunate enough to start the business right at that ground level, so we were able to grow with the neighborhood. Prior to that, no one really wanted to be down here.”
Since 1996, Calvino has opened two other Island Burgers locations in Manhattan — one on the Upper West Side four years ago, and a Harlem venue last month.
“We’re very proud to be 20 years strong,” Calvino said.
