Chef Andy Ricker, of the wildly popular Thai eatery Pok Pok, says his favorite off-duty burger is the spicy cumin lamb burger made at Xi'an Famous Foods: "It's not really a burger...but it also is not NOT a burger, 'cause they say it's a burger, it is shaped like a burger and I am willing to suspend disbelief 'cause it's fucking delicious."[FLickr/Ron Dollete]

The ever-sophisticated Jean-Georges Vongerichten says his favorite burger is from the Spotted Pig. He "orders it medium and loves the Roquefort and the hollowed out brioche bun." The restaurant also happens to be three blocks from his house, so he can "walk home and digest." [Nick Solares]

Celeb chef Marcus Samuelsson, of Harlem's Red Rooster and the new rotisserie chicken spot Streetbird recommends another Harlem spot when he needs a burger fix: "When I'm craving a really good burger in Harlem, I go to 5 and Diamond on Frederick Douglass Boulevard. This is my favorite burger in neighborhood, and I go really classic with my order: medium rare topped with bacon and cheddar, fries on the side."[Facebook/5 and Diamond]

Chef and hitmaker Andrew Carmellini's cheap pick is the burger at Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridian. He gives it bonus points for staying open until midnight. [Nick Solares]

Barbuto's Jonathan Waxman heads to The Little Owl for his favorite burger. He orders it "with the works: Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, aioli and green jalapeno Tabasco sauce." [Facebook]

For chef April Bloomfield, who's earned plenty of acclaim for her own burgers at The Spotted Pig and The Breslin, it's all about Old Town: "It's simple and always cooked the way you want. I've only just discovered it actually." Her order: medium rare with American cheese. [Official Site]

Mario Batali goes for a non-beef outlier: "My fave burger in New York for late night is the turkey burger at the Blue Ribbon. I order it medium well with cheese and drink a nice Bordeaux with it." [Foursquare]

Modernist icon Wylie Dufresne, who only recently debuted his first burger on the menu at Alder, likes to head to Alphabet City bar Black Iron for a burger fix: "It's one of my neighborhood favorites, as it’s a quick walk from Alder. I usually order it medium rare with cheddar and grilled onions." [Facebook]

Justin Smillie, the chef behind the Cal-Ital hit Upland, heads to Great Jones Cafe, a haunt from his days at the nearby Il Buco. The burger "is big, hits the spot, and they always cook it to a perfect medium rare. Must order with cheese, of course, and the fries aren’t to be missed either." [Nick Solares]

Chef Josh Capon, who, based on the burgers he serves at Lure, Burger & Barrel, and Bowery Meat Company, knows his way around the subject, picks this Gramercy diner. "My favorite burger is from Joe Jr...Perfect, simple, inexpensive and delicious. They caramelize the patty on an ancient griddle the way it is supposed to be so it’s juicy and flavorful. For toppings, I go simple: American cheese and pickles. And, a Sprite to wash it all down. Excellent every time." [Nick Solares]

Ramen expert Ivan Orkin favors one of the neighbors of his Gotham West Market Slurp Shop: "These days, when I'm not being a fancy pants, when I'm at Gotham West Market I can be found devouring a classic burger from Genuine Roadside, which satisfies all of those youthful cravings. This burger has all of the benchmarks: a well-seasoned and well-cooked patty, a soft bun, and just enough grease to hold it all together." [Facebook]