TrendWatch: The Unstoppable Rise of the $16 Burger

There's been a lot of talk recently about the rise of sandwich and pizza shops, but we can't forget a foodstuff that goes hand in hand with those wallet-friendly items: the burger. Burgers in all varieties of shapes, sizes, price points, and degrees of deliciousness have been widely available in Manhattan since the big burger boom of '04. But it was not until recently that every single restaurant opening in New York decided to put a $16 patty on the menu. tips@eater.com

We get that the burger is a a go-to comfort food, that it's a good way to snag the people who don't want to shell out for a $20 entree. But a burger better be incredibly delicious to merit that high of a price tag. As the phenomenon spreads, a gallery of just a sampling of some pricey meat patties, both old and new. Feel free to send in more and we'll update the list.
— Compiled by Stephanie Butler