Burgers and Beers on Governors Island

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Burgers and Beers on Governors Island

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Elizabeth

NPR reported last week that a Burger King in Miami was going to sell beer with its burgers and fries, beginning in mid-February. Many believe that this is the first Burger King in the country to serve beer, but in fact, the Governors Island Burger King sold beer here during the Coast Guard era on the Island. (It was also likely the only Burger King that was attached to a bowling alley!)

Interior of the Governors Island Burger King (photo by Andrew Moore)

The Burger King is located on the southern portion of Governors Island, adjacent to the ball fields. It is often remembered fondly by those who lived and worked here as a center of Island recreation and fun. The Burger King even made an appearance in issue 615 of Spiderman.

Keemia enjoys a snack at the Island's Burger King (from issue #615 of the Amazing Spiderman written by Fred Van Lente and illusrated by Javier Pulido)

Unlike many places around New York City, you could get a 32 ounce beer on Governors Island for just over $2.

Original price list from the Governors Island Burger King

And although we may no longer have the Burger King, we do have a variety of food and drink for visitors to enjoy when we are open to the public, including Water Taxi Beach, where you can enjoy a beer and a burger with a view of the Manhattan skyline.

Filed under: Governors Island 101 Tagged: | Burger King, Coast Guard, governors island

5 Responses

Photographer Lisa Kereszi Gives Talk and Tour of Governors Island « Governors Island Blog, on September 15, 2010 at 3:07 pm said:

[...] the Commanding Officer’s House. They show spaces such as the movie theater, bowling alley, old Burger King and many [...]

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Spiderman Returns to Governors Island on Sunday « Governors Island Blog, on August 5, 2010 at 4:53 pm said:

[...] Battery Tunnel vent shaft (which is how the evil Sandman accesses Governors Island). Even the old Burger King on the southern end of the Island makes an appearance in the [...]

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Mary Ellen McGarrahan Pelkey, on February 5, 2010 at 10:18 am said:

Burger King on Governor’s Island I cannot even imagine!
In the fifties and early sixties, the bowling alley was the place to get a great hamburger. I would order to go run home to BLDG. 8663F and read Nancy Drew while enjoying the juiciest burger.

Reply
jonah levy, on February 4, 2010 at 6:58 pm said:

Great post! If the BK Bar in Miami goes well, the idea is headed to 42nd street by Port Authority. But let everyone know where it started!

Reply
- Elizabeth, on February 4, 2010 at 7:04 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jonah! We will keep our eyes peeled to see if it makes its way to NYC!
  
  Reply