“We are living in the golden age of fake meat,” declared former Bon Appetit editor Amiel Stanek. He’s part of the culinary team at Kingston’s Moonburger, a new drive-thru serving exceptional vegetarian burgers, fries, and milkshakes. It’s the brainchild of owner Jeremy Robinson-Leon, a former PR exec (and Vassar grad) who represented big-name clients like Shake Shack. The idea came to him when he brainstormed ways to make people happy and give back to the planet. (His environmentalist father would be proud.)
The menu was developed by Stanek, cookbook author and food personality Alison Roman (who you may know from her insanely popular salted chocolate chip shortbread cookie recipe which earned over 8,000 5-star reviews at cooking.nytimes.com) and culinary expert Anoop Pillarisetti, who’s held top jobs at Shake Shack and Momofuku.
Moonburgers start with Impossible Burgers prepared with “double onion.” Vidalia slices are seared into the patties on the griddle, and fried onions are added for crunch. Other fixings include dill pickles, iceberg lettuce, and a tangy mayo-based sauce with ketchup, dijon, and chopped banana peppers. Cheeseburgers are topped with Cooper Sharp American cheese. Skinny fries are available plain or with a Creole-inspired spice blend. The delicious shakes are made with oat milk from Elmhurst 1925, a former New York State dairy that switched to plant-based beverages.
The sleek building is located at the former Ice Cream Castle on Powells Lane. Moonburger’s tagline “Go Anywhere” reflects Robinson-Leon’s boundless optimism. Since it’s drive-thru only, the takeout package thoughtfully includes a QR code to help you find nearby spots to enjoy your meal.
5 Powells Lane, Kingston
845.663.2933; moonburger.com
