Union Burger Bar — Restaurant in Town of Southampton

Me and my friends decided we wanted to have a quick lunch before heading out to explore the Hamptons on Sunday, and we were delighted to have found Union Cantina. This modern and stylish Mexican style restaurant is located in the heart of Southampton and offers al fresco dining which was something we were looking forward to, as the weather was so pleasant. When coming in, we noticed the restaurant was busy, with many of other guests deciding to eat outside, just like us. The welcome was first class, and water was brought to the table as soon as we sat down, which was a great touch. We decided to opt for ‘mocktails’ instead of alcoholic beverages, and our waiter informed us they can create any cocktail off the menu without alcohol – we went for the virgin mojito, which in all honesty was one of the best I ever tasted. Then came the very best part – the food of course. The ordered the ‘Union Guacamole’ to share which was not spicy at all – my friend was very happy about this as guacamole is usually served spicier and most of the time you are not offered the choice of having it n mild. We also shared the ‘Queso Dip’ which came with warm tortillas, and the ‘Carne Molida (Ground Beef) Empanada’. The Queso or cheese dip was amazing, we could tell they used quality cheese, and it was melted to perfection, not to mention that the portion was huge. One of my favourite dishes was the empanada, which was nice and soft on the inside and a bit crispy on the outside, it resembled the local street food you can buy only when in South America. For the mains we had the Pollo Tirado, Chicken Taco – the chicken was juicy and not overcooked at all, and the vegetables complimented the dish perfectly. One of my friends opted for the deconstructed ‘Picante Camarones (Spicy Shrimp) Enchilada’ – she gave me a bite to taste and it was absolutely delicious. The enchilada was not rolled in a tortilla wrap as you would normally expect, but instead constructed as a tower, with layers and layers of delicious shrimp, vegetables and tortilla. My other friend opted for the Taco Salad which was served in a very creative style, something that caught our eye immediately. After the amazing feast of Mexican food, our waiter showed us around inside the restaurant and the bar and explained a bit about the history behind the ‘400 Rabbits Tequila Bar’ concept. We found out he is also an artist, as he actually painted one of the walls himself, using colourful images in true Mexican style. All in all, our visit was a great 5 star experiencing, and the service was second to none. The food was always served in a unique way, something we haven’t experienced in other Mexican style restaurants, and it was great to see how much passion and creativity goes into creating these dishes. We will no doubt return and...

Our first at the restaurant dining experience in 4 months! During this COVID-19 Phased Reopening, how much do we forgive when writing a review? Wait service in the Hamptons in the summer already is working with modified expectations. Social distancing on the lawn: no problem.

We were the first clients of the morning, so it is not like the kitchen or staff was overwhelmed yet. Everything was prepared excellently. The burgers were cooked to perfection. The first French fries in 4 months were tasty. The fried pickles were hot from the fryer and the perfect balance of vegetable/vinegar/breading. The shake was definitely photo worthy.

Then there were the problems. One of the draft beers was not available - has happened a hundred times. The specified brioche bun came out as a pretzel bun. The 'appetizer' order of fried pickles arriving 10 minutes after the burgers - cold burgers - hot pickles. The shake arriving another 10 minutes after that - did they think it was dessert?

Not understanding basic if/then/else logic - unforgivable. "IF you can make the ($14) Cookie Monster shake with chocolate ice cream, then I want that. Otherwise, I want the plain ($8) chocolate shake." Need I tell you what came to the table? The $14 vanilla version; when asked about it the server just answered "yes."

Union Burger Bar might be in the process of rebranding as well. Was it not “Union Cantina” before “Union Burger Bar” and the new logos are “Union @Bowden Square - Steak and Sushi“ : that cannot help.

As I started by saying, service is never expected to be professional during the summer. During this Phased Reopening, restaurants are hit hard from all sides - lack of labor, lack of usable capacity, and lack of customers lead the list, but the service that does exist needs to be moderately competent if they expect to keep the few...

After much anticipation, this Memorial Day Weekend, I had the opportunity to dine at Union Burger Bar in Southampton, NY. Upon arriving, I immediately noticed the space’s warm and hospitable feel, hosting customers of all ages seeking good traditional American cuisine. I ended up getting the Health Nut Salad with shrimp (Arguably a sin at a restaurant notorious for their burgers), and I was extremely impressed. The service was fast, the shrimp was fresh, and amid the Memorial Day bustle, I still found the staff extremely accommodating and attentive. The menu offered a range of specialty burgers, sandwiches, sides, and appetizers to pair with hearty milkshakes or alcoholic beverages. The restaurant was relatively full, with clientele sitting at the bar, indoor seating, and outdoor tables. All sitting areas comply with COVID protocol, as servers wore masks and plastic dividers separated tables capable of hosting bigger parties or more intimate gatherings. By the end, I didn’t feel rushed to leave. When I got my bill, I was pleasantly surprised at how affordable the dinner was, considering the generous portion and the price of comparable restaurants. Given the quality of food and service, I would highly recommend Union Burger Bar and am inclined to believe other establishments owned by the same owners (Union Sushi and Steakhouse and Southampton Social Club) would offer a similarly enjoyable experience. Whether you’re a seasoned local or a weekend traveler, this place is one to check off of your foodie bucket...