If you grew up anywhere near Huntington or Centerport, there’s a good chance your idea of the perfect burger was shaped by a red-white-and-blue storefront on Pulaski Road. For nearly five decades, Conte’s Burger Haven was where memories were made: after Little League games, late-night runs with friends, and quick bites between errands. Now, Burger Haven is back—reborn in Huntington Village at 339 New York Ave.—and it’s aiming straight for our nostalgia, one salty fry and hand-spun shake at a time. Patch
A New Address, An Old Soul
The original Conte’s Burger Haven opened in 1961 in Huntington Station and closed in 2008 after a 47-year run. The new Burger Haven isn’t a museum piece; it’s a respectful revival. Owner Paul Hansen has been clear about the mission: keep it authentic and keep it simple. The refreshed shop leans into what worked for half a century—smash-style burgers seasoned simply on a flat top, crisp onion rings, and milkshakes that taste like the ones you remember. Patch Long time Huntington restaurateur and pizzeria owner Mark Salese is also part of the Burger Haven team.
Inside, the look is clean and unfussy—more bright and functional than fussy gastropub—because the menu is the star. Expect The Big Boy quarter-pounder, classic two-ounce burgers and cheeseburgers, The Big C fried-chicken sandwich, hand-cut fries, onion rings, and shakes. That’s it. No fifteen toppings, no foie gras, no distraction—just the greatest hits album, played loud. Patch
Why Now? Why Here?
Huntington Village has become a destination for food lovers, and New York Avenue is the main artery. Planting Burger Haven right in the village puts it on the path of theatergoers, shoppers, families at the park, and late-night walkers heading home. By design, hours stretch late on weekends (open until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday), which is a big win for the post-concert crowd and service industry pros who actually need dinner after 10 p.m. Weekdays run a friendlier 11:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m. for lunch and dinner. Patch+1
The Contes Connection (And Why That Matters)
For locals, the name “Burger Haven” isn’t just branding—it’s a lineage. Hansen and his team worked with the Conte family to bring back the Burger Haven identity without using the family name, with a promise to stick close to the original menu and method. The meat blend, the light hand with seasoning, and the short menu are all intentional choices to preserve that memory-lane bite. In Hansen’s words: don’t overwork great chop meat—let the fat and protein carry the flavor. It’s a philosophy that sounds simple, and that’s exactly the point. Patch
A Quick Look Back—And Forward
If you want your dose of local history, you’ll find plenty of tributes floating around: old photos, Facebook threads, and even coverage of those iconic red benches when the original closed years ago. It’s a reminder that Burger Haven wasn’t just a shop—it was woven into Huntington Station’s daily life. The new Burger Haven captures the spirit, not the museum dust, and gives Huntington Village something it always benefits from: great, casual food at a fair price with zero pretense. Patch
What To Order First
- The Big Boy if you want the archetypal Burger Haven experience.
- Two-ounce cheeseburgers if you’re a slider-style sampler—stack two (or three).
- Hand-cut fries and onion rings—they’re as important as the burger; don’t skip.
- Chocolate shake to complete the nostalgia loop.
(Yes, there are chicken people in every party—The Big C is for you.) Patch
Practical Details
- Location: 339 New York Ave., Huntington, NY 11743 (right in the village). Patch
- Hours: Sun–Thu 11:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Fri–Sat 11:30 a.m.–1:00 a.m. (check socials for updates). Patch+1
- Social: Instagram @burgerhavenli posts opening updates, late-night reminders, and new merch. Instagram
Why This Is Good News For The Huntington Area
Great neighborhoods are built on the little places we return to again and again. Huntington and Centerport already have destination dining; what Burger Haven adds is reliable, everyday craveability—the spot you pick when you don’t want to debate dinner. For families after a Harborfields game, couples strolling the village, or friends catching a late show at the Paramount, Burger Haven slots into the rhythm of local life with comfort-food confidence.
And for longtime residents who remember Pulaski Road, the taste is a ticket back. For newcomers, it’s an initiation: this is what a Huntington burger joint should feel like.
Bottom line: Burger Haven’s return is more than an opening—it’s a homecoming. If you want a bite that tastes like Huntington history, you’ll find it sizzling on New York Avenue.
