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A good burger is hard to find. Fast food joints lure us in with low prices and speedy service, but often send us packing with extra pounds and a bad taste in our mouth, whether it's their politics or their processed meats. But a burger is a state of mind, a craving, a bite of Americana right up there with apple pie. And burgers can get dressed up for all sorts of occasions: hoe-down style with BBQ sauce and some onion straws, dressed to impress with designer cheese and pricey wedges of smoky bacon, or down and dirty slathered in chili. It's easy to become a burger elitist or connoisseur; we become devotees to one neighborhood diner, joint or stand, or, we treat the burger like a gourmet meal, and sample the beef-and-buns at high-end restaurants. And while we know it's pretty tough to beat an old fashioned home-grilled backyard BBQ burger, there are some choices in LA. We'll tell you what we like, and then it's your turn.
In-n-Out is the obvious choice for number one. It's a tradition, it's a legend, it's a SoCal staple. We like that they have a secret menu, that they were the first to offer a burger "protein style" and that from what we hear, they treat their employees well. We like what comes with the burger, too--creamy milkshakes and tasty french fries. The Double Double is one of our favorite burgers, hands down.
But we also must shamefully admit that we like the offerings at that hideous tropical-themed chain, Islands. We like their Hawaiian burger, with its ring of pinapple and teriyaki sauce, or their Bleunami, with bleu cheese and red onion toppings. Their cheese fries are fabulous, and with a bottomless iced tea, or Cherry Coke, this burger spot is pure nostalgia for our high school years, and hits the spot when we want to really sit down and dive between the buns--so to speak.
We got hooked on Fatburger back when there was a location near where we once worked. You could smell that meat sizzling a mile away, and somehow it got our mouths watering and the hamburger hankerings set in. Their burgers are big and juicy, and don't need any special toppings to sell. We like the "Fat" fries on the side, and the job is done.
So now you know what we like. We know we left some places off, and it's up to you to set us right, or read us the riot act. You tell us: Where's the Best Burger in LA?
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Although In-n-Out is the classic drive through, fast food California hamburger, I'd say it's far from the best in L.A. But for less than 3 bucks, you're chowing down, which is good. And their employment practices make them the envy of the fast food industry.
Islands? Pshaw! That's high on my worst food in L.A. list. I've been unfortunate and have eaten there, twice. Everything about that chain sucks ass, from the food, to the service, to the envvironment.
Fatburger's glory days have past, and the burgers they serve now are pale imitations of the classic, juicy Fatburgers of the 80's and early 90's. They still have mindblowingly well stocked jukeboxes - Mingus+burgers=good.
Now to set things right:
Apple Pan is hands down, the best, the finest fast food that L.A. has to offer. They are the model from which lesser burger stands are imitated. Every ingredient on their burger, from the choice meat, to the quality cheese to the pickles and bun hook up like Voltron, becoming the finest meal you can eat with one hand in Los Angeles. The staff is amazing, their fries are to die for, and they have, in this Hebe's opinion, the best goddam ham sandwich (The Combination) in the state. Soda is served in a can, not a bucket for hummingbirds in training, they only take cash, and to finish it off, pie, pie pie.
Not to be ignored, Tommy's has taken their menu and started to spread the love in the form of a chain. Taking a note from In-n-Out, their food, so far as I can tell, is the same delicious stuff, at every location. What on earth is in their chili? I don't want to know and I don't care. The same deliciously thick slice of tomato on every burger... They have set the standard for the chiliburger in L.A. and they have held that crown, while expanding. And Original Tommy's is still the best people watching spot at midnight on Sunday that I know of.
Now some will disagree with me on this point, but I am also hopelessly devoted to Fuddruckers. I have eaten some disgustingly large monstrosities there in the past, and will do so again. If I ask the manager nice, they will usually give me the burger blood-rare, which is how beef should be served. Their onion rings are some of the best in the city, which, of course, also end up on the burger. I do not reccomend the Fuddruckers inside of KooKooRoos, however, the burgers there are usually sub par. Although you can combine the KooKooRoo sides with your order, which logically leads to the mac'n cheeseburger...
You've totally ignored the Mo' Better Meaty Meat Burger at Fairfax and San Vicente.
None of those burgers deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Apple Pan and Father's Office...
Why is pie so essential to a good burger? In addition to the Apple Pan, Pasadena's Pie N Burger is on the bandwagon. Mmm burgers. Mmm pie.
Another eastside burgery is The Bucket on Eagle Rock Blvd. Built in the '30s, papered with trashy Bud girls posters, it's barely more than a hamburger stand with a patio; it may be the perfect afternoon spot to chow on an enormous, delicious burger. And they have beer. Mmm beer.
APPLE PAN. It just tastes different, homey, delicious, heartful. It's the burger that I imagine has set the love for burgers by all americans. Fries are fantastic, and the BANANA CREAM PIE is to die for.
You also get a good feeling along with the fabulous food. There's always several couples of seniors dining along the counter, whom you can totally imagine having the same lunch back in the 50's, maybe in the very seat they're occupying at that moment.
first off, the best burger is in nyc at paul's on 2nd ave. and st marks.
okay back to LA, I too admit I'll enjoy an Islands or Fuddruckers burger (they secretly have them at the Koo Koo Roo on Wilshire just east of Fairfax) and even a Carls Jr $6 burger on a desperate night. As for a restaurant burger..try the Max burger at Grand Lux in the Bev Center.
btw, am I the only one who could easily pass on The Apple Pan? If I lived next door, maybe I'd eat there more often, but it's not especially worth a 15 min drive to have what seems to be one of the most reputable burgers in town.
The only time I ate a burger at Islands (Encino) I got food poisoning.
Re: Mo'Better - didn't that close?
Mo' Better Meaty Meat Burgers did close down. Although they may have had a good burger back in the day, IMHO, their burgers have been sub-par for over a decade.
If you got cash in your pocket and want a good beer to go along with an outstanding burger you've got to hit the Father's Office in Santa Monica www.fathersoffice.com. Order a basket of fries and dip them in their garlic mayo and it's pretty hands down.
In-n-Out and Islands are ass. Fatburger is a good substitute for the real deal at Tom Bergin's - the Bergin Burger, 8oz of lean ground beef on a potato bun. Add in shoestring fries and a Guinness, and you've got yourself a great meal. The Arsenal runs a close second in my book.
How about a Shack Burger? That thing is mighty tasty. Can't beat the fileted sausage on top...
It is SO all about The Bucket.
If you haven't, definitely give the wet Bucket fries a go. They might look scary, but damn are they good.
I have to agree, In N Out is schlock. High on california culture, but not much to be said for it on quality alone. I think Rick's on Main Street does a great burger, especially for $3.99 on Tues/Thursday. Can't beat that. See ya there next tuesday!
Cassell's! In the Mid-Wilshire District. 3266 W. Sixth Street. Not just hamburger, but an entire lifestyle! And don't miss the fresh squeezed lemondade and the potato salad!!
I agree with Marshall that Apple Pan is the best, with Tommy's (on Rampart & Beverly (the shack, natch)) close behind. Apparently, Jay's Jayburger has closed, hopefully not permanently. They also had an excellent chiliburger.
Also, I'd like to say, I've had Pie & Burger and I wasn't impressed. Maybe if I grew up in Pasadena...
Anyway, now y'all're making me want to try The Bucket, Father's Office, Tom Bergin's, and Cassells...Me Want Meat!!!
Although I am an Eastsider through-and-through, not to mention a former vegetarian (20 years! Now eating meat for 2 years and realize what I was missing!) I have to say that FATHER'S OFFICE has the hands-down best burger in LA. Even though it's in Santa Monica. That morsel of blue cheese in the center, the med-rare prep, the fact that they give it to you one way and that's the best way, don't even ask for substitutions...and you can get a lovely glass of Bordeaux or Pinot to wash it all down. Oh- and the crispy shopping cart of sweet potato fries ain't bad either...
One should also check out The Counter in Santa Monica. Good choice of extras for building your own burger (or burger minus bun in a bowl). Give the mini-burger appetizer a try too. Nice restaurant to boot.
Will happily cast my vote for the Kingburger at BBQ King (corner of Figueroa and Cesar Chavez downtown, across from the Evans Adult School). It's a one-pound beheamoth, not griddled, not grilled -- smoked. It's a manly burger.
But the burger I miss most is the Hillbilly Burger from Bob Morris's Beverly Hills BBQ at Pico and Beverwil. A 1/2 pound burger, topped with onion rings, barbecue sauce, pickles, pulled pork and coleslaw. You couldn't pick it up -- you had to tip it on its side and lean into it.
Over here on the East Side, the best Midnite burger USED to be JayBurger on the corner of Santa Monica and Virgil. But then some rich cow bought the property to put up a mini mall and drove JayBurger out of business. We hate her.
I have to agree with the BBQ King "Kingburger." That thing is the size of your HEAD and SMOKY!
I also really like the burger from Yuca's taco stand on Hillhurst. It's small & cheap, but has a distinctly chili-ish underpinning. And plus you can also get an amazing Carne Assade taco at the same time.
I can't believe I haven't tried Cassell's yet. I've heard so much about it.
Not another best burger thread!
To repeat: there is no "best" burger in LA since the All American Thai Cafe on Rowena was shuttered two years ago.
There is now only a "least objectionable" burger in LA. That would be the Myrtle Burger at the Rustic. It has a considerable pedigree--the clientele, even most of the help don't even know why it's called a Myrtle burger anymore (former proprietor, fifteen years ago)--and a formidably devoted following. Basically a bacon cheeseburger but with ingredients that don't skimp and hang out all over the plate, it is the signature offering of a fine establishment. Being proximate to antler chandeliers doesn't hurt a burger either.
BTW, the Apple Pan's burger sucks. The roll tastes like wonderbread and the condiments don't combine in a satisfactory way. Even the most loaded up hickory tastes like a plain burger in parts. It hasn't even ever gone downhill--it has simply always sucked, even from before the time there was a Westside Pavilion.
Apple pan apple pan apple pan. I've tried most of the places mentioned in the thread, and there's really nothing that compares to it. Father's Office is quite decent, but the environment is horrible. It's incredibly loud and takes forever to get your food.
In addition to the burger, the atmosphere at Apple Pan is one of a kind.
My darlings - you can thank me later. But I invite you burger-lovers to Russell's in Old Town Pasadena. Oh my --deelish! They are fresh and so juicy. It's a really cool place to eat at, too.
Let me know what you think.
Can't go wrong with the Feta Burger at Astro in Silver Lake. The heat of the meat melts the feta cheese just right and, folks, they don't chintz on the cheese. Plus, their fries and potato salad (if not too late in the day) rock and, I've said it before, but the waitresses are in a class (and world) of their own.
Apple Pan's burger is pretty good, but a little too tangy and odd. Father's Office burger is so overcomplicated that it isn't even really a burger. It's more like a steak sandwich with too much sauce. Great beer there, though.
Best burger in LA: The Counter in Santa Monica. By far. The thing (however you order it) is absolutely fantastic. It redefines what a burger should be. And they have the best fries and onion rings in LA to boot.
Second Best: Soda Jerks in Pasadena. Old fashioned and excellent.
I have to agree. Nothing really beats the Apple Pan. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I also second the nomination about Soda Jerks. That is a fun retro-50s place. And you can even get a cherry phosphate there.
Now, if we could only persuade the Taylor's Automatic Refresher people to open a joint in LA, we'd be set. That place in Napa owns everything else down here.
It may be expensive, but the $14 burger at Houston's in Manhattan beach or in Santa Monica is the best. Add a helping of their wonderful cole slaw, and you have the best you can get.
Can't believe no one has mentioned PINK"S off of Melrose.
islands? the food is decent, but if your white and you roll there with a hot black girl at the fox hills location, they dont like u to sit down near the window, we had to be "ok'ed" by the manager