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The other day we were driving along the freeway when we noticed a bumper sticker that read "Meat is Burger" and it got us to thinking about the state of the burger in LA, once again. And because we're prone to taking little trips on trains of thoughts, we remembered reading somewhere about an Oprah show airing last month that was all about the country's best burgers. We found that her guest had been GQ mag writer Alan Richman, who traveled 23,750 miles and consumed more than 150,000 calories on his mission to create a carnivorous compendium called "The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die." Coming in at number 15 is Santa Monica's The Counter's Build-Your-Own burger, which we found to be pretty good back in July. Richman's other local pick was his number six selection, Houston's California Burger. Not bad for one city to have two picks on a pretty short national list. But this got us thinking about the sort of dual world of burgers: the cheap and dirty kind, and the more highbrow variety. We checked out AOL's Cityguide's Best Burgers, and noticed it was split half bargain burgers and half gourmet; In-n-Out reigns supreme according to them. Over at Citysearch they're eager to pass on the scoop about the high-end buns and patties with their listing of "5 to Try." In the past couple of weeks, too, coverage in the LA Times has been burger centric; we've got a rave about the places you can go for Primo Patties, and a review of the just opened 25 Degrees restaurant in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where it's all about the big ticket burger.
So what does this mean about the state of the great American burger, at least in LA--are the gourmet burgers a trend in fashionable fad food or are we finally giving the all-American fare the attention it deserves? Is the burger so in that it's becoming high-demand, high-end chic? Is it glamorous to carbo-load in the city of perpetual starvation in the name of image? Can the modest mainstay of In-n-Out compete with the ten dollar racehorses from places like Father's Office and 25 Degrees--or are they not even in the same race? We're just not sure. You tell us.
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I've heard Father's Office, while well-researched, is a disappointment. The best burger I've ever had in L.A.--and I've lived here for 29 years--is at Pasadena Pie'n'Burger on California at Lake.
Holy of holies, and followed up by warm blueberry pie...I could be struck by lightning then and die a happy death.
I definitely think the carb aversion is over.
I have two suggestions for some of the better burgers in town.
AMMO has a fabulous cheese burger, especially if you like grilled onions
and
THE CHATEAU MARMONT has a to-die-for Kobe Beef burger that melts in your mouth. Both are pretty expensive (I think about $10 each) but well worth it if you are a burger lover like myself.
For a great greasy burger for $5, try ST.NICKS on 3rd Street. It is a sports bar, but the burgers are small and mouth watering!
I love the Father's Office burger. It's awesome. The main problem is the bar itself, which is overcrowded, has no table service, and has a staff which is less then helpful. You often see well-heeled people walk in and try to figure out the whole thing amidst the half-drunk westide frat-like crowd.
But it really is yummy. I'll also second Pie'n'Burger, MMMM.
If you love LA burgers, you'll love www.ahamburgertoday.com, which reviews LA and NYC burgers. I am currently still in the process of trying them all (going to Cassell's tomorrow night), but have quite a few good ones up as well as some to avoid and about five ready to be posted soon. I like the Father's Office burger, but is it really a burger in the true sense of the word?
I've had many a fine burger and I'll not quibble about best. But I must say that my most memorable is not listed among ANY of the aforementioned lists. It's a gem and utterly unique. I came across them some 15, 16 or 17 years ago. They've upgraded since then: have real salt and pepper shakers instead of root beer bottles. They've not a web site nor shall I give you their name. Just this:
It is located in the far west-north-west of Los Angeles. If you pass the former location of the Spahn Movie Ranch you've gone a wee-bit too far. But not by much. Turn around and go to the nearest intersection with businesses. Get out of your car because their yellow sign is so small as to be unreadable as you drive by. Citysearch & Zagat rate them highly but make no mention of the "Kitchen Sink." Everyone I have introduced to the Kitchen Sink has fallen silly in love with it. Methinks they may have a secret ingredient like opium or something.
But everyone knows the best burger in the world bar none is at the Riverside in Charlottesville.
I like "The Bucket" in Eagle Rock, CA http://www.bucketburger.com