Support for LAist comes from
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Stay Connected
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Food

The Lazy Ox Burger: Lost in the Shuffle

With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today . 

lazyoxburger.JPG
Photo by estarla. Used with permission.
()


Photo by estarla. Used with permission.
When a restaurant has 20+ items on the menu and 30+ specials on the chalkboard, who goes to Lazy Ox and orders a burger? Although most people are there looking for the baco, the burger shouldn't be ignored.

With dishes like the "morcilla sausage w/ pomme puree" (morcilla sausage mixed w/ pomme puree, served like a dip/rillette), "pig ear chicharon", pigs trotters, branzino, and "lamb cheek w/ semolina", the "Lazy Ox burger w/ carmody cheese" sounds almost normal, or even unimaginative. Far from it though.

On top of the typical gourmet burger blend (brisket, chuck, short rib), Chef Centeno adds beef suet (basically BEEF FAT/LARD!). It isn't quite the same as the flood burger, but it produces one of the best blends in town. The juiciness without the mess of a Juicy Lucy.

Support for LAist comes from

And the bun? Rockenwager? La Brea Bakery? You won't find it anywhere else, because it's a secret family recipe and every bun is made in house. Topped with poppy seeds, it has the perfect meat to bun ratio and it's thick enough to absorb all the juices, and it isn't as dry as the typical brioche bun. The carmody cheese (from Cowgirl Creamery) is a great touch, a buttery cheese that makes for a great burger topping.

According to the chef, they typically sell around 40 any given week, which isn't a lot considering the fact that the place is packed every night (and open for lunch). The burger costs 13 dollars and it comes with an order of fries (normally 7 dollars by itself). Order it medium rare with the toppings (onion and lettuce) on the side, and enjoy.

The drinks aren't bad either, and Jonathan Gold says "the roster of beer is an ale freak's dream." If you need any more incentives to go, all bottles (of very reasonably priced) wines are 50% off tonight (and every Monday). They don't skimp on the coffee either, you might have to order some (French press, 4 dollars). They get their coffee from Four Barrel (former roasters from Ritual in San Francisco) and you probably won't find it anywhere else outside of San Francisco (except for the Tasting Kitchen in Venice and Danny Meyer's Maialano in New York).

Check out their menus here, and their chalkboard specials at Lazy Ox.

At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.

But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.

We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.

Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist