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Drumroll, please! We announce the winner of the LAist Tournament of Cheeseburgers
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LAist Design
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After a hard-fought couple of months, we finally have our LAist Tournament of Cheeseburger Champions. Oh, what a journey it’s been!
It’s been one for the books, and by that, we mean you, our LAist audience, have proven time and time again that your love for cheeseburgers has no bounds.
We kicked off our Tournament of Cheeseburgers in May, inviting you to tell us about your favorite cheeseburger in SoCal. And boy, did you!
We received more than:
- 14,000 submissions and votes
- For 300 cheeseburger businesses
- From 120 neighborhoods
- 20 different regions
- 8 SoCal counties
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Explore the differences between traditions, from Sichuan’s spicy mala to Japan’s delicate shabu-shabu and Korea’s hearty jeongol. -
These LA-area restaurants could also receive a Bib Gourmand affordable dining award or even a star at the awards event in August. -
Feeling beachy, even if you're not near the ocean? Maybe a quality fish taco could hit the spot.
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We winnowed them down to our Burger Round of 32 , our Savory 16 , our Tasty 8 , and finally our Flavorful 4 .
But now it’s time to reveal the champion.
And the winner is…..
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Hangaburs
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Hangaburs owners Alice Lopez and her wife Cecilia Ledezma, have smashed their way to the top spot
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Hangaburs
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Hangaburs , the Latina-owned, El Sereno smashburger pop-up is run by Alicia Lopez and her wife Cecilia Ledezma.
"Oh my God... This is really great," Lopez said while speaking on Morning Edition with Susanne Whatley and Food Editor Gab Chabrán after learning that Hangaburs took the the top spot. "We just keep doing everything we can to make the best burgers we can. And we're proud of them. We just want to keep serving everyone with a smile."
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Listen
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Alicia Lopez of Hangaburs on Morning Edition with Susanne Whatley and Food Editor Gab Chabrán
When Lopez first heard about the Tournament of Cheeseburgers in May, she wasn’t sure how well they might do in the contest.
“I think I tend to second guess ourselves,” Lopez said.
But despite what Lopez might think, the pop-up has captured the hearts (and tastebuds) of their small but mighty following.
The two can be found on the weekends, popping up all over Orange County and Los Angeles, serving their signature smashburgers from their hard-to-miss yellow tent.
Lopez said her affection for burgers runs deep, starting in childhood. When Ledezma and Lopez first began dating, they immediately bonded over their love of burgers and, later on, even served burgers at their wedding. During a trip to Tepic, the capital city of the state of Nayarit, Mexico, the couple tried a burger, and it blew their collective minds. The pop-up developed from there.
The Hangaburs' menu isn’t huge, with only two burgers. The first is their signature smash, made with a toasted bun from Melrose Baking Company, a thin layer of onions, a thin pickle cut long ways, and their signature sauce. The other is their Tepic burger, inspired by that fateful trip, which is made with a grilled ham slice, American cheese, grilled panela cheese, and spicy mustard creme.
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When asked what sets their burger apart, Lopez said, “From the beginning, we focus on our technique, the flavors, and the balance of flavors. That's always been important to us. We do everything fresh, even the pickles, slicing all those, and everything is extra cared for. I feel people taste that detail.”
Come along to our live Tournament of Cheeseburgers event this Sunday, July 7, at Smorgasburg LA , at the Row in DTLA.
It's from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with more cheeseburgers than you could ever want, kid-friendly activities and most importantly ... the presentation of the trophy to the winner!
See you there!
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Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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.
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