Slow down on fast food hamburgers. Whether you enjoy your burger old-school—ground chuck pounded into a patty with tomato, lettuce and onion—or new-wave—Kobe beef topped with foie gras or a turkey burger with avocado and sprouts on a brioche bun—have it your way at one of these Top 10 Burger Restaurants in Los Angeles, presented in alphabetical order. Do you want fries with that?
Slow down on fast food hamburgers. Whether you enjoy your burger old-school—ground chuck pounded into a patty with tomato, lettuce and onion—or new-wave—Kobe... more
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1
The Apple Pan
10801 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 / 310-475-3585
This legendary burger joint has been packing them in since 1947. The cooks-waiters at this tiny, always-crowded spot race around inside the horseshoe-shaped counter turning out orders fast. Those waiting for seats---there are no tables here, just stools at the counter---will stare ravenously at you, making sure you devour your food pronto. The classic “steakburger” is topped with iceberg lettuce, relish, mayo and Tillamook cheddar (don’t ask for tomatoes---the request won’t be granted). Our favorite, however, is the hickory burger, dunked in barbecue sauce. Often overlooked, but equally delicious, are the ham and cheese sandwiches, and the fries are perfectly crisp from the era before fast-food mass-production took the soul out of burger joints. The apple pie is nearly as legendary as the burgers, but we prefer the berry and cream versions.
2
Cassell's Hamburgers
3266 W. Sixth St., Los Angeles, CA 90020 / 213-480-8668
You'll have to stand in line with the local pinstripe-suit crowd to order a simple, made-to-order burger with freshly ground beef, a huge bun, homemade mayonnaise and fresh lettuce, tomatoes and pickles (customers add their own condiments). The two-third-pound version is designed for hearty appetites at this Koreatown institution that offers little in the way of décor or ambience.
3
The Counter
2901 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 / 310-399-8383
Taking the have it your way mantra to the extreme, The Counter creates a safe haven for even the pickiest eater while managing to serve up great food fast, rather than doling out bland fast food. The concept is basic: check off your choices on a paper menu pad, much the way you might select your meal in a neighborhood sushi joint. First your burger: organic beef, turkey or veggie; then choose the size: one third, one half or a staggering 1 pound burger. Then on to toppings and sauces, with over 24 choices including Danish blue cheese, garlic aïoli, corn and black bean salsa and peanut sauce. We recommend a combination of grilled pineapple and green chiles. We also love the Fifty-Fifty, a side of fries and shoestring onion rings. It's the perfect size for two, without feeling a grease overload. For the Atkins fanatic, there's also a burger-in-a-bowl option that features your favorite burger served in a lettuce bowl. At lunch its quick counter service, but in the evening and on weekends you can enjoy full table service at the same price. Don't leave without tasting the giant chocolate chip cookie, a warm Toll House fantasy gone wild.
4
Father's Office
1018 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403 / 310-393-2337
Chef Sang Yoon used to cook gourmet California cuisine at nearby Michael's. But when the itch for his own place hit, he took over this tiny, unpretentious local bar and grill and added his own touches, making this an outstanding joint. He's preparing good Spanish tapas, bar food and special dinners a few nights a week. But the main attraction here is the Office Burger, which is arguably L.A.'s best. A patty of fine dry-aged beef is topped with caramelized onions, Gruyère and Maytag cheeses, applewood-smoked bacon compote and arugula served on a soft roll. A basket of fries à la carte arrives in a miniature grocery cart with some wonderful garlicky aïoli. Yoon allows no substitutions or alterations of any type. The bar features a great selection of beers in addition to a decent wine list. Just know that there are no reservations and no waiting list, so be prepared to battle for a table with a crowd that's been drinking.
5
Lucky Devils
6613 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028 / 323-465-8259
Lucky Vanous, the owner, is not evil like the Devil. On the contrary, he is rather charming, and you are lucky, too, since he is here every day, day and night. It is appropriate that the male actor who starred in a Diet Coke commercial has opened a casual place specializing in all-American food including Kobe beef burgers and deluxe grilled cheese sandwiches served in a high-tech setting. Hollywood club-hoppers can find nourishment here until 3 a.m. on weekends.
6
Pie 'n Burger
913 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106 / 626-795-1123
A no-frills place with a no-frills name that says it all---of the 22 types of pies, Pie ’n Burger’s pecan pie is to-die-for, and some other favorites include boysenberry, cherry and pumpkin-apple. Sit yourself down at the fountain-type counter and order one of the tasty, fresh burgers with a side of fries and a slice of pie---you can’t be more all-American. At breakfast, try the homemade cinnamon and pecan rolls or an omelet. The décor and prices are classic.
7
8 oz. Burger Bar
7661 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046 / 323-852-0008
Burgers never go out of style in L.A., and so it was only natural for chef Govind Armstrong and company to transform this Melrose Avenue space into a gourmet burger bar after moving their upscale Table 8 down the street. The restaurant was stripped to the bones and the chic Thomas Schoos design replaced by rough wood wainscoting, subway tiles and a stamped metal ceiling to create a casual vintage scene. Start out with small bites like fried chorizo-stuffed olives (ideal with some garlic aïoli), Kobe corndogs with purple mustard or chicken confit that competes favorably with the best sports bar snacks around. The burgers are created from either Black Angus or Estancia grass-fed beef aged in a chamber lined with Himalayan salt. The Estancia is leaner but not too lean to make a formidable burger and customers can glam it up with endless combinations of cheeses, condiments and sauces: Humboldt Fog goat cheese, spicy mayo, arugula, tomato chutney, applewood-smoked bacon). Alternative options include a nifty grilled cheese sandwich fashioned from Bel Paese cheese and onion marmalade or a “Suds & Slider” sampler consisting of a trio of mini-burgers paired with three glasses of hand-crafted beers. The wine list is short, but offers burger-friendly selections from around the globe. Desserts are equally all-American, ranging from a peach snickerdoodle shake to cupcakes.
8
Tommy's
2575 W. Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057 / 213-389-9060
Tommy’s is the quintessential burger joint in a city that made burgers an enduring part of American life. We don’t dare criticize Tommy’s, because an army of its incredibly devoted fans will never let us rest. So we’ll say this: the burgers themselves aren’t much, but the topping is a sloppy glob of impressively tasty chili that seems to have magically addictive powers. No matter what hour of the day or night, you’ll find a crowd---everybody from movie stars to local residents who have been coming here for decades---eating chili burgers along the makeshift counter lining the parking lot. Other locations.
9
25 Degrees
The Hollywood Roosevelt, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028 / 323-785-7244
Located in the upscale Hollywood Roosevelt hotel and under the toque of restaurateurs Tim and Liza Goodell, 25 Degrees could be the restaurant that best epitomizes the revitalization of Hollywood. Named after the difference in temperature between a medium-rare and a well-done burger, this hip version of a burger joint in a historic building is now open 24 hours. While the Dodd Mitchell design may be a bit busy for our tastes, the crystal chandeliers and polished wood add an air of elegance to the classic American concept. Diners choose from three gourmet burgers (#1 is topped with Gorgonzola and Crescenza cheeses, bacon, caramelized onions, arugula and Thousand Island dressing), or build their own (beef, turkey or vegetable) from a variety of upscale condiments (prosciutto, portobello mushroom), cheeses (Red Hawk, burrata) and sauces (tarragon rémoulade, chipotle). Don’t miss the onion rings and the pomme frites (available together as the "half and half"), perfect for dipping into any of a dozen different sauces. Soup, salad and sandwiches are also offered. Beverages range from milkshakes to a full bar, beer on tap, and a selection of wines by the glass or bottle.
10
Yard House
Paseo Colorado, 330 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101 / 626-577-9273
More than 100 draft beers on tap are inducement enough for many to come to Yard House, but this location is filled with groups of business people and families with children as well as beer lovers. Wine drinkers won't feel overlooked, though, as both the list and the by-the-glass offerings are more interesting than one might expect at a chain. The menu leans to Americana, with an emphasis on burgers and steaks, but stretches across a few international boundaries as well. You'll find beef done Korean barbecue style, chicken wings with Jamaican flavors and even edamame and seared ahi among the appetizers. But in a flip on the usual formula, entrées are actually much better conceived and more appealing. Ginger-crusted salmon uses a paste of the fresh root for strong flavor, while grilled jumbo shrimp features two trios of the crustaceans skewered on lemon grass stalks, presented with a sweet peanut and hot chili sauce for dipping. If you've saved room, consider the Kona coffee ice cream sundae, a house specialty, or more typical offerings, from a chocolate soufflé cake or warm peach-apple cobbler. Beer lovers should consider a seemingly unique offer here: floats made not with root beer but with draft: Young's Chocolate Stout or Lindeman's Framboise with vanilla ice cream.
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