I'm not a fan of the new, high-end, high-priced designer burger fad. Kobe beef? Wagu? Give me a friggin' break. What's next culinary foams or suspensions? It's a burger for Chrissakes, not Haute cuisine
Honestly, if you can't get it right for under $10 in this economy, get out of the game. Good meat, hand formed patty, good bun, thick slice of tomato, sliced or grilled onions, some lettuce, etc. Nothing particularly tricky, but so many get it wrong.
Good burgers in LA:
Original Tommy's
Nickel Diner - 525 Main St. downtown
Fatburger - (go for the XXXXL, four 1/2 lb patties)
George Petrelli's Steak House (Culver City) - seriously old school steaks and burgers, stay away from everything else.
Rick's Tavern On Main - Santa Monica
Posthumous nominees
Meaty Meat Burgers
Original Fatburger location |
Bongofury, Nickel Diner is one of the great little secrets of downtown. Honestly, eating there made my night. You've got to try their homemade red velvet cake and Ding Dongs. Unfortunately, they were all out of donuts when we got there.
I have to go back and give Apple Pan another try. Back in the mid 90's, I was on a quest to find the best apple pie in Los Angeles. Of course, I had to try the Apple Pan. The pie was disappointing and the burger even more so. It was a greasy spoon, alright, but not in a good way. But, everyone keeps saying it's great, maybe I just caught a bad day?
BTW, the best apple pie I found, at that time, was Cafe Montana in Brentwood. Although, I think their deserts were actually made by Cafe Buglaoo. Anyway, it was their apple-boysenberry. 3" thick. Apples cooked, yet still firm. Not too much sugar. And a a great crumb/granola crust and top. |
Has anyone tried the Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, Arizona? (be sure to stop the gawd-awful music on that website) Sure, they make big burgers, but are they any good? |
02-22-10: Byegolly
Fatburger was decent in late 80's/early 90's - they must be gone or crap now cause no one ever mentions them anymore.
02-22-10: Samhar
Hhh the R.B. Fat Burger on PCH was the best and later the ones Magic Johnson owned on the West Side were great. Once Magic sold out the quality dropped. Certain ones still are. I just took the XXXXL(four 1/2 lb patties w/ cheese and full fixins) challenge at the Redondo Beach Fatburger a month ago, and besides being a serious undertaking, it was one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. It was juicy beyond all getout. What I like about FB is that they still seriously season their beef patties. Hhh, thanks for the Buffalo Fire Dept tip in Old Torrance. I live about 15 minutes from there and will give it a try in the next week or so. |
02-23-10: Gawdbless
Carl's Jr. Double Six Dollar Burger, anything with 1520 calories and can potentially give one a heart attack, all for just 6 bucks, just has to be good. I agree. Of the large fast food chain burgers, Carl's is the best by a long shot. Although, you have to add chili to see the full potential. Also, the Double Western Burger is still the value buy. That brick stays in your stomach for hours. |
02-23-10: Tvad
I've never gotten aboard the In-N-Out craze. Their burgers just don't stand out to me. Agreed. Thin, tasteless, patties. You have to go "off menu" to get anything remotely tasting like hamburger with meat. Four-by patties is the only way, and then it's not exactly a budget burger, is it? And how they've gotten away with those lame fries all these years is beyond me. I applaud them for cutting the fries right out fresh potatoes in front of your face, but let's make them a little thicker and cook the damn things a little longer, please. So, I'm still searching for the great LA burger. I'll have to try Father's Office when I get to the west side. Father's Office has gone upscale, unless you go to the original hole in the wall in Brentwood. I was just at the new Culver City mega-digs and their beer selection is impressive, but they have to pay for the prime real estate... Try Nickel Diner - 525 Main Street, downtown LA. Great burger and phenomenal deserts. Be sure to try their red velvet cake(w/ crushed malt balls), homemade Ding Dongs, and maple-glazed bacon donuts. |
02-24-10: Bongofury
D Mob,I helped create the Pharmaka Gallery across the street from the Nickel in 2004. Along with Bert Green, we were the pioneers in starting Gallery Row. They have a wonderful art walk once a month. Very cool. My girlfriend and I have gone to Wurstkuche(across from the old Al's Bar) a few times for sausages, Belgian frites, and beer then done the art walk around there. But, I didn't know it extended over by Nickel Diner. I really like that area - just enough edge to keep the yuppies out, but not the war zone downtown used to be. |
1) I think the number one importance is good ground beef with a nice, high, fat content. Results in much juicier and tender burger.
2) hand-formed, thick, patties are a must. The production line pre-formed patties are too thin, too dense, and improperly seasoned, if at all
3) Thick wedges of tomatoes, onion(or grilled), and a nice bed of crisp lettuce.
4) Toasted bun with some crunch to it
Get those 4 things right and everything is just a cherry on top. Cheese, mayo, ketchup, mustard are all great, but if the four things above are wrong, then it's simply putting lipstick on a pig.
So, why do so few get it right?
For Southern Californians, the beloved icon In & Out Burgers is classic example of a mediocre product. Paper thin patties with no flavor where buns and condiments end up the being the primary thing you taste in each bite. You have to go off-menu to, at least, the custom "3 by 2" three patty burger to begin tasting meat and it doesn't get real until the "4 by" at which point that's a fairly expensive mediocre burger. |
Macdad, If you're in Orange County, definitely hit The Hat(Lake Forest) for their Pastrami Sanwiches, fries, etc. Haven't tried their burgers, but their sandwiches are classic, old-style, meat bombs. Their hot dogs/chili dogs are great. If you make it to downtown LA, Nickel Diner for burgers and deserts, or Wurstkuche for exotic sausage sandwiches and Belgian fries along with imported beers. |
My girlfriend just turned me onto The Hat 2 years ago and I'm kinda hooked when I get my car serviced at the Ford dealership a few yards away. Another old-style pastrami sandwich/hot dog/burger joint is Johnny's Pastrami in Culver City at Sepulveda & Washington Blvd right off the 405 Fwy. That joints been around since 50+ yrs and still going strong. It's not your good Jewish deli type of pastrami sandwich, but more of a street corner(which it is) joint french dip sandy. Not to mention Tito's Tacos is also right next door(if you don't mind a 30+ deep line 24/7). There's also another Johnny's Pastrami on Adams at Crenshaw & Adams Blvd just a few yards south of the 10 fwy. This one's been around since '56. Depending on how cosmopolitan you are, the area might be a little too dodgy for the more suburban eater. We also need to start talking LA barbecue soon, I've got a few good places on my regular rotation list. |
J & J Burger Shack (barbecue) 5754 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles just East of Farifax & Adams Blvd. Good location for barbecue. Burgers are good and huge, but their beef ribs great. Pork's good, too. I also like their side dishes. Wood-smoked. Phillips Barbecue4307 Leimert Boulevard, Los Angeles Vernon & Crenshaw Blvd west of 110 fwy. They have three locations - Leimert Park, Crenshaw, and Inglewood. I've only been to the original in Leimert Park. I usually get the $50 or $100 mix platter for office parties. The drive in on Vernon might scare some that aren't used to that part of town, and it is kinda 'hood. But, everyone is nice once you get there and the food is damn good. Across the parking lot is a great Jamaican cafe - Ackee Bamboo. Terrific meat patties and the Jerk, Curries, and brown stews are as authentic as you are going to get in LA. They get the complex mix of spices just right so that the heat does not obscure all the individual flavors. I don't break a sweat until the meal is 80% finished. Be prepared for Island Time or CPT(colored people's time), as my grandmother and parents used to say, in getting your food. Some days it's quick, others can take a few minutes. but it is always worth he wait. Honey's Kettle Fried Chicken 2600 E Alondra Blvd
Compton, CA 90221also a brand new location in re-vitalized Culver City 9537 Culver Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232I prefer the Compton location - cheaper, more bare-bones, and closer to my house. The new Culver City shop is bright, clean, and very professional looking. Chicken is fresh, juicy, and a great crust. Their biscuits are out of this world. |
03-09-10: Samhar
Who do you work for Sysco Foods? You know all "the" spots. Phillips is worth the trip, but I really like Woodies BBQ at 3446 W. Slauson I loves me some grub! Actually, my girlfriend and I love finding Mom & Pop places that deliver basic, good food, at reasonable prices. It's kind of our hobby. I've never heard of Woodies, thanks for the tip - it's on my list now. As for burgers do you remember Fudruckers in Torrance and Woodies flame grilled in El Segundo both very good burgers!! I grew up just a few miles away in San Pedro. Great place for summer jobs in college, too bad it didn't survive until the Rolling hills plaza was redone. Don't think I've ever hit Woodies in El Segundo. I guess I should have mention Texas Lucy's in Torrance at Sepulveda & PV Drive. My dad used to take me there as a kid. He said they had the best burgers in the area, but now at 45 yrs old, I realize he was just going to look at the waitresses in lingerie and chaps with their boobs pushed up and butts hanging out.(btw, they seriously toned down the "uniforms" sometime in the last ~35 yrs) |
Kobbler King 3622 West Jefferson Boulevard (& Crenshaw) Los Angeles, CA 90016-4206 (323) 731-9286 Absolutely rocks. LA Times(?) had an article 5 years ago or so on the 28 year old "kid" who owns this tiny shack. He personally handmakes his cobblers of all flavors depending on which fruit is in season. They are fantastic. He makes maybe a hundred or so a day and they all sell out by afternoon. But, they also do Chicken Fingers, Hot Wings, Shrimp Scampi, Jambalaya, Grilled Shrimp, Cajun Shrimp, Red Snapper, Catfish, Gumbo. Tasty Q Bar-B-Cue is right around the corner on Crenshaw. Good BBQ & sides and great prices. BTW, bring your own turkey and they'll deep fry it for you while you eat. While your are there, just keep going south on Crenshaw to The Cobbler Lady(3854 Crenshaw Boulevard). A different style from Kobbler King, but certainly as good. I've never tried anything but the deserts there, and they are pretty damn good. |
03-11-10: Bongofury
What I have not found in LA is killer pizza and BBQ. Any recommendations? Gonna check out Phillips. As I mentioned above: J & J Burger Shack (barbecue) 5754 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles just East of Farifax & Adams Blvd. There are two separate parts to J & J, yet the same shack. One is a burger joint, the other is just barbecue. Their barbecue is pretty damned good. Their beef ribs a big and meaty, pork falls off the bone, brisket & chicken is good, and hot links rock. I also like all their side dishes. They do real wood smoking and it split logs are stacked high just outside the patio. Tasty Q Bar-B-Cue 2959 Crenshaw Blvd. (one block south of Jefferson) Los Angeles, CA 90016 Good BBQ & sides and great prices. BTW, bring your own turkey and they'll deep fry it for you while you eat. Somehow, it always end up being Phillips or J & J for me, depending on where I am in town at the time. |
Bong-o, I'm not a big believer in this new high-end, designer, pizza fad that's overtaken LA. Like burgers, pizza is a food of the masses. It's one of the highest profit margin, and cheapest to make, items in all of restauranting. So, a $20 personal designer pizza that the size of an appetizer does nothing for me no matter how good it is. When I get a pie, I'm looking to my eat on. And yeah, I've been to Pizzaria Mozza and a few of the other new high-end places. They are good, but to tell the truth, none of them are any better than this little shack in Pedro - not from an ingredient and final taste POV, and certainly not from a value perspective: Pavich's Brick Oven Pizzeria ( LA Times review) 2311 S. Alma St., (just north of 25th St, on Alma) San Pedro, (310) 519-1200 This is one of the great thin-crust pizza in Los Angeles. It is a true Mediterranean style pie, but from a Croatian perspective. A light, flakey, almost filo dough like crust with just the right amount of toasting to make it crackle and crunch. Quality toppings bursting with flavor. Terrific cheeses. Most of their pizzas are lightly topped, but they've lately begun to offering "everything but the kitchen sink" versions because that's what people are used to. ( picture slideshow) And get this, their 18" premium pizza is........$18-20. That's right, a twenty spot, maybe even some change back. This sucker is a two or three meal affair, easy. And that's pigging out. Check the slideshow above. The only downside is that is take-out only. There is usually one or two fold-out tables out front during the day, if you are lucky. But, grab one and head down the street(Alma) 1 mile to a park with a 180 degree view of the entire coast from Malibu to Dana Point. |
Bongo, My girlfriend grew up and still lives in Laguna up on the hill - Temple Hills Dr. So, I make it down that way fairly often. Have you tried Eva's(formerly Drew's) Jamaican on the south side of town. I haven't been in a long time, but I do remember it was as authentic, and good, as I've ever had in Southern California. Their jerk meats & Calaloo soup are out of this world. I seem to remember Mozambique being pretty good in it's prime, especially the chicken livers in Peri-peri sauce. Actually, Peri-Peri on anything is good. In Italy, where I have spent some time on sabbatical, you could buy a feshly made pizza for about $6 with real tomatoes from Naples and buffalo mozz. cheese. Simply made but choice tasty ingredients. Pavich's makes a classic "Margarita" just like in Italy and it is fantastic. But, most people will recommend the "Croatian". Half & Half would not be a bad way to go first time. |
On the price of pizza... A good college friend (w/ an MBA) opened Zeppy's Pizza a fairly successful pizza joint in Hermosa Beach on the Pier Walk. Zeppy's makes a deep dish pie that is dough intensive somewhat like a Chicago, but not as greasy/buttery (it is California, after all). He told me that it cost $0.25 per slice for him to make a large pizza even with lots of toppings. So, I have a real problem with $15-25 "designer personal pizzas" (9") being hustled around Los Angeles these days. 03-12-10: Tvad
For exceptionally good Lebanese food, try Carnival Restaurant in Sherman Oaks, CA.
Tvad, there are a couple of Middle Eastern places I have wanted to hit in The Valley for a long time. One of my best friends is Armenian and his dad is kind of a Lebanese/Armenian food fanatic. I suggest they check out Mantee in Studio City because of Jonathan Gold's LA Weekly review and they loved it. Another one is The Hummus Bar & Grill in Tarazana on Ventura Blvd. But, the one I really want to hit is Itzik Hagadol Grill on Ventura Blvd, it is supposed to be the best of all the Valley ME joints. |
Bongo, I'd be happy to make the run wherever you've got free time hit dinner or lunch. For Sushi, we've got quite a few good places here in the Lomita/Torrance area due to the large Japanese population of Honda and Toyota executives from their Torrance/North America headquarters. For something different, try Kotosh in Lomita on PCH. They serve Peruvian Sushi - yes, the hybrid made famous by Nobu Matsuhisa. They've got traditional Japanese style sushi and an ungodly assortment of rolls. But, the Peruvian dishes seem to specialize in the sauces or marinades that accompany the fish/food. Many of them a flavorful variations of Yuzu and Ponzu sauces, but then they have this Special Spicy Mayonaise, Garlic, Lime and Soy Sauce that is served with several dishes like sushi and their fried rice - it is amazing. Their other Peruvian dishes like noodles, rice, seafood all very good. There are so many things on the menu, that it's best to go with 3-4 people so you get a wide variety of things to share. My favorite in LA used to be Sushi Sasabune on Sawtelle in Santa Monica, but they moved to a much larger location on Wilshire Blvd after 15 years and quality has gone down and price up, significantly. For good time, Terried Kitchen on Santa Monica Blvd, just west of the 405 fwy is my mainstay. Sushi is decent, but it's their grilled vegetables and Isakaya that help make it such a good meal. A couple can get out of there $50-70 and have a good meal. |
Texas boys: Are Earl Campbell's "Earl The Pearl" hot links and sausages still as good as I remember them ~15 years ago? I passed through Austin working on a US tour and was simply blown away at his links. I see that he's got a few restaurants now, too. How's the food at them? |
03-15-10: Bongofury
Byegolly: I like the cheese and grilled onion residue off the wrapper of a double double. :) Bongo, in college(USC), on our tri-weekly late night Tommy's-Rampart double chili cheese burger runs, we used to call that "wiping the baby's diaper". |
03-15-10: Azaud
but if you ask for "extra chili BOWL-STYLE", they turn the burger that already has enough chili in it to render a small nation defenseless on it's side, and ladle a HEAP of that greasy heaven into the "bowl", and plunge a spork into the mess. Much more doable. Lordy, I can imagine what the next morning is like. Better pre-position an extra roll of toilet paper next to the thrown before going to bed. |
I meant "throne" instead of "thrown", that misspelling makes a bad distasteful even more revolting. |
03-16-10: Azaud
Me too on the Lebanese food! There used to be a place on Westwood that had great chow. Just hit Sunnin Lebanese Cafe on Westwood Blvd & Santa Monica last week. Food was and great and it was cheap/affordable. Meat kabobs were tender and juicey, pilaf was perfect, got the mixed appetizer plate that was a great assortment. Creamy hommos. I love the Lebanese beer Almaza. Wish I lived closer, I'd hit it at least once a week. You can get a decent meal for ~$15. |
04-04-10: Magnumpi205
"Hot buns and juicy burgers" Did you get her name? |
I've yet to make it to Oinkster, but have heard nothing but good things about it. Kinda a haul from the end of the 110 fwy for a burger, though. |
Javier's in Laguna has one of the best grilled/sauteed Calamari steaks I have ever had. Always perfectly tender and juicey, never overcooked and rubbery. |
Hit Sunin Lebanese Cafe again last night for dinner. Corner of Westwood Blvd & Santa Monica. Great value buy dinner. Terrfic rice pilaf, juicy marinated kabobs, creamy hommos, and the Almaza Lebanese beer really is good. Tasty dinner for two w/ a couple of beers - ~$40 (ours was ~$60+, but I always overaeat) |
I have a friend who is claiming that BLD's(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) burger is the best in LA. Now, that's a tall order because there are so many different levels of burger - fast food, gourmet, family restaurant... Although, a $16 burger (w/ fries) better change my life to justify it's existence 'cause there is a lot of stellar competition in the $7-10 range. |
And Macdaddy, Bongo's right, you need to go off-menu to get the full In & Out experience. Next time, order a 4x2(4 patties, 2 levels) with Animal fries. Toss in a hand-scooped milkshake made from real ice cream. |
Funny you should mention Haven, Bongo, that's been on our list to hit for a few months now. Think we are going in two weeks.
BTW, have you hit The Boiling Crab in Garden Grove? Not sure I'm into the three hour wait, but is a fun time with a big group and the price is great for what you get. May not be the most authentic cajun/Creole crab boil, but is definitely good enough for a fix |
06-10-10: Tvad
Fatburger's better meat and bun (and to me...fries), is what makes it preferable. I like that they heavily season their meat with pepper, etc - gives it a nice "pop" compared to others. 06-05-10: Bongofury
3X Animal style will slay fatburger. Not sure I can agree with that. The problem for In & Out is that their patties are not only paper-thin, they are incredibly bland. Adding more patties gives you more meat, but it's still pretty bland, hence the need for "animal sauce". Now, if you really want a shootout, take a $9 Fatburger XXXL Triple King(24oz of patties)or $13 XXXXL(32oz) and compare it to a 3X Animal Style. Pay close attention to the taste and texture of the meat. Simply no comparison. Of course, I'd probably take the Tommy's double or triple-cheese burger over both Fatburger and In & out 7 out of 10 times. |
Bongo,
I've been to Memphis a few times and like it. Not exactly true Memphis style bbq or cooking, but nonetheless good. I've only had the pulled pork sandwich and catfish, bot were good.
If you hit the Boiling Crab, be prepared to get there early and still have a ridiculous wait to get in(on weekends, at least). They don't take reservations and there can be 100+ people waiting out front. I wasn't joking about 3hours, we actually went to Vietnamese Pho shop in the mall and ate after putting out names in. Otherwise, I would have lost it.
Still, having bags and bags of well-seasoned crab, crawdads, shrimp, corn on the cob, etc. dumped right on the table in front of you is worth wait. The volume of crab boil that they prepare is pretty amazing, and none of it is ever overcooked - perfectly tender and juicy. |
06-25-10: Eddaytona
Tommy's Burger on Washington before the Venice Pier Don't you mean the corner of Lincoln & Pico Blvds right next to San-Mo high school? I hit that place once a month or so for a re-charge. By the time the change for your bill hits your hand, the burger is ready. Tommy's is still my all-time favorite fast burger w/ Fatburger pulling up a close second. The late, great, Mo Better Meatty Meat Burgers on Pico & Fairfax was another of the classics. |
I never could get with the Carney's dogs even though many consider them to be one of the best. The dog, itself is lack-luster and too skinny. And their chili is just not my style. Pink's, on the other hand, is still a classic.
A couple of years ago, a new joint called Mosher's in Long Beach had what I consider the best true Chicago dog in SoCal. Unfortunately, the chain raised their prices significantly and started cutting corners. Their Chicago Dog is now only so-so and too expensive for what you get. |
Bongo,
Let's not leave Eva's Jamaican off that Laguna list. Their jerk chicken used to be amazing(haven't been in years). Also, that calaloo soup.
What's your thoughts on Mozambique? I really liked their chicken livers peri-peri. Actually, anything with the peri-peri sauce is good for me. And the curry was nice. |
I finally realized there was a Five Guys Burgers within 10 miles of my house. Hit it last Thursday and have to say they deliver a good burger. Definitely better than In & out - more meat, always a good thing. Of course, a double burger, fries, and drink cost ~$11 at Five Guys and ~$7
I'd take Tommy's over Five guys 7 out of 10 times, but they are different approaches, so the comparison isn't entirely fair. |
I hit Five Guys burgers off the 405fwy a few weeks back and it was good as you guys said. I'd take them over In & Out anyday. |
10-24-10: Azaud
Best strawberry rhubarb pie EVER followed a Buffalo Burger to die for. And I thought I was the only one to open w/ desert and close with the main course! |
