Favourite Cheeseburger in LA

[benner]

OK I am sure this has been discussed before, but to keep the information fresh I am starting again - I am interested in finding the best cheeseburger in LA.

To throw the first hat in the ring, I am going to say that I did really enjoy my CB at Duke's in Malibu yesterday, simple and light but super tasty and fresh. I'd say it pipped at the post the burger at 25 Degrees (Hollywood/Orange) although the latter did come with much more flare and pomposity (fiscally reflected).

Excluding service, disregarding ambience, ignoring price, what is flat out the best Cheeseburger in LA? (Don't be afraid to mention Paris' favourite In & Out).

Any thoughts?

[siempreviva]

Apple Pan - Cheap, Amazing, and by far the best service in LA. Go before the noon lunch rush, as there is only counter seating, and the wait can be intense sometimes. Get the fries, a coke, and a slice of pie to finish it off. TIP: the counter is considered split in half by the regulars -- Example: if you wait on Left side of the room for a seat, you can only sit on that side when one opens up. If something opens up on the right side 1st, whoever's standing over there gets 1st dibs, even if they came in after you.

[nosh]

Uh oh, you opened one of the biggest can of worms on the L.A. board. Apple Pan has its fans, who love its oldtime style, the drinks served in the cones with holders, the counter guys pouring the ketchup for your fries. Most of the fans seem to have memories of Apple Pan visits going back decades.

I'm one of the very unimpressed. Thin little patties -- barely bigger than an In'n'Out burger. Difficult parking. A lot of attitude. But by far worst of all are the prices -- a simple hickory burger, fries, and a coke is going to cost WAY over $10, including tax and tip.

[nosh]

Has anyone tried the Hole In the Wall Burger in W.L.A., sort of behind the Winchell's in that strip mall on the S/E corner of Santa Monica Blvd. at Sepulveda? They had a coupon in the L.A. Times a couple of weeks back, and their menu appears to be a Counter-like choose a patty, a bun, a cheese, and condiments sort of thing.

[sel]

Yea, I tried it last week and I did like it. Cooked exactly as I ordered it, it was tasty and juicy. All burgers are eight bucks unless you add premium options like bacon or avocado which I did not try on my first visit. I would say give it a try as an alternative (not replacement) to your fav Philly West!

[nosh]

Thanks. I'll have to give Hole In the Wall a try. Hope that coupon is still good -- free fries with purchase of a burger. Did you try them?

[sel]

Nope no fries yet, I went four hours before a grueling session with my personal trainer and then a 'cardio/kickboxing' class so I was trying to eat kinda light. I know- a burger is hardly light but if I had them pile on bacon and avocado and had fries my workout would have been a disaster!
Only downside to this place is no beer like Plilly West!

[wienermobile]

I really like the new Five Guys in Carson. Great frys too.
www.fiveguys.com

[nosh]

I can understand the love for the Shackburger. In my opinion, there is an even better version around -- the Mike's Puckburger. Also a good cheeseburger with all of the condiments, with a sliced, grilled jumbo frank or smoked sausage on top. The Hockeyburger place I'm thinking of is southeast of downtown, on the N/W corner of Soto and I think Olympic. Everything I've tried there is good -- fries ordered welldone, a good pastrami sandwich, a roast beef served on a sort of flatbread that is kind of a cross between a french dip and an italian beef, even omelettes and hashbrowns.

[rednyellow]

I've been to Mikes hockeyburger a number of times when I worked in the area. It never worked for me, just a greasy fast burger. For fast food type burgers, I prefer Astro on Melrose at Gower or Santa Monica at Vista.

[lindseymsb]

The York in Eagle Rock. I've been thinking about it since I ate it two weeks ago... mmm.

[tofuburrito]

The Classic Burger at Boneyard with Chimay cheese.

[Briggs]

The York is great, but pricey ($13!!). FYI, it's in Highland Park.

Less than five minutes away on Eagle Rock Blvd is The Bucket for $7.50 (with homemade potato chips). One of the best I've had in L.A.

[bigbearhunter]

Laurel Tavern in the valley is AMAZING. Plus you can order steak fries cooked in pork fat.

Father's office is good, though I like the BOWERY burger a little better. It's a toppings thing.

The Pug burger at the Hungry cat is also awesome, but too much blue cheese, ask for none or it on the side.

25 degress is good too, but once you have the burger at Laurel Tavern you won't want to go anywhere else.

Seriously.

[allevi]

I've never seen it mentioned but the Eduard Burger at Cafe Midi on La Brea (attached to American Rag) is absolutely fantastic. Brie, Bacon, Carmelized Onion. I've taken many people there and converted them.

[nrique]

Any chance somebody has the address or cross streets to the location of the BBQ King?

[Norm Man]

New address for BBQ King:

BBQ King
5301 S. Vermont (at 54th Street)
Los Angeles 90037
[phone]
[phone]

http://www.TexasBBQKing.com

[cagey]

Alright, I'll toss this one in since I'm sure it's way off peoples' radar. The Proud Bird just off Aviation near LAX has a dynamite cheeseburger. Excellent charbroiled Kobe beef and sweet bun. One caveat: It's available on the kid's menu for $6 (if you care to bring your child along, order it, and then somehow wrest it from them - my son is open to sharing it with me), and it's also on the regular lunch menu for $10. Fries are actually pretty good too. We usually order in the bar area to avoid the sit-down hassle and it works out OK for us.

[decadiner]

1. Fatburger
2. Apple Pan
3. Marty's (Stand on Pico, east of Westwood).
4. Houston's (Hickory Burger)
5. BH Hotel Counter
6. Spago

[mrshankly]

It's interesting how timely the resurrection of this thread is. I was driving home a few nights ago and stopped by Clancy's Crab Broiler in Glendale. Their menu is relatively uninteresting with tons of fried fish items that didn't interest me. I was hoping they had a burger and there it was, tucked amongst all of the fish items on the menu. "1/2lb Cheeseburger". That description is an understatement because it is one of the best cheeseburgers I've ever had. Hand-formed chunk of fresh ground beef charbroiled to a medium-done goodness. After eating the burger, I asked the bartender (I ate at the bar) if they sell many burgers there to which he answered "oh yeah, we sell of tons of these things. They're actually one of the most popular items on the menu". I'm gonna go back and give it another try just in case the first time was just a fluke. From what I tasted, Clancy's cheeseburger is definitely worth trying for any buger lover. FYI, the standard order of the burger comes loaded with everything including mustard, ketchup, relish, and mayo. Keep this in mind when ordering if you're a purest and want just the basics on your burger.

[davidrauch]

Thank goodness this thread is a year old or I would have lost faith in the posters here.

Comme Ca, hands down. Best Cheeseburger in LA, period.

[michellemabelle]

No one has mentioned the Counter at the Beverly Hills Hotel. It's an old fashioned lunch counter and the burger is deelicious!

[eatdrinknbmerry]

my vote goes to the all-too-simple-yet-tasty Yuca's cheeseburger. Thin patty, bread toasted on both sides and processed american cheese. not to mention that the meat is probably grilled over the sweetspot of the previous carne asada meat. prices have risen since its mention on oprah, but it hasn't changed my liking for it. some of the burgers mentioned above like hungry cat sure do look delicious, but they are just way too big. you need to be part human-part basking shark to eat that thing.

[kingkida]

Totally agree with Yuca's. I get the double cheeseburger there every time and LOVE IT.

[Will Owen]

Sticking just with the midpriced Yuppieburger* classification, which I have been pursuing for a while, at this point the scoring follows this order:

1. Redwood, downtown
2. Second City Bistro, El Segundo
3. Central Park, Pasadena (the cheapest. This is actually close to a tie for 2nd.)
5. Ford's Filling Station, Culver City
6. Julienne's, San Marino (most expensive)

* The specs for which are: 6-8 oz. patty, cheese (non-process), onion, tomato, lettuce (non-iceberg). Extra points for interesting pickle and a bun that doesn't fall apart or melt, but the main thing is how it tastes. Prices range from just under $10 to around $18, though fries are invariably included.

[rlknapp1]

Fat Face Fenner's Fishack in Hermosa Beach. In the middle of Pier Street promonade, on the north side - second floor. There is a standard cheeseburger on the menu, with the ability to order other fixings (thousand island dressing, quacamole, etc.)

Messy but great.

Too, the view from the outside deck is amazing.

[Hapafish]

Father's Office,Houston's, Apple Pan, The Counter, and just for fun I'm gonna toss in a newbie--the 3$ happy hour burger at Granville's in Burbank--surprisingly juicy and delicious!

[thericequeen]

Love the cheeseburgers @ The Steak Depot on Santa Monica Blvd. near San Vicente. Also second Philly West.

[taco]

I really enjoyed the cheeseburger from Off Citrus in Covina. It was very flavorful. It was huge! It had cheese, dijon, mayo, baby lettuce and tomato.. dam good burger ! just had it today thought I would share.

[caitybirdie]

In no particular order:
Pie N Burger
Parkway Grill
Houstons
Bmans
Fathers Office
The Counter

[taco]

I say Fuddruckers. Love their burger. Love the buttery light bun.. Love the produce bar that you can pick and add to your burger. I also love the fries they are not your every day average fry they are the wedge cut kind. They also have the hot cheese that you can put on your fries if you would like. So not fancy like the L.A. burgers but definitely simple goodness.

[hungryhyena]

Have to say, if Opus is having a good service night, their cheeseburger (i.e. the waiter actually comunicates to the kitchen how you want your burger cooked & that you want it served AT THE SAME TIME as your fires) can really be stellar.

[fergusmccool]

In 'N' Out is an L.A. classic. Apple Pan steakburger is another. Great fries at Apple Pan (usually), too. Texas BBQ King on Cesar Chavez and Figueroa has the biggest burger I've seen in L.A., and it's good too - but it'll take you a half hour to get it, there. B&R has that seemingly decadent one with the chili, bacon, pastrami and fried egg, which surprisingly, is really freaking good. I haven't had it, but I'm sure Houston's must make a good burger (as said above), as I've never had anything bad there, which is really surprising for a chain restaurant. I think it's actually easier to find a good restaurant burger 'round here, than a good chain or fast-food restaurant burger.

[2surly]

Unfortunately BBQ King is no longer at Sunset and Figueroa, it's now located down by USC. Too bad, because it used to be just down the street from home and my BF was truly in love with the King burger.

[lectrolink]

I have enjoyed the bacon avocado cheeseburger at Howards (Venice just east of Sepulveda) for over 20 years. Cooked to order, toasted bun, ripe avo and tomato. I like it with some yellow hot peppers. Price is right too.
Otherwise, for more expensivve alternatives, My Father's Office is really good. Bandera (same as Houstons).

[ipsedixit]

Hellman Burger at Pete's Cafe in downtown LA.

www.petescafe.com

[Itslikeimsayin]

I had heard a lot about this burger and finally tried it Saturday night. It was good, but nothing spectacular. It reminded me of a hotel burger for the most part. Also, the bleu cheese fries everyone raves about were nothing special. The bleu cheese had no tang to it -- I almost wondered if they'd run out of bleu cheese and substituted some other cheese. I liked the space a lot so I'm kinda bummed the food didn't live up to the expectations set by so many posts on Chowhound.

[woofer]

i've had many of the mentioned burgers but i love me some shackburger. the shack has two locations, one on wilshire in santa monica and one in play del rey.

[kiwi]

There are more than two locations. The best one is on Kauai...or is that too far? ;}

[swojahn]

Yes on the shack! Second the Houston's and Josie (for upscale). For downscale, hard to be the Fatburger with a fried egg on top.

[eberhard49]

I had a super tasty burger at Claytons (in the Toy Lofts) downtown

[nosh]

Surprisingly, best I've had in L.A. is at Philly West, the divy bar on Westwood just south of Santa Monica Blvd. Better known for their cheesesteaks, they do a thick, oblong char-grilled burger served on a cheesesteak roll with all of the usual toppings. Ordered medium-rare, it is juicy and satisfying. Beware -- the fries are mediocre and the service from the lone female bartender can be indifferent or cold. A great value for a big cheeseburger at just over $5, free parking in the back.

[sel]

I tried the Cheeseburger at Philly West last week, after reading numerous rec's here, maybe yours, and the verdict--- damn tasty with a cold draft whatever the bartender suggested, can't recall but he was quiet, lowkey and friendly!

[nosh]

LOL -- glad you tried it out. The male bartender is very friendly, low key, and really an asset to the place, but he works evenings. Around lunchtime, the cook is a co-owner and in my opinion more skilled at burgers than the night guy, though he insists all of the food and quality is the same. It is a quirky place, the cheesesteaks are also darned good, so let me know what draft you liked and if any side is better than the fries.

[whatsfordinner]

Father's Office, Apple Pan (hickory cheese), Fatburger (with cheese and chili), and a nice surprise - the Getty Villa in Malibu! I still need to try 25 Degrees.

[nrique]

The CB at the Montebello Country club, Half pound patty all fresh ingredients cooked to order.

[handlertaper]

I love the cheesburger from the Grill in Beverly Hills. For a less expensive one, I look forward to PIE and BURGER in Pasadena. Hinano is also really good!!!

[eleniantz]

Outlaws in Playa del Rey

[bellyworth]

Bellyworth loves "The Counter" on Olympic cause you can mix and match any toppings you want! Bellyworth's other West Side favorites are "The Arsenel" on Pico and as mentioned already "Father's Office" Also give "The Apple Pan" a try good burger and good apple pie ala mode. If Bellyworth was to eat a fast food type of burger it would be Fatburger even though its not really fastfood.

[LisaStitch]

I love The Arsenal too, and their sliders.

Fatburger is definitely the best bang for your buck. I just had their fabulous Kingburger (half-pounder) last week.

[Cubancoffee]

Cubancoffee, whether speaking in the first person or the third person, would not rec a Fatburger under any circumstances. The bun on the first (and last) one I had a couple of weeks ago was so dry it disintegrated

[mc michael]

Try a different Fatburger store.

[bellyworth]

lol, cubancoffee, bellyworth thinks your funny, but agrees with mc michael try a different store or get the wheat bun.

[zoomchic]

I do like Josies foie gras burger. Cheese= Gruyere.

[Frank_Santa_Monica]

I love the cheeseburger at Arnie Mortons. I think during happy hour, they have them on special.

[wizardx]

Billy's Burgers in Van Nuys... The Buffalo, and Lamb burgers are great, but their regular old cheesbuger is as tasty as they come.

[BenNLC]

I'm partial to Irv's Burgers on Santa Monica and Sweetzer. My favorite "fast food" style burger in LA. And Sonia, the owner, is my West Coast mother.

[Obessed]

I ditto Irv's and Sonia's hospitality!

[schrutefarms]

IRV'S!!!! I miss Irv's since I moved out of the neighborhood. Just don't ask for extra grilled onions, or you'll get teased about having no date that night. Also, if you bring your dog with you, and get your burger to go, as I used to, they will draw a picture of your dog on the take out bag as a joke.

[ReelMike84]

I thought the burger here was only OK. What I did enjoy was the owner, Sonya, who really makes up for it in a great "make the customer happy" attitude. You don't get service with a smile these days anymore, and she serves every burger with a side of smiles!

[schrutefarms]

The burger at Irv's ain't winning any contests anytime soon, and their fries are downright ick (although, I used to get everything to go, so I could eat at home, maybe they just got soggy on the way, even though it was a 30-second walk), but the GREAT customer service is what kept me going back so many times. That, and the fact that they have orange soda.

[dinami]

Houston's bacon cheeseburger, YUM!

[sku]

I'm partial to Lucky Devil's Kobe Bacon Bleu burger.

I also still enjoy the classic Cassell's, medium rare, with roquefort dressing and pickles.

[Hackenbush]

Another vote for Cassell's.

Several months ago, I would have suggested the Apple Pan but my last two visits have now become my last two visits. Wha' happened?

[mc michael]

No question, Houston's makes good, albeit expensive, cheeseburgers.

[BCM]

Don't hit me guys... I second Dinami's recommendation on Houston's burgers. :)

[Ernie]

Bake & Broil in Long Beach, ordered with grilled onions. I don't care for the frou frou stuff like blue cheese or bacon which only covers up the burger flavor

[So Ho La]

Second Bake & Broil!

[scrappydog]

Arnie Morton's (lunch only).

[emosbaugh]

2nd 3rd and 4th by me and everyone at my work

[LisaStitch]

Father's Office

followed closely by:
Spago
Rustic Canyon
Beacon
Hotel Bel Air

[Ciao Bob]

Spago has a cheeseburger? Is it only at lunch? I don't recall seeing it on any menu I have seen.

[LisaStitch]

I'm pretty sure it's lunch only. It's excellent. And the bun in paticular is great - perfectly toasted and it has both sesame and poppy seeds.

[kevin]

Yep, haven't tried it. But there is a cheesebruger on the lunch menu it might be labeled as "Grilled Hamburger" or possibly as Kobe burger,

[hrhboo]

Hinano, an unlikely-looking dive bar on Washington gets mine.

[SauceSupreme]

Right now, my vote goes to the Pug Burger at Hungry Cat. Blue cheesey avocadoey baconey goodness.

[jenngen]

I second Hungry Cat and also the burger at Grace is pretty tasty.

[SauceSupreme]

Mmm... Grace's truffle burger... (drool)

[tdo]

Oh my! That's everything I like in one burger Adding to my try list.