60944 Thu Jun 17 14:52:34 -0700 2004 26 2 Los Angeles Area 0 322799 My son was justifiably upset over the closure of Thai American. For the moment we're making due at the Glendale In-and-Out, although he enjoyed his birthday trip to the Apple Pan. What do you guys think are the best burgers between, say, Farmer's Market and Pasadena, including Hollywood, Glendale, downtown? Is the Bucket really good? Is Cassell's open on weekends? Is the new Hamburger Habit in Glendale any good? Is Jay's Jayburger worth it if you don't get the chili? Thu Jun 17 14:52:34 -0700 2004 0 Chowpatty 1 322804 Slightly more upscale, but the burgers at 410 Boyd downtown are truly excellent. They use great beef, have a very springy and appropriately-sized bun, and provide fresh pickles/onions/tomato/lettuce. Their fries are also among the best I've had of the long, thin, crispy, delicate ilk. Nice to have quality beer on tap with a burger sometimes too. 410 Boyd St. (@ San Pedro) Los Angeles (213) 617-2491 Thu Jun 17 15:14:29 -0700 2004 322799 0 smogqueen 2 322902 Some folks (not you, Smogqueen) certainly have interesting ideas as to what constitutes the "east side." On the Hollywood - i.e. west -- end of the east side, don't forget there's a Fatburger at Hollywood and Vermont, and a great Astro Burger at Melrose and Gower. And I understand that Dino's (Pico, just west of Vermont) sells burgers, though I probably won't taste one until they run out of chicken! Fri Jun 18 01:34:46 -0700 2004 322804 0 TE 3 322921 I think people were responding more to Chowpatty's demographic inside the post (i.e. Farmer's Market to Pasadena, including Hollywood, Glendale and Downtown) than the descriptor in the title of her post. Fri Jun 18 14:14:03 -0700 2004 322902 0 DanaB 4 322926 TE knew that. He was just being his usual lovable curmudgeonly self. Fri Jun 18 14:59:38 -0700 2004 322921 0 mc michael 1 322807 I had an EXCELLENT burger at the Tam O'Shanter (in the bar area)not too long ago. Big and beefy, cooked perfectly medium rare, with bacon, grilled onions and cheddar. Really good. Now that you've made me think about it, I'll have to go back soon and have another :-) 2980 Los Feliz Blvd Atwater Village, CA phone: (323) 664-0228 Thu Jun 17 15:17:56 -0700 2004 322799 0 DanaB 1 322814 Well, in Pasadena, look no further than Pie 'n' Burger (on California, just east of Lake). If your son liked Apple Pan, he'll like Pie 'n' Burger. Very similar. In fact, at the moment, I like Pie 'n' Burger *slightly* better (which might stem from the fact that I now live about 5 minutes away from it). Thu Jun 17 15:51:47 -0700 2004 322799 0 Jack Flash 2 322821 I second Pie n Burger. Service is often nonchalant but the burgers are great. I also like the butterscotch pie. Thu Jun 17 16:14:59 -0700 2004 322814 0 lahgreen 2 322837 In Pasadena, there's also Wolfe Burger on Lake. You get to add your own toppings. If you want a BBQ burger, you might check BBQ King at Sunset & Figueroa downtown. And they have chili cheese fries. Only open til 6 pm tho. Thu Jun 17 16:51:03 -0700 2004 322814 0 mc michael 1 322827 One of my favorites is Top's. There are a variety of different hanburgers to choose from but I prefer just their basic 1/4 pound, char-broiled burger served with all the works, including a tangy, tasty "secret" sauce. The fries and onion rings are also really good and served in portions easily large enough for 2 to share. Yellow chile peppers and pickled carrots are offered at a selve-serve condiment counter. There are two locations in Pasadena. one is at Walnut and Allen. The other is on Colorado about 2 blocks east of Rosemead. Thu Jun 17 16:27:38 -0700 2004 322799 0 Sam D. 1 322846 The Hat on Lake north of the 210 in Pasadena. I like their burgers and love their fries. Thu Jun 17 17:16:44 -0700 2004 322799 0 Chino Wayne 2 322855 Love their pastrami burger.. it hits the spot! :) Thu Jun 17 18:45:15 -0700 2004 322846 0 sc 3 322892 I still remember the night I asked for pastrami on my burger, before it was on the menu, and was flat turned down. I'm still bitter about it. OTH, now I order the pastrami dip and my wift the Jr. burger to make a pastrami Jr. burger. Wet fries with the gravy on the side really sets things off. Soooooo good. Thu Jun 17 23:22:05 -0700 2004 322855 0 MPKen 1 322849 I recently had The Cardiac Burger at The Bucket in Eagle Rock that reminded me of the burgers (but a bit greasier) at Thai-American Express. After seeing a picture of the Cardiac Burger at The Bucket on the front page of the June 9 LA Times Food section, I knew I had to try it. The Cardiac Burger includes two big hand patted beef patties, cheese (choice of Americas or Swiss), grilled onions, sauteed mushrooms, bacon, a thin slice of ham, lettuce, pickles, tomato and mayo. The bun disintegrated under this massive burger. Please note that true to its cardiac moniker, the bacon is deep fried. A big satisfying burger but a notch or two below Thai-American's burger. A Cardiac Burger is $8.00. A Mild Cardiac Burger (one burger patty) is $6.50. The LA Times categorized burgers at The Bucket under "Primo Patties" along with Cassel's, Apple Pan, Carney's and Woody's Smorgasburgers. After the LA Times article came out, The Bucket was swamped. They have a small gas grill which can only cook six burgers at a time. When I went on Tuesday, I had to wait over an hour for my burger. I didn't really mind waiting because it's a very fun place. The good news is that The Bucket has ordered a new bigger grill which will be able to cook up to 20 burgers at a time. This new bigger grill should be in place within a week or two. The French fires at The Bucket were a very generous serving for $1.50 but were limp and soggy. I believe the problem is that the fries were still dripping wet when they were placed in the oil. The Bucket 4541 Eagle Rock Blvd. Eagle Rock (323) 257-5654 Thu Jun 17 17:49:13 -0700 2004 322799 0 Norm 2 322908 Did your burger come super well done? That's what I got on my one and only visit about a year ago - even though I didn't want it that way. They said that's the only way they do it. A shame really since the burger really looked so great before they cooked the life out of it. Though I did love the potato chip/fries thing that comes with the burgers. Fri Jun 18 05:32:46 -0700 2004 322849 0 Briggs 3 322928 My burgers were cooked through but still very juicy and moist (meddium well?) -- and that's the way I prefer my burgers. Fri Jun 18 16:11:00 -0700 2004 322908 0 Norm 4 322934 It was the driest restaurant burger I've EVER had... But after the LA Times and experiences here, maybe I'll give it another shot - it's about 5 minutes away. Sat Jun 19 01:16:13 -0700 2004 322928 0 Briggs 3 322930 I had the exact same experience about a year ago. Been meaning to go back and find out if it was a fluke. Fri Jun 18 17:32:45 -0700 2004 322908 0 chris o 1 322852 Cassell's is a mind-blowing burger. Like Langer's, they are open until about 4:00 every day but Sunday. Pricey, but it is prime grade beef after all. Thu Jun 17 18:19:45 -0700 2004 322799 0 Robert Lu 1 322857 Pie n Burger is my favorite, though with fries added its pretty pricey. I find myself at Cassell's about twice a month, but more for the horseradish-spiked potato salad, though the burger is good. Houston's makes a good burger, but again its expensive. I had a terrific burger at Mr. T's Bowl in highland Park. Pete's in downtown has a very good burger too. Thu Jun 17 18:50:31 -0700 2004 322799 0 martyR 1 322873 Is Burger Continental still good? Haven't been in about 10 years. Thu Jun 17 20:03:41 -0700 2004 322799 0 YBother 2 322877 It has been a couple years, but my favorite thing on BC's menu was their burger with feta cheese in a pita. Thu Jun 17 20:12:05 -0700 2004 322873 0 Ernie 2 322880 Yes, BC is still going strong. Funny, I don't think I've ever ordered a burger there, due in no small part to the fact that Pie 'n' Burger is essentially across the street. If I'm getting a burger at California & Lake, it's P&B. Instead, I've always gotten some sort of kebab platter at BC. Thu Jun 17 20:51:14 -0700 2004 322873 0 Jack Flash 1 322875 I had an unexpectedly good BBQ bacon burger recently at Robin's in Pasadena. I wasn't anticipating anything great but 2 weeks later I'm still thinking I need to get back for another.... Link: http://www.robinsbbq.com/ Thu Jun 17 20:10:20 -0700 2004 322799 0 Cindy 1 322901 If you can tolerate the price, Arnie Morton's downtown (735 S. Figueroa St., (213) 553-4566) does a really delicious burger with sautéed mushrooms and melted cheddar cheese. It's currently my favorite high-end cheeseburger. Fri Jun 18 01:17:45 -0700 2004 322799 0 David Kahn 1 322909 As another former Thai-American refuge, some other choices would be (all recommended burgers are chargrilled): -The Astro Coffee shop on Silverlake and Fletcher (sister restaurant to Jan's on Beverly). Very nice burger, and an excellent chopped steak. -I think the Factory Burger at the Cheesecake Factory is on par, maybe even a notch above Thai-American. You just have to deal with the wait. -There's a pub/restaurant in Old Towne Pasadena whose name escapes me. It's on Colorade, catty corner from the UA, and next to, or a couple of doors down from the frozen yogurt place. Had a very nice burger there a couple of years ago. -My wife and my neighbors have reported positively on the burgers at Troy's on York Ave somewhere between Ave 45-Ave 50 (not sure). Haven't had the burger, but the bacon and cheese omelete seemed to have about 1/2 lb of bacon in it... -The Bucket - See my comment below. -Jay's is in the Tommy's vein, if that's your thing. (I think both are pretty dreadful). -I remember the Crocadile Cafe serving a good burger, but it's been awhile. -Another vote for the burger at the BBQ joint on Sunset and Figueroa - chargrilled and HUGE! Their 'cue is sometimes uneven (sometimes great, sometimes marginal), but their ribs tips are great. Fri Jun 18 05:50:22 -0700 2004 322799 0 Briggs 2 322917 Second the recommendation for Astro Family Restaurant's burger. The beef is surprisingly tasty, and if ordered medium rare, it will still be juicy. A superior coffee shop burger. I must also admit to being a fan of the Juicy Lucy burger at Fred 62, if you can handle the often obtuse service. 101 Coffee Shop also serves a good burger (turkey burger, too). Fri Jun 18 12:44:30 -0700 2004 322909 0 Jack Flash