Tips for Dining, Eating, and Food Shopping in the Greater Los Angeles Area (including Orange & Ventura Counties and SW San Bernardino County)
Start New ThreadI ran the LA Marathon yesterday and I took the day off today to recover. I want to try one of the newer gourmet burger places around town for lunch and I cant decide. I was thinking either 8 oz or Umami but im open to any other worthy burger suggestions. Please help me decide.
By toonoble
on May 26, 2009 11:27 AM
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Skip both of em and go to The Golden State...Get the burger rare...It's amazing
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I agree. Golden State is better. Umami does get extra points for their Pork Burger though. There are issues with Umami (service, running out of things all the time) and I haven't been there for a while. The folks at Golden State are very nice and there is a really good bookstore a couple of doors down. That's why I would choose Golden State. I also think Golden State has better side orders.
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Link:
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The Golden State
426 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036
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Golden state is great, but Umami is the best thing going right now, IMO. Truffle burger.
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Another link:
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Umami Burger
850 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
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does Umami have a TV set?
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Don't think so.
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thanks, sel. bummer. would love to watch the game there.
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Umami Burger. 8oz is lame.
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Thanks for the feedback guys. Does Umami not serve beer or alcohol? Also, how is the parking situation there?
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There's a small free parking lot. Don't know about alcohol.
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BYOB with a small corkage fee.
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When the parking lot is full, I've had no problem finding a spot on the street.
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I've tried all of the burgers in this post and prefer Umami by a huge margin, followed by 8oz, which is ok, but not amazing. Golden State was very disappointing.
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And another link:
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Table 8
7661 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
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Congrats! I ran it in 2005 and it was an amazing experience. I love 8 Oz Burger, not sure why people don't like it. Cool atmosphere, fun drinks, good burgers...what else can you ask for?
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Umami for the bun alone! 8oz is fine enough but not memorable. You deserve a treat after the marathon. Congrats!
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Ok I have decided on Umami based upon your feedback but now I need to know which burger to order.. suggestions?
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Pork.
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Grab some of the other runners and get one of each! But seriously, Pork or the signature Umami, you really can't go wrong.
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Update: I just got back from Umami. I must say i was a little surprised that the space is so non-discript, it was also completely empty at 4pm. I really wanted to try the Pork burger or Truffle burger but I wanted to measure the classic Umami burger to other burgers with comparable ingredients. Anyway the burger was very good: juicy patty, great bun, interesting flavors. I thought the burger was a little on the small side but I didnt hold that against the burger. Fries were also quit nice. I am planning to return soon to try the pork and truffle burgers.
On a side note, I would recommend anyone to try the burger at the Westside Tavern (located in the Westside Pavillion). I havent heard many people talk about it but its one of the best ive ever had and im a burger snob.
Thanks to everyone again for all the help and the well wishes!
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Have you tried the burger at Hole in the Wall? It is behind the Winchell's on Santa Monica Blvd. S/E corner of Sepulveda. Big juicy patty, and an ordering system similar to the Counter. Also, perhaps the best burger bargain in town is the oblong, flame-grilled burger from Philly West, the divy sports bar on Westwood south of Santa Monica Blvd. Would be very interested in your thoughts on these, which are in the general vicinity of the Westside Tavern.
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I havnet tried either one of these burgers but i am planning to try Hole in Wall when i have the chance. I would have never thought that Philly West produced a good burger. Ive had thier cheesesteak which is not bad. Thanks for the recs.
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I also ordered my share of cheesesteaks at Philly West. (I still miss the departed Markie D's, and this was before I discovered the superior Big Mike's in El Segundo.) I was heading towards their small restroom one time when I glanced into the small kitchen and saw a big flare-up from a flame grill and what looked like a succulent steak -- asked and was told about the burger. When it comes out perfectly medium-rare with a char it is my favorite in town -- beefy, cheesy, with good condiments on a crunchy roll rather than a bun. An amazing bargain for a half-pound burger at $6-something plus tax and tip.
The Hole in the Wall burger is huge and well-seasoned (almost too salty in spots) and nicely griddled but most of all juicy, very juicy. The pretzel bun has flavor and texture but does not sop up the juiciness -- they slide off. They use good fresh meat, it seems, and don't overcook it. But not enough cheese in proportion and very messy -- I gave up about halfway through mine and just finished the meat. I want to go back, but the place is very dependent on the weather -- I don't want to carry out so it needs to be nice on their little patio.
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Some more links:
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Big Mike's Philly Steaks
507 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245
Philly West Bar & Grill
1870 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Hole in the Wall Burger Joint
11058 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
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Linking:
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Westside Tavern
10850 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
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8oz is a very very ordinary burger for lots of money and poor service.
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Well, looks like I'm a bit late for this thread, but I'll add my 2cents...
Umami is WAY the better burger. 8oz doesn't even belong in the same sentence. Every burger I've had at Umami has been delicious (triple pork, Mid-east, Hatch and Manly), but I highly recommend the Hatch burger. Simply amazing. 8oz was rather blah; the meat didn't have much for flavor, the bun sucked and overall, it reminded me of Fatburger.
PS - I was rather disappointed in The Golden State's burger - a bit overcooked, and dry, and it just didn't come together as a whole like Umami's (or FO's) does.
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overcooked? did you ask for it medium rare????
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medium, but came medium well. Maybe if I ordered med. rare it would have come medium. Two of my friends also ordered the burger and it was the same. Maybe an off-night, or a different cook, idk. I will definitely be back, as I love great beer, and loved the beer float. But the food was nothing great IMO.
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Went to Umami last week. Hatch Burger. Crazy delicious. Fries just OK but Onion Rings very light and tasty. Strange cooking rule. Medium Rare or Well Done. Took mine Well and came out juicy and tender. Great bun. Mexican Cokes.
25 Degrees again Monday. Very tasty but not as good as Umami. Second time in two weeks at Hole in the Wall. Best FF for most of the burger places. EXCELLENT burger with onion mayo and the pretzel bun. Maybe that person who couldn't hold it together has small hands? No problem here and hands are not that big.
I did like the burger at Philly West and when they're "on", the mushroom cheesesteak w/o sauce made Markie D's old meat taste like school cafeteria lunch.
Have to say of all places tried so far, it's Umami first - Hole in the Wall second.
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Have you had Father's Office's burger? I'd put that #2. I really liked Hole in the Wall too, though I thought it seemed a bit expensive as you started adding up things you wanted on the burger. Didn't have a chance to try their fries, but nothing tops FO's sweet potato fries for me.
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I love the Sweet Potato Fries at Father's Office and also at Blue Palms Brewhouse which are just about as good!
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Father's Office
1018 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Father's Office
3229 Helms Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034
Blue Palm Lounge
6126 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
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FO is a great burger but for me, just that - the meat is good. I don't care for bleu cheese on burgers and for that matter, I can do without arugula on my burger. The bun is very ordinary. Fries are OK. Not a fan of sweet potato fries but they are tasty there. Can't stand the idea that they won't even leave something off the burger. Way too screwed up for me but they do have some great beer.
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I've been to Umami Burger twice in the last two weeks and am completely smitten. I've had the Umami Burger, Turkey Burger, Pork Burger, and the Manly Burger. The Turkey Burger and the Manly Burger were my favorites, but they were all great. Love the ice cream sandwiches too! I don't know about the fries though - I prefer the fries at FO or at Wurstkuche.
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And just one more link:
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Wurstkuche
800 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
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you guys are totally insane. i cant believe umami is even in the same sentence as 8oz. i went to umami the other day and got the truffle burger. it was a good burger, but so tiny! it didnt have nearly enough truffle flavor i was expecting. I thought the umami burger was actually not that special at all.
8oz, in my opinion has hands down the best burgers ive had in LA (altho i havent tried golden state). The meat is sooo far superior to anything ive tried (which is pretty much everywhere but golden state). and their short rib grilled cheese is just heaven! before 7 its $15 for a burg, beer, and a side. thats perfect! the truffled potatos and friend pickles are rediculous. it bums me out that anyone could think umami is better.
and sel, wurstkuche is amazing, fries w truffle oil!
Ryan
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oh! and i thought umami's ketchup was really not that great at all. couldnt make up its mind betwqeen ketchup and pizza sauce. yuk! the onion rings were dope tho
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Totally disagree, 8 oz is a mediocre devoid of flavour when compared to Umami. To me, the ratio of burger to bun is perfect, as I do not want percentages of meat to bun or vice versa to greater than equilibrium. Perfect amount of heft and quite flavorful.
I agree with this post:
http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2...
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The only thing I can agree with you on is the ketchup at Umami; I didn't care for it at all. Tasted kinda like marinara.
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PLEASE somebody go to Golden State tonight for their Lamb Burgers. You will be blown away, I promise you
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I almost went last weekend but couldn't rally the troops. One of my sliders in the slider trio at 8 oz was lamb, and I am still thinking about it.
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Lamb burgers at Golden State are only served on Thursdays
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Golden states strength seems to be good beers at a good price. It really isn't a food destination. I haven't tried their lamb, but six other items were all mediocre to poor.
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"One thing is certain: The burger, made with aged Harris Ranch beef, blanketed with cheese from the Central Valley’s Fiscalini, often considered the best cheddar in America, garnished with bacon and cooked to a dripping, bloody rare if that’s the way you like it, is among the best in Los Angeles."
Jonathan Gold
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Also, the room is very loud and uncomfortable.
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Has anybody tried the burger at Wolfgang's Steakhouse in BH? As that place is modeled after Peter Luger's in Brooklyn (where Wolfgang worked as a chef and head waiter), the NY Times just had an article about a hamburger society naming that the best burger in NY.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/din...
I think you can only get it for lunch, however. I haven't been, but let me know if it's as good as they say Peter Luger's is.
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I have not tried it, but if you like a burger that tastes more like a steak than a hamburger, Taylors is perfect.
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