Burgers on Westside

[flowergirl]

What are your top five places for burgers on the Westside - (Santa monica, West L A, Marina, West Hollywood)?

[BestBurgerLA]

Nook Bistro's burger (West of the 405 on SaMo) gets high marks from me, definitely go check it out!

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Nook Bistro
11628 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 9, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[HerbyN]

In no particular order:

Big Jo's (on Broadway and 20th) - greasy diner. cheap. old school californian.
The Counter
Marty's - a burger shack just a few blocks east of Apple Pan and a way better value
Fraiche

Note: I'm in the camp that thinks the Apple Pan may be a "historically significant" burger joint, but is grossly overrated and overpriced considering its "diner/counter" food category....

[ronsilverado]

i would through the pretzel burger at 3 square into this mix...

[burratabelly]

Marty's has the best LA style chili cheese burger east of Rampart and Beverly.

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Marty's Hamburger Stand
10558 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

[Burger Boy]

Did not know Marty's was so far east that the numbers became west again! If you really want the best LA Style chili cheese burger east of Rampart & Beverly, then get yourself to Art's on Valley Blvd, Peck Road N exit off the 10 frwy. If you really want the best burgers on the west side get yourself over to 26 Beach Restaurant. www.26beach.com

[Servorg]

Pico is just Pico in Santa Monica until it hits LA, and then it stays W Pico all the way until around Main Street in downtown Los Angeles, and it finally switches to E at that point.

[westsidegal]

veggie burger at houston's
veggie burger at the counter in el segundo or santa monica

[dendet]

Good Stuff Burgers - great veggie burgers and fried mushrooms
Hamburger Habit
Howard's Bacon Avacado Burgers (although I have not been there in years)
In n Out, Tommy's, Fat Burger
and The Shack - great hot links on the burger plus its a beach bar..the one on Wilshire is good too

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The Shack
185 Culver Blvd, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293

Howard's Big Burger
11127 Venice Blvd # 7, Los Angeles, CA

Hamburger Habit WLA
11223 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Good Stuff Burgers
11903 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

[MrF]

I agree with the rec's for:

Fathers Office
Houstons
In 'n Out

I'm also a big fan of Islands (I know they wont cook "rare or "med-rare," but their version of "medium" actually has a lot of pink ans is still very juicy...I find it to actually be closer to "med-rare" than "medium")

The San Francisco Saloon on Pico in West LA also makes a tasty burger....and their Irish Coffee's aren't too bad, either

[J.L.]

Doesn't anyone like Islands' burger(s)?

[Servorg]

Unless they've changed they are badly handicapped by their Corporate "no burger cooked less than medium" edict.

[a_and_w]

Disgraciad!

[MrF]

In defense of of Islands, their version of "medium" is actually very close to most places "medium-rare." There is a lot of pink in the middle of an Islands burger cooked "medium" and they are plenty juicy.

Of course, if you like to order you burger "rare" you are out of luck. But if you prefer "medium-rare" give Islands a shot before you dismiss them. I definitely prefer my burgers "medium-rare," and yet Islands is still one of my favorites.

[Servorg]

It's true that they will often cook a medium burger with a pink center. But unfortunately, not always. And then I go a bit rosy in the face as I try and reason with the waiter/waitress who tells me "We have to cook them this way by order of the health department" and I say "No, you cook them this way by order of your Corporate legal department" and my wife sees me building up a head of steam and, by that time, my meal is pretty much ruined.

[Ogawak]

I haven't tried as many burger places as I'd like, but here goes.

Father's Office: The bleu cheese has grown on me.
Hole In the Wall
Hinano Burger
Thompkins Square

Fast Food:
Fatburger
The Shack
Tommy's for comfort food.

Most overrated:
The Counter.

Need to try 26 Beach.

[Burger Boy]

www.26beach.com I just had their chimichurri burger, very very nice!

[chuck]

Hole in the Wall
Tommy's
Thje Shack Burger at The Shack...Burger and hot link .

[jay 1]

The burger's at Houston's and Bandera are somewhat similar, and both are great. When it's on, Daily Grill provides a tasty burger, although they recently changed the bun ti a denser heavier bun which detracts. Agree that Literati II has a fine burger. I find the burgers at Barney's and Hole i the wall to be to thick

[stevedi]

I'm told that Beacon in Culver City has the BEST.

[peppermonkey]

it's ok....it's better across the street...but beacon has better food overall

[vinosnob]

Ditto the great recs by newtrial and travelingmansoul.

Definitely need to add the burger at Rustic Canyon Wine Bar.

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Rustic Canyon Wine Bar
1119 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

[wutzizname]

Ditto Rustic Canyon. Just tried it the other day and, though I think I hit them on an off-bun moment, the meat more than made up for it.

It should be noted however that (unless things have changed) I don't think Animal has ever offered a burger. They do sometimes have the Loco Moco with a burger patty on rice with foie gras and quail egg and spam for $35, but I don't think that really qualifies.

Also, Kechup has generally gotten anything but good reviews. Are they even open still?

[maudies5]

I have only been to Ketchup once (for lunch) and thought the burger was excellent. That is the only thing I tried. I have no idea whether it is still open.

[mdpilam]

Father's Office
Philly West (best value in all of LA)
Hole in the Wall
?
?

I didn't really care for Nook's burger, and I thought Apple Pan is an overpriced version of In n Out. Not a fan of Fatburger either. I'd maybe give a place to The Counter.

[compucook]

Porta Via in Beverly Hills and Westside Tavern both have amazing and delicious burgers!

[New Trial]

For beef:
Boa
Father's Office
Fraiche
Hole In the Wall
Wolfgang's Steakhouse

Lots of great runners-up, too!

If chopped steak counts, the half-pounder at the Palm is hard to beat.

If buffalo appeals, add Josie.

If you would consider pork, consider Tavern (I have yet to try the regular burger there).

For turkey, I am partial to Hal's.

[travelingmansoul]

Nook - WLA

Father's Office - either Culver City or SM - limited though of course

In/Out - Westwood

My wife really loves Apple Pan on Pico

I was at Westside Tavern and they may have a burger - not sure...their lamb french dip was really good...

Literati II (not the cafe) - impressive burger...

For W Hollywood - Animal, Ketchup & Comme Ca get really good reviews. I ate at Comme Ca but not burger...

[Burger Boy]

26 Beach Restaurant they make their own buns, been doing great burgers for over 20 years! www.26beach.com

[debra]

Arnie Mortons (only during lunch, only on the weekend)
Hole in the Wall (great burger, love the pretzel bun option)
tie:
In and Out, double double animal style
Fat Burger (you gotta ask for it "on the char" broiled)

[maudies5]

Turkey Burger at Tavern
Apple Pan Hickory Burger
Barney's turkey burger
Fat Burger with chili
Ketchup

[quine9]

Fathers Office
The Counter
The Getty Villa Cafe
Patrick's Roadhouse
In N Out