Great Medium Rare Burger in Glendale, Pasadena, or Burbank

Houston's in Pasadena is good

Islands will not do Medium Rare

I know there are some great burgers in these cities

Help me out

[DonnyMac]

Smitty's smokehouse burger is excellent.

[Augusta]

This place makes a very good medium rare burger:

This and That Here and There Cafe
754 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101
[phone]

[maxzook]

And, I almost forgot one of my favorite burger joints: Mo's in Toluca Lake, next to Bob's Big Boy.

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Mo's Restaurant
4301 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505

[Velvet Elvis]

They make a pretty good one at Central Park Cafe in Pasadena.

[jackattack]

www.dishbreakfastlunchanddinner.com

[tatertotsrock]

Hi jackattack,
While DISH definitely does not have my favorite med-rare burger, it is quite yummy. Especially with a bloody mary (they make great cocktails there) and the KCRW discount.
I also like the fact that if you go at off hours, it is so relaxed (sometimes a bit too relaxed...I've gotten up several times-several different visits-to get my own condiments, napkins etc.) that you can sit and relax and read for a while.

[tatertotsrock]

YORK
in Higland Park has a great burger...3 times (2 times for me, one xtra time for my friend...I had to take a bite for "quality control" reasons...ok, I couldn't resist.
Perfect medium rare each time it was ordered that way.
I have to say it though...I hate those silly picked onions..eek.
The bun is sooo good and so are the fries...don't forget a beer to wash it down!

[maxzook]

I haven't yet made it over there, but several Chowhounds whose opinions I respect are saying that Tops on Colorado Blvd. near Michillinda has the best hamburger in L.A.

And Fuddrucker's at 221 N. San Fernando near the Media Center mall in Burbank is one of the few branches that will still do a burger medium rare. (The trick is to look for one of the original Fuddrucker's with the butcher-shop displays, not the converted Koo Koo Roos like the one on Lake Ave. south of Colorado.)

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The Original Tops
3838 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107

[Mando]

The talk is specifically the Kobe Beef Burger. I wouldn't say its the best overall sice i'm sure you can get a better burger if you spend a significant amount of money, but for $6.50 its probably one of the best for quality/cost. I don't know if they do medium-rare though

[JeetJet]

For $6.45 the Tops Kobi Bistro Burger is outstanding. The sandwich includes ½ lb. American Kobe Beef Burger, Smoked Mozzarella Cheese, Caramelized onions, Tomato and Greens, and Herb Mayonnaise on a Ciabatta roll. IMO, let them do it without requesting that anything be changed. I like the char on the outside. The medium level of flames they use to cook their burgers will result in outside char and inside medium. If you order medium-rare that will be fine but the outside will not be as chared. Also, the smoke flavor which results from being a char burger cooked over open fire on a grill will not be as strong unless the fat of the burger is allowed the required time to melt off causing it to flame and add flavor to the outside of the burger -- the part that touches the taste buds first. I understand that others like the taste of "red' red meat but I just like char also. I only ask for some extra Herb Mayonnaise on the side.

Tops Kobi Bistro Burger discussion
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/432338

[Ogawak]

I love Top's Kobe burger. But there are reports of uneven service when ordering how you want your burger cooked. That aside, people have had them rare and loved it. Mine was medium, but I will try rare the next time I am there.

[PurpleTeeth]

Bar Menu at Colombo's Italian Steakhouse in Eagle Rock on Colorado is in Between Glendale and Pasadena and makes what is in my mind the best medium (i've even ordered it rare) burger. Get the Gourmet Burger w/ Swiss, mushrooms and bacon and it gets even better. Add to that they make a mean stiff martini and you are set!

To repeat myself yet again:
-Bob's Big Boy Burbank - Classic Burger is medium thick, but nice and juicy
-Cheesecake Factory in Old Town Pasadena - Classic or Factory Burger - Thicker than above. Ask for it rare and you'll get an excellent/wonderful medium rare burger

Gee, you left out Jax. Maybe you haven't been and maybe you should.

I was there once for jazz and and a very good steak. Didn't know they had burgers at night.

A truly hidden gem is Jax on Brand Blvd. in Glendale. It's a place of 50's atmosphere for the bar and restaurant. Had a couple of GREAT hamburgers there and on a Friday had some of the best clam chowder in the area. Good french fries too (mandatory with a good burger).

Do they do a happy hour there? What other types of food do they have? Have heard about it, never been. Thanks!

Unless the food has drastically changed in one year you and Carb Lover should have quite a treat in store. I do not know if they serve hamburger's at dinner though. If the rest of their food is as good as their hamburger's and clam chowder it should be very good.

Thanks for the info on food at Jax's. Heard that they have good local jazz most days of the week, but didn't know about the food. Couldn't find a website for them, but click on link for more info and positive reviews from CuisineNet...

Link: http://cuisinenet.com/info/?v=237&...

I've always heard good things about Russell's Burgers on Fair Oaks. Has anyone tried them?

Hmm. Dare I mention the Hamburger Hamlet? I know they will cook it as you like it...

Don't know if they do a burger at either Arroyo Chop house or Smitty's Grill (both in Pasadena, both part of the Smith Bros. restaurant group, which I'm sure has a web site but I can't find it).

I've never actually had a burger at Burger Continental. I wonder...

I love HH's burgers - especially the Hotsburger (no longer on the menu, but you can still get it). Delish! Great rec!

I'm a long time fan of Burger Continental but two things I would NOT recommend are their burgers and their pizzas.

What do you recommend at Burger Continental? I've only been there for their weekend buffet (so-so imo).

Please tell me you've been to Pie N' Burger! If not, you are in for a treat. Just steps away from Fair Oaks/California in Pasadena sits a classic burger joint with patties from heaven and perfectly buttered and toasted buns. We always order ours medium rare and that's how they arrive - beautifully pink and so juicy!

I second the rec. Pie N Burger is on California just east of Lake.

Yes, I have been to Pie N Burger on California.

I really enjoyed it, but I think of their burger as more of a "Diner" burger as opposed to a big medium rare burger.

What's the difference?

Zeke's Smokehouse in Glendale (Montrose) will do medium rare. The burger is ground brisket, very juicy.

Best burger I've had in quite awhile was my recent first-time-experience at Wolfe Burgers on Lake. Not sure if they do medium rare though.