Westside Burgers-Counter, Hole in the Wall, Father's Office Tavern, What Else?
Sometimes you just want a nice burger and nothing else will do.
Tavern has a delicious upscale turkey burger with yummy fries with sage, but its like $17-$18. I did not like their pork burger as much, as the ground pork was spiced to it tasted like eating a sausage burger and I have not had their regular burger. Their turkey burger is tops though, although the bun is boring and not tasty.
Counter is a good call, but it's loud and their fries are too good so I end up eating too many
Did not like Father's office burger, the roquefort/blue cheese tasted too strong
Just tried Hole in the Wall. I found their turkey burger a bit too seasoned and did not like the topings (some yellow pepper looking thing). I thought that the regular beef burger was quite nice and the bun was good. Big complaint was their homemade ketchup. Its nice that they do their own, but to me it did not taste good and their food snobby sign next to the regular ketchup talking about how its all unnatural was a turn off. Their sweet potato fries were limp (and tasted bad with the natural ketchup, better with the ranch and regular ketchup).
Where else should I go within relative spitting distance for a burger place with turkey/chicken or veg burger option? Preferably on price point end of Hole in the Wall/Counter, not Tavern?
By noshie
on Feb 28, 2010 06:41 AM
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26 Beach, great veggie burger they make in house and they make their buns. I think a veggie, which is huge and a salad or fries is about $12, really worth it and in a comfy environment, I like the booths in the bar area.
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Strongly second 26 Beach, though I've only had the regular burgers.
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26 Beach, taken more than a dozen people there and it's become one of their favorite LA places to eat for every single one.
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They are wack, they have a spicy tuna burger and a kim chee burger. I actuall like the kim chee burger, must be the way it blends with the other ingredients, sor of an umami effect! LOL I crack myself up!
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"They are wack"
I don't get it...
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Sorry. They are really good, off the chart!
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I had the spicy tuna burger, very good, very wasabi, but the spice made it hard to appreciate the beef (is it me or did the burgers get bigger like the salads did?), I prefer the California Roll burger. I was going to try the kimchee burger because I love kimchee, but my girlfriend vetoed it because kimchee is 'stinky'.
I also really want to try that mile high burger with the corned beef. *drools*
there's also the thai burger I haven't tried...
I'm wondering what other sushi burgers they're going to come up with, the menu said, "more coming soon!"
They're definitely taking the Sushi burgers and making it their signature thing. :)
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i had the spciy tuna burger last night and found it to be meh. they were very stingy with the spicy tuna and made up for it by piling in a huge mound of ginger. totally imbalanced. but the spicy wasabi mayo was really good.
the cali roll burger (sans ginger), mile high and the kobe burgers got raves.
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Over in the Mar Vista / Culver City / Marina Del Rey triangle Ronnie's Diner has a very good double cheeseburger that comes with fries or their excellent house made potato chips (my choice) for about $9. It's a great deal. I'm linking the lunch menu here http://www.ronniesdiner.com/lunch.html but they offer the burgers for dinner as well. (Dinner served only Monday through Friday).
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3 Square on Abbot Kinney has a fantastic burger (on a pretzel bun)
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Rustic Canyon, and they're actually bringing back Burger & Beer night on Mondays.
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This is my second favorite burger - after Umami (and before FO and 26 Beach).
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I like Hal's on Abbot Kinney for their turkey burger.
I consider their sweet potato fries to be the best in the city.
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"Just tried Hole in the Wall. I found their turkey burger a bit too seasoned and did not like the topings (some yellow pepper looking thing). I thought that the regular beef burger was quite nice and the bun was good. Big complaint was their homemade ketchup. Its nice that they do their own, but to me it did not taste good and their food snobby sign next to the regular ketchup talking about how its all unnatural was a turn off."
Just a few points about H-i-t-W Burgers. You decide exactly what you are going to have on your burger.
From the type of patty (turkey, beef or vegetarian) to the choice of bun (3 types) on to selecting what toppings you are going to have (some part of the standard price and some in the "upgrade" category).
So complaining about their home made thinly sliced pickles (which I find delicious) is a little strange, since you had to ask to have them added to your burger.
And no one has ever said a word to us in multiple visits about any benefits of their house made ketchup vs commercial ketchup. We generally use both. I've never even noticed the sign, so it's not like it's exactly in your face.
In fact the people we have interacted with there have been so friendly and helpful it's one of the things that draws us back (along with the great burgers).
Finally, I love both their regular and sweet potato fries.
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So this is kind of a Counter copy cat?
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Not really. It basically only has an outside patio (with a few places to eat in a totally downscale little inside area that I wouldn't consider eating in) and is order at the counter and they bring you your food in a brown paper bag. You haven't been? You ought to give it a try. Really pretty darn good place. But the weather needs to be nice so you can sit outdoors.
One other caveat. They close early, especially on the weekends, (maybe not open on Sundays IIRC?) so check their hours if you are planning to go in the evening.
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Agree, Servorg, I think HitW has decent burgers, I got the beef with cheddar on a pretzel bun. Made to order, nice flavor, juicy but not greasy. I have to say the fries are the best I've had in a while, they remind me of a small town diner I used to go to back east, perhaps b/c they're made with Kennebec potatoes.
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Maybe its new. I was just there for the first time this weekend. The ketchup sign is in a plastic stand alone holder prominently placed right between the two metal boxes from which you either squeeze out their homemade ketchup or commercial ketchup. Something about no love put into the commercial one, other things on that sign too. I'm all for handmade/homegrown, but not if it does not taste good, and that ketchup did not taste good to me. Also, I went out for a burger and fries, so I was obviously not seeking out a reminder of the unhealthful aspects of the whole venture at that particular time. Anyway, I find that sign to be precious, snobby and, frankly, out of place in a burger joint, even a higher end one that serves red leaf lettuce and offers pretzel buns.
***I thought the little shampoo bottles of ketchup at Tavern were sort of silly too--they've done away with them.
I think the pickles are zucchini pickles and they were on my companion's burger.
The sweet potato fries we had were limp and not crispy.
The lady who took our order was fine, but not much interaction, you just place your order and sit down.
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Hinano and 26 Beach Cafe for great turkey burgers. 26 Beach also has a great homemade veggie burger.
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I am always looking for a great Turkey Burger. Recently went to Umami Burger (not Asian) on Cahuenga in the cool Space 15 Twenty complex in Hollywood. They have other locations, but I recommend this one or the one in Los Feliz. I ordered the Spicy Bird, (off menu- you have to ask for it) It was mind boggling. It made The Counter seem like Hamburger Hamlet. In fact, The Counter is out for me now. It is old school boring compared to Umami Burger. Umami Burger's other Turkey burger is crazy good, too, but you must try the Spicy Bird. It is decadent. I could eat 5 of them. You will love it. 9 bucks. Perfectly cooked and seasoned the way it comes...
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"....you must try the Spicy Bird. It is decadent."
I most respectfully disagree. I find the Umami (I've tried several variations trying to capture the hype) and end up feeling this place is the ultimate 'Emperor's New Clothes."
I do like the brioche type buns, though.
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Do you have to have a brioche type bun? I won't eat stuff so gluttonous.
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Actually the bun tastes more like a glorified version of a Wonder Bread roll....if there ever was such a thing.
It absorbs the blood from their undercooked meat.
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Beacon has an excellent burger! Half pound on a great bun, with Neuske's bacon, carmelized onions, lettuce and tomato on the side and terrific fries.
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It gets no love on this board, and it's not super cheap, but Grande Orange has some awesome burgers, especially the green chili burger. And although Apple Pan has no turkey or veggie they have a nice tuna sandwich and their burger still rules, as far as I'm concerned (was thrilled to see it on J Gold's 99 dishes list, though I would have gone fore the steak burger not the hickory.)
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I tried a burger at Le Grande Orange several weeks ago and it was good. I've enjoyed The Apple Pan burgers for years (thanks to Paul Wallach!) and when I was more of a youthful glutton would have a Steak Burger followed by a Hickory Burger both with everything! Always Iced Coffee w/ xtra cream and a slice of Cream Pie (Cherry, Banana or Berry depending on availability)!
I am excited to learn about new places though! So many great burgers in this town!
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Library alehouse burgers are pretty tasty. Their regular is $9 and they used to have a $6 Monday burger night. Not sure if they still do. They come with fries or a salad (plus the free chips) so it's a deal.
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I like the Burger with the works at Real Food Daily. http://www.realfood.com/menu/sandwich...
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I fully agree with your thoughts on The Counter, Tavern, Father's Office, and Hole in the Wall. With that said, I've also enjoyed the burger at Westside Tavern. The meat was juicey and nicely charred, caramelized onions were a delicious touch, and the bun held up and didn't disintegrate. And Houston's...their burgers are consistently delicious.
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Hal's on Abbot Kinney handdown on turkey burgers. Moist flavorful yummy. He wont share the recipe either..
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I went to the Westside Tavern yesterday for The Cheeseburger. I found both the service and the food to be lacking, so the value was weak. I would not recommend this venue.
Q: What do all of the things listed below have in common?
* How is everything with your meal, gentlemen?
* Can I refill your drink, sir?
* Are you interested in dessert today?
* May I bring your check?
A: They are all questions. They are all things that one typically hears while in the role of customer at a dining establishment. They all things that were not uttered to us during our visit at Westside Tavern.
The Value: Look, Umami Burger and Wolfgang's Steakhouse have set the bar REALLY high in terms of value. We could have gotten great cheeseburgers at either place for the same amount of dough, so the cheeseburger value was not great at Westside Tavern.
The burger at Westside Tavern was competently cooked, but it was cobbled together with ingredients, which did nothing to play to the beef's strengths. It seemed quite clear that The Cheeseburger was the result of the Chef being forced to check the "burger box" on the menu and nothing more.
Burger Review : Average burger for a premium price.
www.theburgerreview.com
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The burger at Palomino is pretty delicious. I've eaten it at the bar, but I don't think it's on the bar menu anymore. If you ask for it, they'll cook it up for you, though. I'm not sure if it's on the dinner menu...
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Woof--that house-made ketchup at Hole in the Wall is acidic and foul--it's like chunky vomit. Do not want....ever again.
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One can safely avoid the "gourmet" burgers at Library Alehouse--they were bland and off-putting.
The Kobe Burger tasted like rust, and the Bison Burger was overly gamy.
La Grande Orange has a far better burger, and it is 6 blocks to the North.
www.theburgerbusters.com
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When i am in need of a great burger, I head over to Second City Bistro in El Segundo. Huge, thick burger with caramelized onions and a garlic aioli. It comes with a choice of o.k. fries, their fabulous Tomato bisque or house salad. They know how to cook a burger medium rare, which can be a challenge at other burger joints.
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+2 on Second City Bistro in El Segundo.
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Wanted to chime in with unmentioned options:
My favorite burger is at 26 Beach. I like the California Roll burger. It's on the high side, but it has crab salad in it, with avocado, wasabi and ginger.
Umami in the Fred Segal complex on 5th Street is a very good burger, overhyped or not. I mention this place because it's Westside.
I also like the burgers at Hinano, a dive bar in Venice.
To echo Servorg, Hole in the Wall is very good; I have always found the staff friendly. BTW, I never touch the homemade ketchup. I didn't like their sweet potato fries either. But there's a lot to like. You choose what goes in your burger.
Unheralded is the burger at Thompkin's Square in Westchester, a very good gastro pub. A great place to catch a sports event as well.
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I believe 26 Beach has been mentioned in the beginning of this thread.
I also want to add the San Francisco Saloon 's burger in West LA. It's solid and tasty, made to order with fresh toppings. I also like the feel of the old building, reminds me of pubs in Boston.
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while i'm not sure if this fits the initial criteria of the op but i had a very good spicy tuna burger at bld yesterday. i think gulfstream has an even better tuna burger. the tuna at bld was cooked all the way but not dry. the tuna burger at gulfstream is rare.
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I believe 26 Beach actually has a spicy tuna burger, that is an angus burger with spicy tuna, ginger, seaweed and wasabi mayo. Now that is a spicy tuna burger, not a spicy tuna sandwich!
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Perhaps not technically on the Westside, but Westish (on Fairfax), try Golden State. Burger, fries (both sweet potato and regular), and potato salad are excellent. Great lamb burgers on Thursdays.
426 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036
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I'll throw in Rush Street and Houston's as well.
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Gotta say, the burger I had a Rush Street a couple months ago was completely inedible. Stale bun, overfilled, flavorless patty, limp toppings. Gross.
Houston's is fine, but I could never really imagine why someone would casually elect to go to Houston's unless they had an office lunch or something.
My vote is for Rustic Canyon.
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Amen to that Rush Street and Ford's Filling Station, across the street, both put out some lame and over-priced burgers.
www.theburgerreview.com
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I found out inadvertently that the Cheesecake Factory makes a decent turkey burger. The fries, not so much.
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I nominate the Baby's Badass Burgers truck, since they make it to the Westside on a regular basis. It's not great, but it's darn good. It beats the hell out of The Counter, Father's Office, and Hole in the Wall.
www.theburgerreview.com
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gotta try Apple Pan's Hickory Burger, head over to Hugo's for its Angus Beef Burger and move east a bit to Cassell's on 6th and Normandie area. Cannot go wrong with any of these.
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