72379 Tue Aug 16 13:43:42 -0700 2005 36 2 Los Angeles Area 0 396508 I know that there have many posts about burgers. Yes I know about the search function. I am not trying to open up a can of worms by either 1. bringing up this topic again or 2. having a discussion about why certain burgers should not be included in a best of list. I am interested in amazing burgers from single, independent restaurants AND multiple or chain restaurants that originated in LA county. Here is my list so far in no particular order 1. In-n-Out 2. Fat Burger 3. Pie-n-Burger 4. Father's Office 5. Apple Pan What have I forgotten? Ideally if the restaurant is an idependent, you should be able to determine the temperature of your burger ie Medium Rare Thanks Tue Aug 16 13:43:42 -0700 2005 0 Chefdavis 1 396511 I forgot to add The Counter, which is my wife's favorite Tue Aug 16 13:48:48 -0700 2005 396508 0 Chefdavis 1 396512 Tommy's (Original Tommy's) Islands has good hamburgers (is Islands a SoCal chain?) (you know, "amazing" is a particularly high standard. I'm not sure Tommy's or Islands amaze me). You will probably get a million more responses. Tue Aug 16 13:53:12 -0700 2005 396508 0 PaulF 1 396517 OK, I'll bite... Are we including coffee shop burgers in this list? The coffee shop burger platter (burger & fries, maybe some cole slaw, for around seven bucks) is a unique species unto itself. It can range from a bland simulated cardboard disc to a thick, juicy and beefy delight. In the coffee shop category, I'm partial to the burger at Astro Family Restaurant in Silver Lake-ish. It's usually cooked to the requested temperature. At medium rare, it will still be pink. It tastes of fresh beef, and you'll definitely need a load of napkins because the thing really is juicy. One of the most unheralded burgers in town. In the same general neighborhood...and I'm ashamed to admit that I like anything about this place...the Juicy Lucy burger at Fred '62. It's thick...and will be cooked as requested. It's beefy - again, you know you're eating beef. It's messy. If you can handle the bafflingly obtuse service, it's worth it. Your list should definitely include Cassell's. A definite split of opinion on this place, but it's independent, it will be cooked as requested, and the meat is fresh. The toppings bar is also (relatively) unique. Finally, in the burger stand category, lately I've been partial to Lucky Boy on Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena. Their 1/4 lb. bacon cheeseburger (add grilled onions!) is disturbingly satisfying. Far greater than the sum of its parts (which starts with a standard issue, ultrathin charbroiled patty), for reasons unknown. One of those mysteries best left unsolved. No, you can't specify the temperature. Believe me, you won't care. Tue Aug 16 14:06:02 -0700 2005 396508 0 Jack Flash 2 396519 Don't know how I could have left Dolores' out of the coffee shop burger equation. Or Pann's. Tue Aug 16 14:08:47 -0700 2005 396517 0 Jack Flash 3 396524 PANN's---had a terrific patty melt there a few weeks back. Juicy, sloppy, bright pink inside as ordered. Onion rings, however, were aggressively bready and limp. Also, nice call on ASTRO. In addition to a good burger, they whip up a nice breakfast. High probability of a John C. Reilly sighting. Pann's Restaurant (323) 776-3770 (310) 670-1441 6710 La Tijera Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90045 Astro Family Restaurant (323) 663-9241 2300 Fletcher Dr Los Angeles, CA 90039 Tue Aug 16 14:18:50 -0700 2005 396519 0 rabo encendido 3 396550 Yes, Pann's. Especially, their Patty Melt. Tue Aug 16 15:38:06 -0700 2005 396519 0 JB 1 396521 Add to the list: Boulevard Burger on Ventura in Woodland Hills. They will cook medium rare and even rare. Grilled onions and roasted jalapenos. Delicious. Also add the Wimpy's burger at Gorikee in Woodland Hills. Ditto on the medium rare. Plenty written on this board about this burger. Tue Aug 16 14:10:42 -0700 2005 396508 0 TomSwift 1 396539 I would add... Billy's Grill - and - Zeke's Smokehouse Tue Aug 16 14:58:38 -0700 2005 396508 0 JimN 1 396542 Cheesecake Factory. Originated in Beverly Hills. Say what you like but they make a great tasting burger and they'll cook it rare, correctly. Tue Aug 16 15:13:53 -0700 2005 396508 0 Pamplemoose 1 396545 Don't know where Houston's originated but they make a decent burger. Tue Aug 16 15:20:31 -0700 2005 396508 0 mc michael 1 396557 By the title of your post, I thought you were referencing my favorite burger place, The Bucket in Eagle Rock. You'll probably wait a while for your burger, but that's why they sell beer, right? Tue Aug 16 15:55:30 -0700 2005 396508 0 Lachyk 2 396560 The Bucket won't do Medium Rare, or Medium for that matter. Tue Aug 16 15:58:51 -0700 2005 396557 0 Ted 3 396660 You're right, but the OP said "ideally" the burger would be cooked to order. I still consider it my fave burger joint. Tue Aug 16 20:18:52 -0700 2005 396560 0 Lachyk 1 396558 The Hellman burger at Pete's Cafe, 4th & Main varies. When it's on, it's really good. When it's not, it's just so-so. Tue Aug 16 15:55:38 -0700 2005 396508 0 mc michael 2 396587 Walked over there with a couple of buddies last week. Had the steak sandwich, which was pretty good, but the service was really slow. Took us at least 40 minutes to get our food after we ordered, which just doesn't work for a business lunch. Are they usually this slow, or did we hit them on an off day? Tue Aug 16 17:02:50 -0700 2005 396558 0 David Kahn 3 396596 The service varies incredibly. Seems to work best if you sit in the bar area. Also they seem to have a very high staff turnover. Tue Aug 16 17:36:51 -0700 2005 396587 0 mc michael 1 396566 Mirabelle, great place, been making burgers for 37 years so they are pretty good @ it - bandera and the library also are good, but mira is a standout Tue Aug 16 16:10:14 -0700 2005 396508 0 Kurt 1 396570 big fan of the shack burger in santa monica. Tue Aug 16 16:22:59 -0700 2005 396508 0 woofer 1 396600 Nick and Stefs. Happy Hour. Go. Now. From 3-7pm. Wells Fargo Center 355 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90071 Tue Aug 16 17:50:59 -0700 2005 396508 0 ChewUrFood 2 396618 I like Nick & Stef's quite a bit; probably go there once a week for lunch on average. That said, I don't think their burger is even in the same neighborhood as the prime sirloin burger at Arnie Morton's (which I understood to be excluded from this inquiry because it is prepared by a chain that does not originate in LA). Tue Aug 16 18:33:32 -0700 2005 396600 0 David Kahn 1 396614 Hal's on Abbott Kinney in Venice Cassell's on Wilshire in K'town Hamburger Mary's in WeHo Barney's on San Vincente in Brentwood The Bucket in Eagle Rock Big Jo's in SaMo (20th & Colorado) The Counter in SaMo (hit or miss) Tue Aug 16 18:27:12 -0700 2005 396508 0 Woody 2 396620 Cassell's is on 6th. Tue Aug 16 18:37:02 -0700 2005 396614 0 mc michael 3 396621 And the Bucket only does medium well or well. (As does Fatburger.) Tue Aug 16 18:39:10 -0700 2005 396620 0 Ted 2 396717 GREAT List! Wed Aug 17 00:47:56 -0700 2005 396614 0 Adsvino 1 396633 Another contender in the pile on your own ingredients division: Wolfe Burgers, Pasadena. Tue Aug 16 19:08:28 -0700 2005 396508 0 mc michael 1 396637 I've never tried it, but someone told me recently that the Soul Burger at Chili My Soul in Encino is among the best burgers in LA. (They advised ordering the chili on the side just so you see how great the bare burger is before it's added.) Tue Aug 16 19:18:39 -0700 2005 396508 0 Pat 1 396657 26 Beach, They make their own buns and patty's. 3100 Washington Venice The Bucket Eagle Rock Blvd south of Colorado Tue Aug 16 20:13:29 -0700 2005 396508 0 Burger Boy 2 396692 I agree with 26 Beach. I got one delivered the other night (was home sick--boohoo), and even with delivery time it was still really tasty and cooked exactly as I ordered (just past medium rare). Tue Aug 16 22:31:19 -0700 2005 396657 0 samoca 3 397025 26 Beach is def good for gourmet burgers, but I would forgo the delivery in favor of eating there. Thu Aug 18 00:19:25 -0700 2005 396692 0 mc michael 4 397085 Gold on Cora's burger. Link: http://www.laweekly.com/ink/05/39/counter-gold.php Thu Aug 18 13:02:57 -0700 2005 397025 0 mc michael 1 396680 Barney's Beanery wine burger. On Santa Monica in WeHo. But you know that. Barneys on Tujunga and Moorpark in Studio City. No relation to above. Just a good, simple burger made by a nice Japanese couple. Tue Aug 16 21:47:55 -0700 2005 396508 0 Hershey Bomar 2 396734 You mean BARNABY'S in North Hollywood. Went there the day I moved into that neighborhood in 1977. Wed Aug 17 02:43:29 -0700 2005 396680 0 Jack Flash 1 396693 A couple on the westside not mentioned yet: Lemon Moon and Nook--both very tasty and with very good meat. Not cheap. Tue Aug 16 22:35:25 -0700 2005 396508 0 samoca 1 396701 The burgers at Jongewaard's Bake & Broil in Long Beach are outstanding. If you like Pie & Burger in Pasadena you will love these probably even more. Be sure to get grilled onions! Tue Aug 16 23:00:55 -0700 2005 396508 0 SPHound 1 396751 SF Saloon on Pico just west of Sawtelle on the north side of the street. Really good bugers cooked however you like them and good fries, a very good pasta salad choc-a-block with veggies, or a green salad that is also quite nice with tomatoes, red peppers, radishes, mushrooms, carrots, etc. Wed Aug 17 11:04:28 -0700 2005 396508 0 WLA 1 397476 The patty melt at the coffee shop in the basement of the Beverly Hills Hotel is one of the best kept secrets in LA. Also like: The Library, Nick & Stef's, 26 Beach, Father's Office, the Counter (usually) Fri Aug 19 21:03:04 -0700 2005 396508 0 joemama