OpenTable Inc.
10/18/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/18/2021 07:11
The 10 Must-Try Burgers in Los Angeles
New York has its slices, Miami has its Cubanos, Chicago has its hot dogs. And as of late - Los Angeles has its burgers. The burger scene in this sunny city has exploded in recent years, and now every neighborhood has no shortage of stops for smashburgers, dry-aged patties, historic classics, and newfangled options. As with anything, though, some rise above the rest. These are the 10 top burgers Los Angeles has to offer.
Apple Pan (West LA)
Anyone who's reallyin the know on the LA dining scene knows Apple Pan. The historic spot looks the same as when it opened in 1947, slinging all types of pies and a petite menu of classic diner fare. The move here, though, is the hickory burger - a thick patty served with smoky barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, pickles, and lettuce with an option to add on cheddar cheese (do!). A word to the wise: Don't limit yourself to just one slice of pie for dessert.
Dining at the restaurant:Outdoor dining is available, but a stool at the U-shaped counter is iconic at this walk-in-only spot.
Takeout: The pandemic has brought Apple Pan into the 21st century, and delivery is now available via third-party apps.
chi SPACCA (Hollywood)
Classic Spacca burger | Credit: Anne Fishbein
At this Melrose Avenue establishment from culinary legend Nancy Silverton, the burgers are worth the wait. On the first Saturday of every month from 12pm to 2pm, executive chef Ryan DeNicola fires up Silverton's famous burgers, so good that Los Angelesmagazinedissectedevery element in detail. The key to a good burger is to start with a killer patty, and Silverton does just that. The beef is a blend of chuck, brisket, dry-aged beef trim, dry-aged beef fat, and fat from around the kidneys for optimal flavor and texture. It's then seasoned and cooked on an almond wood-fired grill. The classic Spacca burger consists of a beef patty, Calabrian mint aioli, cheddar cheese, lettuce, caramelized onions, tomato, and pickle on a sesame bun. An equally juicy "sooner smash burger" hits the spot with two dry-aged smash patties, American cheese, yellow mustard, and shaved onions on a sesame bun. The best move is to get both.
Dining at the restaurant:A wine wall and open kitchen are the main attractions indoors while the outdoor patio is set up for al fresco dining lovers.
Takeout: chi SPACCA offers delivery and takeout.
All Day Baby (Silver Lake)
Despite its name - the "ADB Nottaburger" - this vegan patty deserves a spot on this list. Made with Beyond "meat," caramelized onions, vegan cheddar, vegan Thousand Island spread, and iceberg lettuce on a sesame bun, the burger hits all the flavor notes as one with real beef. All Day Baby is a city favorite, with owner Lien Ta creating a cool and casual space for Southern-inflected diner fare that's landed on best-of lists by the LA Times, Eater LA, The Infatuation, and more.
Dining at the restaurant:Though open all day, All Day Baby's burger is only available for breakfast and lunch, served both inside and out.
Takeout:Order takeout and delivery through the restaurant's website.
Connie and Ted's (West Hollywood)
A taste of New England in LA, this seafood restaurant and raw bar - named after owner Michael Cimarusti's grandparents Connie and Ted - is a tribute to the times the couple spent fishing together off the shores of New England. While most of the menu is dedicated to seafood, the burger here is a crowd favorite, featuring Hook's 4-year-aged cheddar, pickles, onion, lettuce, and Thousand Island dressing on a beef patty. A smoked bacon add-on is available, and why wouldn't you? Also famous here is the Maine lobster roll, served hot with drawn butter or cold with mayonnaise. Grab a craft beer on tap and sit on the expansive outdoor patio to enjoy LA's weather.
Dining at the restaurant:The indoor space features wood accents with pops of red and an open kitchen.
Takeout:Both takeout and delivery are offered.
Hank's Palisades (Pacific Palisades)
The team behind the hugely popular Blue Ribbon chain has brought its famed burger to the West Coast at Hank's. Located inside Palisades Village, Hank's serves up all sorts of burgers from wagyu to vegan varieties, but the one that has people talking is the "Double Diamond" option. Served on a potato brioche bun with your choice of cheese, pickles, onions, and a special sauce, the burger's focus is on its Angus beef double patties - a whole half-pound of meat. Paired with fries, it's quite the feast.
Dining at the restaurant:Grab a seat inside the restaurant to see the action in the open kitchen or on the pet-friendly patio.
Takeout:Order takeout and delivery through the restaurant's website.
Mister O's (Studio City)
A tribute to co-owner Chris Ostrow's late father Jordan Ostrow, Mister O's is the realization of the father and son's idea for a place with three things: good vibes, atmosphere, and top-notch drinks. Ostrow nailed it - the energy is high and drinks flow as diners dig into the signature Mr. O's burger with a double patty, American cheese, pickled fresnos, caramelized onions, grilled green onions, and garlic aioli on a potato bun that nabbed a spot on Time Out LA's best burger list. Vegans can opt for a version with an Impossible Burger "meat" patty with smoked vegan gouda, pickled fresno chiles, dill pickles, grilled onions, and lettuce instead of a bun, paired with sweet potato fries. Wash it all down with a house cocktail or local draft beer.
Dining at the restaurant: The mid-century modern furniture adds a classy touch to the artsy and colorful restaurant. It's not LA without the sprawling outdoor dining space, also with mid-century modern furniture.
Takeout:The restaurant offers takeout but not delivery.
Goldburger (Multiple locations)
Credit: Devin Pedde
An Instagram account turned burger pop-up turned brick-and-mortar restaurant with two locations, Goldburger has no doubt proved it deserves a spot on this list of best burgers. Fans will recognize owner Allen Yelent from his days running coffee and bar pop-ups around the city, before moving to burgers. The signature burger features grass-fed, 6-ounce, double-patty smash burgers topped with grilled onions, fresh pickles, and house-made garlic mustard aioli. Chopped chiles are an option for those that like a bit of heat, as well as pastrami for meat lovers. Four other burgers are on the menu, adding exciting options such as the LA special with pastrami and dijonaise slaw or the patty melt with Russian sauce on buttered toasted bread, enough to keep you coming back for more.
Dining at the restaurants:Bar seats at the Highland Park walk-in-only shop line both sides of the narrow restaurant and get filled quickly with diners eager for a taste. Two sidewalk tables are available at the Los Feliz location.
Takeout:Both takeout and delivery are offered.
Father's Office (Multiple locations)
A burger that has caused controversy with its rules - no substitutions and no ketchup - has also gained recognition as a top 10 burgerin the country by USA Today, best burgerby The Infatuation, and a Bon Appétithighly recommendedpatty that the food magazine calls "perfect." Here are the details: Chef Sang Yoon's gastropub serves up the Office burger with an 8-ounce dry-aged chuck patty, applewood bacon, bacon fat caramelized onions, Gruyère cheese, Maytag blue cheese, and arugula piled high on a French roll and served with skinny fries. It's a seriously juicy, highly umami affair. Pair it with one of Father's Office's rotating selection of 36 craft beers on tap, and it's a meal.
Dining at the restaurant:The best seats at these walk-in-only restaurants are at the bar, where the beers on tap are on display or alternatively, grab a seat at a table. There's plenty of outdoor seating at the Downtown LA and Culver City locations, too.
Takeout:The restaurant offers takeout but not delivery.
Umami Burger (Multiple locations)
Now with locations around the world, Umami Burger is a Los Angeles hometown original that opened in 2007 to an immediate cult following. The idea here is that the burger doubles down on umami, that elusive "fifth taste" of savoriness. The burgers here all maximizeumami through techniques such as putting its proprietary powder (with ingredients that are naturally high in umami such as kombu and dried mushroom) into the burger mix and adding toppings to some such as truffle aioli or a bacon-wrapped onion ring. The chain is a burger guarantee no matter where you are in the city.
Dining at the restaurant:Take your pick from locations around the city, including the Downtown, The Grove, and Santa Monica, all with indoor and outdoor seating.
Takeout:Order takeout through the restaurant's website.
The Grove:
Downtown:
Santa Monica:
Burgers 99 (Mid-City)
Nostalgia reigns at this Mid-City burger joint from the Badmaashteam. The burgers come wrapped in paper sleeves, ketchup and mustard are in colored plastic squeeze bottles, and there's plenty of neon signage. The burgers here also tap into the classics, with takes on the In-N-Out and McDonald's burgers that include cheese, pickles, onions, and a tangy special sauce. Hand-cut fries practically beg to be dipped in the daily rotating selection of milkshakes.
Dining at the restaurant:Seating is limited inside this walk-in-only spot, but head out back for a larger patio.
Takeout:Takeout and delivery are available via third-party apps.