Best Burger
Monday, December 12, 2005 23:40…and thus this raging debate, now affecting two offices, many defensive IM users, a battalion of aggressive emails, fighting words, gnashing teeth and furrowed brows, has now spilled over to a blog. Not even my own [gastrologica.com - thanks for the shameless plug] but an entirely different blog. This is where the dust settles and exposes the opposing factions encircling each other take up their weapons like a bad Star Trek episode, and battle it out on an inhospitable volcanic planet where the very air is poisonous, and green women dance and slither around on four legs…and still manage to look good in a jewel encrusted bikini.
So, I want your comments. My criteria is simple. I want to know what you think is the best burger. It has to be a regional LA chain restaurant, having two or more locations. It can have locations in other markets, but it can’t be a SanFran chain that doesn’t have locations here. Nation wide chains don’t count, as they are a different category. This would include Wendy’s, Burger King, McDonalds, Carl’s Jr. (owned by Hardees, I believe) and the like. You should talk about your choice positively, based on the merits of the burger primarily, but not why you hate another chain, since comment boxes aren’t a great forum for elaborate discourse. I won’t restrict it to only fast food joints, you can talk about a sit down, if you like. I will keep my comments short following in that spirit.
So, with that, I will draw first blood by throwing down for…
Fatburger. Yeah, that’s right homey, Fatburger. Perfectly balanced toppings and a properly seasoned beef patty is the hallmark of Fatburger. You can get them either charred or grilled, and come on, there is no other place you can get a fried freaking egg thrown onto your double Kingburger. The skinny fries are dynamite, with a perfect golden crunch on the outside and nice fluffy, steamy center.
Fatburger is daring enough to put a spiced salt sprinkle just as they’re cooking your meat, so you can taste the meat, instead of being obscured by a salad of runny, overdressed vegetables.
By Zteve (see more of his posts). You can find more of Zteve's writing at his own website Gastrologica
eatdrinknbmerry says:
December 13th, 2005 at 2:05 am
Heil FATBURGERhaifenscheifunleidernickendeutsch! I haven’t found a place that proudly promotes a higher cholesterol reading than FB. i love love love the burger with a fried egg, bacon and avocado. Zteve, *high-5*.
erin says:
December 13th, 2005 at 10:09 am
While I will admit to never having a fatburger, I have a hard time imagining anything better than In and Out–the toasty bun, crispy lettuce, perfectly melted cheese and fried onions are glorious. But I’ll try fatburger soon for comparison’s sake.
Jonah says:
December 13th, 2005 at 10:21 am
I like that Fatburger, mostly because the offer turkey burgers on the char (I’ll accept your abusive comments now).
Growing up in SoCal though, Tommy’s was a nice treat, but I’m not sure that my body can take the gut grenades any more.
I’m curious how many options meet your requirements for small, local chains.
DrewB says:
December 13th, 2005 at 10:32 am
I’ll put in my vote for The Habit
(http://www.habitburger.com/)and of course the far ranging In-n-Out. Both of them are the classic LA fast burger joint that took over the world, only better.
And besides, I still have friends from out of town who try to con me into bringing them Double Doubles. :)
Zteve says:
December 13th, 2005 at 10:45 am
I don’t know if I would go so far as Heil von Fatburger, Fatburger uber alles…but I get the sentiment you’re trying to convey.
Zteve says:
December 13th, 2005 at 10:52 am
Ok, so I’ll impose a fast food restriction, and Tommy’s certainly falls in that category. To me, Tommy’s was something like you said, you grew up with it, so you sentimentally like it, but prima facie it might not be the best.
MaxMillion says:
December 13th, 2005 at 12:06 pm
Ignoring your criteria, I have to say Father’s Office — rich, gourmet and memorable. Their sweet potato fries are brilliant, too. But be prepared to fight tooth and nail — seriously — for a table at this neighbourhood bar (on Montana).
Zteve says:
December 13th, 2005 at 12:13 pm
Father’s Office is exactly the response I was trying to restrict, since it is widely acknowledged to be the best burger, but it is a unique location that offers toppings that aren’t available at ‘chain’ burger joints. I have to say, I really like the burger, but the Rugby match to get one was so off-putting, and the environment so inhospitable, I would never go there again, even if it were served on a solid gold commemerative plate I could take home with me. Business owners who embrace that soccer-riot model are not only arrogant, but they miss the point of the ’service’ industry.
Dylan says:
December 13th, 2005 at 12:29 pm
max, oh yeah i forgot about father’s office. truly a nice, big juicy burger with delicious fries.
Beopenguin says:
December 13th, 2005 at 2:35 pm
I’m pretty partial to Mo’s in Burbank. It’s a little pricier than a chain, but it’s great quality burger without having to do an atomic knee drop to get one like the above mentioned Father’s Office. I mean, I might just go get one right now…
For chains, I’m fan of the In and Out and The Habit is growing on me. (I’m also lazy and like fast food to be near my place.)
Clay says:
December 13th, 2005 at 6:07 pm
Considering the criteria, I have to agree with the Fatburger. I love the seasoned patty. Houston’s has a nice cheeseburger as well. It’s one of those thick hand-formed patties and the cheese just short of melting, making its flavor stronger, IMO. Hard to order, though, considering their other offerings.
I can’t help but comment on the Father’s Office burger: I have never been more disappointed in a meal - seriously. The meat (I avoid calling it a patty) and roll were so dry, each bite was followed by a swig of water to help get it down, and the wine reduction paste that served as sauce was too rich and overpowering. I can’t bring myself to even classify it as a burger. Just so you know my burger-o-meter isn’t completely off kilter, my favorite burger (that doesn’t fall within the criteria) is at Pie n Burger in Pasadena.
Zteve says:
December 13th, 2005 at 7:09 pm
That comment would apply to my out-of-criteria joint, Apple Pan. Never was I more underwhelmed, and truly felt duped by all the food critics. There was nothing special about their burger except nostalgia. While I’m at it, my cheapoid national fast food chain hands down is Burger King, and premium national sit down joint is Fuddruckers.
Jonah says:
December 13th, 2005 at 8:01 pm
Talk about a blast from the past. Fuddruckers was the place that had the burger bar and the sundae bar right? Where you could load up your toppings on your order.
I would have to say that I would choose In-n-Out over Fatburger, but In-n-Out’s fries are the worst, while Fatburger’s fries are the best.
Kristy says:
December 13th, 2005 at 8:40 pm
So I just had my first Fatburger not too long ago… and it was dericious! And I’ve definitely missed In ‘N Out burgers… animal style, of course! But if I had to choose, my all-time faves are the Hula and the Hawaiian with grilled onions at Islands! =) Must be the mayo and the teriyaki sauce! YUM! And I love Johnny Rocket’s burgers too… but more so the Chili Cheese Fries there! These always satisfy my burger and fries cravings!!!
Marshall says:
December 14th, 2005 at 5:10 am
I’m going to give this one to Fatburger, but with this caveat. The quality of their food has dropped significantly since I started eating there as a child. There is an unpleasant variance between the various locations, and many of them no longer have the good jukeboxes - I like Rahsaan Roland Kirk with my burger, damnit! But I can still get an over easy egg on my burger and that counts for a lot.
Tommy’s comes in a close second. I can rely on heaping mountains of chili and half inch think cut beefsteaks at any of their locations. Tommy’s is L.A. comfort food of the highest order.
Zteve - About the Apple Pan. I’m devoted to the place, but not because of the burgers. Their burgers are great, but nothing to gush about. The secret of the Apple Pan is that they have the best ham sandwich in Los Angeles. The Combination (ham & swiss) could go head to head with the uber sandwiches at Nate & Al’s or Roll ‘n Rye and put up a good fight. And their fries and cream pies are solid.
Zteve says:
December 14th, 2005 at 7:07 am
Marshall - my wife got the ham sandwich and it was damn good, and I honestly haven’t had their pie, which I think is what the true draw is…but I always see the burger written up as one of the best in LA and I can’t buy that.
crazyhorse says:
December 15th, 2005 at 5:43 am
father’s office hands down. tried the kobe burger at the polo lounge recently… all bark and no bite.
Ted says:
December 16th, 2005 at 5:17 pm
I will go
1. In-N-Out
2. Houston’s
3. Fatburger
PeggyArcher says:
December 17th, 2005 at 2:03 am
I’m going to add another vote for Father’s Office.
Best. Burger. Ever.
SoCalorie says:
December 17th, 2005 at 9:03 am
Did anyone else read the JGold column last month about the most celebrated burgers in LA? (Or have I finally earned the dubious JGold stalker prize?)
Cassell’s (”spartan behemoths”)
Pie n Burger (”baroquely textured lunchroom burgers”)
Cora’s (”Kobe-beef juiciness”)
Jim’s (”pastrami-topped spiciness”)
Tommy’s (”chili-drenched monsters”)
Father’s Office (”smeared with Maytag blue, gruyere, sauteed onions and an applewood-bacon compote”)
Stu says:
December 19th, 2005 at 4:34 pm
My vote goes to The Counter, in Santa Monica. Over dozens of toppings to choose from and the classic — pickles, onions, relish, tomato — can’t be beat.
Maribeth says:
February 22nd, 2006 at 7:23 pm
I tried The Counter but thought it served up a rather mediocre burger. Plus there is the potential to make it even worse with the wrong combination of toppings.
I shied away from Fatburger for many years based solely on the name, but I finally had one and it was great!
Why We Type says:
February 23rd, 2006 at 8:10 pm
I missed Jonathan Gold’s piece, but as a longtime hamburger lover, I urge the uninitiated to seek out Cassell’s (Koreatown), Pie N’ Burger (Pasadena), and Hamburger Central (Central Ave. near Glendale Galleria).
In exchange, I’ll try Cora’s & Father’s Office. Deal?
Craig says:
March 11th, 2006 at 11:31 pm
Wow, so I found this whiel having a cheeseburger craving. I had some errands to run, and one was to Sears in Glendale. I had seen Hamberuger Central there a million times. It was good, but not great. I would go there again.
Then the craving came right back. I have been to Fred 62 a billion times, never had the Juicy Lucy. I did tonight, great burger. I ate it as served, medium rare, Great.
Father’s Office if OVER-RATED, period. The burgers are good, but not worth the hassle at ALL. No one should have to deal with that much BS for a decent burger.
Places you should try. Tops in Pasadena on Walnut, one of favs for a cheap small local chain. I beleive they own Everest as well.
Russell’s (SP?) in Old Town Pasadean, GREAT burgers there.
I really can’t rate burger joints, on some scale of one being better than another. It depends on my mood. Sometimes it something fancy, like Houstons or sometimes I jsut want a couple of McD’s cheeseburgers, yes, like the happy meal ones. Oh I should mention that The Habit does indeed make a great burger.
justinzaru says:
May 7th, 2006 at 2:38 am
Damn, I’m missing a fatty right now! You can read my anti-review of the state of burgers in T-Town (http://www.tokyotonite.com). Sigh. I’ve never been a fan of In and Out. Somehow mixing religous slogans as innercup propganda just takes the fun out of eating a takeout while getting a well earned 2am hummer. Oh — the burgers are dry and take too long, too.
thranduil says:
June 3rd, 2006 at 8:53 pm
Father’s Office alert: They got busted for being over maximum occupancy, so they now have an employee restricting the number of total people in the whole place to 49 people (including employees based on our count). So you can now go in WITHOUT the throng! There is now a wait outside of Father’s Office to get in - we waited for about 20-30 minutes at 6 pm on a Saturday evening. However, we were able to order food immediately without any pushing or shoving, and we immediately got a table (there were several actually open, plus bar stools available)! And the hamburger and sweet potato fries are just as good as always. Only downside for Father’s Office is that there are fewer people hanging at the bar waiting for tables to open - hope it works out for them financially. Although I guess the soon to open Culver City branch will do well.
MaxMillion says:
June 4th, 2006 at 7:57 am
^ ooh — thanks very much for the hot tip. Even though I threw down the gauntlet and voted them the best, I wholeheartedly agree with subsequent posters that the burger at Father’s Office is not always worth the hassle.
Finally we can enjoy the whole experience!
seriousLEE says:
September 28th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
father’s office is not a burger…it’s a weird french anchovie-like tasting sandwich. a burger is the classic american in-n-out style. The fries at father’s office is good though no doubt about it.
Josh says:
September 4th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
I enjoyed your post. Some of my best burgers in LA reside at The Nook, Ford’s Filling Station and Father’s Office.
http://www.burgerfiles.com