la.foodblogging

…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