Just like transplants from the flyover states, Poké bowls and Raindrop Cakes will come and go, but there’s one steady constant in Los Angeles that's here to stay: the trusty hamburger.
From classic diners and drive-thrus to James Beard award-winning chef's tables, here’s who’s flippin’ the best burgers in LA — according to some of the city’s best chefs, artists, baristas and Citizine’s own expert tastebuds.
Warning: This article may induce heart attack.
In-N-Out Burger
Multiple Locations, $
Phillip Frankland Lee (The Gadarene Swine, Scratch|Bar & Kitchen): I don't need to tell anyone about In-N-Out, but I thought I could share my go-to order since it is far from normal ... Double Single (2 meat, 1 cheese), Lettuce, Tomato and Onion ONLY; Protein Style; Fried Mustard. It’s a real game changer!
Burger and animal fries at In-N-Out Burger Hollywood. Image courtesy of @songishong
Pono Burger
Santa Monica, $14
Adam Fleischman (Founder, Umami Burger): In Hawaiian, Pono means “to do things the right way,” and that’s exactly what they do with funky ambiance and gourmet burgers—minus the overly pretentious fixings. Try The Paniolo: Organic beef patty, English Oak smoked cheddar, Niman Ranch bacon, housemade Kona coffee bourbon BBQ sauce and housemade buttermilk beer battered onion rings.
The Paniolo. Image courtesy of @ponoburger
Father's Office, Plan Check Kitchen + Bar, Stout Burgers and Beers
Multiple locations, $$
WRDSMTH (LA artist): I’m obsessed with the perfect burger—Father's Office, Plan Check, and Stout are my fallbacks.
Image courtesy of @fathersofficeofficial
Hinano Cafe
Venice, $$
Jason Klass (Groundwork Coffee Co.): This place feels like the last little piece of old Venice’s soul. Great dive bar burgers with surly service and grandpa blues bands on weekends that can actually play. It may be the only bar I’ve gone to in Venice within the last couple years where you can escape the douches and walk down to the water after a few pitchers. If the landlords ever kick them out, it’s time to finally pack up and leave.
Image courtesy of @hinanovenice
Umami Burger
All of them, $$
Citizine Staff: Sometimes, you just gotta put an egg on it. And a parmesan crisp. And truffle mayo. Oh Umami, you know the way to our hearts.
Image courtesy of @umamiburger
VaKA Burger Express
Boyle Heights, $$
Adam Fleischman (Founder, Umami Burger): Many regard VaKA Burger as the best burger in East LA, probably because of Chef Aaron Perez’ commitment to local sourcing and high-end flavors. Check out The OG: julienne romaine, housemade russian dressing, beef stock tomatoes, Tillamook cheddar, red onion and housemade ketchup.
The Double-OG. Image courtesy of @vakaburgers
The Golden State
Fairfax, $$
Citizine Staff: "The Burger" on Golden State's menu is all about the oomph. They have their bun-to-meat-to-cheese ratio down pat. The patty has just the right amount of juice and the bun has just the right amount of crunch. We suggest the sweet potato wedges on the side. Are we making you hungry yet?
Image courtesy of @goldenstatecafe
The Local Peasant
Woodland Hills & Sherman Oaks, $$
Citizine Staff: This Valley gastropub has two locations along Ventura Blvd. They not only have a beer selection to die for, but a vibe that reeks of coolness. The subway-tiled walls and atmospheric lighting give way to one of the best cheeseburgers in all of LA.
Image courtesy of @thelocalpeasant
Petit Trois
Hollywood, $$$
José Andrés (The Bazaar by José Andrés): My friend Chef Ludo Lefebvre is now a Knight of Arts and Letters of the French government. Believe me, he will give you a bistro experience. Pro Tip: It really doesn’t get any better than Ludo’s Big Mec
The Big Mec. Image courtesy of @caiooliveira
The Oinkster
Eagle Rock & Hollywood, $$
Citizine Staff: If you want to eat yourself into a coma, this is where to do it. This big, badass burger deserves to be bowed down to. The Royale is a one-third pound of pure angus beef topped with bacon, chili and pastrami that’s slathered in Thousand Island and cheese. For all of those who think LA is only the land of green juices ... you just got served.
Beverly Grove & DTLA, $$
Citizine Staff: Belcampo might be known for their fine dining style meaty offerings such as the lamb burger and grilled beef heart, but one of their best takes on beef is actually a basic burger. A riff on an In-N-Out double-double, the Fastburger is a gorgeous interpretation of the drive-thru classic.
The Fastburger. Image courtesy of @belcampomeatco
Badmaash
DTLA, $$
Adam Fleischman (Founder, Umami Burger): Indian-gastropub Badmaash is all the hype right now—you can get chili cheese naan and the best lamb burger in LA! The Spiced Lamb Burger is free-range and hormone-free lamb legs ground and spiced in-house daily and topped with red onion, iceberg lettuce, roma tomato, cilantro and paprika spiced mayo between a BreadBar brioche.
Spiced Lamb Burger. Image courtesy of @badmaashla
The Hat, Pasadena
Alhambra, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Temple City, $
Citizine Staff: And speaking of classics, what’s more classic than The Hat? Around since 1951, the landmark food stands in Pasadena and North East LA serve not only their famous pastrami but also pastrami topped burgers.
Image courtesy of @thehat_restaurant
Pie'n Burger
Pasadena, $$
Citizine Staff: Pasadena’s Pie ‘n Burger is a 43-year-old institution, so you might as well just go. Not to mention that the joint’s menu of pie, milkshakes and burgers is damn near perfection.
Image courtesy of @mikey_danger
Birch
Hollywood, $$$
Adam Fleischman (Founder, Umami Burger): Great service, presentation, cocktails and, of course, the burgers are worth the higher price point at Birch. Try the 8 oz. Birch Burger: Black Creek all-natural beef, pork belly, Humbolt Fog cheese and red onion marmalade.
Image courtesy of @birchlosangeles
The Apple Pan
West LA, $$
Citizine Staff: A fluffy bun, high quality ingredients, lettuce that snaps when you bite, served simply in a vintage diner plus so much amazing pie for dessert.
Image courtesy of @jayonrait
Dino's Chicken & Burgers
Pico-Union, Huntington Park, Azusa, Pico Rivera, $
Citizine Staff: They're known for their chicken, burgers, and DUI fries. If you grew up nearby one of these locations and it wasn't a weekly treat, you missed out.
Koreatown, $$
Adam Fleischman (Founder, Umami Burger): This Korean gastropub dishes out German fried rice and is rumored to slip a free drink or two your way during happy hour, but the burger… oh, that blessed burger. Go for The Chosun One: Blend of pork, beef and tofu with grilled spam and sauteed kimchi. It’s topped with American cheese, gochujang aioli and mustard on a Hawaiian bun.
Image courtesy of @biergartenla
Orean's The Health Express
Pasadena, $
Citizine Staff: This vegan drive-through always hits the spot after a hike to the resort ruins of Mt. Lowe on Echo Mountain.
Image courtesy of @sunny.mills
Tatsu Ramen
Sawtelle and Melrose, $$
Adam Fleischman (Founder, Umami Burger): In the past couple of years, Tatsu Ramen has taken LA by storm with its iPad ordering system and delicious ramen, but the true star is the waygu ramen burger: a beef patty topped with special 'ramen' sauce, egg and mayo between a fried ramen 'bun.'
Image courtesy of @tatsuramen
Plan Check Kitchen + Bar
Beverly Grove, Sawtelle, Westlake, $$
Citizine Staff: This good ol’ American comfort food isn’t so old after all with their revolutionary ketchup leather squares that top their famous burger and prevent burger slippage. Never cry about a too-slippery burger again!
Image courtesy of @plancheck
Burgerlords
Chinatown, $
Citizine Staff: Located in Old Chinatown Central Plaza, this outdoor-seating-only burger joint opened up in late 2015. The menu’s simplicity is reminiscent of In-N-Out with the exception of the Housemade Vegan Burger. This is a great option for carnivores not looking to eat a Carl’s Jr. burger during the Dodger game.
Image courtesy of @burgerlords
Rascal
Mid-Wilshire, $$
Citizine Staff: Arts-centric though completely unpretentious, Rascal sits on the east end of Mid-City and deserves the crown for best local neighborhood bar and pub grub. Owned by a husband and wife team, Rascal beckons loyal locals year after year for their house-made burgers.
Image courtesy of @rascalla
Little Beast Restaurant
Eagle Rock, $$
Citizine Staff: Named for the co-owners’ son, this place epitomizes the charming neighborhood vibe of Eagle Rock. Bring a date, bring your friends, bring your own little beasts, because the Little Beast Burger with red onion bacon jam, maytag bleu aioli, butter lettuce, fries and spicy ketchup is certain to make everyone happy. There’s even a vegetarian version.
Image courtesy of @littlebeastrestaurant
Marty's Hamburger Stand
Cheviot Hills, $
Citizine Staff: If you want to eat your way back to the 1950s, then walk right up to Marty’s Hamburger Stand, which hasn’t really changed a bit in six decades. Walk up to the counter and order a regular old classic burger, or if you want to love-hate yourself, go for The Combo, which includes beef, cheese, bacon, chili and a split hotdog between some buns. It’s wicked good, but don’t tell your cardiologist.
Image courtesy of @sgpgirl
George's Burgers
Santa Monica, $
Jason Klass (Groundwork Coffee): A true classic LA greasy spoon that’s nearly gone from this side of town, and disappearing fast everywhere else. Don’t play games, just get the pastrami burger. It’s objectively low quality, but so good.
Image courtesy of @firedankchronic
The Greyhound Bar & Grill
Highland Park, $$
Citizine Staff: A delicious gastro-pub that has earned its love with the juiciest of juicy burgers. A neighborhood staple famous for its Dodger “blue hour” — the only Angeleno happy hour necessary.
Image courtesy of @ludavez
Fred 62
Los Feliz, $$
Citizine Staff: This Los Feliz icon’s No Animal Burger, served on a brioche bun and loaded with onions, cheese, pickled jalapenos and a thick-ass veggie patty will keep the vegetarian in your life deeply satisfied while you chomp through the epic Sloppy Joe Burger.
Beverly Grove, $$$
Citizine Staff: This one’s off-menu folks so you have to be in the know. And that’s why you have us. The Boner Burger is stuffed with a short rib, house-ground chuck and bone marrow patty and jammed between two slices of marble rye bread. Then there’s all that dripping jack cheese and caramelized onions ...
Boner Burger. Image courtesy of @foodie_ani
Hinoki & the Bird
Century City, $$$$
Citizine Staff: A burger that you can only get during a tight time slot is a burger that beckons to be hunted down. The Okonomiyaki Burger is juicy, juicy, juicy and available only during happy hour (5:30-6:30 p.m., Tuesday - Friday). It’s worth the wait for the ground chuck, short rib and deckle patty shoved between honey potato buns. But it’s the insane mix of Okonomiyaki Aioli and Tonkatsu Sauce that knocks it out of the park.
The Okonomiyaki Burger. Image courtesy of Hinoki & the Bird
