Tommy's
Tommy's chili-topped burgers are as old as the hills. Their first incarnation was a burger stand on Beverly and Rampart, opened in 1946. The lines are a drag for some but well worth the wait for this historic shack's most die-hard fans.
Several locations including:
Hollywood
5873 Hollywood Blvd.
323-467-3792
Burbank
1310 N. San Fernando Blvd.
818-841-9246
Santa Monica
1900 Lincoln Blvd.
310-392-4820
Astro Burger
Astro never fails to delight my hankering for burgers, particularly because it's one of the rare spots that has a turkey burger as good as its beef patty burger. Ask them to add avocado to that for an extra special treat. Down it with some horchata, and life is good!
5601 Melrose Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90038
323-469-1924
Fatburger
I've always wondered how this place gets any female customers with a name that includes the word 'fat.' Alas, Fatburger with its XXXL 24 oz. burger continues to attract a loyal following. But the Astro Burger vs. Fatburger debate continues.
Several locations including:
Brentwood
12005 Wilshire Blvd.
310-268-1112
Venice
11275 Venice Blvd.
310-390-7831
Pasadena
743 N. Lake
626-398-9900
Marty's
Established in 1959, this fine burger stand (with seating at the back) is unobtrusively located between a fire station and a gas station. It's home to the famous Combo--a perfect fast food burger with the patina of decades-old grease.
10558 W Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310-836-6944
In-N-Out
This institution boasts some of the best burgers very little money can buy. Who hasn't had the 'In-N-Out Urge' after an evening of hitting the nightlife? If it's good enough of the A-List celebrities who have catered their events with In-N-Out, then it's good enough for me!
Several locations including:
Glendale
119 S. Brand Blvd.
Sherman Oaks
4444 Van Nuys Blvd.
Hollywood
7009 Sunset Blvd.
800-786-1000
The Counter
This is one of my personal favorite new-ish burger places in LA. They really make a meal out of a burger with their multi-option build-your-own-burger format (right down to types of buns and extras). And the truth is, customizing your burger is kind of fun too.
Several locations including:
Miracle Mile
5779 Wilshire Blvd.
323-932-8900
Century City
Westfield Century City
10250 Santa Monica Blvd.
310-282-8888
Santa Monica
2901 Ocean Park Blvd.
310-399-8383
Hole in the Wall Burger Joint
Hole in the Wall is about choices, and interesting ones at that. You can get buns made of pretzel or even brioche; cranberry mayo or chipotle mayo, and a nice assortment of cheeses including Pepper Jack. Portions are large but some gripe that the prices are a bit high for greasy burgers.
11058 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90025
310-312-7013
7998 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90046
323-654-0484
The Apple Pan
It seems like everything in this counter-style eatery has been around for eons, the manager and possibly even the burger chef as well. Nothing goes down as well as an Apple Pan burger, except perhaps the banana cream pie you'll scarf down afterwards for dessert.
10801 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310-475-3585
Stout
Stout is certainly the foodie's burger joint with its signature burger boasting blue cheese, Emi Gruyere, rosemary bacon, caramelized onion, horseradish cream and roasted tomatoes. Save room for the sweet potato fries!
1544 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-469-3801
