The LA burger landscape offers everything from classic, roadside burger shacks to gastropubs with strict rules about ketchup. When the options are this plentiful, it’s not easy to determine which purveyor is king, but that doesn’t stop Chowhounds from rolling up their sleeves and defending their favorites. Here, listed alphabetically, is a list of restaurants with burgers that local Chowhounds are willing to swear by.
1. APPLE PAN
10801 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles
310-475-3585
Grumpy waiters in paper hats, an antique cash register, and counter-only seating are part of the charm at this treasured, one-of-a-kind diner. The Steakburger (pictured above), served with lettuce, pickles, mayo, and Apple Pan’s own sauce, hasn’t changed much over the years (the prices have, of course). Save room for banana cream pie.
2. BIG JO’S
1955 Broadway, Santa Monica
310-828-3191
People wait in line for cheap char-grilled burgers at this very casual corner stand. A hamburger will set you back just $2.85, $3.10 for a cheeseburger. Seating consists of plastic lawn furniture behind a roll-up garage door. Open mornings and afternoons only. READ MORE
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on Thursday, December 20th, 2012
If you're a serious home cook, should you take a knife skills class? If you've been cooking for a while, a basic class may be all too basic. On Chowhound, sherrib describes taking a more advanced class and learning an important lesson: The skills required of a chef in a professional kitchen—where perfect cuts matter—are very different from the ones you need at home. The best thing juliejulez got out of a basic knife skills class was being able to test drive some 10 different knives, something you can't really do in a kitchen shop. READ MORE
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on Thursday, December 20th, 2012
How do you make a hamburger richer and meatier than it already is? Chop Filipino-style longanisa sausage into the patty, as Jeepney does. Works for Chowhound foodwhisperer, who loves the juicy, deeply flavorful variation (pictured) at this two-month-old spin-off of nearby Maharlika in the East Village. A squeeze of banana ketchup adds tropical lilt. This burger ranks right up there with the one at Minetta Tavern, which knows its hamburgers, foodwhisperer says—no coincidence, since a Minetta veteran had a hand in shaping Jeepney's menu. READ MORE
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on Thursday, December 20th, 2012
What cook wouldn’t appreciate an extra $500 to spend on high-end sauté pans, a couple of fancy knives, or a new stand mixer? Enter CHOW’s Ring In the New Year with Kitchen Gear Sweepstakes on Facebook, and you could walk away with a $500 gift card to spend on kitchen gear. Just click this link to enter. If you don’t already like us on Facebook, you’ll need to do that first. After that, all you have to do is feel lucky. Don’t procrastinate: Our Sweepstakes ends Sunday, December 23, at midnight PT. Good luck!
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on Wednesday, December 19th, 2012
In an area as vast and dense as LA, it’s no surprise that many talented kitchens fly under the radar for weeks, even months. Thanks to observant and adventurous Chowhounds, though, great hidden restaurants get the attention they deserve. Here in alphabetical order are 10 great local finds Chowhounds logged in 2012.
1. ANEPALCO'S CAFE
[Orange County]
415 South Main Street, Orange
714-771-2333
We came for the fantastic chilaquiles (pictured above), with its complex, spicy sauce.
2. EL ABUELO
[San Fernando Valley - West]
451 North Maclay Avenue, San Fernando
818-365-8283
Wonderful house-made tortillas at this family-run restaurant had us buzzing. So did the delightful huevos a la mexicana. READ MORE
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on Wednesday, December 19th, 2012
In its brief life, a pop-up called Frej thrilled New Yorkers with seasonal, deftly balanced New Scandinavian dishes. Now one of its chefs, Fredrik Berselius, has returned at a new restaurant called Aska. Like its predecessor, it is located at Williamsburg's Kinfolk Studios and offers a tasting menu: six courses for $65 (up from five for $45 at Frej). The daily-changing offerings might include cured lamb heart with salsify and lichen, broccoli with mussels and seaweed, or squid with turnip and purslane (pictured). READ MORE
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on Wednesday, December 19th, 2012
Fresh tuna is great simply seared, but if you want to dress it up, try these six tasty ideas from Chowhounds.
1. Pan-Seared Tuna with Ginger-Shiitake Cream Sauce is "to die for." –Val
2. Go Mediterranean with Fennel-Crusted Ahi Tuna with Lemon Aïoli. –goodhealthgourmet READ MORE
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on Wednesday, December 19th, 2012
Most Angelenos venture to the San Gabriel Valley for good dim sum, but Chandavkl reports that those trying to pinch pennies might try Chinatown’s new Ho Ho Fu BBQ Dim Sum, in the old Keung Kee BBQ space (pictured). The usual dishes are there—har gow, siu mai, char siu bao, cheung fun, dan tat, and more—but prices are a surprise. READ MORE
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on Wednesday, December 19th, 2012
Staten Island, the city's hot spot for Sri Lankan food, has at least one don't-miss dish, Chowhounds report: the lamprais at San Rasa (here spelled lamprie). In this house special—a legacy of Dutch colonizers, who called it lampijst—curried meats, vegetables, nuts, caramelized onion, and basmati rice are steamed in a banana leaf. "This is a must," Ziggy41 writes. Other winning dishes include fiery deviled shrimp, stir-fried with chiles, ginger, and garlic; roti (flatbreads) and the delicate rice-flour pancakes called hoppers, served with a choice of meat, seafood, and vegetable curries; and lamb in an addictive black curry sauce. READ MORE
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on Tuesday, December 18th, 2012
