los angeles burger bracket |
the "best" burgers the city of angels has to offer? we'll see about that. |
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yeah. i hit that.
while i was tipped off to the fact that the oinkster pastrami was really the highlight of the joint, i couldn’t pass up the opportunity to cross off another spot on the list. priding itself on preparing the best “slow fast food” eagle rock has to offer, oinkster adds a bit of thousand island dressing (i hear this is also the big mac “special sauce”) to their fresh ground nebraska angus beef patty. pretty solid burger, but what really sold me was the garlic aioli sauce that came with their fries (were you surprised?) that they make fresh in-house.
the joint itself is pretty pleasing - classic diner decor, outdoor seating, and an “r-word friendly” menu: everything is $10 and under!
- burger: 3 out of 5 stars
- fries: 4 out of 5 stars *garlic aioli goldness*overall thoughts: nothing to do with the spot itself, but i am feeling like a major fatty mcfatty right now.
would i go back?
kinda over the burger, but wouldn’t mind trying other things on the menu -
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![*honorable mention?*
alright, i might have neglected to list one badass burger on the list: the golden state’s - made with harris ranch beef, fiscolini farms cheddar, glazed applewood smoked bacon, arugula, housemade aioli & ketchup - tho i can’t for the life of me figure out how i could miss this juicy gem. made with 3 of my new fave ingredients (arugula, aioli, & bacon), this burger has “DOPE” written all over it.
- burger: 3.99 out of 5 stars [bad.frickin.ass. but minus 0.01 pts bc by the time i ate it, it was slightly cold - not their fault tho]- fries: 4 out of 5 stars [couldn’t stop shoveling them into my mouth. seriously.]
overall thoughts: ok, honestly, initially i wrote this place off bc the last time i went i was too sick/full/hungover (take your pick) to eat much, but i totes take that back bc hello, delicious i love you. BONUS: this place has beer floats. yes. yes they do.
would i go back?on the fence. ask me in a month.](http://12.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ktacer9eEh1qa3gyyo1_500.jpg)
*honorable mention?*
alright, i might have neglected to list one badass burger on the list: the golden state’s - made with harris ranch beef, fiscolini farms cheddar, glazed applewood smoked bacon, arugula, housemade aioli & ketchup - tho i can’t for the life of me figure out how i could miss this juicy gem. made with 3 of my new fave ingredients (arugula, aioli, & bacon), this burger has “DOPE” written all over it.
- burger: 3.99 out of 5 stars [bad.frickin.ass. but minus 0.01 pts bc by the time i ate it, it was slightly cold - not their fault tho]
- fries: 4 out of 5 stars [couldn’t stop shoveling them into my mouth. seriously.]overall thoughts: ok, honestly, initially i wrote this place off bc the last time i went i was too sick/full/hungover (take your pick) to eat much, but i totes take that back bc hello, delicious i love you. BONUS: this place has beer floats. yes. yes they do.
would i go back?
on the fence. ask me in a month. -
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![bill’s bar & burger breakdown
i was originally going to post this first, but after reading aht’s review, i might’ve judged too soon. [whatever. halloween night, 3 in the morning (ps. the SECOND 3am since DST also started that night/morning). are you REALLY going to give me flack for not 100% loving a burger that could be the closest thing shake shack’s seen to some serious competition?]
basically, bill’s classic with american cheese is prepared somewhat similarly to the ‘shack’s “smash technique” but while the ‘shack piles on all the loving for you (hello, lazy fatties loving lazy fatties), bill’s lets you decide how much - or how little - “healthy side shit” you want. PLUS they use a 5oz patty as compared to the shack’s 4oz. honestly, i can’t tell you which takes up more weightwatchers points, and frankly my dear, i don’t give a damn.
being (maybe) a bit tipsy + clearly starving, i scarfed mine down sans L + T. ian tried to convince me the sides&shit made it taste better, but i would have none of it. at the end of the day, ian: 2 / me: 0. but whatever, this isn’t his blog. it’s mine! so on to the grading -
- burger: 3.75 out of 5 stars - fries: i don’t think we ordered these. photos look great tho
overall thoughts: try as you might, don’t nobody shit-talk the ‘shack. sorry.
would i go back?i guess i have to - sober - to accurately + fairly judge. meh.](http://12.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ktabky5upo1qa3gyyo1_500.jpg)
bill’s bar & burger breakdown
i was originally going to post this first, but after reading aht’s review, i might’ve judged too soon. [whatever. halloween night, 3 in the morning (ps. the SECOND 3am since DST also started that night/morning). are you REALLY going to give me flack for not 100% loving a burger that could be the closest thing shake shack’s seen to some serious competition?]
basically, bill’s classic with american cheese is prepared somewhat similarly to the ‘shack’s “smash technique” but while the ‘shack piles on all the loving for you (hello, lazy fatties loving lazy fatties), bill’s lets you decide how much - or how little - “healthy side shit” you want. PLUS they use a 5oz patty as compared to the shack’s 4oz. honestly, i can’t tell you which takes up more weightwatchers points, and frankly my dear, i don’t give a damn.
being (maybe) a bit tipsy + clearly starving, i scarfed mine down sans L + T. ian tried to convince me the sides&shit made it taste better, but i would have none of it. at the end of the day, ian: 2 / me: 0. but whatever, this isn’t his blog. it’s mine! so on to the grading -
- burger: 3.75 out of 5 stars
- fries: i don’t think we ordered these. photos look great thooverall thoughts: try as you might, don’t nobody shit-talk the ‘shack. sorry.
would i go back?
i guess i have to - sober - to accurately + fairly judge. meh. -
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![took a field trip last month to one of my f.a.v.o.u.r.i.t.e. burgerspots on the planet: shake shack
since words can not sufficiently describe the decadence of the beautifully buttered bakery buns, the perfectly prepared patties, and the secrets behind the scrumptious shack sauce, i won’t even go there. i will confess i could not manage to stomach the last bite simply because i usually order a single (for shame!) and skip the shake. but, since i was on vacay (and therefore had the luxury of not-paying), i went balls to the wall with the double + pumpkin pie frozen custard.
ian went wild and got the shack stack on the right which totes made my doubleyummo look like some sloppily prepared cowdeath. craziness. [in case you are curious, ingredients in a shack stack include: crisp-fried portobello filled with melted muenster and cheddar cheese, a fresh steer burger patty, topped with lettuce, tomato, shack sauce and an antacid on the side.]
- burger: 5 out of 5 stars. hands down. no question.- fries: what fries? we don’t need no stinkin’ fries. (actually, i was so delirious with hunger, i forgot to order fries. :( from what i remember they are quite delish tho)
overall thoughts: *wipes drool* want.more.now.
would i go back?is the pope catholic?](http://6.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ktaacnsFFR1qa3gyyo1_500.jpg)
took a field trip last month to one of my f.a.v.o.u.r.i.t.e. burgerspots on the planet:
shake shacksince words can not sufficiently describe the decadence of the beautifully buttered bakery buns, the perfectly prepared patties, and the secrets behind the scrumptious shack sauce, i won’t even go there. i will confess i could not manage to stomach the last bite simply because i usually order a single (for shame!) and skip the shake. but, since i was on vacay (and therefore had the luxury of not-paying), i went balls to the wall with the double + pumpkin pie frozen custard.
ian went wild and got the shack stack on the right which totes made my doubleyummo look like some sloppily prepared cowdeath. craziness. [in case you are curious, ingredients in a shack stack include: crisp-fried portobello filled with melted muenster and cheddar cheese, a fresh steer burger patty, topped with lettuce, tomato, shack sauce and an antacid on the side.]
- burger: 5 out of 5 stars. hands down. no question.
- fries: what fries? we don’t need no stinkin’ fries. (actually, i was so delirious with hunger, i forgot to order fries. :( from what i remember they are quite delish tho)overall thoughts: *wipes drool* want.more.now.
would i go back?
is the pope catholic? -
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bc i can’t afford any more burgers this month :(
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![gorge et grande
dropped by la grande orange the other night and was not disappointed. what was previously a famous bakery + home for hipsters had been transformed into a mod resto + home for hipsters. this time with a wider gourmet selection! [insert fresh ingredients shpiel here] switching things up a bit, we started with the burger split 4 ways as an app, and i ended with the most spectacular miso-glazed salmon roll.
i love that lgo has fun with their menu as evidenced by the fact that they have “the best burgers - voted on by us” and creative names such as the “evil thai princess salad” and a selection of “things we put on chips”. plus, their white sangria was super!
overall thoughts: talk about fun with food! yum-zo. too bad their basic cheeseburger was just that: basic+sensible.
- burger: 3.5 out of 5 stars- fries: 3 out of 5 stars
would i go back?yes, but would prob order different food..](http://17.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kqjxd0058F1qa3gyyo1_500.jpg)
gorge et grande
dropped by la grande orange the other night and was not disappointed. what was previously a famous bakery + home for hipsters had been transformed into a mod resto + home for hipsters. this time with a wider gourmet selection! [insert fresh ingredients shpiel here] switching things up a bit, we started with the burger split 4 ways as an app, and i ended with the most spectacular miso-glazed salmon roll.
i love that lgo has fun with their menu as evidenced by the fact that they have “the best burgers - voted on by us” and creative names such as the “evil thai princess salad” and a selection of “things we put on chips”. plus, their white sangria was super!
overall thoughts: talk about fun with food! yum-zo. too bad their basic cheeseburger was just that: basic+sensible.
- burger: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- fries: 3 out of 5 starswould i go back?
yes, but would prob order different food.. -
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![the all-american patty
yes, i loved the original gladiators as much as the next dude, and on occasion i can be rather patriotic (esp when there are fireworks involved. thanks.) but there are times when i draw the line, and i’d have to say stepping in to ercoles comes pretty close. i understand this is more of your uncle’s bar (if your uncle were a colts [team+beer] loving, bar brawling, pool shark) and i take my hat off to its patrons, but i’m gonna go out on a limb here and say: not quite for me, thanks.
no website. no menu. just straight dive, dude. and ercoles does the category justice. some sweet old(er) ladies were sitting at the bar when i went to order, and the bartender had just slipped some hells angel a cold bud. yep. the “kitchen” that i had so sweetly anticipated all weekend turned out to be a grill at the front of the bar, and i half expected the bartender to start yelling out “cheeburga! cheeburga!” but at least they had diet coke.
overall thoughts: it’s … different.
- burger: 3 out of 5 stars (hearty+classic. heavy on the sauce.)- fries: what fries? nothin’ here but us potato chips
would i go back? only if it were the last bar on the block and i was clubbed in the head, thrown over a burly man’s shoulder, and hustled in with my fake id.](http://18.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kqjw4verrn1qa3gyyo1_500.jpg)
the all-american patty
yes, i loved the original gladiators as much as the next dude, and on occasion i can be rather patriotic (esp when there are fireworks involved. thanks.) but there are times when i draw the line, and i’d have to say stepping in to ercoles comes pretty close. i understand this is more of your uncle’s bar (if your uncle were a colts [team+beer] loving, bar brawling, pool shark) and i take my hat off to its patrons, but i’m gonna go out on a limb here and say: not quite for me, thanks.
no website. no menu. just straight dive, dude. and ercoles does the category justice. some sweet old(er) ladies were sitting at the bar when i went to order, and the bartender had just slipped some hells angel a cold bud. yep. the “kitchen” that i had so sweetly anticipated all weekend turned out to be a grill at the front of the bar, and i half expected the bartender to start yelling out “cheeburga! cheeburga!” but at least they had diet coke.
overall thoughts: it’s … different.
- burger: 3 out of 5 stars (hearty+classic. heavy on the sauce.)
- fries: what fries? nothin’ here but us potato chipswould i go back?
only if it were the last bar on the block and i was clubbed in the head, thrown over a burly man’s shoulder, and hustled in with my fake id. -
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shimmzyz mmshmizzmyz .. don’t mind if i do
after being told that the kitchen @ ercoles was closed on the weekends (boo. but more on that burger later), we headed on over to simmzy’s pub where the burgers were hot and the beers were cold. i don’t remember what brewsky i started with, but that doesn’t matter because i’m sure whatever gem you choose off their rotating taps will be just as delicious. on to the burger tasting!
i’m prone to pretend to be partial to organic products and a sometime faux-locavore, so simmzy’s “local, responsibly-grown & seasonal ingredients” semi-piqued my interest. their simple burger made with angus beef, smoked onions, melted cheddar and garlic aioli (amongst the usual toppings) certainly tasted fresh from the farm, but the charming pub decor and tongue-in-cheek service was what really won me over. + outdoor seating!
overall thoughts: buzzed from the weekend. i vaguely remember this spot being a-ok in my book.
- burger: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- fries: 3 out of 5 stars (served with sweet+spicy aioli. the way this place throws around aioli sauce, you’d think the simmzy’s bros - ithaca shout-out! - invented it or something)would i go back?
i almost did the next week. almost. + hey, check it out: they’re hiring -
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![correct. that is not a photo of a damn good burger bc no one brought a camera to dinner.
but let that not deter you from the fantastic experience that is bar marmont. inaugural burger week continued at the 2bouncers@thedooronamonday..why? hollywood hotspot off the sunset strip. it’s easy to see why *namedrop* stars love this place. the sweet boudoir decor and sexy ambiance [not to mention stellar cocktail list] easily make this a charming locale to host a party, meet a date, or celebrate just because.
aside from the boozy bacon prunes (which were a bit too sweet for my taste), braised oxtail, and fries with three dipping sauces (house ketchup with indian spice, mayo-y substance made with yum, and a vinaigrette that puts all others to shame) we ordered the requisite “damn good burger” with cheddar cheese and a cuban sandwich.
the damn good burger, created by carolynn spence from nyc’s spotted pig (<3), is aptly titled. prepared on an airy, moist brioche-type bun (buttered, of course, and lightly salted as well) topped with cheddar and crack - this burger can do no wrong. as an added bonus, the cuban was absolutely stellar and the “veggie chips” (fried parsnip, celery root, and onion) were a surprise delight.
overall thoughts: hello, delicious. you + me = paradise
- burger: 4 out of 5 stars- fries: 3 out of 5 stars (but mostly bc the dipping sauces are abfab)
would i go back?ABSOLUTELY. .. and i really should, considering we didn’t leave enough room for dessert!](http://22.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kq15ozDzCb1qa3gyyo1_500.jpg)
correct. that is not a photo of a damn good burger bc no one brought a camera to dinner.
but let that not deter you from the fantastic experience that is bar marmont. inaugural burger week continued at the 2bouncers@thedooronamonday..why? hollywood hotspot off the sunset strip. it’s easy to see why *namedrop* stars love this place. the sweet boudoir decor and sexy ambiance [not to mention stellar cocktail list] easily make this a charming locale to host a party, meet a date, or celebrate just because.
aside from the boozy bacon prunes (which were a bit too sweet for my taste), braised oxtail, and fries with three dipping sauces (house ketchup with indian spice, mayo-y substance made with yum, and a vinaigrette that puts all others to shame) we ordered the requisite “damn good burger” with cheddar cheese and a cuban sandwich.
the damn good burger, created by carolynn spence from nyc’s spotted pig (<3), is aptly titled. prepared on an airy, moist brioche-type bun (buttered, of course, and lightly salted as well) topped with cheddar and crack - this burger can do no wrong. as an added bonus, the cuban was absolutely stellar and the “veggie chips” (fried parsnip, celery root, and onion) were a surprise delight.
overall thoughts: hello, delicious. you + me = paradise
- burger: 4 out of 5 stars
- fries: 3 out of 5 stars (but mostly bc the dipping sauces are abfab)would i go back?
ABSOLUTELY. .. and i really should, considering we didn’t leave enough room for dessert! -
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burger w. the works (cheddar cheese + grilled onions) @ the bowery
from new york transplant and creator of delancy, district, and mission cantina (.. where’d that one come from?) comes a gem of a “gastropub” dubbed: the bowery bar. no, not bbar on 4th & bowery, but a more laid back version on sunset & vine.
we kicked off the la burger bracket with this lip smackin’ beefy goodness beauty. bowery serves their grilled sirloin burger on a toasted english muffin. and you betcha you can get fries with that. we ordered ours with “the works!” including: cheddar cheese, bacon, sauteed mushrooms (YUMZO), and grilled onions. judging by the photo, we got sweet potato fries. (i refer to the photo bc i had a most delicious st. germain drink which rendered the night a bit foggy..)
overall thoughts: delicious + amazing burger! too bad i can’t recall what it tasted like exactly!
- burger: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- fries: 2 out of 5 starswould i go back?
.. yes, but only for a seat at the bar.
