Cheeseburger In Paradise

I'm taking time off until May 25th to run the LA Marathon.

Direct From 45th Street, New York...

My friend Wes just sent me these photos...

I don't necessarily want a hamburger from a truck, but I do want a truck that says "BURGERMAN" across the front of it.

THE COUNTER

Always busy, but spacious enough to keep from being overcrowded.

The feast...
**Not pictured: Banana Split Shake (I drank while waiting for a table).
Vanilla Ice Cream, Bananas, Strawberries, Caramel & Chocolate.

The Fifty-Fifty... Fried Onions Strings and Sweet Potato Fries
With Sweet BBQ Sauce, Country Buttermilk Ranch,
& Russian Dressing (basically Thousand Island).

Burger of the Month: Moroccan Style Salmon Burger (Bowl)

Fresh Atlantic Salmon Seasoned with Shallots, Lemon and Parsley
Topped with Grilled Japanese Eggplant and Tapenade Carrot Salad,
Mixed Baby Greens and Harissa Sauce.

The Build Your Own
2/3 lbs. Patty, Lettuce, Tomato, Bermuda Red Onions,
Sharp Provolone Cheese, Honey Cured Bacon, on an English Muffin

It doesn't look massive, but it is... This is 2/3 lbs after being cooked.
Usually a patty is about 1/3 lbs prior to cooking and weighs less after.
The meat was great - My burger was cooked consistently, especially for it's size. However, the bacon was a bit too crispy.

Just couldn't finish it.
I'm glad I didn't order the 1 lb patty.

All said and done, the highlight was the BBQ Sauce and the Sweet Potato Fries. They were the perfect combination. The Fried Onion Strings were also a hit, but a little heavy in the stomach afterwards... Or it might have been the milkshake that was heavy - not exactly sure, but all was delicious.

As far as the burgers go... the Salmon Burger was "good, but not mind blowing". M Cafe has a tuna burger that is "way the hell better" (review coming soon).

I still dislike the "build your own" but it didn't bother me as much as 25 Degrees does - - The Counter is not necessarily selling anyone on fine burger dining. I was a pretty disappointed though when I asked our waitress what the ultimate combination of toppings would be and all she could do was remind me that there are over 3,000 combinations and that I should just pick something. If she was bright, she would have one secret recommendation up her sleeve for indecisive folks like myself. But she wasn't. I picked what was safe and as a result had a pretty mediocre burger experience.

2901 Ocean Park Blvd # 102, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 399-8383

LITTLE DOM'S

Understated entrance.

Relatively hip patrons and staff peppered with a little bit
of Hollywood's "looking to be seen crowd"

Wood Grilled Hamburger
With Burratta, Speck, Lettuce & Roasted Tomato Mostarda

Myself and 2 friends (Dome & Louie) got the hamburger.

Louie and I ordered medium, Dome ordered hers well done....

Mine was cooked medium...

But Louie and Dome's were medium-rare...
Hmmm, at $15 each, the expectations were a little higher.

Aside from under cooking the burgers to our taste, i thought they were pretty good. It was a simple and specific burger. Little Dom's is an Italian Restaurant and this burger reflected some of those flavors with the wood grill and roasted tomato mostarda. It's exactly what you would hope to find when there is only one burger on the menu - the restaurant's version of a great hamburger. I would recommend grabbing a burger here, but may be best on an off night, when the kitchen is not so overwhelmed.

2128 Hillhurst Ave Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 661-0055

Eddie Murphy

Burgertown

Who knew...

E 3RD STEAKHOUSE & LOUNGE... And 45's

Surrounded by warehouses and lofts on the east side of downtown.

Full service neon bar.

My friend, Aaron, and I were the only ones here.
There was a USC party starting at 9:30P, so we had to eat quick.

Traction Kim chi Burger
10oz Freshly Ground Rib-eye Steak, topped with Kim chi,
Lettuce, Onion, Tomato, Pickle and Cheese
Sides: Sauteed Mushrooms & Green Beans

This burger was excellent!
Meat was fresh out of the grinder, definitely never frozen. Similar in taste to the Kogi Taco Truck, but better. The sides were overcooked and a little dried out and flavorless. Aaron got the fries - those were perfect. I guess I should know better than to try and work some health into a burger meal.

734 E 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Get Directions

(213) 680-3003

Some nearby graffiti artwork...

What do you follow up hamburgers and graffiti appreciation with?

Guns! Lots of them!

Apparently, a lot of enthusiasts are couples - I guess it's easier to know where you stand in the relationship at the gun range. If you get shot, your probably going to get dumped soon.

Before... Or after (depends on who's shooting)

The targets

See Aaron aim...

See Aaron blast...

I just threaten the target. Who looks more frightened? Me or them?

After...

LA Gun Club Indoor PistolAddress:‎
1375 E 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Get Direction

(213) 612-0931

PIE & BURGER

Classic joint...

Retro signage...

More of a family night out kinda place.

Our friendly chef mans the griddle.
He watches Telemundo between patty flips - It's kind of awesome.

Yes, they have fries.

Double Cheese Burger with Iceberg Lettuce and Tomato.
My friend Paul wished he had added an extra patty to his.

That's a damn good mess. Everything you would hope for and expect.

Pecan Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream.

Strawberry Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream and Whip Cream.
The pies were good, but not in a "so fresh organic" way,
but more in a super sweet and sugary way.

Kind of a trek coming from Hollywood, but well worth the cost of the meal. Similar burgers and friendly service at Irv's in West Hollywood - buy pie and ice cream at Whole Foods after wards.

913 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 795-1123

The Giant Burger by Mike Gradziel

I don't know Mike, but that won't stop me from
linking his instructions to build a Giant Burger.

25 DEGREES

Red leather and dim lights

I hate "build your own" options. They only offer 3 of their own creations, anything beyond that is up to you. If you are claiming to be a burger restaurant, then offer me a number of the absolute best burgers you can think of. If we learned anything from Top Chef it's be a "Chef" and tell me what to eat - that's what I'm paying you for. I can "build my own" in my backyard.

The Sweet Potato Fries were good.
The Onion Rings were nothing to write home about.

Number One $12
Ground Sirloin, Caramelized Onions, Prelibato Gorgonzola,
Crescenza, Bacon, Arugula, Thousand Island
And their own beer: Twenty Five Red
(Nick and Meredith split their burger - both enjoyed it)

Number Two $12
Ground Sirloin, Roasted Tomato, Crispy Prosciutto,
Burrata and Pesto on a GIGANTIC Roll
Too much bread can really kill a burger.

Perfect job of cooking, although the meat is not quite Umami quality.

I'm not a big fan of this place after coming here twice. I think they are pretty lazy for what they appear to be. With the exception of Miller High Life, their beer selection is pretty pathetic. No Belgium beers, nothing dark and interesting. Parking is a nightmare (unless you valet). Look two blocks west and North or South of Hollywood for meter parking.

7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 785-7244