Southern California is well acquainted with the chain burger. Popular West Coast chains like In-n-Out, Habit Burger, and The Counter turn some mean business. So do East Coast transplants such as Five Guys.
To help you broaden your horizons and avoid waiting in long lines at peak hours, we’ve scoured the area for some great burgers in and around the City of Angels.
The Back Abbey
Inspired by Belgium’s gastropub culture, The Back Abbey is a great place to savor a burger and a pint of beer. The signature burger, The Back Abbey, is topped with savory bacon, aged Gouda cheese, mustard aioli, caramelized onions, and micro greens. All burgers are served on a memorable brioche bun.
A beautifully landscaped, bamboo-framed patio makes enjoying a burger and beer on a nice day all the merrier.
The Golden State Cafe
The Golden State Cafe has been ranked one of the top burger joints in L.A. by Zagat for several years running. All it takes to see why is a single visit. Specially ground beef, applewood smoked bacon, Fiscalini cheddar, wild California arugula, and locally baked brioche buns come together to present you with a burger you’ll not only remember, but crave again and again. Near AMLI Lex on Orange in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, the Golden State marries local ingredients and a classic national dish to create the great American burger.
Pie ‘n Burger
If you live at AMLI Lex on Orange and like time-honored culinary traditions, you can hardly go wrong with a visit to Pie ‘n Burger in nearby Pasadena, Calif. Open for more than 40 years, it has hardly changed anything about the burgers that won your parents and grandparents over. Just about the only change the menu has undergone is the addition of a veggie burger. If you don’t live or work nearby, keep an eye on the whereabouts of the Pie ‘n Burger food truck to enjoy the restaurant’s grub when it’s easily accessible to you.
Short Order
A relatively new entrant to the Los Angeles scene, Short Order has quickly worked its way to the top of some valley burger lovers’ lists. Short Order specializes in grass-fed beef, free-range turkey, all-natural lamb, and portobello mushroom patties. Its fries and shakes pass the burger meal lovers’ test as well, with the creme brûlée being a favorite.
Stout Burgers & Beers
Culinary creativity and expert beer pairings are Stout’s claim to Los Angeles burger fame. Rosemary bacon, lemon basil aioli, fig jam, and chipotle ketchup are a few of the unique and delectable toppings you can enjoy at this excellent burger joint. Each burger on the menu is accompanied by a recommended beer profile or two. With locations in Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Studio City, Stout Burgers & Beers is most convenient for residents of AMLI Lex on Orange.
If you live in Southern California, you’re surrounded by good food. Landing a burger that hits the spot is just a matter of knowing where to look.
What Los Angeles County burger joint(s) would you add to this list?
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst