The Best Los Angeles Burgers of 2015

Petit Trois

[Photo: Farley Elliott]

The burger here should come with a toe tag, indicating the known details: prime beef, American cheese, a soupy caramelized onion pile, and bordelaise sauce that's allegedly flecked with foie gras. If you finish the gigantic, double-pattied Big Mec in one artery-stopping sitting, you get to take the toe tag home with you, to give to your next of kin. 718 Highland Ave., Los Angeles. —Farley Elliott

Burgerlords

Matthew Kang

[Photo: Matthew Kang]

Southern California gave birth to its very own burger tradition, and decades later still others are trying to master it. Burgerlords in Chinatown may well have come the closest in 2015, mostly by paying attention to the details: griddled bun, thin seared double patties, American cheese, and just enough veg to not get in the way. It's the return of a classic. 943 N. Broadway, Chinatown. —Farley Elliott

ERB

When Matt Molina decides to make a burger, you know you're in for something special. At Arts District bar spot ERB, the result is a single-pattied, just-thick-enough bar option that would be practically overrun with Tillamook cheddar if it weren't so perfectly decadent. Don't sleep on the perfectly portioned and buttered bun, either, which is among the best in the city. 1936 E. 7th St., Arts District. —Farley Elliott

Birch

[Photo: Matthew Kang]

The difference is in the details at Birch in Hollywood, where Brendan Collins marries an eight ounce Black Creek beef patty with Humboldt fog cheese, and a marmalade of red onion to help cut down on all that built-in fat. Except there's also some cured pork belly on top, standing in as bacon and blowing the whole thing out of the water. 1634 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. —Farley Elliott

Terrine

[Photo: Crystal Coser]

Like many great Los Angeles restaurants, Terrine just might be best enjoyed during the day. The patio, while ethereal at night, takes on a cheerful atmosphere in the afternoon hours. Add on an insanely delicious, quizzically under-hyped burger offered only at lunch, and these pleasant vibes are easy to understand. The decadent monstrosity is comprised of a truffle butter-stuffed patty, cured tomato, sottocenere, and a thick slice of foie gras that permeates the meat and drips down your arms, and makes for an unbeatable mid-day meal. 8265 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. —Crystal Coser

Bachi

Bachi Burger hasn't made the same kind of impact that it had in Vegas, mainly because LA's already rich in creative and delectable burgers. Throw in Bachi's hard to see Sawtelle location, and you have a spot that's just one of the many compelling places to eat on the block. Still, the Miyagi-san Wagyu burger, which comes loaded with a massive wagyu-beef patty, chili-mayo, furikake, caramelized bacon, and crispy onion rings, is a lesson in simplicity (despite the laundry list of ingredients). I like to think of this as the souped up version of my favorite fast food burger (when In-N-Out isn't available), the Carl's Jr. Western Burger. Except instead of barbecue sauce, there's the strange and wonderful furikake to kick things up a notch. 2030 Sawtelle Blvd., West LA. —Matthew Kang

The Corner Door

[Photo: Matthew Kang]

The Corner Door is that neighborhood spot you can't seem to shake. The service is familiar, friendly, and welcoming while the ambiance is unpretentious and spacious enough for larger groups. The cocktails are just about perfect, and pairing up an Old Fashioned with a terrific dry-aged burger is one of life's great joys. Though the brioche bun looks thick, it's delicate and plush, all the better to cradle in a well-seared patty of dry-aged beef, which retains a nice rare texture if requested that way. Throw in sharp Hook's cheddar and some tangy, peppery arugula, and you have something that's reminiscent of the great Father's Office burger, but in more standard burger (read: circular) form. 12477 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City. —Matthew Kang

Big Dean's

After a long day in the sun at the pier in Santa Monica, step off into the shade for a breather with a delicious double meat, double cheese burger at Big Deans that will satisfy all post-beach hunger. Pro tip: Remember to add grilled onions for a reminiscent In-N-Out burger with a view. 1615 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica. —Keyla Vasconcellos