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A tilted side shot of a seared burger with shredded lettuce on a white paper plate.
Irv’s Burgers
Wonho Frank Lee

19 Essential Los Angeles Burgers, 2023 Edition

From pastrami-topped classics to the most talked about beef and bun options in town, where to go for a burger right this second

by Farley Elliott Updated
18 comments / new
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Irv’s Burgers
| Wonho Frank Lee
by Farley Elliott Updated
18 comments / new

Hamburgers are truly America’s food. Born from the nation’s obsession with beef coupled with the modern highway system, the humble burger can be high-end or low — grabbed quickly via drive-thru, or sought out as a destination. It’s hard to say what makes a perfect burger, simply because there are so many different iterations of the seemingly simple beef and bun device.

Los Angeles is at the center of America’s burger obsession. The few-frills food is done up in countless ways from the beachy towns of the South Bay to the heart of LA’s culinary movement. It’s no wonder that burgers appear on so many menus across the city. From the old-school burger counters to the walk-up windows, street stands, and sit-down spots that come complete with cloth napkins, here are some of greater LA’s best burgers.

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Bill's Burgers

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This Van Nuys staple continues to impress with its roadside flair and lovable crank of an owner, Bill Elwell. The move here is to keep things simple (lest one suffer the wrath of the man in charge), with standard well-griddled singles served with cheese on extra-squishy buns.

14742 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91411
(818) 785-4086
(818) 785-4086
Bill’s Burgers owner Bill Elwell, a 90-year-old, holds a cheeseburger as he leans into the shot.
Bill Elwell of Bill’s Burgers
Food GPS

Also featured in:

Petit Trois le Valley

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Should a burger ever be eaten with a knife and fork? If anyone is going to challenge the notion of dining simplicity it’s chef Ludo Lefevbre, whose Valley outpost of popular French bistro Petit Trois is as charming as it is unassuming. Yes, there are tablecloths and servers seem a bit more starched and pressed than elsewhere; yes, one may ask for silverware when downing the deliciously drowned and sauced Big Mec burger; but no, that does not mean that anything is lost in translation. This burger speaks to LA as an enduring town for burger innovation, where anything (and any flavor) is possible.

13705 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 989-2600
(818) 989-2600
Petit Trois’ messy burger with bordelaise sauce and lots of cheese shown on a white plate in the restaurant.
The Big Mec.
Matthew Kang

Also featured in:

Pie 'n Burger

Copy Link

Pasadena claims to be the birthplace of the cheeseburger, and while the truth of such things are lost to history, there is no denying the enduring prominence of Pie ‘n Burger. A legend since 1963, this diner turned ode to all things burger continues to turn out impeccable California classics, complete with special sauce and lightly melted American cheese.

913 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 795-1123
(626) 795-1123
A paper-wrapped cheeseburger with a side of fries.
Pie ‘n Burger
Farley Elliott

Goldburger

Copy Link

Goldburger in Highland Park is a little bit of a lot of different things: The patties are smashed but not paper-thin, the branding is sunny and hip without being Instagram-overwhelming. What the place does have going for it is a simple technique, executed day in and day out, making for one of LA’s most popular burgers right now. Can’t make it to Highland Park? Try the Los Feliz location instead.

5623 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Also featured in:

Burgerlords

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Whereas some places that do non-meat burgers rely on manufactured corporate products like Beyond and Impossible faux meats, Burgerlords makes its patties (and its vegan chicken nuggets and shakes and everything else) completely in-house. You won’t find a meatless burger like this anywhere else in Southern California, that’s for sure.

110 N Ave 56, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Also featured in:

Original Tommy's World Famous Hamburgers

Copy Link

It’s hard to overstate the importance of Tommy’s to the greater LA burger scene. The restaurant’s branding alone has spawned dozens (if not more) replicators with tonally-similar names, while the heavy use of spiced chili — served atop burgers, fries, dogs, and more — is as ever-present as tap water on hundreds of restaurant menus around Southern California. This is the place that helped to start it all.

2575 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 389-9060
(213) 389-9060

Amboy Quality Meats

Copy Link

In the land of smash burger ubiquity, it’s nice to see native son Alvin Cailan return to LA with a thick pub-style burger at Amboy Quality Meats and Delicious Burgers, tucked inside the former Chinatown home of Chego. Not feeling something extra-thick? The shop is always rotating through other styles, so expect something new and worthwhile just about every single day.

727 N Broadway No. 117, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 935-8188
(213) 935-8188
A hamburger wrapped in paper on top of a box that says ‘Amboy.’
Amboy
Farley Elliott

Also featured in:

The Apple Pan

Copy Link

There is nothing in LA so iconic as a burger from Apple Pan. The thick patties and smoky hickory sauce make for an altogether unique experience, even if (in recent years) the look and feel has been updated slightly by new ownership. This is, ultimately, still one of LA’s best and simplest burger creations.

10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 475-3585
(310) 475-3585
Burger from Apple Pan
Burger from Apple Pan
Matthew Kang

Also featured in:

Father's Office

Copy Link

Who knew a burger could be so polarizing? Yet here is the Father’s Office burger, a no-ketchup-allowed option served on a split roll and topped with caramelized onions and lots of arugula. This massive sandwich uses dry-aged beef and Maytag blue cheese for a remarkably different kind of burger. Let the arguments commence.

3229 Helms Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 736-2224
(310) 736-2224
Father’s Office Burger
Burger from Father’s Office
Elizabeth Daniels

Also featured in:

Hinano Cafe

Copy Link

The beach calls this spring and summer, and that means burgers at legendary Venice area dive Hinano Cafe, where the patties are griddled right behind the bar. Chips on the side, lots of shredded lettuce, and a beer make for a great burger-beach experience.

15 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292
(310) 822-3902
(310) 822-3902
A vertical photo of a cheeseburger with two kinds of cheese on a seeded bun.
Hinano Cafe
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Hawkins House of Burgers

Copy Link

Watts’s most beloved meal is at Hawkins, where the loosely-formed beef patties arrive thick and impressive from their time on the griddle. Service is perilously slow, but in the end that just builds the hunger — which is exactly what’s needed when tackling these behemoths.

11603 Slater St, Los Angeles, CA 90059
(323) 563-1129
(323) 563-1129

Proudly Serving

Copy Link

This pandemic-era pop-up has gone legit inside a restaurant and bar space along the Redondo Beach waterfront. Now South Bay fans can regularly find one of LA’s best smashburgers, while downing a few pints as well. Better still, the crew still regularly makes it out for pop-ups elsewhere, and is even expanding into Long Beach soon.

136 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 376-0003
(310) 376-0003
A hand in a black glove holds out a messy cheeseburger.
The burger from Proudly Serving.
Proudly Serving

Yellow Paper Burger

Copy Link

This mostly-Eastside pop-up has been going strong since its backyard days back in 2020. Today the crew in the red jumpsuits can be seen slinging burgers at spots like Altadena Beverage, Monkish Brewing, Club Tee Gee in Atwater Village, and beyond — just be sure to follow along on Instagram for shots of the slightly thicker griddled burgers with lots of yellow cheese and shredded lettuce.

1850 Allen Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104
A double-decker cheeseburger at Yellow Paper Burger pop-up in Los Angeles.
Yellow Paper Burger
First We Feast

HiHo Cheeseburger

Copy Link

The quality at HiHo is hard to match. Here grass-fed New Zealand wagyu beef is served as a default double with onion jam, pickles, and plenty of lettuce. The patties are mustard grilled a la In-N-Out, and adding pastrami is always an option.

4220 Coldwater Canyon Ave Suite 421, Studio City, CA 91604
(747) 212-2698
(747) 212-2698
A double cheeseburger on a wooden table with lettuce on top.
HiHo Cheeseburger
Fried Chicken Sandwich Studios

Also featured in:

Irv's Burgers

Copy Link

Irv’s Burgers is back. The legendary Route 66 stand has been reborn (and reconstructed almost identically) by longtime chef-owner Sonia Hong and new partner Lawrence Longo. Expect weekend lines for these classic LA burgers, served with a sear but not too thin. Want to step things up? The Big Irv comes with pastrami, a hot dog, and more on top.

7998 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 650-2456
(323) 650-2456
A tilted side shot of a seared burger with shredded lettuce on a white paper plate.
Irv’s Burgers
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

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The Win~Dow at American Beauty

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Fans continue to flock to the Window (stylized as Win~Dow) for inexpensive burgers, fries, and other sandwiches and salad options. The exceedingly simple burgers are soft and extra cheesy, meant to be eaten in pairs (for those with an appetite) at locations on Rose Avenue, the Venice Boardwalk, or in Silver Lake. Expect more expansion in the very near future, too.

425 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291
(310) 412-0075
(310) 412-0075
A collection of burgers and a fried chicken sandwich, along with fries, in a cardboard box.
A tray from the Win-Dow.
Farley Elliott

Connie and Ted's

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The ample seafood selections rightfully earn the most attention at Connie and Ted’s in West Hollywood, but in-the-know fans also swing through for the hook burger. Served tall with plenty of aged cheddar and Thousand Island sauce, this is an enduring burger that deserves its own shine.

8171 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 848-2722
(323) 848-2722

Also featured in:

The Oinkster

Copy Link

The Royale is a right of passage for true LA burger fans. Served at the Oinkster in Eagle Rock, this toppings-heavy burger comes loaded with chili, bacon, cheese, and pastrami (plus toppings), stacked precariously high. It’s an overwhelming meal, to be sure, but it speaks to the excess that LA’s burger culture has created — and fans love it.

2005 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA 90041
(323) 255-6465
(323) 255-6465
A tall meaty burger with cheese and lettuce and pastrami and chili, in hands.
The Royale at the Oinkster.
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Moo's Craft Barbecue

Copy Link

It’s hard to imagine the burger at Moo’s Craft Barbecue being the most talked-about item at the moment, but it’s true. This thick, peppery, smoked burger is the toast of the town at the moment, in part because it serves as an antidote to so much smash burger fascination right now. Served with raw white onions and pickles to cut through the fat, this is undoubtedly the burger of the moment.

2118 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 686-4133
(323) 686-4133

Also featured in:

More in Maps

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Bill's Burgers

14742 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91411

This Van Nuys staple continues to impress with its roadside flair and lovable crank of an owner, Bill Elwell. The move here is to keep things simple (lest one suffer the wrath of the man in charge), with standard well-griddled singles served with cheese on extra-squishy buns.

14742 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91411
(818) 785-4086
(818) 785-4086
Bill’s Burgers owner Bill Elwell, a 90-year-old, holds a cheeseburger as he leans into the shot.
Bill Elwell of Bill’s Burgers
Food GPS

Petit Trois le Valley

13705 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Should a burger ever be eaten with a knife and fork? If anyone is going to challenge the notion of dining simplicity it’s chef Ludo Lefevbre, whose Valley outpost of popular French bistro Petit Trois is as charming as it is unassuming. Yes, there are tablecloths and servers seem a bit more starched and pressed than elsewhere; yes, one may ask for silverware when downing the deliciously drowned and sauced Big Mec burger; but no, that does not mean that anything is lost in translation. This burger speaks to LA as an enduring town for burger innovation, where anything (and any flavor) is possible.

13705 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 989-2600
(818) 989-2600
Petit Trois’ messy burger with bordelaise sauce and lots of cheese shown on a white plate in the restaurant.
The Big Mec.
Matthew Kang

Pie 'n Burger

913 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106

Pasadena claims to be the birthplace of the cheeseburger, and while the truth of such things are lost to history, there is no denying the enduring prominence of Pie ‘n Burger. A legend since 1963, this diner turned ode to all things burger continues to turn out impeccable California classics, complete with special sauce and lightly melted American cheese.

913 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 795-1123
(626) 795-1123
A paper-wrapped cheeseburger with a side of fries.
Pie ‘n Burger
Farley Elliott

Goldburger

5623 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Goldburger in Highland Park is a little bit of a lot of different things: The patties are smashed but not paper-thin, the branding is sunny and hip without being Instagram-overwhelming. What the place does have going for it is a simple technique, executed day in and day out, making for one of LA’s most popular burgers right now. Can’t make it to Highland Park? Try the Los Feliz location instead.

5623 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Burgerlords

110 N Ave 56, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Whereas some places that do non-meat burgers rely on manufactured corporate products like Beyond and Impossible faux meats, Burgerlords makes its patties (and its vegan chicken nuggets and shakes and everything else) completely in-house. You won’t find a meatless burger like this anywhere else in Southern California, that’s for sure.

110 N Ave 56, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Original Tommy's World Famous Hamburgers

2575 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057

It’s hard to overstate the importance of Tommy’s to the greater LA burger scene. The restaurant’s branding alone has spawned dozens (if not more) replicators with tonally-similar names, while the heavy use of spiced chili — served atop burgers, fries, dogs, and more — is as ever-present as tap water on hundreds of restaurant menus around Southern California. This is the place that helped to start it all.

2575 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 389-9060
(213) 389-9060

Amboy Quality Meats

727 N Broadway No. 117, Los Angeles, CA 90012

In the land of smash burger ubiquity, it’s nice to see native son Alvin Cailan return to LA with a thick pub-style burger at Amboy Quality Meats and Delicious Burgers, tucked inside the former Chinatown home of Chego. Not feeling something extra-thick? The shop is always rotating through other styles, so expect something new and worthwhile just about every single day.

727 N Broadway No. 117, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 935-8188
(213) 935-8188
A hamburger wrapped in paper on top of a box that says ‘Amboy.’
Amboy
Farley Elliott

The Apple Pan

10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

There is nothing in LA so iconic as a burger from Apple Pan. The thick patties and smoky hickory sauce make for an altogether unique experience, even if (in recent years) the look and feel has been updated slightly by new ownership. This is, ultimately, still one of LA’s best and simplest burger creations.

10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 475-3585
(310) 475-3585
Burger from Apple Pan
Burger from Apple Pan
Matthew Kang

Father's Office

3229 Helms Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Who knew a burger could be so polarizing? Yet here is the Father’s Office burger, a no-ketchup-allowed option served on a split roll and topped with caramelized onions and lots of arugula. This massive sandwich uses dry-aged beef and Maytag blue cheese for a remarkably different kind of burger. Let the arguments commence.

3229 Helms Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 736-2224
(310) 736-2224
Father’s Office Burger
Burger from Father’s Office
Elizabeth Daniels

Hinano Cafe

15 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292

The beach calls this spring and summer, and that means burgers at legendary Venice area dive Hinano Cafe, where the patties are griddled right behind the bar. Chips on the side, lots of shredded lettuce, and a beer make for a great burger-beach experience.

15 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292
(310) 822-3902
(310) 822-3902
A vertical photo of a cheeseburger with two kinds of cheese on a seeded bun.
Hinano Cafe
Wonho Frank Lee

Hawkins House of Burgers

11603 Slater St, Los Angeles, CA 90059

Watts’s most beloved meal is at Hawkins, where the loosely-formed beef patties arrive thick and impressive from their time on the griddle. Service is perilously slow, but in the end that just builds the hunger — which is exactly what’s needed when tackling these behemoths.

11603 Slater St, Los Angeles, CA 90059
(323) 563-1129
(323) 563-1129

Proudly Serving

136 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

This pandemic-era pop-up has gone legit inside a restaurant and bar space along the Redondo Beach waterfront. Now South Bay fans can regularly find one of LA’s best smashburgers, while downing a few pints as well. Better still, the crew still regularly makes it out for pop-ups elsewhere, and is even expanding into Long Beach soon.

136 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 376-0003
(310) 376-0003
A hand in a black glove holds out a messy cheeseburger.
The burger from Proudly Serving.
Proudly Serving

Yellow Paper Burger

1850 Allen Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104

This mostly-Eastside pop-up has been going strong since its backyard days back in 2020. Today the crew in the red jumpsuits can be seen slinging burgers at spots like Altadena Beverage, Monkish Brewing, Club Tee Gee in Atwater Village, and beyond — just be sure to follow along on Instagram for shots of the slightly thicker griddled burgers with lots of yellow cheese and shredded lettuce.

1850 Allen Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104
A double-decker cheeseburger at Yellow Paper Burger pop-up in Los Angeles.
Yellow Paper Burger
First We Feast

HiHo Cheeseburger

4220 Coldwater Canyon Ave Suite 421, Studio City, CA 91604

The quality at HiHo is hard to match. Here grass-fed New Zealand wagyu beef is served as a default double with onion jam, pickles, and plenty of lettuce. The patties are mustard grilled a la In-N-Out, and adding pastrami is always an option.

4220 Coldwater Canyon Ave Suite 421, Studio City, CA 91604
(747) 212-2698
(747) 212-2698
A double cheeseburger on a wooden table with lettuce on top.
HiHo Cheeseburger
Fried Chicken Sandwich Studios

Irv's Burgers

7998 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

Irv’s Burgers is back. The legendary Route 66 stand has been reborn (and reconstructed almost identically) by longtime chef-owner Sonia Hong and new partner Lawrence Longo. Expect weekend lines for these classic LA burgers, served with a sear but not too thin. Want to step things up? The Big Irv comes with pastrami, a hot dog, and more on top.

7998 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 650-2456
(323) 650-2456
A tilted side shot of a seared burger with shredded lettuce on a white paper plate.
Irv’s Burgers
Wonho Frank Lee

Related Maps

The Win~Dow at American Beauty

425 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Fans continue to flock to the Window (stylized as Win~Dow) for inexpensive burgers, fries, and other sandwiches and salad options. The exceedingly simple burgers are soft and extra cheesy, meant to be eaten in pairs (for those with an appetite) at locations on Rose Avenue, the Venice Boardwalk, or in Silver Lake. Expect more expansion in the very near future, too.

425 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291
(310) 412-0075
(310) 412-0075
A collection of burgers and a fried chicken sandwich, along with fries, in a cardboard box.
A tray from the Win-Dow.
Farley Elliott

Connie and Ted's

8171 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

The ample seafood selections rightfully earn the most attention at Connie and Ted’s in West Hollywood, but in-the-know fans also swing through for the hook burger. Served tall with plenty of aged cheddar and Thousand Island sauce, this is an enduring burger that deserves its own shine.

8171 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 848-2722
(323) 848-2722

The Oinkster

2005 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA 90041

The Royale is a right of passage for true LA burger fans. Served at the Oinkster in Eagle Rock, this toppings-heavy burger comes loaded with chili, bacon, cheese, and pastrami (plus toppings), stacked precariously high. It’s an overwhelming meal, to be sure, but it speaks to the excess that LA’s burger culture has created — and fans love it.

2005 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA 90041
(323) 255-6465
(323) 255-6465
A tall meaty burger with cheese and lettuce and pastrami and chili, in hands.
The Royale at the Oinkster.
Wonho Frank Lee

Moo's Craft Barbecue

2118 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031

It’s hard to imagine the burger at Moo’s Craft Barbecue being the most talked-about item at the moment, but it’s true. This thick, peppery, smoked burger is the toast of the town at the moment, in part because it serves as an antidote to so much smash burger fascination right now. Served with raw white onions and pickles to cut through the fat, this is undoubtedly the burger of the moment.

2118 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 686-4133
(323) 686-4133

Related Maps