Ban Ban Burger - Los Angeles

In a world full of boring old burgers, Ban Ban Burger does a bang up job. 

Smash burgers have come and gone, but the Grapow Smash is here to stay. Not only are the beefy bits juicy and savory beneath their grill-seared crust, the grapow mix sears its own path with a sweet and feisty chili finish. Pickles add some perk as cheese and aioli add some cream, and egg yolk runs to the rescue to soften the burn.

The Wagyu Laab Smash is a less impactful, subtly sweet and significantly softer for those who don't want to burn. The herbal notes are quiet, sweetness dominating pickles and cheese. 

Something about the Satay Katsu Sando hits. The panko cutlet is perfection, but it's really how that peanut sauce sinks into the milky bread that adds an extra layer of umami. 

Not enough? Try a side of Papaya Fries. Gooey sweet-sticks with varying levels of ripeness make a most satisfying crunch, best when dipped in that super-sweet side sauce. 

With multiple unique spices and seasoning, Ban Ban Burger does what very few can; this little burger joint manages to be memorable. Despite having had many a delicious burger, these are the only ones I remember. And if anyone asks where I want to go for my next burger, only Ban Ban comes to mind. 

Oh My Burger - Gardena

I think I am the most hardcore transplant I know, removing my southern roots, rejecting my northeastern dreams to marry a Malibu boy and settle down in the South Bay. 

Turns out, SoCal is my sweet spot, and I can honestly say I don’t miss much about the south, but I do get nostalgic for a Cook Out Burger and a too-strong-for-a-straw shake from their entire-panel menu of flavors. There’s been nothing quite like Cook Out here.  

Enter Oh My Burger. They’re very different, TBH, but there’s something about their essence that reminds me of that boxy drive-thru of my college days, something about the spirit of fun and the dedication to making a damn good burger. 

And Oh My Burger’s burgers are actually good, in fact, they are fantastic. Wrapped in a paper sleeve with one side open, they have that In n’ Out appeal, but these patties are in a league of their own. No detail too small; gorgeous grains of ground brisket form patties so thick it’s like two from any other place, and the inside is so juicy it’ll run down your chin. Perfectly seasoned, with a peppery finish, they’re also dotted what looks like a fine specks of mustard seed. 

There are plenty of tempting options if you’re dying for some decadence, but I’m not sure I really want grilled cheese for bread or donuts for buns. Instead, just simplicity is spectacular in the form of a Real Damn Cheeseburger, which is just good cheese and a brioche bun with a crust of cheddar. 

At a place called “Oh My Burger” you might feel wrong ordering something like a Pastrami Chili Cheese Taco but your hangover will thank you. My brain tells me that this combination can’t be good, but my tastebuds tell me it’s the right kind of wrong.  

Come for the burgers but try a Fried Chicken Sandwich if you’re feeling it. The fry is super crispy, even after a Doordash ride, and the honey garlic gives it a zing. 

There’s a decent list of shakes, lots of cheesecake, and one Peach Cobbler. This one is a fun one, with plenty of cinnamon and the pie crust in the mix, though I did wish I could taste a bit more peach. 

At the end of the day, OMB is all about decadence, but it’s decadence with perfect execution. I can’t speak for the more extreme options but these giant burgers and elaborate tacos do hit a sweet spot and scratch that hedonistic itch.  

Shake Shack - JFK Airport - Queens, NY

I had to end with something iconic, so here I am.

Double Shackburger, no tomato, juicy patties just like when they first opened in Bryant Park. 

I had my first taste when they were new to New York (I’m that old), and I still love the nostalgia. 

There are better burgers for a lot cheaper these days, especially in the neverending battle of east coast vs west coast waged by the iconic In n’ Out, but I remain a bit brand loyal all the same. 

Aptos Trip Day 6 - True Burger - Oakland, CA

Lunch is a big, true burger, and these big beef patties remind me of Shake Shack when they were selling out…before they actually sold out. 

The Trueburger is exactly what you ask for, a patty with whatever. An all-American burger, but not the juiciest patty. 

The True Deluxe, a patty with whatever cheese, topped with a fried portobello. Flawless fry on a fabulous mushroom cap, but together it's a bit too much. The portabello itself would make a better burger, and it wouldn't kill them to season both. 

Great Fries, actually worth mentioning. Freshly fried and crispy, to be consumed by the fistful.

A Chocolate Milkshake, with caramel drizzled in. They have plenty of mixers to choose from, with chocolate or vanilla as the base. All enjoyment, no complaints.

Likable place overall, though the patties could be better. That seems to be the theme at most burger places I've been. 

Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA

After lunch, it's over to Lake Merritt to keep the kids outside. 

And it's gorgeous. The water is the very picture of tranquility, home to so many ducks and seagulls. 

 

Peaceful by the waterside, bustling with hustling vendors and street artists on the other. 

Anything goes on the shores of Lake Merritt, all come and go as they please. If you're looking for a place to just enjoy that you exist, this park would be paradise. 

Aptos Trip Day 4 - Betty Burgers and The Penny Ice Creamery

An easy dinner outside this diner, a super-chill place with big burgers and plastic booths.

The Mad Mex is one mean burger, a thick and juicy patty topped with pretty good guac and a slice of pepper jack cheese. 

Their Fries are super crispy, 

And even the Chili has a nice kick to it, though they could replace that water with a little tomato purée. 

If you can get past all the sauces being called “lube” (GAG), the food is a bit better than alright. You can count on a solid diner-quality burger at a reasonable price, and some nights, that’s all you need. 

Hopdoddy Burger Bar - Playa Vista

Sink your teeth into the "best burger in Playa Vista". 

I hate that they're self-proclaimed, but I don't disagree. They have this LLano Poblano that's gorgeous from every angle, and the fluffy perfect-dome made-from-scratch brioche bun is a reason to boast.  They lay a flat square of flame-kissed poblano pepper across a juicy beef patty topped with pepper jack cheese, and thick, chewy strips of bacon cover all the way across. 

There's no concern for not enough topping or empty bites here. Their burgers get full coverage. The sides are strong as well - try the truffle parmesan or hot honey sweet potato fries to share. 

Wash it all down with a beer on tap - their rotating selection has craft brews for every crew. 

I haven't had any other burgers in Playa Vista, but Hopdoddy is the best so far. And they do set a pretty high bar. 

Standing Room UPDATE - Redondo Beach

I think I’ve hit a burger slump. Another disappointing order, this time from beach cities legend The Standing Room. 

I thought their outrageous burger options sounded awesome, but they were every bit as ridiculous as the menu made them sound. The individual ingredients sounded fun enough, and the buttery brioche buns were promising, but the lack of balance and restraint were clear. The Genghis Khan was a destroyer of burgers, and what could have been an epic sandwich was more like an epic disaster. I think they got so caught up in making the most unusual burger that they forgot to make it well. The patty seemed like an afterthought, pink in the middle but somehow hard and dry all around. Imperceptible amidst the crumples of bulgogi and a sea of sweet potato fries. There was so much stuff that couldn't be stuffed into that burger so they ended up being eaten separately with fingers and a fork. The individual ingredients were likable enough, but nothing went together, and it became a bland burger with another meat and a side of fries. I could have gotten this anywhere else, and if I had, the burger would have been better.

The Charlotte Sammie was a bit more realistic. The carnitas were good, and the sweetness of hoisin bbq sauce added a fun Asian twist. The coleslaw was cold and hot, and I appreciated that balance. I wouldn't come here just for this sandwich, but I did enjoy eating it. 

The Oscar Sammie was a pleasant surprise. We took a chance because I'm a sucker for soft shell crab, but I wasn't sure it would turn out well. It did. The crab was fresh, fried golden with a crispy crunch, and the gooey mayo and avocado only made the crab taste better. 

The side of Shishito Peppers was hard to finish because they were all HOTHOTHOT, but if you can handle spicy, these make a great side. They were perfectly cooked with a sweet roast and a bitter, fiery heat, yet not so cooked as to lose their snap. The chili soy was reduced to sticky, which made the sausage extra savory by locking in the juices. 

I really liked the Dressed Burger before so I think I’ll try that again next time, if there is one. After this experience, I don't see a reason to return to The Standing Room, sadly, but if I ever do, it seems best to err on the side of simple here as they don't do complicated well. 

Hopdoddy Burger Bar - El Segundo

Maybe it was the mood, the ambiance of a high-top bar with burgers and a beer, or maybe it's the fondness of the memory. Whatever it was, I saw Hopdoddy in a different light back then because my view of their delivery is dim.

I remember tender patties, thick and meaty, brimming with beefy juice. The patty is juicy enough, and the buttery brioche buns are perfectly toasted, but the construction of the burgers is off. The Magic Shroom is lacking in shroom, and though I loved the one mushroom I saw mid-bite, you only get so much magic out of a single shroom. The goat cheese was amazing, nutty with a sweet creaminess that is so unique, but slather on a bunch of mayo, and both the mushroom and pesto get lost. 

Even the Bacon Jam Double Cheese isn’t really my jam. It’s hard to taste anything but the jam, and I didn't need an entire burger to stay sugar-sweet. Their liberal use of mayo exacerbates the overpower, and it drowns out the mustard and pickle that are there to add some balance.

Sweet Potato Fries sound simple, but this is one side that they do right. Hot honey spices an aromatic sage, a fragrant scent followed by a warm, sweet burn. Irresistible. And utterly addicting. 

The secret to success is knowing when to stop, and beauty lies in balance. It seems Hopdoddy has forgotten both. I hope those burgers translate better at the bar because somewhere in transit, they seem to have lost their edge. 

Y’Not Burgers - Torrance

A fast-food-diner mash-up with a drive-thru is high on convenience, impressive in speed. Food gets onto your table in a flash and into your car almost instantly. 

They have a wide range of offerings, and you can get almost anything between two slices of bread. The Double Cheeseburger is a classic with thick patties and toppings in so many iterations. 

They also have lighter offerings, like a deli-style Turkey Sandwich

And a pretty juicy Grilled Chicken. 

The Gyro is my personal favorite, a flashback from the carts that line the NYC streets. The meat isn’t roasted on a spit, but I do like how they heat the pita and slice the onions paper thin. 

Every item works with a side of fries, though I feel I need to try some others. Given the half-mile convenience of a drive-by, Y’Not has consistently outranked fast food chains in my need-something-to-eat-now repertoire. Why Y’Not? Why not Y’Not?

Humble Potato - Los Angeles

Whether you're starving on your way to the airport or starving on the way back, the Humble Potato won't let you down.

Tons of creative Asian-fusion burgers borrowed from the many culture of SoCal, get any of these thick creations, bursting with beef patties loaded with ingredients ranging from avocado to pork belly to spam. 

I wasn't feeling the burger than day, and the Obaasan was perfect. It's "grandma's" KFC, a scrumptious fried chicken sando full of dark meat and damp with spices. A single slice of cheese adds some contrast, and the citrus slaw has a cooling effect on the spices. 

The Kare Fries are the best fries, and they get better with an oozing fried egg on top. The curry is rich and thick and finishes on a sweeter note.

Give this place a try if you're craving In n' Out but a little different. Everything is better with a little Asian added, and the Humble Potato is no exception. 

Butchers Club - Wan Chai, Hong Kong

When in Hong Kong...have a burger. Have a really good burger. 

Butchers Club can give you a good burger. Several, in fact. It's a chain rooted in several Chinese cities, the more westernized ones, anyway. Time Out proclaims their burgers one of Hong Kong’s best, and considering the sheer number of restaurants, that much mean an awful lot. 

Despite the fame, this Wan Chai location looks like just another hole in the wall and I love that. They have a few beers on an eager tap and bottles of whiskey at the ready if you’re looking to shoot. Their only seating is a high table and a counter so be prepared to scoot and share. 

Their burgers are ground from prime parts and you can taste the difference. Both of these giant Double Happiness patties are dripping double juice from pink, umami centers. The sandwich within a sandwich is surrounded by grilled cheeses, and it's so big you need a knife to hold it together.

Have the Hogtown if you want indulgence in a more reasonable but still giant portion. The Canadian bacon is a marriage between pork belly and ham, and the pulled pork adds a little extra. You’ll be full but you’re unlikely to regret the shared side of Duck Fat Fries. The potato wedges are extra chunky and the oil is extra savory.

The Gambler is the one to go halfsies on if you’re craving not just beef. The chicken breast is so crispy from being double fried, and the sauce doesn't make it soggy. The inside is juicy, and the spicy is bearable if you're sharing. If you’re eating the whole sando, godspeed and get a beer.

Burgers and beer in a dive that's not a dive? Count me in. These Hong Kong burgers are enough to make me forget In n' Out. Who needs to be homesick when a taste of home is right around the corner?