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This post was originally published in November 2022. It was last updated in April 2023
The first brick-and-mortar smash burger in LA was Burgers Never Say Die in 2019. When Shawn Nee started selling burgers out of his driveway in East Hollywood in 2017, the line went around the block. It’s been almost 5 years and boy, have smash burgers come a long way. They dominate the LA burger scene.
During the pandemic, the underground smash burger movement only heightened in LA. People also took their grills and started selling burgers through pop-ups. Instead of the traditional restaurant-customer relationship, burger pop-ups are faster and more convenient than sitting down to order a full meal. And because smash burgers are not as heavy as half pound burgers, you can feel better about ordering two.
It seems like classic-style burgers with thick patties and a bunch of condiments have taken a step back. Smash burgers have changed the burger culture in LA.
So, how does a smash burger differ from a regular burger? In the smash burger, you take a ball of meat and then smash it with a burger smasher on the hot griddle.
The following facts are from the 2018 article, “Why Smash Burgers Are the Best Burgers and How to Make Them” by ourmodernkitchen.com.
When you smash down a patty, the fat has nowhere to go but the burger patty. So the patty is condensed with the juices and flavors. Another factor as to why smash burgers are so good is the Maillard reaction. In a few words, this chemical reaction causes the brown color of the patty, the intense, delicious flavor and the crispiness.
However, making a smash burger is not as easy as it seems!
While preparing it, you don’t want them to be too thin and crispy. There has to be a perfect equilibrium of fat, meat, temperature and pressure. You don’t just flip the patty like you do with a regular burger. Seasoning also plays a big role.
At some of the pop-ups I went to, I saw the owners holding a griddle thermometer to ensure the temperature was where it needed to be.
The smash burger trend has also extended to other countries like the UK or Australia. When I’m on my Instagram explore page and see a picture of a smash burger, I check the location. It’s getting more common to see smash burgers in other countries. Social media plays a huge role since upcoming pop-ups, at least here in LA, are always announced through Instagram. The mouthwatering pictures also get a lot of positive responses.
Here’s a shining example of how smash burgers in LA are making an impact:
Before the pandemic, Jay Gordon from Australia traveled to LA and immersed himself in the LA burger scene. He obviously tried California’s burger landmark, In N Out, but he also tried the smash burger pop-up Tripp Burgers (included on this list). He loved it so much that when he came back to Australia, he started making smash burgers from scratch, attempting to recreate Tripp Burger’s delicious smash burgers. After a lot of trial and error, he perfected the recipe. Today, he’s the owner of Broken Hearts Burgers Club in Brisbane, Australia.
In 2020, I explored the best burger places in LA. Two years later, I decided to dive into some of the best smash burger places in LA. In only two years, the smash burger scene has exploded! I want to thank the business owners who enriched this article by providing their thoughtful answers! I have tried the majority of these places, but I will continue to update this article as I keep trying new ones. I think LA has arguably the best smash burger scene. Look at the amount of smash burger pop-ups! To me, the best thing about pop-ups is that it’s a great way to discover bars and random places that I otherwise wouldn’t go to. When I tried Cheat Day, the pop-up was held at a random dive bar in Downtown LA. Inside, next to the burger stand, was a tattoo parlor pop-up. Hamburgers Nice held one of their pop-ups in Button Mash, a fun bar/arcade in Echo Park.
If you want to try a pop-up, make sure you check their Instagram page first! Although many of them are temporarily serving at bars, the locations vary a lot.
Remember that smash burgers aren’t that big! If you’re really hungry, I recommend either ordering two singles or a double and a single. Whenever I have a single patty, I’m left a bit hungry and fries don’t make up the difference. Some places on this list make fries, but most of them sell bags of chips. I may order fries occasionally, but I’m not big on them.
It’s also important to remember that smash burgers are always made to order, so don’t get frustrated if it’s been 10 minutes and your burger is still being assembled!
I’ve been working on this post for four months, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you! Here are the smash burgers that are currently making big waves in LA:
Wanna Smash
🏠 6350 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401
In 2023, Wanna Smash opened up in Van Nuys. There are many smash burger places on this list, but Wanna Smash has created a big social media buzz thanks to their menu names with sexual innuendos. Wanna Smash was founded by Adam, Kory and Cory — three childhood best friends from Chicago.
When the Tik Tok account San Fernando Valley Eats featured them in this video, Wanna Smash went viral. Besides their smash burgers, the main highlights at Wanna Smash are their homemade sauces, the creative marketing strategies, and their top-tier customer service.
I found them on Instagram and went there one day to check it out before they opened at 2pm. I met Adam, who works at the register. He moved to Los Angeles with his childhood best friends Cory and Kory in 2014. They also have a clothing brand called Lavish Goods, and it made sense for them to move to be closer to their manufacturing warehouse in LA’s Fashion District.
How did Wanna Smash Burgers come about?
“We started doing Hibachi773 in April of 2022. After about 10 months of a lot of ups and downs… We were financially at the end of our rope. But like I always tell everyone; pay attention, learn and enjoy your journey because that’s all part of the process. Trust the process! After almost going out of business with the Hibachi773 idea, we looked at the analytics and realized the “Hibachi Smash Burger” was the diamond in the rough. So we turned the “Hibachi Smash Burger” into “The Happy Ending” and WANNA SMASH was born! Then we created other smash burgers (The Quickie, The Cowgirl and The Hot & Heavy) to accompany The Happy Ending.
Wanna Smash is a boutique restaurant with the slogan; Simple Concepts, Complex Flavors. We feel we finally came full circle. It all starts and ends with the food quality. So we used the food as the anchor, but the marketing strategy of the innuendoes from the brand name “Wanna Smash” to the names of all the items on the menu helped us go viral!”
Adam said they wanted to be similar to Hooters, a restaurant chain known for its scantily clad waitresses, but still considered family-friendly. Although Wanna Smash is not making big bucks right now, they don’t care because it’s a passion, just like me with this blog: “When you do what you love, money comes after,” he said.
From the clever menu names to friendly customer service, everything has been carefully curated to draw people in over and over again. When people come in, they’re treated like family.
“The logo is very 70s. Most people that come in think we’re a franchise. It looks so established,” he said.
In your opinion, what makes a great smash burger?
Definitely how you smash the burger and the tools you use to smash it. We also have a custom burger blend, which I obviously can’t disclose… but the blend of the meat is really important.
What’s your earliest memory of eating burgers?
My earliest memory of eating burgers is definitely Big Boy. My family is from Ohio. I remember going there with my parents when I was really young. The logo is also similar to ours. When I see our logo it reminds me of my childhood and my dad.
What are your favorite smash burgers places in LA?
Chris N Eddys. I know the brothers, and they have a similar to ours as far as family. Even though my partners and I aren’t related by blood, we’re family by association. We grew up together in Chicago and we’ve been through everything.
For someone who’s reading this and plans on going, what smash burger do you recommend?
“The first thing I’d ask is what their favorite flavors are because we build every menu item depending on what people like. If somebody tells me spicy, I’d say 100% the Hot and Heavy. That’s our best seller right now.
That was the burger that was on our video the San Fernando Valley Eats posted about us. The Quickie is our starter point, so you can check the basis: the meat blend and the sauce.
Then they graduate and try the Happy Ending, it’s a very unique burger. When people get it, it blows their mind. They’re like, “I never thought I could have a teriyaki flavor on a burger that tastes so good.” The barbecue sauce on The Cowgirl is amazing. We also have a burger of the month every month. Last month we did a truffle based burger. This month we have The Morning After, which is like a hangover burger: we got fried egg, bacon and a honey sriracha sauce.
If you like hot dogs, then Doggy Style, it’s the same thing as a burger, but on a hot dog bun. But the burger of the month is the most important menu item. If you come here many times, there’s always something new for you. It keeps the longevity of the customer. For our Milfshakes, we use vanilla ice cream as a base.”
For my first time, I wanted to play it safe so I got the Quickie with fries and an Oreo Milfshake. This was a complimentary meal.
Wanna Smash is sauce galore. Kory’s culinary background and experience as a personal chef really shines through with his incredible homemade sauces. Adam says that sometimes when they went to an expensive restaurant in Beverly Hills, Kory could easily recreate the same dish the following day.
Since it was earlier in the day and Kory still wasn’t there, Adam made me the burger and apologized, saying it wasn’t going to be as good as if Kory had made it.
The patty was the perfect thickness, neither thick nor thin. The edges were crispy and the middle was juicy and had a perfect sear. I always like my burgers to have ketchup on them, but the Smash secret sauce alone was so good that I didn’t feel the need to add it. Adam said that this sauce is a mix between a honey and a Comeback sauce. The sliced pickles were also perfect: a mix of sweet and sour that paired really well with the sauce. I loved dipping the fries, which were lightly sprinkled with herbs, into the wide array of sauces.
I always love a good milkshake when I’m ordering a burger and fries. I had the Oreo, which was so delicious. Unlike many milkshakes I’ve had, this one was blended well enough to drink with a straw! I can’t wait to go back to try their other flavors.
I loved my experience at Wanna Smash. Not just the burger, but hearing Adam’s story and how three humble boys from Chicago are making their entrepreneurial dreams come true by bringing joy to people’s lives with their creative smash burgers. Adam also said there’s an upcoming merch line in the works, so stay tuned!
Burgers Never Say Die
🏠 2388 Glendale Blvd Unit A, Los Angeles, CA 90039
The first smash burger brick-and-mortar in LA! The story of how it started served as an inspiration to Secret Pizza’s LA founder, Sean. Founded by Shawn Nee, after a few years operating out of his driveway and wildly successful pop-ups, he opened his brick-and-mortar in Silverlake in the beginning of 2019.
I wrote a review about them, which you can read here. Wow. It’s crazy how time goes by! Their burgers are very reminiscent of McDonald’s Quarter Pounder.
Like many other businesses during the pandemic, Burgers Never Say Die had to face the heat of irate customers who thought they were going to a drive-thru or Karens refusing to comply with the mask policy in the thick of the pandemic.
Instagram @burgersneversaydie
Heavy Handed
🏠 2912 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Heavy Handed launched in April 2020 by LA natives Danny Gordon and Max Miller. Just like Burgers Never Say Die, they started selling burgers out of their driveway in Mar Vista.
After seeing Heavy Handed in my Instagram explore page multiple times, I finally decided to try their famous burgers at one of their pop-ups in Spoke Bicycle Cafe in Frogtown. I hadn’t really eaten much that day, so I ordered two doubles.
I have to say that the hype is completely justified: their signature sauce, the exceptional taste of the patty, the fluffiness of the bun… it was ridiculously delicious, and by the time I tried it, I’d had my fair share of smash burgers. The bread to meat ratio was also on point. As you can see in the pictures, the patties are not super crispy thin, so the burger is very satisfying.
Heavy Handed uses short rib beef for their patties. This cut of meat has a deeper and richer beef flavor. I was taken aback by how tasty the meat was.
In 2022, Heavy Handed found its permanent home on Main Street in Santa Monica. The first opening days caused a frenzy among Angelenos with seemingly never ending lines. The menu is the same as the one they offered at their pop-ups, plus new additions, like Straus Creamery soft serve ice creams, canned beers and natural wines.
Instagram @heavyhanded.la
Proudly Serving
🏠 136 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
New Jersey native Matthew McIvor is the founder of Proudly Serving.
After I met Matt, he comped me one double smash burger and fries, which came in a giant cup!
Matt said that they only do double smash burgers. When they started, they also offered singles, but people kept coming back to order another one, so they simply stopped serving them.
After I had the burger, Matt jokingly said that I didn’t have to say it was good. But man… it truly was. It was one of the best smash burgers I’ve had. Every single ingredient was executed perfectly. Look at the gooey cheese! The bun was toasted to perfection, the beef was beautifully seasoned, the secret sauce was also incredible, and I loved the crunch of their fresh pickles. It’s a simple burger, but each ingredient was packed with so much flavor.
I knew that I’d be thinking of the burger all day long if I didn’t get another one, so I did. I don’t know if any of the people there noticed how much I was enjoying every bite. I can’t wait to go back. If enjoying Proudly Serving’s delicious burgers is not enough, you’re right by the marina inhaling fresh sea air. What more could you ask for?
What is the backstory of Proudly Serving?
Proudly Serving started during the height of the pandemic. I lost my other hospitality based business and began thinking of my next chapter. A goal of mine was always to have my own restaurant, so that’s exactly what I did.
I began making burgers in my driveway and it took off rather quickly. From there, I brought on a partner and chef friend of mine, Kevin Malone, who helped me get to the next level.
We soon gained the attention of the media, investors but most of all, a rabid fan base. In late 2021, we were offered a restaurant space and knew it was an offer we could not refuse.
Now we are in the process of expanding into different areas of Los Angeles.
What makes a great smash burger?
In my opinion, a great smash burger should be simple. You don’t have to overthink it. But, however you choose to make your signature burger, the ingredients must all work well together. No ingredient should overpower another, so getting that flavor profile correct is key.
What’s your earliest memory of eating burgers?
Obviously as a child, we all ate at places like McDonald’s and Burger King, but my fondest memories are eating burgers from the shack after my little league baseball games. The burger was just meat, cheese and ketchup, but after a long game that burger was heaven.
What’s your favorite burger place? It can be in LA or it can be anywhere!
My favorite burger is from a place where our Proudly Serving Burger is modeled after, White Manna in New Jersey. But if we are talking LA, Pie ‘N Burger is one of my favorites simply because of the nostalgia — and any burger from Chef Ernesto Uchimura.
Instagram @proudlyservingla
For the Win
🏠 6221 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (Hollywood)
🏠 1200 S Brand Blvd #3, Glendale, CA 91204
🏠 12602 Hadley St, Whittier, CA 90601
Since I went to their location in Los Feliz, they have expanded to Glendale and Whittier. The smash burger checked all the boxes on what a smash burger should be, but it didn’t stand out to me like some of the places on this list. However, if you live near any of their locations, it’s a great place to go when the smash burger cravings kick in and you don’t want to wait for a pop-up, or drive too far.
Instagram @forthewinla
Love Hour
🏠 532 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020 (Thursday and Friday)
📍 Smorgasbord Food Market (Sunday)
Love Hour is located in a tiny walk-up window in K-town, and they serve some of the best smash burgers in LA! I ordered a double. The signature sauce they use in their burgers was tangy and very light. It didn’t overpower the rest of the ingredients and frankly, I didn’t expect to love this burger so much! The beef was perfection and so was their fluffy bread and juicy pickles. Overall, Love Hour’s burger is a perfect example of what a good smash burger should be. Simple and no fuss.
On Sundays, their walk-up window is closed because they operate at the Smorgasbord food market.
I had the chance to meet Jimmy, the owner, in passing at the Long Beach Food Market in November. I told him how much I enjoyed his burger that day, and he answered my questions on the spot!
What’s the backstory of Love Hour?
My friends started Koreatown Love Club. I had another bar in Koreatown called Beer Deli. That’s what we were running. We always had a passion for the Koreatown community and decided to work together. So we decided to do a smash burger pop-up in the parking lot. It kind of took off and we kept on with it.
In your opinion, what makes a great smash burger?
Of course the beef. Good quality beef. Then, it’s all about the smash. Getting a crispy edge, but still making sure there’s a little of a chew in the middle. We make our Love Hour sauce in-house, it’s our secret recipe. We also make our pickles. They’re Bread and Butter Pickles, but not so sweet like the other ones. They’re also a little bit spicy, but not too much.
Besides Love Hour, do you have any other favorite burger spots in LA?
Of course, there’s so many great ones – and we’re all good friends. Some of my favorite ones are Goldburger, it’s very very good. Hamburgers Nice is really fun and really delicious.
Instagram @lovehourlosangeles
Goldburger
🏠 1820 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
🏠 5623 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
While compiling a list of the best smash burgers in LA, a few owners kept telling me about Goldburger. I first went to Goldburger in 2020, the same year they opened their walk-up window in Highland Park. Since then, they have opened another location in Los Feliz.
Unfortunately, their signature ‘Goldburger’ smash burger failed to make a lasting impression on me. After trying it again for a second time a few weeks before this post went live, I was able to pinpoint my reason for not liking it: their award-winning Garlic-Mustard aioli sauce. In my opinion, the sauce overpowered the rest of the ingredients by a long shot.
At places like Love Hour, Proudly Serving, Hangaburs or Heavy Handed, their sauce is very simple yet so flavorful, but at the same time, light enough to allow the rest of the ingredients shine through. Goldburger’s sauce is very distinct and tangy. It reminded me of a classic Dijon mustard sauce, not the same in flavor, but quite similar. I would personally pair their sauce with a Bratwurst sausage, but not in the smash burger. Like you read above, smash burgers should be about balance, and in this case, the sauce overtakes the burger. In every bite, all I could taste was the sauce — the ingredients came second. Lastly, the caramelized onions were a little too burnt for my liking.
Instagram @goldburgerla
Hangaburs
📍Pop-up
Just like Heavy Handed, I got to try Hangaburs at Spoke Bicycle cafe in Frogtown. “Good” is a huge understatement. It was so delicious that I had to go back to the stand for a second one. Besides the meat, the winner for me were the thinly shaved pickles and the sauce. All the condiments were a feast for my palate.
In an interview with LA Taco, Alicia said that their sauce is similar to In-N-Out sauce, but with a flavor tweak.
If this is not enough, Hangaburs also offers the Tepic burger, which pays homage to the ones you can find in this area of Mexico. Alicia, co-founder of Hangaburs, gave me very thorough answers detailing their background and their love of burgers!
What’s the backstory of Hangaburs?
My wife and I are burger lovers, so much so that we chose that as our food for our wedding. During a family trip to Tepic, Nayarit, we tried a burger made with panela cheese, ham and a mustard salsa that inspired us to make our own version. We worked on recipes for both of our burgers, but for years we set our burger dream aside as we were busy with our respective careers. Then the pandemic hit and I was furloughed from my graphic design job. So I no longer had the excuses to not do it. After the encouragement from my wife, Hangaburs had its first pop-up in June of 2020 — It has been an awesome ride ever since.
In your opinion, what makes a great smash burger?
The main reason for smashing is to expose more meat to the hot grill creating a nice sear that forms a crust. We personally prefer a juicy and meatier burger, so for us, a great smash burger has the crust, but it isn’t so smashed flat that it no longer has a meaty center. Also, even seasoning is crucial for flavor balance. Toppings can vary, but in the end, if the burger is good with just meat, cheese and bun, then it’s a winner.
What’s your earliest memory of eating burgers?
It seems crazy, but I remember being about 3 or 4 years old eating burgers. I think there is even and old home video of me at about that age preparing my burger toppings before walking over to my dad, who was grilling some on the bbq.
For me, burger time was associated with happy memories. My grandma would treat me for burgers as a reward after sitting through hours of her bowling time with her friends hahaha. My dad, who was always working and tired, would still say yes to me when I asked for us to go get some burgers together. I think he also knew it was some of the only quality time we had together.
Besides Hangaburs, do you have any other favorite burger joints?
LA is a burger lover’s paradise, so it’s impossible to name a favorite.
What are your future plans? Are you going to keep doing pop-ups?
For now, we plan to continue doing pop-ups as we both still have full-time jobs. But our hope is for Hangaburs to continue to grow and eventually find a permanent home.
Instagram @hangaburs
Tripp Burgers
📍Pop-up
Mark Tripp is the founder of Tripp Burgers, a smash burger pop-up that started in 2019 and that served as the main inspiration to Jay Gordon, owner of Broken Hearts Burgers Club in Brisbane, Australia! Joey from Hap’s Burger, another LA smash burger pop-up, said that Mark was his mentor when he was starting out.
Mark has been an LA resident since 1984 and spent 35 years working in advertising. About a decade ago, he watched a movie called Hamburger America: One Man’s Cross-Country Odyssey to Find the Best Burgers in the Nation by George Motz. That’s what got the ball rolling, and soon after that, he began to develop his own blend. In May 2019 he was laid off from his job, which served as an opportunity to work on his love for making burgers full-time. While location varies, you will find Tripp Burgers the majority of time on Sepulveda Blvd. in West LA.
I went to one of their pop-ups at a brewery in El Segundo on a Friday. Unfortunately, I did not get to meet Mark in person because he was doing a catering event that day.
I got two singles. It was a very simple burger with American cheese, beef and bun.
Once you get it, you add the toppings, which are laid out on the side and include packs of ketchup, mustard, minced onions and pickles.
After trying out so many smash burgers that already come with condiments, I found it odd to add them myself. I picked onions, pickles, and ketchup. What stood out to me the most was the meat —- it was very flavorful and excellently seasoned. Mark shared with VoyageLA that he gets his blended meat batches from award-winning butcher Richard Schwartzberg at Bob’s Market in Santa Monica.
Just by looking at the pictures, I think you can get an idea of the caliber. Mark also said in the interview that he encouraged first-time goers to try the burger without the condiments because what sets Tripp Burgers apart from other smash burger places is his blend that he spent 10 years working on.
Mark also offers a great assortment of chips at his pop-ups, which come with your order.
He answered my questions on Instagram.
In your opinion, what makes a great smash burger?
For me, what makes a great smash burger is the meat. Meat comes first in my opinion. My blend is unique. I use USDA prime cuts of chuck, top sirloin and bacon and I serve it on a toasted potato roll with American cheese. No sauce. Just meat, cheese and bun. Burgers have been a passion of mine for years.
Besides your place, do you have any other favorite burger joints?
Other favorite burgers here in LA are Yellow Paper, Hamburgers Nice, Hangaburs, Hap’s, Hinano’s and Fatburger.
Any future plans to open a brick-and-mortar?
Sticking with the pop-up. No interest in a brick-and-mortar at this time. I like the freedom of being mobile.
Instagram @trippburgers
Hap’s Burger
📍Pop-up
Joey is the founder of Hap’s Burger. For now, his pop-ups are temporarily paused because he recently started a 9-5 job, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be back! For updates, make sure to check his Instagram.
This was a complimentary meal.
I met him at one of his pop-ups at the Stone Tap Room bar in Pasadena, where I ordered his classic double smash burger along with tater tots. After I had my meal, I came back and told him that his burger reminded me of a classic American backyard bbq burger. Very simple but very good. “That’s the goal,” he said. I also told him about some of the hefty prices I came across while compiling this post. He said that some people use expensive meat, but that he liked to keep his burgers super simple and no-frills.
The meat to bread ratio was on point. The patty had a very rich and meaty taste —- it was so good and nicely complemented the rest of the ingredients, which were mayo, cheese and pickles. I love ketchup or a special sauce in my burger, but this was just perfect as it was.
In his pop-ups, Joey also offers tater tots, which he’s a huge fan of. In his opinion, tater tots are far superior to French fries. As I was leaving, I saw people ordering his special loaded tots.
I also love how cute the logo is and how he draws a smiley face with the mustard on the patties. Simplicity and intentionality is what sets Hap’s Burger apart. I hope he comes back in the future!
Instagram @haps_burgers
Hamburgers Nice
📍Pop-up
Jairo Bogarín is the founder of this Long Beach-based burger pop-up that has been around since 2019. Although they do occasional pop-ups in the greater LA area, you can find them every week at Sala Coffee and Wine in Long Beach. I like that their menu changes weekly. The base is the smash burger, but they add their own tweaks and that’s what makes them stand out from the crowd big time!
Their basic smash burger is called the Lunch Burger and is a permanent menu item. Please note that it comes with jalapeños, which you can take off upon request. Below you can see a few of their insanely creative menu offerings!
Park Burger LA
🏠 Naja’s Place (154 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, CA 90277)
Brandi Richelle is the owner of Park Burger LA. You can find her smash burgers at Najas Place, a bar located at the International Redondo Beach Boardwalk.
What’s the backstory of Park Burger LA?
I was living in Downtown Los Angeles and at the time, I was having a hard time finding a homestyle smash burger that was local. So I decided to start making my own, and my friends and family really liked it! I ended up coming up with the garlic herb sauce, and started vending at Echo Park lake, which is where I got the name Park burger.
In your opinion, what makes a great smash burger?
A great smash burger consists of a nice crispy patty that is still juicy in the center, on a toasted bun! I feel like the toppings and the sMashable additions are unlimited, which is how I started experimenting with jalapeño and pineapple smashed into the patties.
What’s your earliest memory of eating burgers?
My earliest memory of eating burgers is at Tommy’s after a Dodger Game as a child.
What’s your favorite burger spot in LA?
I would definitely have to say that on the mainstream side, Shake Shack takes it.
Instagram @parkburgerla
Burger She Wrote
🏠 7454 1/2 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
🏠 4655 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (new location)
This might be the place I was most disappointed with. It’s considered one of the best smash burgers in LA, but it didn’t live up to my expectations. After seeing how popular they were on Instagram, I decided to give them a try in 2021. I drove there straight after work and ordered the double with fries. In hindsight, I should have skipped the fries altogether. My total came to $23, a hefty price compared to most burger pop-ups/ brick-and-mortars in LA.
Burger She Wrote specializes in Oklahoma-style burgers and regular smash burgers.
The patty on the smash burger was way too thin and too wide for my liking. I would have been ok with it if the meat had been better seasoned.
The great thing about eating a smash burger is the way all the ingredients blend together. Here, in order to get to the center of the burger to enjoy the condiments, you first have to eat the edges of the giant patty first. The whole thing felt very disjointed. The cheese, pickles, onions and bun were average at best.
The meat didn’t stand out to me in any way, shape or form (no pun intended). I remember the disappointed look I had on my face as I drove back home. Maybe I’ll go back and share my updated review in the future.
Instagram @burgershewrote__
Easy Street
🏠 4143 Lankershim Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91602
I remember going to Easy Street in late 2020 for the burger article I was working on. I met co-founder Alfred in the East Hollywood parking lot they were operating out of at the time.
I remember that the quality of the beef was top-notch. You can get a single patty but since they’re almost paper thin, it is advisable to get two instead. I loved the juxtaposition of their special sauce, the perfectly grilled onions and the subtle spiciness in the bun.
When I first met Alfred in 2020, he shared his story with me:
“The idea came up simply because we loved making burgers and eating them too! Growing up, we happened to live by In-N-Out burger and we frequented it fairly often, along with other popular burger chains.
In 2017 and 2018 the street food scene really expanded in the greater Los Angeles area. More people were able to exercise their creative capabilities with food. Upon seeing this opportunity, we decided to start doing test cooks.
We went from store to store, buying different beef cuts of various quality and prices. Then, we had to test out various cheese products. We chose to experiment with American Cheese. Reason being is that American Cheese is a favorite among the highest rated burger chains, and also.. it’s so damn good. A personal favorite 🙂
We went through at least 7-8 different brands, just so we can find the cheese that has the perfect melt and taste. Believe it or not, they’re not the same! Some are saltier, some melt much easier while others are able to withstand high heat and hold up on their own.
Next, the hamburger bun. We chose Martins Potato Rolls. This product was EXTREMELY hard to find as 99 percent of the food vendors don’t carry it. Martins Potato Rolls is an East Coast product. Very hard to find here on the West Coast unless it’s ordered via Amazon. You can check it out for yourself. =)
Where there’s a will there’s a way, we searched near and far and finally, one day ran into a small company who happened to carry the martins potato rolls. It was very exciting!
Finally, our sauce. Surprisingly, the sauce actually didn’t take much trial and error. One day we took a custom mix of food seasoning along with some mayo, ketchup, relish and mustard and boom!
Our wild sauce was an amazing accident to say the least because it complimented our burgers and fries perfectly! Sometimes it just works out perfectly. The sauce was one of those instances.
We began our journey in February of 2020. But after gaining momentum and lots of support, we had to come to a halt because of Covid 19.
It was very difficult to stop operating with all the momentum and support, but it had to be done. We waited until things cooled down, and decided to give it another go on May 28th, 2020. Coincidentally, without our knowledge, we happened to re-open on National Hamburger Day. It was very cool. People were walking up to us saying, ‘Its amazing how you re-opened on this day.’ And we had no idea! Ever since then, we’ve been working every Thursday through Sunday. There’s more to come from Easy Street!”
And now, they have found a permanent home in Studio City!
Instagram @easystreetburgers
Chris N Eddy’s
🏠 5539 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (East Hollywood)
What’s the backstory of Chris N’ Eddys?
We began as a pop-up during the pandemic era, after a year of practicing the recipe at our home, we began selling the sliders on the street. After a year of street sales we opened our first brick-and-mortar and have been here for over a year now.
In your opinion, what makes a great smash burger?
All the love and care that’s invested in the craft make a great smash burger.
What’s your earliest memory of eating burgers?
As a kid, going to Mcdonald’s and getting the big mac.
Besides your place, do you have any other favorite burger joints?
No other favorites, but In-N-Out is definitely the brand we look up to.
Instagram @chrisneddys
Eat Golden
🏠 Inside Cofax. 440 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Golden State had been a staple on Fairfax Avenue for 12 years and received numerous accolades from many recognized publications for their burgers. In December 2020, they shut down due to the pandemic. Luckily, owners James Starr and Jason Bernstein continue their passion of making burgers under their new name Eat Golden at Cofax, a coffee shop located right across the street from where Golden State used to be.
Timmy L’Heureux, who works at Eat Golden, answered my questions!
What’s the backstory of Golden State?
Golden State was started by two guys back in 2009. Their idea was to make the best burger in LA. Good meat. Good product. Don’t fuck it up.
Can you give me a breakdown of your menu at Eat Golden?
The Burger Burger is our number 1 seller! That’s the OG! That’s the best burger in LA! The Lamb Burger was on the show Diners, Drive In’s, and Dives! The smash burger is new for us! Now it’s almost our best seller.
In your opinion, what makes a great smash burger?
The meat! Or the Impossible meat we use for the veggie option. Keep it simple. Don’t overdo it. We use Harris Ranch beef for our smash, and for the Burger Burger. It’s fresh. It’s local. Never frozen. And then cooking it just right to get that crispy beef or crispy impossible meat.
@eatgoldenstate Smash and Grab Wednesday’s! Single Smash burger and Fries $10!
@eatgoldenstate Double Impossible Smash Burger. Side of Jalapeño Cabbage Slaw add Avocado.
What’s your earliest memory of eating burgers?
I’m from Montana, and my Mom used to take us to Eddie’s for camp fire burgers. They were fresh. Delicious. Simple. Golden State reminds me of Eddie’s.
Besides Eat Golden, do you have any other favorite burger joints?
Burgers Never Say Die is killing it with the smash game. Burger She Wrote is great too.
Are there any plans of reopening the Golden State?
There is always talk and hope of another Golden State, but for now we will piggy back off of Cofax as a way to sustain our dream of making burgers!
Instagram @eatgoldenstate
Electric Owl
1451 N Gardner St, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Matthew, owner of Proudly Serving, mentioned that he was a big fan of Chef Ernesto Uchimura’s smash burgers. I looked him up and it turned out he’s the owner of the bar/restaurant Electric Owl in West Hollywood. I’ve driven by this place countless times, but I would never have thought that therein lies one of the best smash burger spots in LA! It certainly does a great job in flying under the radar.
His award-winning smash burger is made with Wagyu beef. This Japanese beef cattle is known for its unique texture, taste and tenderness. I have yet to try it! They also offer a vegan version, using Impossible beef.
Instagram @electricowl.la
Bartz Barbecue
📍 Pop-up
Dustin Bartz is the founder and owner of Bartz Barbecue, a Central Texas-style bbq pop-up. Besides offering trays with mouthwatering cuts of meat, they also do burgers! One day while in Frogtown, I stopped by Spoke Bicycle Cafe to check the ambiance. Coincidentally, Bartz Barbecue happened to be there for a pop-up and I saw that they were serving smash burgers. Unfortunately, I wasn’t hungry, so I didn’t order anything! 😭 I was, however, tantalized by the smell wafting from the grill.
On the Instagram pictures, I saw that Dustin offers the Wagyu and Brisket Smash: a burger that combines these two meats together! According to the website, Dustin only uses either Angus Beef or Wagyu Beef for his the burgers.
Since Dustin specializes in bbq style cuts, I’m not certain if the burgers are a permanent menu item at his pop-ups. If you have your heart set on getting a burger, I would check the menu on his Instagram stories to ensure that he’s serving burgers at whatever pop-up he’s doing that day. All of his upcoming pop-ups are posted on his Instagram bio and website.
Instagram @bartz.barbecue
The Win~Dow
🏠 Rose Ave @americanbeauty.la
🏠 Venice Beach Boardwalk
🏠 Silver Lake
I’ve only been to their location on Rose Avenue in Venice, so I can’t speak for the newer locations on the Venice Boardwalk and in Silverlake. It says on their website that they specialize in classic smash burgers, so I decided to move my review from 2020 from my burger post to this smash burger post.
Review:
Wow…Thank you Instagram for allowing me to find this gem. As the title suggests, this window walk-up is adjoined to a steakhouse restaurant. The Win-Dow is run by two chefs: Anthony Goodwin and Elisha Ben. Their mission was to offer the community of Venice Beach affordable delicious food. Not only was I impressed by the quality of the burger, but given the reasonable price, in my opinion, they’re giving Shake Shack a run for their money. The burger was an absolute joy to eat. I cannot believe for the life of me that it was only $3.95!! I highly recommend ordering two single cheeseburgers.
The meat to bun ratio was on point and the “2000” island dressing added the special layer of flavor to this delicious mouthwatering burger. They give you small ketchup packets, but to be perfectly honest the burger in itself was so good that I didn’t feel the need to add ketchup to make it more flavorful.They have a brand new location that opened at the end of September on Venice Beach Boardwalk! This location also has a new dessert menu featuring dipped cones and milkshakes. The Win~Dow is available through food delivery apps, but I highly recommend picking up and eating the burger ASAP so that it doesn’t lose its freshness.
Instagram @thewindow.la
Amboy Quality Meats & Delicious Burgers
727 N Broadway No. 117, Los Angeles, CA 90012
I included Amboy in my other burger post. This butchery, owned by chef, author and TV host Alvin Cailan, serves some of the best burgers in LA! Here’s my 2020 review of their smash burger, the Ordinaire.
Review:
I ordered the Ordinaire burger, which is your classic smash burger with all the condiments: cheese, pickles, grilled onions and their mayo-based dressing.
I really don’t know what kind of sorcery they did, but that bun was like biting into a cloud. The rest of the ingredients were good, but the main star? The meat. The quality was beyond outstanding. I was struck by the abundance of flavor in one bite. The patty wasn’t overly greasy and the seasoning was pure perfection.
Please note that you have to tell them to add their burger sauce if want it on the burger. The Ordinaire already comes with a side of fries, which is a plus. Amboys’ fries are considered to be the best fries in town. I’m going to be honest, they were good and crispy but paled in comparison to the burger.
Instagram @amboy_qualitymeats
Lowboy
🏠 1540 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
If, on the other hand, you wish to enjoy delicious crispy smash burger in a more upscale setting while sipping cocktails in LA’s perennial hipster neighborhood of Echo Park, look no further.
Instagram @lowboy_echopark
Here concludes my smash burger post! Let me know if you’ve been to any of these places.
