Cheeseburgers

Between two buns, everything on it

[goldburgerla]

[goldburgerla]

[goldburgerla]

Did everyone see the Easy's Diner update on Eater yesterday?! I had every cheeseburger at the pop up window next to the Howlin Rays line, and my heart was crushed when it shut down. Anyone who knows me knows I love diners and breakfast as much as I love burgers, so I’m excited to visit the expanded version of what was briefly the best burger joint in LA! Pictured here is the namesake burger, with American cheese and their special sauce. What are these buns @alvincailan, because they haunt my dreams. Also, this burger is probably what gave me a new appreciation for raw onions, after being team grilled almost my whole life. (at Easy's)

[goldburgerla]

I knew I had some work on the Westside, and after watching today’s new episode of The Burger Show my lunch plans were set. In spite of a full counter I managed to snag a coveted parking spot out back for my late lunch. As I waited and surveyed who may be finishing up soon so I can snag a stool I debated just which burger, though I already knew banana cream pie was for dessert. When I sat down I refused a menu and quickly ordered a hickory burger with cheese and a side of fries. They must have known I was excited because they went extra on that tangy, smokey sauce. It’s been a long time since I’ve made my way to this weird stretch of Pico across from an aging mall, and other than a lot of excited tourists taking pictures and asking questions, it was just as when I was a student at UCLA living up the street on Overland Ave. #qualityforever (at The Apple Pan)

[goldburgerla]

This is my second time eating the double cheeseburger from Fundamental, and I like this one better, probably because I’m more into fancy In-N-Out style burgers than I used to be. This is definitely a #good burger, in spite of the kind of dry patties. Super melted cheese, great grilled onions, pickles, thousand island of course, and a soft bun, it has all the right stuff going on. If you’re downtown in the afternoon it’s a solid option. (at fundamental DTLA)

[goldburgerla]

Oh hey filet mignon burrito from the best of LA, Guerrilla Tacos. This thing is loaded! Cheddar, egg, avocado, mushroom, arugula, it almost seems like a breakfast sandwich, right? Add in the juicy filet and that perfect arbol chile to make it a uniquely Guerrilla burrito. I mean, how lucky is this city to have this truck rolling around town? (at ROW DTLA)

[goldburgerla]

#TBT to the cheeseburger at the now defunct Ledlow. When Josef Centeno first opened this restaurant you could get it as triple, cooked through, and gloriously covered in cheese. They later changed the burger to a 6oz guy, which is this pic, and cut the restaurant in half, eventually closing it entirely and turning it into the incredibly good PYT. Rumor has it you can still get the cheeseburger for lunch, but I haven’t confirmed yet. I should tho, and I will. (at Ledlow)

[goldburgerla]

It’s so pretty, isn’t it? The cheeseburger at this brand new downtown hotel has a lot going for it. It’s hefty but a one hander, the ratio is on point, the bun has sesame seeds and is squishy. Dressed simply with pickled red onion, white cheddar, and the ever ubiquitous special sauce, this burger really let the meat be the star. Gamey, and juicy, if I had the #money this would be a regular stop for me when I’m in dtla. The dining room and the service are truly some of the best in city. (at The NoMad Hotel)

[goldburgerla]

Another day another sandwich. Incredible pork belly wrapped in a thick, semi sweet sesame bread from Joy in Highland Park. Cilantro and peanut and some other stuff. Get the “Joy Combo” which comes with a #cold app (seaweed salad for this guy), soup, and a shaken iced tea. One of the best lunches in town at one of the best restaurants in town. (at Joy)

[goldburgerla]

When I think of New York burgers I generally think of this style— a bigger patty of delicious grassfed local beef, and covered in a cheese that’s not American. The classic cheeseburger at Grazin’ in Hudson reminds me that no matter how much I love a roadside style, chef versions as well, I really do appreciate a good big #restaurant burger. This guy is six ounces of juicy and delicious burger from their own farm. Lightly dressed in cheddar, some greens, and some pickles, I added thick house-made ketchup to the soft sesame bun. Now I know what you’re thinking, and of course I prefer Heinz but I’m a fan house-made ketchup in the right situation. This simple burger let the meat shine, and shine it did. I only wish the patty was 7 or 8 ounces so it would last a little longer, as I scarfed it down quickly. (at Grazin')

[goldburgerla]

Oh okay New York City I’ll eat your sandwiches. In my old neighborhood in Greenpoint is the new to me Frankel’s Deli. Everything bagel lightly toasted, delicious scallion cream cheese, dill cucumber, and pastrami salmon— a thing I’ve never had before and a thing I want all the time now! They call this “The Number One” and it’s clear that it is a number one sandwich! (at Frankel's Delicatessen)

[goldburgerla]

Goldburger made! I call this the “Tiki Smash” and my buddy Kyle killed it with the idea. Thinly sliced pineapple deep fried, two 2.5oz smashed patties of chuck fully seared on a cast iron over piping hot coals, house made 1000 island I should have applied more liberally, pepper jack cheese I also should have been more liberal with, and sandwiched between King’s Hawaiian hamburger buns— I had to clear out the whole inventory at Target! Should have had umbrella toothpicks to top it off, tbh. (at Highland Park, Los Angeles)

[goldburgerla]

The ultra secret bar burger at Here’s Looking at You in Koreatown. Another Martin’s potato roll made its way into town, with double cooked through patties, white American cheese, and some 1000 island style sauce. Super simple, super delicious. (at Here's Looking At You)

[goldburgerla]

Other local #hero Alvin from Eggslut popped into town for Smorgasburg to treat us with a delicious burger. King’s Hawaiian buns (stay tuned for a Goldburger made burger with the same buns!), 1000 island of course, American cheese, delightful pepperoncinis, and a fine but not necessary guacamole. It was sweet and meaty and I’d eat it again. (at Smorgasburg Los Angeles)

[goldburgerla]

Finally did it. Got a smashed fried onion burger from Burger Laureate of these United States, George Motz. Thanks to local hero, Farley Elliott, I got to hang in back and say hi to the guy— dude knows how to work a giant line on a #hot griddle! Fried onions, tons of melted cheese, perfectly seared #smashed patty, perfect Martin’s Potato Roll bun. This is a truly perfect burger. Also great to meet Michael from Pie N Burger and the hard working Burgers Never Say Die guys! So many burger legends all in one place thanks to Smorgasburg. (at Smorgasburg Los Angeles)

[goldburgerla]

You can tell just by looking that this is a special burger not regularly on the menu over at The Oinkster. It’s their regular 1/3lb burger, but topped with two fully dressed carne asada tacos. Inspired by the unofficial paper of record for Los Angeles, lataco.com, this burger is pretty incredible. It tasted exactly as you’d imagine two tacos on a burger would taste: super meaty, spicy salsa, killer guacamole, perfectly pickled vegetables— these are great tacos! I was worried two corn shells would be too much but as I ate they got that nice soft consistency. I’m definitely full of carbs today! Don’t sleep on this burger or what the folks at lataco.com are doing for our great city, especially with the death of LA Weekly. (at The Oinkster)

[goldburgerla]

The classic burger at this classic counter is a classic for a reason. Did it invent the cheeseburger? Maybe. Thousand island and American and crispy lettuce, I went for the crispness of the raw #onion with my usual grilled onions. That’s right— two onions! They now have a name for the double on the menu, The Big Ben. Usually I never want a double, but honestly I wish I had today. I forget how incredible a patty is off a 50 year old flat top grill! (at Pie 'n Burger)