I was thinking. NY is so famous for its pizza and hotdogs, the hot dog vendor and NY style pizza are synononomous with the city.

I was thinking, LA is sort of known for beinag a great hamburger city. ... yeah this is the home of all the great cultural food of the the planet, but should LA be known as the burger city just like NY is known as the hot dog/pIzza city?

We got Fat Burger, In and OUt, and super gorumet burgers like the ones at Father's office and Houstons.

Should LA start marketing LA sytle hamburgers like ny style pizza?

Are you just trying to find a comparison with NYC and LA again?

Are you just trying to find a comparison with NYC and LA again?


YES. and NO.

I don't see the real point to this thread, (or what it has to do with skyscrapers) but other than IN and OUT burger, no it is not! (the thread should be "is LA a great burrito city")

IN and OUT is the best in the west coast

Mmm...In N Out and Jack in the Box are awesome. I wish they were international!

personally, Silverlake, when it comes to being a city, I see LA hotdogging it a lot more than it hamburgers it. Interesting thread though. I do see how chopping up lesser cuts of meat and including I-don't-want-to-know "fillers" would be a great route towards making LA the grandest city on the planet.

May I suggest a "LA exceeds Mexico City in taco stands: does this prove that LA is great or merely prove that it is supreme?" thread for more articulate discussions.

I think LA is a better Mexican food city than hamburger city. Although Metro LA is the birthplace of McDonalds. It does have a strong hamburger history. I think Carl's Jr. (also Metro LA company) is better than Jack in the Box. Nothing beats In-N-Out though.

I think LA is a better Mexican food city than hamburger city. Although Metro LA is the birthplace of McDonalds. It does have a strong hamburger history. I think Carl's Jr. (also Metro LA company) is better than Jack in the Box. Nothing beats In-N-Out though.

Holy shit! Will I catch hell from Silverlake and Vicecity. But, what the heck.

LA is not the birthplace of McDonald's. LA is the birthplace of the McDonald brothers hamburger stand. Ray Kroc was selling milk shake machines in southern California; the McDonald's brothers were one of his clients. Kroc got the idea that he could franchise a fleet of hamburger joints across the country. He started the first McDonald's in Chicago (actually suburban Des Plaines....it's still there, as a museum, first golden arches and all).

Now I hardly relate the story as any put down to LA (there isn't any) or to the credit of Chicago (no big deal here either). Just to set the record straight. McDonald's Corporation has always been a Chicago thing, and company HQ and Hamburger U are firmly entrenched in suburban Oak Brook; have been for years.

Holy shit! Will I catch hell from Silverlake and Vicecity. But, what the heck.

LA is not the birthplace of McDonald's. LA is the birthplace of the McDonald brothers hamburger stand. Ray Kroc was selling milk shake machines in southern California; the McDonald's brothers were one of his clients. Kroc got the idea that he could franchise a fleet of hamburger joints across the country. He started the first McDonald's in Chicago (actually suburban Des Plaines....it's still there, as a museum, first golden arches and all).

Now I hardly relate the story as any put down to LA (there isn't any) or to the credit of Chicago (no big deal here either). Just to set the record straight. McDonald's Corporation has always been a Chicago thing, and company HQ and Hamburger U are firmly entrenched in suburban Oak Brook; have been for years.

MCDONALDS IS VERY MIDDLE AMERICA AND VERY CHICAGO. KEEP IT PLEASE. I'M TALKING ABOUT LA STYLE HAMBURGERS LIKE AT FATBURGER AND IN AND OUT.

MCDONALDS IS VERY MIDDLE AMERICA AND VERY CHICAGO. KEEP IT PLEASE. I'M TALKING ABOUT LA STYLE HAMBURGERS LIKE AT FATBURGER AND IN AND OUT.

What's different about an LA-style hamburger? Just curious because I've never heard of LA-style hamburgers.

What's different about an LA-style hamburger? Just curious because I've never heard of LA-style hamburgers.

I really dont think there is much difference in terms of different ingredients or "style", like the difference between a Pizza from Wolfgang Pucks vs. Pizzeria Uno.

For instance, an In-n-out double double is similar to a big mac, just made with ultra fresh vegetables, and patties. Much better quality at a great price. And Fatburger is like a diner made hamburger, but you can put toppings such as chili and fried eggs.

To me, there is no definitive LA style of Hamburger. However, I do like Fatburger and In-n-out, though I prefer Fatburger.....

That just seems to be gourmet burgers, as in restaurant style. While very good I think, every city has great diners (even ones that are not mass produced chains) with those type of burgers. I have never really equated LA with being a 'burger' city I dont know where that would have come from. I always have thought of LA as a fresh foods city such as wraps and suchi and trendy healthy foodage, maybe thats just me.

Interesting Fact: Louisville claims to be the birthplace of the Cheeseburger, anyone know if that is true?

That just seems to be gourmet burgers, as in restaurant style. While very good I think, every city has great diners (even ones that are not mass produced chains) with those type of burgers. I have never really equated LA with being a 'burger' city I dont know where that would have come from. I always have thought of LA as a fresh foods city such as wraps and suchi and trendy healthy foodage, maybe thats just me.

Interesting Fact: Louisville claims to be the birthplace of the Cheeseburger, anyone know if that is true?


Yes it is.....of the Cheeseburger. The hamburger had been around for years before Kaelin's started serving it with cheese on top. My guess is a couple other places around the country may have started using it too, but Kaelin's was probably the first to start making great money off of it.

IN & Out is good, and they became even better when they stop serving them half raw. After the scare of people dying from contaminated beef, they had to change their practics of serving them rare. I remember I would have to to request they cook mine well done. You know us black folks don't like to see too much red in our beef.

Anyway, I think LA is a hamburger town, IMO it has some of the best burgers you can get in the country. Most of these joints aren't even chains. Fat Burgers to me is much better than In & Out, they are largers, and much more tasty. The only negative with Fat Burgers, they are getting a bit pricey. I also hear that since Magic Johnson bought the chain, he plans to go nation wide.

Speaking of which....This was in our paper today.

It looks like our independent hamburger stands are under attack. TOO BAD!!!!!>>>> even in tough minded urban LA it is tough to fight the corporate chains. But this article sort of proves that LA is America's Hamburger city, just like NY is the hot dog/Pizza city...

You guys who live in cities where it is ball-freezing cold 6 months of the year, can't understand what it's like to live in a city with food stands all over the neighborhoods. LA is a lot better for independent food stands than other parts of the country.

Like the hot dog venders in ny, food stands in LA is a tiny part if what makes LA, LA.

Is the L.A. Hamburger Stand Cooked?

By Bob Pool, Times Staff Writer


They're taking a stand for Los Angeles' disappearing hamburger stand.

Customers of Irv's Burgers shoved aside their cheeseburger combos, signed petitions and wrote protest letters when they learned a month ago that their West Hollywood burger joint was about to be torn down to make way for a chain coffee outlet.

Calling themselves the "Burger Brigade," they showered Emeryville-based Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc. with so many protests that the company's corporate lawyer was dispatched to meet with them last week at the home of an Irv's Burgers fan. Another meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.

"The place has such a history. Jim Morrison of the Doors and Janis Joplin loved the place," said Irv's Burger customer John Tripp, an event promoter who has eaten there for more than 20 years, adding that artwork for a Linda Ronstadt album was shot at Irv's.

If the 54-year-old stand survives, it would be a rare victory for burger buffs who have gone from heartburn to heartache watching hundreds of independent walk-up eateries gobbled up. Disappearing with the shacks are the colorful short-order proprietors, each with his own take on the perfect burger, whether it's topped with a fried egg or smothered in homemade chili.

Rising real estate values and changing tastes are largely to blame for the demise. Some stands evolved into taco shops or outlets for Asian food. But most were simply torn down to make way for new projects.

The boom in gourmet coffee houses has taken a particular toll in recent years.

The hamburger stand was born in Los Angeles as an outgrowth of World War II. Returning GIs discovered that they could easily — and cheaply — go into business for themselves by selling burgers.

Very little space was required. Owners of tiny, odd-shaped parcels too small for a retail shop were more than happy to unload their orphan slivers of land.

Enterprising veterans used surplus aluminum and steel from local aircraft and defense plants to build their 40-foot-square shacks. Often, prefabricated cubicles were trucked in and placed on pre-poured concrete pads.

Mild Los Angeles winters meant that the open-air businesses could operate year-round. Because walk-up stands served primarily patrons from nearby offices, shops or industrial plants, there was no need for customer parking lots like those required for another popular business that was emerging: the drive-in restaurant.

"You throw it together, hook up the gas and water and you're in business. Eventually, the little stands would expand. The owner would extend the roof and add a table or two and chairs," said Gerald Panter. "Then they'd extend the stand a little more to give themselves storage room." Panter is an expert on Los Angeles hamburger stands. In just the last four years he has cataloged more than 200 of the postwar eateries for a planned book on fast-food stands called "Eating on the Run."

He estimates that about 35% of those he has photographed have disappeared. The famed Kosher Burrito on downtown's 1st Street was bulldozed in 2002 to make way for a new Caltrans building. Frank's on Beverly Boulevard near La Brea Avenue was recently converted into a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf shop.

That's a far cry from the hamburger stand's heyday, when hundreds dotted street corners, edges of parking lots and the fringes of industrial zones. It's impossible to know exactly how many were around because most stands were built on the fly, sometimes starting as portable stands that evolved into free-standing businesses.

A few walk-up places survive: The Original Tommy's on Beverly Boulevard, and the landmark Pink's hot dogs on La Brea Avenue and Tail of the Pup on San Vicente Boulevard have loyal followings. A public outcry saved the 48-year-old Jay's Jayburgers stand at Santa Monica Boulevard and Virgil Avenue — famous for its old-school founder Lionel "Jay" Coffin and his secret chili recipe — from demolition in 2000.

But competition from sit-down fast-food restaurants run by the likes of McDonald's, Carl's Jr. and Burger King crushed most independent hamburger stands. Stricter zoning regulations that mandate on-site parking mean that construction of new walk-up stands is unlikely, according to Panter, an attorney who lives in Hollywood.

As the open-air stands have faded away, so have their gregarious short-order-grill owners.

Panter said the old-style hamburger joints were inevitably run by feisty characters who treated customers like family.

That's certainly the case at Irv's Burgers, where teriyaki bowls, burritos and breakfast specials are cooked up along with $5.08 hamburger combos by a proprietor who has memorized hundreds of customers' names and food preferences.

Sonia Hong, who with brother Sean Hong and mother "Mamma Soon" — as she's known to regulars — greets customers by singing personalized songs to them. Food is served on paper plates, which Hong decorates with patrons' names and customized felt-pen sketches.

A framed "certificate of commendation" from West Hollywood is placed on the counter next to the order window. City Hall is across the street, and municipal officials are among the regulars.

The Hongs acquired the business near the northeast corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Sweetzer Avenue in 2000 for about $100,000. They rent the site for $2,000 a month under a five-year lease that expired in June. Landowner Irv Gendis has owned the burger stand site and an adjacent parcel that once housed an automotive repair shop since 1970.

Locals say the hamburger stand was known as Queenies' Burgers and then Joe's Burgers before Gendis purchased it and named it after himself.

"Everything's fresh; nothing is frozen. We sell hamburgers 12 hours a day," said Sonia Hong, of Northridge.

Hong said she and her family were initially told that a long-term lease would be available. But 18 months ago, Gendis leased the burger stand site and the adjoining land to investor and property manager Gregg Seltzer in a 30-year deal.

Seltzer, of Santa Monica, is paying Gendis $5,000 a month for both pieces of land. He continues to rent the stand to the Hongs for $2,000 on a month-by-month basis.

Seltzer said he has eaten at Irv's Burgers since the 1970s and is a fan of the Hongs. But economics are forcing the redevelopment of the combined parcels.

He dropped the idea of retaining the hamburger stand and restoring a small business, such as an automotive repair shop, to the vacant lot after calculating that he would have to almost double Hong's rent.

The planned Peet's Coffee & Tea would consist of a small retail store with a patio for coffee sipping in the front and a parking lot in the back.

"If there was a way to put Peet's on there and keep Irv's, I'd be first in line," Seltzer said.

Seltzer attended last Thursday night's meeting along with Peter Mehrberg, Peet's lawyer. It was held at the home of Tripp, one of the main organizers of the Burger Brigade, who lives a block from the stand.

Tripp said he and others are hopeful that a compromise can be reached to keep the burger stand where it's been since 1950.

"The Hongs are an extended family to so many of us."

Speaking of which....This was in our paper today.


Actually, it's the Chicago Tribune's paper. :D

Since when are Fatburger and In-N-Out uniquely LA?

There are Fatburgers in NY, and I've seen In-N-Out in other states.

The first fatburger was in LA but they are a chain that has a presence in about 21 states, I think it can be compared to other chains anyways. In and Out burger was started in LA as well and are limited to California Nevada and Arizona. Then of course my favorite...Johnny Rockets was also opened in LA and is now EVERYWHERE.

There are four cities that claim to have invented the Hamburger. Among the four the most prevalent is New Haven, CT. The others are Hamburg NY, Seymour WI, and Athens TX.

Again I will say I have never heard anything about LA being a hamburger city or making them special to anyone else. Of course I have never really heard of New York being a 'hot dog' city so maybe I am not in tune with city foods haha. Deep Dish Chicago/Maine Lobster/Thin Crust New York/ Seafood (Crawfish,Shrimp) New Orleans/Omaha Steak/Cincinnati Chili/SF Rice A Roni?/TX,TN,NC BBQ ... and more I guess I do know about SOME food attributions :)

Anyways last, but not least here is an article I found:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=3&q=http://www.metnews.com/articles/2004/reminiscing011504.htm&e=7620

[QUOTE=SChristopher]T Deep Dish Chicago/Maine Lobster/Thin Crust New York/ Seafood (Crawfish,Shrimp) New Orleans/Omaha Steak/Cincinnati Chili/SF Rice A Roni?/TX,TN,NC BBQ ... QUOTE]

somehow i feel san francisco sour dough bread belongs in the mix

Since when are Fatburger and In-N-Out uniquely LA?

There are Fatburgers in NY, and I've seen In-N-Out in other states.

I do believe I just mentioned in an earlier post that Magic Johnson bought the chain a few years ago. He announced when he purchased the franchise, he has plans to go nationwide. Fat Burgers was started as an independent joint in south central LA on Western Avenue by an African American. I do believe it was by a black woman (that is if I remember correctly) and the joint became so popular, she decided to franchise, and the rest is history.

I wish we could just get cut out the middle of the country. I'm going to eat a LA hamburger to drown my sorrow.

You still havnt explained exactly what that is?

Somehow I have the distinct impression that we've got another thread more suitable to Skybar talk here.

What is it with you folks?

Mods?

You still havnt explained exactly what that is?

You won't hear about any "LA burgers" outside of this forum.

You won't hear about any "LA burgers" outside of this forum.

Aside from that, realistically, you won't here a lot of the stuff said on this forum outside of here. Forumers on here are just different for some reason. For example, a high amount of liberals in the southeast forum, that's kind of ironic.

Aside from that, realistically, you won't here a lot of the stuff said on this forum outside of here. Forumers on here are just different for some reason. For example, a high amount of liberals in the southeast forum, that's kind of ironic.

I bet you've heard of Chicago style hot dogs or Chicago style pizza, right? What about New York style pizza? Yes? LA style burgers simply don't exist. It's a joke.

I bet you've heard of Chicago style hot dogs or Chicago style pizza, right? What about New York style pizza? Yes? LA style burgers simply don't exist. It's a joke.

Mmmmm, Chicago style hot dogs. I love those things, there's a shop across the street from my building that sells them, I go there every Thursday for two for ones.

I do notice that when I'm in LA, there's an abundance of hamburger joints that aren't here in the midwest. Carl's Junior, In & Out, Jack in the Box, Fat Burger...but they don't have White Castles.

I think LA is known for having butt loads of taco and burrito stands and many of them might make you have a butt load in your pants. I thought my gut was immune to un-pure food from all the years of White Castle, but I got sick as hell from one of those hole in the wall taco stands. I would've never guessed that a couple tacos could fuck you up so bad. I thought I had the ebola virus.

Mmmm.....I LOOOOVE In N Out....If only we had that here in TO. But my favourite burger place of all times will have to be Fuddruckers (1lb of juicy deliciousness)!!!

Mmmmm, Chicago style hot dogs. I love those things, there's a shop across the street from my building that sells them, I go there every Thursday for two for ones.

I do notice that when I'm in LA, there's an abundance of hamburger joints that aren't here in the midwest. Carl's Junior, In & Out, Jack in the Box, Fat Burger...but they don't have White Castles.

I think LA is known for having butt loads of taco and burrito stands and many of them might make you have a butt load in your pants. I thought my gut was immune to un-pure food from all the years of White Castle, but I got sick as hell from one of those hole in the wall taco stands. I would've never guessed that a couple tacos could fuck you up so bad. I thought I had the ebola virus.


All those you listed above are still chains.

I saw a show on PBS about hot dogs and they said Chicago had more single stand alone hot dog joints than all McD, BK, Wendys, Pizza Hut and Taco Bells combined. That's amazing and something that LA certainly lacks. It lacks neighborhood establishments in general. I haven't seen one corner bar or corner store in virtually all of "west central".

Chicago style neighborhoods are one thing people who only know cities like Pheonix and LA can't understand. It is true that Chicago neighborhoods are under assault. As recently as 1980 there were over 7000 neighborhood watering holes in Chicago (that's nearly 35 per square mile!), now that number is down to 2000, mostly associated with the decay of the blue collar southside, but also due to gentrification in general.

THe is a Burger franchise called The Habit, In and Out used to be my favorite burgers untill I came across The Habit :D

Actually I think The Habit started in Santa Barbara.

I have heard of the Habit...Hamburger Habit or whatever that is good. See when I think of food I attribute it to something founded or unique. For example my home Cincinnati is famous for this particular type of Chili that you really cant find anywhere else, yet we have many many places where you can get a hamburger that tastes just the same as one of your 'LA Burgers' which I still have no clue what that is LOL. So far we have just seen that LA has alot of burger chains, WOW!

I think LA is known for having butt loads of taco and burrito stands and many of them might make you have a butt load in your pants. I thought my gut was immune to un-pure food from all the years of White Castle, but I got sick as hell from one of those hole in the wall taco stands. I would've never guessed that a couple tacos could fuck you up so bad. I thought I had the ebola virus.


Oh, those dirty Mexican immigrants and their unsanitary ways. :|
We know what you are implying, anti-cheesehead. You need to go away.

Oh, those dirty Mexican immigrants and their unsanitary ways. :|
We know what you are implying, anti-cheesehead. You need to go away.

I'm not implying that at all. Mexican immigrants work at all kinds of eating establishments, not just taco stands, and I don't get sick all the time.

Fuck you.

I'm not implying that at all. Mexican immigrants work at all kinds of eating establishments, not just taco stands, and I don't get sick all the time.

Fuck you.

Believe me cheeshead, you ARE sick. All of the time.

i always thought of l.a. as a great dry-cleaner city :lol:

GO SUPPORT IRV'S BURGERS before it's not there anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It looks like most of you don't know that the golden arches started in southern California
I am not sure if LA is the birthplace of the hamburger as we know it, many people thinks it is, but LA is the city that has the oldest burger franchises in the nation.
LA started the drive thru craze in the 40's and 50's, where they use to place that tray on your car's door.

By the way, nothing to be proud of if you asked me, I couldn't care less about Mc Donalds....

The McDonalds that was in California is not a franchise, its an independent hometown burger joint whose namesake was stolen by Ray Kroc and opened in DES PLAINES, IL. After more opened, Ray took the owners to court and forced the owners to change their own restaurant to The Big M:

http://www.route-66.com/mcdonalds/images/Big-M.jpg

Here's the first franchise restaurant, in Des Plaines.

http://www.media.mcdonalds.com/secured/company/history/storemuseum/img/museumstore.jpg

IMO LA style burgers DO exist! :eat: Me and a friend ate at a Fatburger there; another friend finally told me the secret to Fatburgers. LOL. It is called Fatburger because they sell the best juicy burgers with 100 grams of fat and 200 mgs of cholesterol! Thus the name Fatburger. You wouldn't hear of anyone having blood clots from eating Whataburgers in Texas. :jk: But I would love to see Fatburger expand to Texas too. Eat a lil often from a fast food chain owned by Black people (Majic Johnson).

To SILVERLAKE: You say Mickey D's is so Chi-Town; it ain't no such thing. McDonald's is nationwide; it is homogenous because it is in every single town and city in all 50 states -- everybody eats the exact same basic food, from Quarter Pounders to McNuggets. No questions asked.

Silverlake, you seem to be having a problem with the folks from Cook County, so let me help a bit. Although Ray Kroc opened up his McDonald's in Des Plains, the first MAcDonald's was opened in the Inland Empire. I think San Bernadino by the original McDonald Brothers. Nothing to brag about in my opinion. LA is reputed to be the home of the first Chili Burger and first Chili Cheese burger. There are a lot of places that claim the first Cheese burger including LA but no one will ever know for sure. Bob's Big boy started in LA. actually Glendale. I think the first avocado burger started here but am not sure. I also think the pastrami burger started in the San Gabriel VAlley.

LA is also the home of a variety of foods. The first hot fudge sundae (C.C. Brown's in Hollywood), the Cobb salad (Brown Derby, LA), the French Dip samdwich (Phillippe's or Cole's downtown, and the fortune cookie supossedly invented in LA's original Chinatown though some claim SF.

You should also not forget LA's contribution to Googie architecture generally credited to John Lautner, where an awful lot of these hamburgers were eaten.

hey actually the longest running mcdonalds in the country is in downey, Ca.

hey actually the longest running mcdonalds in the country is in downey, Ca.


With the oldest original golden arches. I forgot to mention that!

yeah i used to live a couple blocks away so it was always easy to see those HUGE golden arches from my house......kinda off topic but did u know the first Taco Bell was in Downey too???

Burgers, burgers, burgers. This is clearly a very important topic for some. Me? I just like to eat 'em once in a while.

http://www.ahamburgertoday.com/images/20050812APSign-thumb.jpg

http://www.lottaliving.com/albums/signs_painted/100_2233.sized.jpg

http://www.orangeride.com/archives/2004/los_angeles/LA1/in_n_out_burger.jpg

http://www.myhollywoodstar.com/hamham.jpg

http://www.ahamburgertoday.com/images/200500802IrvsExtCloseup-thumb.jpg

http://www.photo.net/photo/pcd0222/bobs-big-boy-34.4.jpg

http://orangeroof.org/California/CaliAdventure/McDonalds/10-3--5-2004/speedee16.jpg

I think LA is a better Mexican food city than hamburger city. Although Metro LA is the birthplace of McDonalds. It does have a strong hamburger history. I think Carl's Jr. (also Metro LA company) is better than Jack in the Box. Nothing beats In-N-Out though.



Jeeeezus .......typical clueless disconnectedness.....aninveterate Angeleno ...to think that the universe ends at smog level and begins at the pacific?


Where are my car keys I want to travel the universe

I really like LA burgers. My favorite is Hamburger Habit which is in West LA (Sepulveda corner National)

Hamburger Habit
http://www.hamburger-habit.com/hh094.jpg

That just seems to be gourmet burgers, as in restaurant style. While very good I think, every city has great diners (even ones that are not mass produced chains) with those type of burgers. I have never really equated LA with being a 'burger' city I dont know where that would have come from. I always have thought of LA as a fresh foods city such as wraps and suchi and trendy healthy foodage, maybe thats just me.

Interesting Fact: Louisville claims to be the birthplace of the Cheeseburger, anyone know if that is true?

No it probably is not. From (Matthew Hemming; Death by Cheeseburger)

"The inventor may be Louis E. Ballast, proprietor of the Humpty Dumpty Barrel Drive-In in Denver, Colorado who remembers having his curdy insight in 1935, after experimenting unsuccessfully with peanut butter beef patties and fried chocolate and meat confections best left undescribed. Carl and Margaret Kaelin of Kaelin's Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky think they beat Ballast by a year, happening accidentally upon the cheeseburger in 1934 in a "hey, you got chocolate in my peanut butter!"-type incident. But such talk may be causing poor old Lionel Sternberger to roll in his grave, knowing full-well that he came up with the "cheese hamburger" first back in 1926 while working the grill at the Rite Spot in Pasadena, California. Either way, the cheese topping and the term "cheeseburger" quickly became ubiquitous."

Looks like a win for okd SIlverlake, after all. The Cheeseburger comes from LA!!

I wish we could just get cut out the middle of the country. I'm going to eat a LA hamburger to drown my sorrow.


I have no idea what this has to do with the thread. There again is another pointless, trollish comment.

On topic:

I've always viewed LA as more of a Mexican food/Asian food city; that is to say, LA has done a better job of identifying itself with that sort of cuisine than the more typical American fare. In addition, LA has been an incubator for the reinvention of those styles of food, the new styles of which have difused around the country.

But....LA has IN N OUT burger, which is by FAR the best fast food place to get a hamburger and fries.

I have no idea what this has to do with the thread. There again is another pointless, trollish comment.

On topic:

I've always viewed LA as more of a Mexican food/Asian food city; that is to say, LA has done a better job of identifying itself with that sort of cuisine than the more typical American fare. In addition, LA has been an incubator for the reinvention of those styles of food, the new styles of which have difused around the country.

But....LA has IN N OUT burger, which is by FAR the best fast food place to get a hamburger and fries.

Nah, This comment is old, about almost last 2 years ago. :old:

^^ yeah and i think he said it right after george bush was elected

^^ yeah and i think he said it right after george bush was elected

Yeah, Bush does sucks.

LA is reputed to be the home of the first Chili Burger and first Chili Cheese burger.

Do you know which restaurant? Thanks.

The fast-food hamburger began its ascent to modern popularity when Ray Kroc purchased the McDonald's hamburger chain from the McDonald brothers in California, and opened his first McDonald's franchise in Illinois in the mid-1950s. Richard and Maurice McDonald had started the chain in San Bernardino, California, in 1948.

The "cheese hamburger," now simply the cheeseburger, is said to have first appeared in 1924, and credited to grill chef Lionel Steinberger of The Rite Spot restaurant in Pasadena, California. The term "burger" has now become generic, and may refer to sandwiches that have ground meat, chicken, fish (or even vegetarian) fillings other than a beef patty, but share the characteristic round bun. By the mid 20th century both terms were commonly shortened to "hamburger" or simply "burger." A "hamburger" today can also be made with finely chopped beef as well as ground beef.

The History of Eating Out in Los Angeles

Origins of Some Local Food Empires
1926 - Orange Julius, Julius Freed, Los Angeles
1941 - Carl's Hot Dog Stand (Carl's Jr.), Carl Karcher, L.A.
1948 - In-N-Out, Harry Snyder, Baldwin Park
1948 - Winchell's Donuts, Verne Winchell, Temple City
1952 - Fatburger, Lovie Yancey, Los Angeles
1958 - IHOP, Al Lapin, Toluca Lake
1958 - Sizzler, Culver City
1961 - Wienerschnitzel, John Galardi, Long Beach,
1962 - Taco Bell, Glen Bell, Downey
1972 - The Cheesecake Factory, David Overton, Los Angeles
1972 - Gladstone's 4-Fish, Robert Morris, Malibu
1982 - Islands, Tony DeGrazier, West Lost Angeles
1983 - Panda Express, Ming-Tsai Cherng and son, Andrew Cherng, Pasadena

The Denny's Restaurant chain, now found nationwide, was founded by Harold Butler in 1953 in Lakewood and first opened as a single donut shop named Danny Donuts. Butler added more shops during the following year and also added sandwiches and other entrees to the menu. The shops were renamed Danny's Coffee Shops. By 1959, the chain had expanded to 20 restaurants and was renamed Denny's.

"Alpha Beta" began as a merchandising concept rather than as a store name. Albert and Hugh Gerrard had been operating food stores in Southern California since 1900 and had been early adopters of a self-service system in 1914. Their Triangle Grocerteria (at 329 West Second Street, Pasadena) began arranging groceries alphabetically in 1915, the beginning of the "Alpha Beta system". The Alpha Beta name was first used for the Pomona store in 1917. By the next year, seven stores were operating under this name. Alpha Beta Food Markets incorporated in 1929 (source: http://www.groceteria.net/alphabeta/history.html)

In 1946, Burton Baskins opened an ice cream shop in Pasadena and his brother-in-law, Irvine Robbins, opened another in Glendale that same year. Baskins had learned to make ice cream while in the Navy in the South Pacific. Robbins learned to do so while in Tacoma, Washington. By 1947, the brothers-in-law decided to combined their ice cream businesses to form Baskin-Robbins.

Culinary Invention Claims From the L.A. Area

The French Dip Sandwich - by Phillipe Mathieu (Phillipe Restaurant, L.A., 1918)

The Cheeseburger - Lionel Sternberger (Rite Spot Restaurant, Pasadena, 1924)

The Hot Fudge Sundae - at C.C. Brown's (Hollywood)

The Shirley Temple & the Cobb Salad - at L.A.'s Original Brown Derby (Hollywood)

Farmers Market, located at the corner of Fairfax and Third Street in Los Angeles, opened in 1934 at what was then known as the Gilmore Ranch. 18 farmers parked their trucks on the corner and began selling produce from their tailgates. The Market now features almost 100 shops visited by an estimated 3 million people visit each year (approximately one-third of which are tourists). Vendors at The Market speak about 23 different languages. In 2003, The Grove opened adjacent to the Market and has become an enormously popular shopping, dining and entertainment destination. Click here for 63 other interesting Farmers Market facts.

At one time, not long ago, a fleet of 300 Helms Bakery vans cruised the neighborhoods of the Los Angeles area summoning people with their distinctive whistles to purchase bread and pastries. The center of this operation was the Helms Bakery building on Venice Boulevard in Culver City (still located there with original Helms logo). The company, founded by Paul Helms in 1931, eventually succumbed to competition from emerging supermarkets and closed in 1969. Still today, an independently operated former Helms Bakery truck, perhaps the last, cruises the neighborhoods of Montebello, tooting its whistle and offering bread and pastries. Source: Los Angeles A to Z by Leonard & Dale Pitt.

The fortune cookie is generally believed to have been invented in 1918 by David Jung, a Los Angeles noodle manufacturer (Hong Kong Noodle Co.). He was said to have invented the treat with its encouraging messages for unemployed men who gathered on the streets. Some claim that his motivation was more for promotional purposes than for social concern.

The restaurant Philippe The Original is perhaps one of the most beloved restaurants in Los Angeles. It was established by Philippe Mathieu in 1908 and claims the distinction (disputed by PE Cole's Buffet across town - see following paragraph) of having invented the "French Dipped Sandwich." The story goes that, one day in 1918, while making a sandwich, Mathieu inadvertently dropped a sliced French roll into a roasting pan filled with hot juice. His customer, a police officer, asked for the sandwich anyway and returned with friends the next day for more. Thus was born the "French Dipped Sandwich." The restaurant was later sold to Harry, Dave,and Frank Martin in 1927. It is still owned by their descendants. Located at 1001 North Alameda Street in downtown Los Angeles.

In 1908, Henry Cole opened PE Cole's Buffet (PE for Pacific Electric - a throwback to catering to Pacific Electric commuters in its early days), now known as the oldest continuously-operated restaurant and bar in Los Angeles. Cole's also advertises itself as the originator of the French Dip sandwich, a claim disputed by Phillipe The Original across town (see preceding paragraph). Cole's story is that, in the summer of 1908, a customer asked chef Jack Garlinghouse to dip a sandwich bun in the meat juice, explaining that the buns were hard on his gums. Soon, others began asking for the "'Dip Sandwich." Incidentally, some years later, Henry Cole also established the first check cashing service in Los Angeles.

Bob's Big Boy #6 located at 4211 West Riverside Drive in Burbank is the oldest surviving Bob's Big Boy restaurant. It was built in 1949, with an addition added in 1978.

<>Musso & Frank Grill, established in 1919, was the first restaurant to open in Hollywood.

In 1924, Mexican immigrant Consuelo de Bonzo opened La Misi鏮 Cafe on South Spring Street in Los Angeles. The restaurant became popular with the rapidly growing local Mexican community and de Bonzo became well known among city movers and shakers. When the city decided to demolish the neighborhood in which the restaurant was located to make room for the new Los Angeles City Hall, de Bonzo was invited to open a restaurant as part of the new Olvera Street project. In April 1930, Olvera Street debuted with La Golondrina Cafe opening in the old Pelanconi House (the first fired-brick building in Los Angeles, circa 1855-1857). Still serving diners today at that location, the restaurant is touted as the first authentic Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles.

The oldest surviving McDonald's restaurant is located at the corner of Florence and Lakewood in Downey. It was opened in 1953, one of the first stands franchised by the McDonald brothers themselves. Over the years, the stand aged and grew less profitable and McDonald's planned to shut it down. In 1994, due to minor damage from the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the company finally closed the stand. Widespread public supportfor saving the landmark, however, led to a restored stand opening in 1996, complete with many of its original 1950s characteristics. The location now also features an adjoining replica of the McDonald brothers' original San Bernardino stand containing a gift shop and museum.

http://www.laalmanac.com/history/hi08r.htm

And I know California Pizza Kitchen was started from Berverly Hills.

WORLD's OLDEST McDONALDS
Historic Speedee McDonald's
10207 Lakewood Blvd. (at Florence Ave.)
Downey, CA 90240
(562) 622-9248

Why Preserve?
Preservation Case Studies
horizontal line

Oldest Surviving McDonald's Restaurant
Downey, California

Americans cemented their love affair with the car after World War II, and there were few better illustrations of that romance than the drive-up fast food restaurant. In 1953 the McDonald’s brothers, already the creators of a highly efficient hamburger stand in San Bernandino, California, decided to begin franchising their restaurant. It was later that year that their first franchise opened a few miles south of Los Angeles, in a building that would become an icon of the highway: red and white tiles, roof sweeping up from front to back, and two golden arches.

Though both locals and travelers from increasingly long distances enjoyed what had become the oldest surviving McDonald’s, the company decided that the restaurant was obsolete. Weakening sales, the lack of profitable amenities like a drive-through window and a large indoor seating area, and minor earthquake damages led McDonald’s to announce in 1993 announcement that it was going to demolish this piece of American history.

But widespread public support for the building’s preservation, including its listing on the 1994 list of America’s Most Endangered Historic Places, convinced McDonald’s to reverse its decision. In December 1996, the restaurant, which now also includes a museum and a gift shop, reopened for business. The project received a National Trust Preservation Honor Award in 1997 and is now a popular destination, showing again that preservation can be good business.

http://www.nationaltrust.org/primer/list.asp?i=7

Don't forget Cheesecake Factory started in Beverly Hills.

Do you know which restaurant? Thanks.

I believe it was one of the Tommy's. Not sure which one. (first chiliburger).

I believe it was one of the Tommy's. Not sure which one. (first chiliburger).

Yummmmmm, I just had a Tommy Burger when I was back in LA in July. There was one 3 blocks from my college apt when I went to LB State.

One day a chubby youngster walked into Wian’s now flourishing restaurant. “He was about six,” Bob recalled, “and rolls of fat protruded where his shirt and pants were designed to meet. I was so amused by the youngster - jolly, healthy looking and obviously a lover of good things to eat, I called him Big Boy.” So why not name the new hamburger Big Boy? Wian did. That was the birth of the first double-deck hamburger.

http://www.bigboy.com/history.html

Don't forget Cheesecake Factory started in Beverly Hills.

Yeah, both of CF and CPK are spread on nationwide.

I think L.A. is kind of a hamburger city. Actually I heard most of the west coast is known for great burger joints.

I think the first avocado burger started here but am not sure. I also think the pastrami burger started in the San Gabriel VAlley.

Culver City is a subtle stretch of Los Angeles lying low on the West Side, but there's nothing low-key about one of its oldest eateries, Howard's Famous Bacon and Avocado Burgers. The strip mall that eventually grew to surrounded Howard's—a block of dreary businesses that looks more like a series of black-market fronts than the realization of its tenants' entrepreneurial dreams—looks like it wants to keep a low profile. No such luck, however: Howard's Circus Circus–style sign is a beacon of flashing lightbulbs and screaming colored letters announcing itself to Sepulveda traffic far and wide.

Dating to 1971, Howard's claims to be the first to have dressed a burger in that celestial combination of bacon and avocado that now makes a mint for chains such as Carl's Jr.

http://www.ahamburgertoday.com/archives/2005/06/almost_famous-h.php

pastrami burger

probably The Hat http://www.thehat.com/

This link is good.
http://www.roadsidepeek.com/roadusa/southwest/california/socal/socaleats/socalchains/

Culver City is a subtle stretch of Los Angeles lying low on the West Side, but there's nothing low-key about one of its oldest eateries, Howard's Famous Bacon and Avocado Burgers. The strip mall that eventually grew to surrounded Howard's—a block of dreary businesses that looks more like a series of black-market fronts than the realization of its tenants' entrepreneurial dreams—looks like it wants to keep a low profile. No such luck, however: Howard's Circus Circus–style sign is a beacon of flashing lightbulbs and screaming colored letters announcing itself to Sepulveda traffic far and wide.

Dating to 1971, Howard's claims to be the first to have dressed a burger in that celestial combination of bacon and avocado that now makes a mint for chains such as Carl's Jr.

http://www.ahamburgertoday.com/archives/2005/06/almost_famous-h.php

pastrami burger

probably The Hat http://www.thehat.com/

I see Howards alot when I was stayed in Culver City for a few month. Never had the chance to visit it since avocado wasn't my thing! But I'll be going to LA again sometime this year and I'll definitely check that place out :)

All hamburger places started in LA..

McDonald's - San Bernardino
Carl's Jr. - Anaheim
In N Out - Baldwin Park

not hamburgers:
Taco Bell - Downey

of course LA is the king of burgers!

Some more places for burgers in LA, that you haven't been talking about courtesy of De Concierge.com




HAMBURGER DAY!!


Celebrate this very special day at one of these “fine” dining establishments!

THE APPLE PAN
10801 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
310.475.3585
Why: Delicious hickory smoked flavor, an L.A. institution.

ASTRO BURGER
5601 Melrose Ave., Hollywood
323.469.1924, www.astroburger.com
Why: Charbroiled burgers, lots of menu choices for those not in the mood for burgers.

BARNEY’S GOURMET HAMBURGERS
11660 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood
310.447.6000, www.barneysrestaurant.com
Why: Taste of the bay area’s best in L.A., beef, turkey and chicken burgers (something for all)

CASSELL’S HAMBURGERS
3266 w. 6TH St., Los Angeles
213.480.8668
Why: Freshest ingredients across the board, loyal, longtime clientele.

THE COUNTER
2901 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica
310.399.8383
Why: 40 different toppings, custom designed burgers, organic Angus beef.

FATBURGER
Locations across the Southland: www.fatburger.net
Why: Great choice when In ‘N’ Out is not available, juicy and delicious.

FATHER’S OFFICE
1018 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
310.393.2337
Why: Hip atmosphere (bar dining), sensational applewood smoked bacon and Maytag blue cheese.

FRED 62
1850 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz
323.667.0062
Why: Hip atmosphere, amazing El Dooblay Burger (what a Big Mac wants to be)

IN ‘N ‘ OUT BURGER
Locations across the Southland: www.in-n-out.com
Why: best fast food burger on the planet, real fries from real potatoes.

LOUIS BURGERS
555 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach
562.437.4078
Why: Amazing pastrami burger, old school family dining.

ROCKENWAGNER
2435 Main St., Santa Monica
310.399.6504, www.rockenwagner.com
Why: Creator of the Pretzel Bun (allegedly), amazing combo of Swiss with caramelized onion compote.

RICK’S TAVERN
2907 Main St., Santa Monica
310.392.2772
Why: Burger for the most ardent purist, great selection of beers to accompany your burger.

RUBY’S
1 Balboa Pier, Balboa
949.675.RUBY, www.rubys.com
Why: Amazing original location of this now omnipresent chain, great traditional diner food.

RUSSELL’S
30 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena
626.578.1404
Why: Black Angus beef, variety of homemade dressings, fresh ingredients.

SIDEWALK CAFÉ
1401 Ocean Front Walk, Venice
310.399.5547
Why: Best people watching in the city, inventive burgers.

TOMMY’S
2575 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles
213.389.9060, www.originaltommys.com
Why: The original chili burger, also can make them custom but why would you?, open 24 hours.

POLO LOUNGE AT THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL
9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills
310.276.2251
Why: Kobe-style beef, grilled maui onions and Portobello mushrooms, L.A.'s only $30 hamburger.

BAR MARMONT
8171 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
323.650.0575
Why: One of the best rooms in the whole city, exquisite cocktails with your burger!

POSH ON PICO
5542 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
323.931.4338, www.poshonpico.com
Why: Spicy Latina burger, great "potato chips" on the side.

HAMBURGERS AT HOME!

While we could take credit for the following, we will not! These tasty burger combos appear directly from www.askthemeatman.com . How could you turn down the top 50 ways to top a burger? For all 101 choices, visit the website!

1. Pepperoni Pizza Burger : grilled burger covered with pepperoni, Mozzarella cheese and pizza sauce.

2. Verde Burger : grilled ground beef mixed with seasoned garlic, topped with piquant Italian Verde sauce made with parsley, onions and capers.

3. Classic Burger : hamburger with ketchup, mustard and pickles.

4. Greek Burger : topped with herbed Feta cheese, black olives and onions.

5. Hickory Burger : beef patty covered with cheddar cheese, bacon and hickory barbeque sauce.

6. Meat-o-Rama Pizza Burger : ground beef patty stuffed with Mozzarella cheese, diced tomatoes and pizza sauce, and topped with pepperoni and bacon.

7. Caesar Burger : ground beef seasoned with garlic and black pepper, on a crusty roll, accented with Caesar dressing, romaine lettuce and avocado slices.

8. Brocco Burger : ground beef patty dressed with a blend of melted Cheddar cheese and cooked broccoli.

9. Gyro Burger : hamburger topped with white onions, tomatoes and yogurt cucumber dressing.

10. Barbeque Burger : ground beef grilled with a tangy barbeque sauce and hot peppers.

11. Onion Burger : grilled ground beef seasoned with dried onion soup mix, and blanketed with grilled and raw onions.

12. Bistro Burger : ground beef covered with caramelized onions, Brie cheese and crisp bacon, served on a walnut bun.

13. Blue Moon Burger : grilled burger topped with Bleu cheese, sauteed mushrooms, lettuce and tomato served on an onion bun.

14. Bao-Wow Burger : chili seasoned ground beef served on a Chinese Bao bun with soy-ginger mayonnaise and Asian slaw on the side.

15. Cowboy Burger : grilled mushrooms, grilled onion, bacon and Monterey Jack cheese on a flavorful beef patty.

16. Chicago Burger : grilled beef burger with sweet relish, chopped onion, ketchup, mustard and hot peppers.

17. French Bistro Burger : hamburger adorned with walnuts, Gruyere cheese and garlic mustard mayonnaise, on a French roll.

18. Sticky Burger : grilled burger spread with peanut butter, bacon and Jack cheese.

19. Five-Spice Burger : ground beef seasoned with Chinese five-spice, grilled, and served with a soy-ginger sauce.

20. Olive Festival Pizza Burger : beef burger stuffed with mozzarella cheese and pizza sauce covered with sliced black and green olives.

21. Shrimpy Burgers : mini grilled burgers decorated with cream cheese, cocktail sauce and chopped shrimp.

22. Rowdy Reuben Burger : grilled beef patty smothered with melted Swiss cheese, thousand island dressing and zesty coleslaw, served on marble rye.

23. Earth & Turf Burger : grilled ground beef, beneath a golden porcini mushroom sauce with grilled zucchini squash and sweet red bell peppers.

24. Egg Burger : a lean ground beef patty paired with a fried or scrambled egg.

25. Thai-Cobb Burger : grilled ground beef served with avocado, tomatoes and bean sprouts, accented with a light peanut dressing.

26. Horseradish-Garlic Burger : topped with onions, garlic and horseradish.

27. Stroganoff Burger : ground beef patty dressed with sour cream, grilled onions, Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato, served on a fresh wheat bun.

28. Trattoria Burger : grilled beef burger layered with roasted red bell peppers, pesto mayonnaise, and Mozzarella cheese, served on focaccia bread.

29. Peking Burger : mix ground beef with a dash of Peking marinade, and grill. Serve topped with julienned mixed greens and an Asian flavored plum vinaigrette. (Marinade: Hoisin sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, Chinese five-spice, salt and black pepper.)

30. Spicy Burger : jack cheese melted on a lean ground beef burger with jalapeno peppers and onions.

31. Cordon Bleu Burger : ground beef patty beneath a layer of sliced ham, Swiss cheese and Dijon mustard.

32. Burger Al Forno : ground beef seasoned with robust Italian seasonings, fresh garlic, and rosemary, served with a golden Parmesan crust.

33. Garlic Burger : garlic powder mixed into ground beef, grilled, topped with garlic cheese and a dollop of garlic mayonnaise.

34. Corny Burger : tangy corn relish atop a beef patty. (Red pepper, corn, white vinegar, ground red pepper, salt and green onions.)

35. The Beefster : grilled hamburger patty topped with roast beef, horseradish and Muenster cheese, served on an onion roll.

36. Milanese Burger : ground beef patty lightly coated with bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and oregano, pan fried till done. Accented with watercress sprigs and vinaigrette.

37. Simple Cheeseburger : ground round burger layered with your choice of Wisconsin cheese.

38 Big Island Burger : hamburger stuffed with Mozzarella cheese, covered with Canadian bacon and pineapple.

39. Taco Burger : topped with shredded lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and black olives.

40. Breakfast Omelet Burger : grilled ground beef patty piled high with diced ham, Cheddar cheese, mushrooms and green peppers, served on a toasted English muffin.

41. Walla Walla Burger : hamburger pan fried in sweet & sour chutney made with sauteed white onions, raisins, mustard seed and marsala wine. Served on thick sliced Texas toast.

42. German Classic : grilled burger with aged Cheddar cheese and Dusseldorf mustard.

43. Blue Bayou Burger : topped with crumbled Bleu cheese, lettuce, tomato, hot pepper mayonnaise, served on a sesame seed bun.

44. Chili Burger : Hearty beef burger hidden beneath your favorite homemade chili and shredded cheese.

45. Kalamata Burger : chopped green & Greek kalamata olives mixed with cream cheese spread on a grilled hamburger.

46. Lucky Burger : grilled beef burger on sesame rye bread, layered with hot-sweet mustard, prepared horseradish, sharp Cheddar, green apple slices, red apple slices and sliced almonds.

47. Pinwheel Burger : different colored, quartered cheese slices arranged in a pinwheel design melted atop a grilled burger.

48. Santa Fe Burger Asada : grilled ground beef brushed with chili puree, placed on a torta bun with bean dip, guacamole and sour cream.

49. Anchovy Pizza Burger : anchovies, Mozzarella cheese and pizza sauce stuffed into a grilled hamburger.

50. North Woods Burger : grilled ground beef stuffed with a wild mushroom sauce featuring shiitake, chanterelle, oyster and hedgehog mushrooms. Enhance with yellow and red bell peppers.

Well it sounds cool to say that I've eaten in the world's oldest still working McDonalds. Downey pride yo. It's from LAB of SSP but instead of LA pride yo, it's Downey pride yo.

Great list svs. L.A. is indeed the hamburger city.

I agree that LA is known for burgers :) I would grab a bacon cheeseburger anytime :D

I've eaten in In N Out several times but I still prefer Fatburger when it comes to fastfood :)

Anyway, theres one in Sunset Blvd. called Carneys but I'm not sure if it's still there or not!

http://www.roadsidefans.com/carneys1.jpg

Another one is in Melrose which was The Burger That Ate LA but that place is gone!

http://www.edelmangallery.com/graham35.jpg

But in all, I still prefer Hamburger Habit. It's probably because of the sauce :D

Yeah, LA is hamburger city, of course. :D

In my opinion, I think L.A. has more burger joints and different than any other city.

In my opinion, I think L.A. has more burger joints and different than any other city.

I agree but of course it's better to pick the good ones :D

Why go to a Mc Donalds or Burger King if there are alot of good ones in that city!

Yeah, I agree I been to better burger restarants than Burger King and McDonalds

Yeah, I agree I been to better burger restarants than Burger King and McDonalds

And for the same price as well :D

A little off topic but besides burgers, LA is also known for it's hotdogs especially chillidogs, shakes, sundaes and fried chicken :D

And don't forget L.A. has the best Mexican food as well!

In-N-Out Burger is fun.

So it's probably no surprise to anyone that knows me that I'm a huge fan of In-N-Out Burger. In the interest of providing more info about them, I'm posting this stuff up here for everyone's benefit. The secret menu and bible verses are what's here and if you want to know anything else, check out the official In-N-Out site.

Below is the Customer Service response from In-n-Out Burger regarding their "secret menu"

Dear Mr. XXXXX:
Thank you for your e-mail, and for your interest in In-N-Out Burger.

In response to your question, we have several commonly requested burger styles, such as Animal style which do not appear on our menu. A you may know, our Animal style burgers come with lettuce, tomato, extra spread, pickles, grilled onions, and mustard fried into the patty. We also offer Protein style burgers, for which we wrap the burger in large leaves of lettuce instead of placing it on a bun.

In addition, we have commonly requested burgers that are not on our menu. These burgers include the Wish burger, the Grilled Cheese burger, the Double-Meat, and the 3x3. The Wish burger is similar to a hamburger but does not contain the meat. The Grilled Cheese burger is similar to the Wish burger, but adds two slices of melted cheese. The Double-Meat is similar to the Double-Double in that it has two meat patties, but it does not have cheese. The 3x3 burger is a burger with three meat patties and three slices of cheese, and you can add meat patties and slices of cheese to make a 4x4, 5x5, etc.

Again, although these styles and burgers are not on the menu, you can order them at all our locations.

Thank you again for contacting us.

Sincerely, Cristina Minchala Customer Service Representative

October 14, 2001

SECRET MENU
Here's the listing of how to order like a pro. My personal choice? "Double-Double® Animal style, no pickles"

"Animal Style" - bun is grilled with mustard, sauteed onions instead of raw, pickles, extra "special sauce" - [this can also be applied to fries (Note: I recently tried this on fries, but don't personally recommend it / Nov. 2, 2003)]

"Wish Burger" - no meat, i.e. veggie burger

"Protein Style" - lettuce wrapped around the burger instead of a bun for all of you who are in "The Zone"

Update 12/23/2003 - there is no such thing as "Old Fashioned Style" - originally I had this listed as "ketchup and mustard instead of the weird special sauce" but that is incorrect as a call from In-n-Out today revealed.

"Flying Dutchman" - two meat patties with two slices of cheese. that's it.

"Double Meat" - Double Double without cheese

"4x4" - 4 meat patties with 4 slices of cheese. Are you SURE you can eat that?

"2x4" - 2 meat patties with 4 slices of cheese for the fromage afficionado

"Grilled Cheese" - cheeseburger, sans meat

"Fries - well done" - get your fries extra crispy and brown the way you like them!

"Choco-Vanilla Swirl Shake" - just what it sounds like Note: this is not an official secrent menu item, but at most In-n-Out Burgers they will make it if asked for... 12/23/2003

"Neopolitan Shake" - a blend of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry shakes.

BIBLE PHRASES

Ever wonder what the little bible quotes sneakily hidden on the In-N-Out paper packaging mean? Ever wonder if they have anything to do with the fact that only blonde children work here? Let's investigate:

REVELATION 3:20 (burger and cheeseburger wrappers): Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

JOHN 3:16 (soda cups): For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

PROVERBS 3:5 (milkshake cups): Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (thanks to Robin Wright for the correction)

NAHUM 1:7 (Double-Double wrapper): The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

http://www.zenlemur.com/innout.shtml
http://www.tiburon-belvedere.com/cgi/home.cgi?c=In_N_Out

True about Mexican food.

Again, IN N Out to me is ok :) But I really don't dig that place at all But I remember the AD!

This one is old but hey :D

http://losangeles.citysearch.com/best/results/8490

Best burger in LA!

1) In-N-Out Burger
7009 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA
The country's first drive-thru chain with made-from-scratch burgers and a devout following.

2) Tommy's Original Hamburger
2575 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Cheap, chili-drenched burgers have sated L.A.'s hungry masses for more than 50 years.

3) Fatburger
1218 3RD St Promenade, Santa Monica, CA
Cheaper than Hamburger Hamlet, tastier than McDonald's--this place might just be the superhero of fast food.

4) Apple Pan
10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Heartland decor and traditional American fast food--it's all about the burgers and the apple pie.

5) Fuddruckers
3883 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA
Build a seriously hefty hamburger at this fast food joint with a diner-like atmosphere.

6) Father's Office
1018 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA
Where heaven is served in a bun and a pint glass.

7) Pie n' Burger
913 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA
Burgers, chili dogs and pie a la mode in a setting that's reminiscent of "The Wonder Years."

8) Mo' Better Meatty Meat Burgers--CLOSED
5855 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Heaven-sent french fries are the heart and soul of this no-frills burger stand.

9) Johnny Rockets
Multiple Locations
A neon-lit trip back to the Eisenhower era comes with burgers, shakes and fries.

10) Weber's Place Bar and Grill
19312 Vanowen St, Reseda, CA
A Reseda sports bar famous for kooky decor, vast beer selection and pub-grub menu.

There was one in Anaheim, Flaky Jakes but I don't know if it's there or not but they have good burgers!

Johnny Rockets is good.

Johnny Rockets opened its first restaurant on trendy Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles on June 6, 1986. From opening day to today, Johnny Rockets has offered its Guests great service, food and fun that keep them coming back. People are immediately drawn to the all-American diner look and feel, servers who know the secret behind getting ketchup out of the bottle, tabletop jukeboxes that belt out tunes for a nickel and authentic décor.

http://www.johnnyrockets.com/aboutus/companyoverview.php

I like in and out too but its also not my favorite.

I've been to Johnny Rockets in Melrose :) The food is ok but it's not my favorite in LA!