The Apple Pan

LOCATION –

The Apple Pan is located in West LA at 10801 West Pico Blvd. It stands out as the old house on the block, as it should because it has been there since 1947. When you walk inside people are just leaning against the wall waiting for the next available spot at the U-shaped bar. There are no tables and no waiting list, you just grab an open seat and bump elbows with the person next to you. The founder of the Johnny Rockets chain, Ronn Teitleaum, actually used this place as the model for his 1940’s themed restaurants.

ON THE MENU –

There are 2 burgers on the menu; The Steak Burger and The Hickory Burger and both run about 7 dollars. As the man behind the counter squirted ketchup on a plate and slid it over to me he told me that the Hickory Burger was the popular one. “I’ll take one.” The burger arrived about 3 minutes later with a super thin patty, a ton of iceberg lettuce, and pickles. It was covered in Hickory sauce and everything was between an average white bread bun. I usually do not like anything resembling BBQ sauce to come close to my burgers, but this was okay. It was like sweet ketchup with a hickory flavor. There was one draw back; it is small, so small I actually ordered again, the Steak Burger this time. Three minutes later it came out. It was basically the same thing but instead of hickory sauce it had mayo and relish. I have to say I was not really a fan. (For those keeping score that’s 14 dollars in burgers!)

ON DRAFT –

No alcohol here, they don’t even have a soda fountain. My can of buck fifty Diet Coke came with a paper cone cup and a metal cone cup holder. I had never seen this before. I guess it was from before my time, but it was kind of neat.

ON THE SIDE –

Just fries, so I ordered some and they were about 2 dollars extra. They were exactly what I expected from an old joint like this, thicker dark golden brown delicious fries. They were heavy though, not like the skinny cut light colored fries I have been eating lately.

TIP –

They are open until midnight on weekdays and 1:00am on weekends and they are closed on Mondays. Bring cash because that is all they take.

SUMMARY –

I didn’t find anything special about this much talked about burger. I also found the burger to be overpriced. What really stands out is the history of the landmark. If I was in the area after a few drinks I might stop in for some fries, but if I wanted a burger I would go to Westside Tavern right across the street.

RATING – 3.5 out of 10

They do not have an official website.

Westside Tavern

LOCATION –

After seeing a feature at Landmark Theaters on West Pico Blvd, I went downstairs to check out the Westside Tavern (10850 W Pico Blvd, LA). Walking into this huge 300-seat restaurant I first noticed the enormous bar and comfortable yet classy atmosphere. The waiter told me, the chef tried 17 different burger recipes before he decided on his masterpiece. I was sold.

ON THE MENU –

They call it simply The Cheeseburger. For 13 dollars it comes with Tillamook cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, arugula, roasted garlic aioli on an egg bun. At first glimpse it looked amazing! I cut the burger in half and I could tell the meat was cooked perfectly. One bite and my mouth was very happy and my belly was soon to be. The Tillamook cheddar had amazing flavor and the sweetness of the caramelized onions complimented the flavors of the garlic aioli that was spread on the perfectly cooked egg bun. It almost had too much butter, but is there really such a thing?

ON DRAFT –

Everything! This place has a ginormous drink menu. They have a ton of California craft beers on tap including multiple Pale Ales and IPAs and they even have Dan’s Pick of the Week, which… you guessed it, changes every week. Along with the many beers, they had a tequila list, a single malt list and whiskey list which each had 15 plus selections as well as a good wine selection and many fresh drinks to choose from as well. The options were limitless.

ON THE SIDE –

Awesome, delicious, sea salted, skinny cut, perfectly fried French fries. Some of the best I have had in a while! And they came with the burger, not as a side. You also had a choice of a salad or seasonal soup, but trust me, go with the fries.

TIP –

Westside Tavern is the perfect place to go before or after a movie for drinks and a burger, plus they have free parking. They don’t take reservations so plan ahead. I had no problem at 2:00 on a weekday.

SUMMARY – This place is a contender for the best burger in LA. One of the only gourmet burgers in town that actually comes with a side and they have a huge drink selection. You better get one now before more people find out about this place!

RATING – 9.5 out of 10

Check out their website.

http://www.westsidetavernla.com/

BRAVO CUCINA

LOCATION -

Bravo Cucina in Santa Monica on the famous 3rd street Promenade (1319 3rd Street) is a small Italian restaurant with a porch out front. The outdoor seating provides a front row view of some of the best people watching in Southern California.

ON THE MENU –

I told the waiter I would take their signature burger, it took a second, but he said that would have to be the Bravo Bacon Cheeseburger, since it is most ordered. Being an Italian restaurant, I was not expecting much and was served exactly what I was expecting. The 9 oz. cheddar covered patty came with sautéed onions and mushrooms. The bun looked like it was straight out of the bag, except for the one-inch burn mark on the edge (as if they had tried to make it look toasted). The sliced red onions, tomatoes, and lettuce were served on the side. The apple wood-smoked bacon, with its permeating delicious smoky flavor, was cooked to perfection. Overall, the burger was very reminiscent of your average hotel room service burger, and equally overpriced for $13.00.

ON DRAFT –

No beers on draft, but they have about six including Stella and Peroni in bottles (for about 6 bucks). I however was in the mood for a glass of Louis M. Martini Cabernet, which came with a price of 9 bucks a glass (which was the cheapest cab on the menu). The wine selection was typical of any decent Italian restaurant.

ON THE SIDE –

There was no choice, you only get one option, just normal everyday restaurant fries. They served in a silver martini shaker (I am still trying to figure that one out). Although there was nothing really special about the fries, I did eat all of them. French fried potatoes are hard to completely ruin.

TIP –

Bravo Cucina is fine for pizza (according to Zagat), but if you want a burger, save some money, walk directly across the Promenade, and get yourself Johnny Rocket’s Burger. It doesn’t take a genius to know an Italian restaurant in one of the most notorious tourist destinations is going to serve an average overpriced burger, but I had to save you from making the same mistake. You’re welcome.

SUMMARY –

Due to the price (around 25 dollars with tax and tip), this average hotel room service burger made me want to check out.

RATING - 3 out of 10

Check out their website.

http://www.bravosantamonica.com/cucina/

D-Town Burger Bar

LOCATION -

I picked up my lunch break burger at D-Town Burger Bar at 6th and Spring. Their other location, also in downtown Los Angeles, is at 8th and Olive. The 50’s retro diner décor looked inviting but I grabbed my grub to go.

ON THE MENU -

"One Double Cheeseburger, I’ll take it how you make it", unfortunately, not the best choice this time. My personal preference is mayo, but was served with plain ordinary mustard. For some this could be a plus.

The toppings included a small amount of raw onions, chopped lettuce, pickles and two flavorless tomato slices (you know like they were pre-sliced before they were ripe and stored in the freezer for a month). After my 3rd bite they had to go. The bun was, well, just a normal average bun, nothing special to it, but the meat was good.

The two thin patties were covered with cheddar cheese and dripping with grease. This was positively the best part of the burger (which it should be). It reminded me of the burgers I got as a kid at my neighborhood hamburger joint, nothing fancy, just a greasy burger. Now, I am not a burger snob, I don’t have to have aoli or blue cheese to like it, but disrespecting the burger by putting the toppings under the patties is plain unethical. I don't know if this is their normal construction, or their not so brilliant fad, but I took it as the cook's laziness and just one more thing that questioned the burger’s integrity.

ON DRAFT -

Nothing! No Alcohol. AKA not the place for me. However you can get sodas and orange juice. Fresh Squeezed? Beats me, I’m still thinking about the bottom toppings and not crying over my beer.

ON THE SIDE –

To my surprise, my side was a conglomerate of traditional skinny cut potatoes and sweat potato fries. Here is my opinion on sweet potato fries - if you can't make them perfect don't make them at all. On the other hand I did enjoy the “normal” fries. They tasted fresh cut and fried to perfection.

TIP -

I would only recommend eating here If you happen to be downtown after a night of bar hopping, because D-Town Burger Bar is open until 3 am Thursdays through Saturdays, and breakfast is on the menu.

SUMMARY -

In the end this is just a greasy burger and great fries for about 10 bucks, but the key is that it is open late!

RATING: 3.5 out of 10

D-Town Burger Bar links

twitter.com/dtownburgerbar

facebook.com/dtownburgerbar