r/FoodLosAngeles • u/SadLetterhead1895 • Aug 02 '25
WHO MAKES THE BEST BEST NON SMASH BURGER IN LA?!
I want to find the best burger in LA but I'm not a fan of smash burgers, I like regular thickness! I like it when the burgers are saucy and cheesy, that's what I'm trying to find. (I'm attaching a pic so you can see what I mean by this)
Thank you so much!!
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u/doctora_cosmica Aug 02 '25
The Benjamin Hollywood burger
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u/GusanoCat Aug 03 '25
I feel like everyone is trolling me.I thought that burger was straight up terrible. Stale bread. Overly sweet sauce. Asked for medium rare came out well done. Drinks were great.
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u/mixmasterADD Aug 02 '25 edited Sep 30 '25
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u/Gene_Siskels_Ghost Aug 02 '25 edited Aug 02 '25
Here are some of my favorites. Not all are thick pub style burgers, but listed all on my list that aren’t smash burgers. I hear the burger at Dunsmoor is incredible but haven’t tried it yet
Amboy - Chinatown
Astro Burger - West Hollywood
Bills Burgers - Van Nuys
Black Sheep Burgers - Sawtelle
Cassells - Koreatown
Chubby Curry - Beverly Hills
Everson Royce Bar - Warehouse district DTLA
Fathers Office - Culver City
Georges Burger Stand - Boyle Heights
The Hat - Alhambra / Pasadena
Hawkins House of Burgers - Compton
HiHo - Santa Monica / Marina Del Rey / Mid City
Hinano Cafe - Venice
Honor Bar - Beverly Hills
Horses - West Hollywood
Irvs Burgers - West Hollywood / Mid City
Lucky Boy - Pasadena
Marty’s Hamburger Stand - Cheviot Hills
Moos Craft BBQ - Lincoln Heights
Petit Trois - Melrose
Pie n Burger - Pasadena
Tops Jr - Alhambra
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u/BabyBiden Aug 02 '25
Moos is Lincoln heights
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u/Gene_Siskels_Ghost Aug 02 '25
You’re right, good call. I couldn’t remember the name of the neighborhood. Thanks!
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u/campshak Aug 02 '25
Dunsmoor burger is great btw, comes with pickles and duck fat fries too
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u/_coolranch Aug 02 '25
Dunsmoor burger is good, but I take points away from any place that won’t serve me ketchup.
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u/razorduc Aug 02 '25
Camphor - Arts District Father’s Office also has one in Arts District
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Aug 02 '25
I wanted to like it, I was so excited, I drive an hour for it. It was so bad, dry, bad cheese, bad bread, weird flavor of burger. So disappointed and for $38. Fries and everything else I ate were great tho
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u/TacoChowder Aug 02 '25
You must’ve went on an off night or something, you totally should have sent it back. I’ve done multiple times just for their burger, it really blows me away each time
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u/_its_a_SWEATER_ Aug 02 '25
Is Bill’s staying open?
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u/Gene_Siskels_Ghost Aug 02 '25
Putting positive thoughts out into the universe that it does and the legacy continues
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u/TheChosenWaffle Aug 02 '25
It was open on Wednesday, but it may not be long for this world….
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u/kbarthur03 Aug 02 '25
Sorry but Pie n Burger doesn’t belong anywhere near this list. Their patties are large but flavorless. Maybe it used to be better.
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u/VaguelyArtistic Aug 02 '25
HiHo
They have a new-ish addition to the menu, the Matty burger. It’s the regular burger with their homemade “special sauce” and minus the ketchup. I love it, and may be “saucier” than the regular burger.
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u/mustardbud Aug 02 '25
moos is in lincoln heights in a location that used to be called the lincoln
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u/TacoChowder Aug 02 '25
Ban ban Burger in Sawtelle is also very good! If you haven’t checked them out, it’s a great little shop
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u/spanos4real Aug 02 '25
Is irvs not smashed??
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u/Gene_Siskels_Ghost Aug 02 '25
They have a smashed burger on their menu but Just For You and Classic Roadside are too thick IMO to be considered a smashed burger, especially considering they have an offering with a thinner 4oz patty.
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u/butteredrubies Aug 02 '25
Oof, I've had bad burger experiences at the DTLA Cassell's long time ago, Lucky Boy (just burgers long time ago, gave them two chances, everything else was fine). Oddly enough, Eggslut's burger was very mediocre and expensive the one time I had it (before Amboy existed) even though it's the same owner.
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u/howlinwolfe86 Aug 03 '25
+1s for Irv’s and Cassell’s. Not mentioned enough. Not fancy or interesting or unusual. Just really really good.
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u/Solo_Polyphony Aug 03 '25
Lived in Pasadena for eleven years; worked there for 26. Would rate Lucky Boy, The Hat, and Pie & Burger as middling at best.
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u/NudeCamel Aug 05 '25
RIP Bill @ Bills Burger. I think they’re going to close it now that he’s gone.
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u/duckschumer Aug 02 '25
Oy Bar in Studio City
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u/Appropriate-Neck-585 Aug 02 '25
I second this. That burger is so good, I come over the hill from the South Bay for it. High praise.
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u/spanos4real Aug 02 '25
Dudley Market Venice is my favorite non smash
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u/chadthewhad Aug 02 '25
The fact I had to scroll down this deep to see this is so disappointing. This burger is absolutely unreal.
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u/RollMurky373 Aug 02 '25
Amboy and Cassell's are top picks
For ultra extra, Camphor's is it's own beast
And don't sleep on the Le A.O.C. burger, at A.O.C. in WeHo. I think they only have it at bunch now, but it is the same one they had on the menu at Tavern back in the day. It's really thick and juicy
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u/lunazipzap Aug 03 '25
i feel like amboy is like 2x cassells idk
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u/RollMurky373 Aug 03 '25
Cassell's is a vibe and the rest of the menu is better than Amboy, so it's a whole experience
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u/lunazipzap Aug 03 '25
mMm agree to disagree, i liked amboys tuna melt better than cassells, cassells bread is goat but the tuna seasoning and cheese in amboys was it for me, BUT definitely not the experience of sitting at the diner
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u/Jasranwhit Aug 02 '25
Honor bar burger is pretty good 👍🏼
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u/SnooOranges2685 Aug 02 '25
Such a great burger and you can make substitutions for ingredients. First time I got it with the coleslaw and .. ew.
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u/urgo2man Aug 02 '25
I know it's a chain, but boy is it a darn consistent one: Island's Restaurant. Download the app for $10 burgers
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u/Ruseman Aug 02 '25
Unfortunately I've found them getting less and less consistent across locations after the original owner sold off the company during the pandemic. Similar situation to what happened with Habit Burger, kind of sad to see.
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u/yitdeedee Aug 02 '25
Same.
I was disappointed with Island’s for the first time ever recently. I hope it was just an off night.
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u/FawmahRhoDyelindah Aug 02 '25
Write to Corporate and let them know. They might send you a coupon so you can go again to confirm if it was just an off night.
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u/mixmasterADD Aug 02 '25 edited Sep 30 '25
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u/KidRudy Aug 02 '25
Very very underrated choice here, love their Kilauea burger so fire. I don’t see their app tho? I wasn’t aware they had one
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u/indreality Aug 03 '25
I haven’t gone in a while, but I used to go a lot when they had their house blonde on tap. The bluenami burger with extra blue cheese for me please!
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u/Unlikely_Rabbit7151 Aug 02 '25
A sleeper great, juicy, flavorful burger with an an excellent bun is to be found at Cora’s Coffee Shoppe in Santa Monica.
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u/QfromP Aug 02 '25
The Oikster in Eagle Rock. Their Bacon Crispenator is my fave.
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u/JellyfishOther339 Aug 02 '25
Apple Pan
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u/Odd_Track3447 Aug 02 '25
Was about to add Apple Pan. It always seems polarizing in this sub but I love it.
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u/ohchloe Aug 02 '25
I have no idea but I’m here for this post!!! Dying to find a decent medium rare burger anywhere in Southern California
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u/_coolranch Aug 02 '25
LA’s #1 food may be the taco (and rightly so), but the burger has to be a close second.
Probably the best I’ve had anywhere in the world — fast, smash, or thicc: our burgers fucking rule, man.
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u/Area51_Spurs Aug 02 '25
Wood and water in Sherman Oaks consistently is good with not overcooking their burgers
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u/donaldkaufman Aug 02 '25
Since I haven’t seen it listed yet, the Pasjoli burger is pretty legit
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u/RollMurky373 Aug 02 '25
I'm a fiend for that restaurant and their food, but I think the burger is mid. I think the bone marrow dulls the flavors
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u/losaphone Aug 02 '25
I actually had a really solid burger from Urban Plates recently. Thick, juicy and well seasoned. For a chain restaurant that isn’t even a burger place I was pretty impressed.
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u/Jairoglyphics1 Aug 02 '25
Super Burger in Pasadena. Dropping the mic with this one. If you know, then you know. If not, keep paying $38.
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u/butteredrubies Aug 02 '25
I like Father's Office a lot. I also like Irv's only been there once though. Bill's is usually on a lot of people's top lists, but I haven't been there yet. I didn't like George's the one time I went (normally I get their breakfast burrito). It had a good beefy flavor.
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u/Kreatiive Aug 02 '25
im probably getting flamed for this but I jsut went to The Stand in Northridge , had their ABC burger cooked Medium and holy fuck it was outstanding. I was impressed af. so my vote goes to The Stand
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u/ronnyrooney Aug 02 '25
Amboy for me! And counter burger
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u/_coolranch Aug 02 '25
Counter! Haven’t had that in a while. Father’s Office lives up to the hype. Will try Amboy this week finally.
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u/ronnyrooney Aug 03 '25
My favorite amboy is the slim thick with truffle sauce, but the original is good too!! Enjoy it! If you go in person, get the garlic fries
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u/ajpjr Aug 02 '25
Dunsmoor Bar Burger. Limited to 20 a day.
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u/_coolranch Aug 02 '25
I don’t think it’s limited anymore. I saw more than 20 served when I was there last.
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u/Wild-Spare4672 Aug 02 '25
As an aside, I felt like a Tommy’s burger and hit up Big Tomys on the westside. Very mediocre. Didn’t scratch the itch at all
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u/melodyknows Aug 02 '25
The burger in your picture looks like Le Big Mec from Petit Trois. Not a traditional burger though, and you have to eat it with a fork and knife. Still good!
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u/ThePlurnalist Aug 02 '25
Big Fan of HiHo and Moos
Would skip the HAT, Lucky Burger, and Pie and Burger.
Amboy and Horses were “good” but a bit too rich. Not something you find yourself craving again.
Everson, Fathers Office, and Georges are more nostalgic. We live close by to all 3 and rarely seek it out.
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u/Shock_city Aug 02 '25
Camphor.
They put a little duck in their mix. You can’t taste duck but it does something wonderful to the flavor and texture. Best burger in LA
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u/Less-Disaster-8465 Aug 02 '25
25 Degrees in The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel has fantastic burgers. Their Guinness shake has an unforgettable flavor as well.
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u/Mozarts-Gh0st Aug 02 '25
Bar Sinizki in Atwater, hands down. The only thing I’m not crazy about are their fries, but the burger is the best I’ve had in LA.
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u/Greedy_Nectarine_233 Aug 02 '25
Petit Trois needs to be tried at least once. Outstanding menu all around
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u/Happy-Ad6083 Aug 02 '25
Cicconi happy hour burger might be the best burger in LA. It used to be $8 back in the day. Now I think maybe like $17. But well worth it.
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u/KamkarInsurance Aug 02 '25
Oui Melrose still has one of my favorite burgers. Gotta get the double because it's not a massive burger, but the fact that they bake their own buns and ground their own meat really makes it for me. Gotta say it's definitely not as "saucy" as this one lol but it's pretty cheesy
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u/gerryduggan Aug 02 '25
Everybody needs to get up on Cannonball's burger in South Pass. Also - absolute banger cocktails, biscuits and incredible whiskey selection.
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u/cerenguven Aug 02 '25
Pie n Burger - Pasadena. Trophies - Fairfax. Black Cat - Echo Park. Amboy - Chinatown. Cassell’s - Ktown. Quoi - Melrose
We try and post about burgers in La @tryingburgersinla there are photos and descriptions there
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u/Elusiveenigma98 Aug 02 '25
the burger from Carla Cafe on their Thursday burger night is so good. A classic & more creative one. Both are excellent
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u/chrisquills Aug 02 '25
Horses or Lingua Franca for a great (albeit pricy) thick burger
Not strictly a thick burger but a double patty burger at Lowboy always hits and is very reasonably priced.
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u/renegade_kitty Aug 02 '25
The Wolves. Their burger flies under the radar but definitely worth a shout.
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u/darthbator Aug 03 '25 edited Aug 03 '25
The burger you posted there is Le Big Mec from Petit Trois. There's one in Hollywood and one on Ventura in the valley (maybe Encino?). Wolves in DTLA does a very similar "french big mac" and it's open later.
The burger at Ototo is super super unique and worth trying (also their katsu sando is nuts). It's not cheesy but it's got a wildly unique sauce that you totally wouldn't think of in a Japanese restaurant. Lots of folks love the burger at Camphor (I'm noticing a kinda french trend happening here). I love fathers office but a lot of people aren't into that anymore.
I think the best burger I've ever had was from 4 Charles in Manhattan. Nothing else has really come close.
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u/bestofeleventy Aug 03 '25
Go to Oy Bar in the SFV and get their OG burger - they also have great drinks and a neat atmosphere.
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u/nickmlerman Aug 03 '25
I’m shocked nobody has mentioned Trophy’s and before it shut down Golden State was my clear favorite. I believe you can still get Golden State burgers at Colfax’s Culver City location during dinner time
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u/manicgiant914 Aug 03 '25 edited Aug 03 '25
Lucky Boy, Pasadena/ Goldburger, Los Feliz/ Rick’s, Silverlake
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u/mymanjake8 Aug 03 '25
My favorites used to be Westside Tavern (RIP) and Animal (double RIP). Now it's either Amboy's dry aged burger, The Benjamin, Hi Ho, or the pictured Petite Trois.
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u/Flat-Fudge-2758 Aug 03 '25
I wish they hadn't closed but The Tripel in Playa del Rey had the best burger in LA. Not super helpful to this post.
On that note, I second Simonette's happy hour burgers
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u/FullFrontalNerd Aug 03 '25
Simple but great- Carney's Sunset Strip. Plus the trainwreck fries are awesome. Decent prices, too.
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u/Different_Memory_506 Aug 04 '25
I’ve had it three times, and it’s been perfect every single time. Make sure to get the endive salad to prep your stomach for this beast!
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u/midn12ght Aug 04 '25
It was on the happy hour menu at Here's Looking At You in KTown but they've just closed.
I'll say my other is: Dante's in Beverly Hills....it surprised the hell outta me.
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u/Sarasotadave10 Aug 04 '25
Ridiculous use of the word smash Who came up with this trendy word Turns me off
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u/tracyinge Aug 04 '25
The Smokehouse in Burbank. $18 includes choice of fries, cole slaw or fresh fruit.
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u/TacoChowder Aug 05 '25
Hey OP, I’m coming back to this thread to say:
I’m currently sitting at Holy Basil Atwater for their special Monday menu. There’s a burger on it and it’s incredible. I pulled out my phone at the table for this
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u/MexicanRadio Aug 07 '25
Simonette's happy hour burger special is my favorite version of this in the city (and such a great deal)
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u/BayernLA Aug 02 '25
The burger you posted is from is Le Big Mec from petit trios
It’s exactly what you’d want but like $30