LA is still the low-brow hamburger capital of America. Every time I go there, someone is pointing me towards a new been-there-forever burger joint and I inevitably find myself scarfing one down within just a few hours of touchdown. On this latest trip, I enjoyed 6 burgers in 6 days, One was a repeat, but that's what happens when you spend too much time near the Apple Pan...
So the first stop, always straight from the airport, was the Apple Pan of course. So wonderfully predictible, so good. I've been visiting the Pan for over 10 years and nothing has changed (except they stopped using those paper cups in the red plastic holders last year). I had my usual, a Hickory Burger, fries, and a cold milk.
That night, I took a suggestion from many to stop by Father's Office in Santa Monica for their burger. Many refer to this bleu cheese burger as the best in LA. Whoa. My first thought, how could a burger be any good with bleu cheese and arugula? I can now safely say that this burger was one of the best that has ever crossed these lips. They cook the cheese into the burger, then top with carmelized onions and arugula. The combo of the peppery arugula, the tart cheese, and the sweet onions is phenomenal and you can still taste the beef.
The next day I made it to the old standby In 'N Out burger. One of my favorites.
Unfortunately, I guess I had a bad trip to the fast food burger temple. I've eaten MANY In 'N Outs and I finally had my first less-than-stellar experience. They were super-busy, and my burger came out cold, overcooked, and the cheese had congealed. Fries and shake still rocked though.
.
I finally got a picture of the bottom of the cup, where a biblical reference is made...anyone know what proverbs 3:5 are?
I skipped a day, then following that, ended up at my first real mistake. Hamburger Mary's in boystown West Hollywood. Big bun, big fries, big frozen patty. No goodsky.
The next day for lunch, I made my way over to another old standby, Fatburger. Still great, and on this trip, way better than In 'N Out. big, juicy, flavorful.
On my last day, I felt the need to bookend the trip so I headed back over to the Apple Pan with another burger aficionado John Romeo
The burger was, well, consistent! Check this image with the one at the top. 6 days apart, almost identical...
And that was that. I miss LA already.
George
