And Macdaddy, Bongo's right, you need to go off-menu to get the full In & Out experience. Next time, order a 4x2(4 patties, 2 levels) with Animal fries. Toss in a hand-scooped milkshake made from real ice cream.
Dmob: I am really liking the Haven Gastropub burger in Orange. Everything is right with that one. Check it out. PS: I just had the most amazing lasagna at Santa Fe Imports on Santa Fe in Long Beach. Best red sauce pasta I have ever had, in an obscure joint frequented by cops and dock workers. Probably a 15 minute drive from your place.
Funny you should mention Haven, Bongo, that's been on our list to hit for a few months now. Think we are going in two weeks.
BTW, have you hit The Boiling Crab in Garden Grove? Not sure I'm into the three hour wait, but is a fun time with a big group and the price is great for what you get. May not be the most authentic cajun/Creole crab boil, but is definitely good enough for a fix
OK, since we've gotten thoroughly off the beaten track of burgers in this thread, I feel it is my foodie-arse's duty to inform of a recent tear-in-eye find. I'd heard through several reliable epicurean channels that a breakfast nook of epidemic proportions existed in my own neck o' the woods, and have finally seen the light; heard the choral "Hallelujah"; and been forever enlightened. Matt's Big Breakfast in downtown Phoenix is certainly the best breakfast nook I've yet experienced. To give you an idea of how good, only the coffee is bettered in my estimation by two others (Dana Point and the Embarcadero in SF, for those in the know...). EVERYTHING else is the best I've had. Amar'e Stoudemire has said his fave (there) is the chorizo (certainly homemade, as is everything) pancakes; but they have yet to be on the menu when I'm there. The breads and homemade preserves? Just you wait. The eggs? Like someone is in back catching them before they hit the nest. The hashbrowns? Maybe the best thing of all. The country fried potatoes? Best I've had. The waffle? My god... The bacon? You mean smoked, sliced pork belly? Indeed. I haven't been able to say "No" to the special yet; but when I can, I will try an omelette, as I've seen them whisked by my drooling mug on their way to other tables, and they look incredible. So here's another chalk mark on the Phoenix area map to go along with Binkley's, Pizzeria Bianco and Barrio Cafe (The bar none best tasting menu, wood-fired pizza and Mexican food restaurants respectively in the country). BTW, for you L.A. audio-cureans, any of you had the pork chili verde at Antonio's on Melrose?
Thanks for the tip. Did not know this restaurant and will visit it, as I adore New Awlins food. Check out Memphis Soul Food at Randolph and Bristol in Costa Mesa. Really good gumbo.
Bongo, I've been to Memphis a few times and like it. Not exactly true Memphis style bbq or cooking, but nonetheless good. I've only had the pulled pork sandwich and catfish, bot were good.
If you hit the Boiling Crab, be prepared to get there early and still have a ridiculous wait to get in(on weekends, at least). They don't take reservations and there can be 100+ people waiting out front. I wasn't joking about 3hours, we actually went to Vietnamese Pho shop in the mall and ate after putting out names in. Otherwise, I would have lost it.
Still, having bags and bags of well-seasoned crab, crawdads, shrimp, corn on the cob, etc. dumped right on the table in front of you is worth wait. The volume of crab boil that they prepare is pretty amazing, and none of it is ever overcooked - perfectly tender and juicy.
Tvad. I agree that Fatburger has great meat and bun. The condiment side is a little different than In-n-Out. The former favors 1000 Island where Fatburger has mayo, mustard and ketchup to order. I find that aspect a little more like McDonalds on the taste spectrum. The taste under those circumstances is a little marginalized (especially when mayo is thrown into the mix) and the if ordered with cheese, it is rarely melted into the patty. I think In-N-Out does a better job with the cheese/grilled onions combo.
I think that Fatburger has the best chocolate malts, made from real ice cream, one of the best I have tasted. In N Out's is super sweet where Fatburger's one is very balanced.
06-10-10: Tvad Fatburger's better meat and bun (and to me...fries), is what makes it preferable.
I like that they heavily season their meat with pepper, etc - gives it a nice "pop" compared to others.
06-05-10: Bongofury 3X Animal style will slay fatburger.
Not sure I can agree with that. The problem for In & Out is that their patties are not only paper-thin, they are incredibly bland. Adding more patties gives you more meat, but it's still pretty bland, hence the need for "animal sauce".
Now, if you really want a shootout, take a $9 Fatburger XXXL Triple King(24oz of patties)or $13 XXXXL(32oz) and compare it to a 3X Animal Style. Pay close attention to the taste and texture of the meat. Simply no comparison.
Of course, I'd probably take the Tommy's double or triple-cheese burger over both Fatburger and In & out 7 out of 10 times.
I think it's that the grill gets seasoned at Fatburger because they also cook bacon on it. I had my first Fatburger (a double King cheese egg bacon chilli with everything on it) in 1978 when I was working delivering furniture for Levitz. The drivers there would only stop for lunch at Fatburger or Cassell's on 6th near Vermont. It was the Fatburger on Western near Adams (that burned in the riot). Of course, just like the Original Tommy's on Beverly and Rampart, you swore it was better than the other locations.
Just introduced to The Habit in the So. Bay cities of Torrance and El Segundo. This is a great charburger every thing is fresh and tasty the onion rings are excellent I'm told the fries are also very good. These aren't monster burgers but neither is the price, $2.95 w/ lettuce,tomato carmelized onions mayo, pickles on a toasted bun!!!!!!! For drink fries and burger $5.95!! Just a fresh tasting American burger check the on line menu it's very diverse, tri-tip, albacore, chicken .................
Tommy's Burger on Washington before the Venice Pier. It used to be open 25/7. I went there late night in the 80's with a girlfriend. We got two slobbered with chili after she showed the cooks her t-ts
06-25-10: Eddaytona Tommy's Burger on Washington before the Venice Pier
Don't you mean the corner of Lincoln & Pico Blvds right next to San-Mo high school?
I hit that place once a month or so for a re-charge. By the time the change for your bill hits your hand, the burger is ready. Tommy's is still my all-time favorite fast burger w/ Fatburger pulling up a close second. The late, great, Mo Better Meatty Meat Burgers on Pico & Fairfax was another of the classics.
...and Carney's burger is like an Original Tommy's burger without the Ptomaine poisoning (which definitely adds flavor...). There used to be a place on Santa Monica and Myra called Jay's A-Dog that made the best Tommy's rip-off burger in town. IMHO the Fatburger on Western near Adams that burned in the riot was the only location that could hold a candle to Meaty Meat Burgers.
I never could get with the Carney's dogs even though many consider them to be one of the best. The dog, itself is lack-luster and too skinny. And their chili is just not my style. Pink's, on the other hand, is still a classic.
A couple of years ago, a new joint called Mosher's in Long Beach had what I consider the best true Chicago dog in SoCal. Unfortunately, the chain raised their prices significantly and started cutting corners. Their Chicago Dog is now only so-so and too expensive for what you get.
Fab in Reseda makes incredible variations of any style of dog. Worth the drive. They are moving to a new location, so be sure to ping Yelp. Chicago-style, Detroit Conies, NJ Red Devils, AZ Sonorans--you name it--they can make it. They have the best mustard pickle relish I have ever had.
Let's Be Frank is a taco wagon that parks at the old Helm Bakery building in Culver City. One of the best LA street dogs.
In Chicago, I can like Hot Dougs. Amazing fries cooked in duck fat.
In NY, Bark in Brooklyn is effing amazing. Everything is made from scratch on premises.
Don't get us started on Mexican in L.A... I used to drool for Carrillo's, a carniceria in San Fernando. You would go in for a burrito and hear the women in the back clapping their hands together making the masa tortillas by hand. The flour tortillas were so fresh that they had an elasticity to them. They would pull as you bit into them. Epically sized carnitas burrito with fresh pico de gallo and guacamole. Salsas to die for. There used to be a lot of great taquerias around York and Figueroa (Highland Park?). Great "Giddy Food" for after a night of partying. Some of the trucks have been parking in the same place for decades, and shell out the best lengua (tongue) tacos I've ever had. I would typically do eight or ten of those, and another five or six al pastor tacos. Total endorphin rush at 2:30AM.
Bongo, what's that Sushi place in the same shopping area as Javier's in Newport? I ate there last time I was there, and it was excellent.
Also, I work with a bunch of dudes from Japan and they brought me to this absolutely AWESOME Korean/Japanese BBQ place right off of PCH and I can't remember the name, and I was trying to send my boss there tomorrow.
Lupe's is good, but Goode Co Taqueria (same folks that own Goode Co BBQ and Goode Co Seafood) has the best TexMex in Houston. If I have one meal left, it would be Chicken Enchiladas with Queso Fresco from Goode Co Taqueria.
There are four really good Mexican restaurants in Highland Park. I can highly recommend Antojitos Chilangos, El Huarache, Le Abeja and Metro Balderas.
Here on Orange County, I can recommend Carnitas Los Reyes,, Taco Mesa (calamari!), Tacos Jaliscq, Taqueria El Granjenal, Taqueria Mexico, Taqueria Morelos and Tom's Tacos.
Let's not leave Eva's Jamaican off that Laguna list. Their jerk chicken used to be amazing(haven't been in years). Also, that calaloo soup.
What's your thoughts on Mozambique? I really liked their chicken livers peri-peri. Actually, anything with the peri-peri sauce is good for me. And the curry was nice.
Angeleans may want to check out the front page of the L.A. Taco site. There's a new burger joint in town called Kalbi Burger. Check out the pic of the burger, and tell me you don't want to try this one. Check out the Taco section for more mouth watering pics also.
Alright, I've tried two more "joints" in the Phoenix area, and I have some good news. I've got one more that I've been told is good that I have to try, and I expect to hear of more, as I'm an exterminator here in town; and as a foodie, and in need of smalltalk for when I'm servicing customers' homes and I get the glazed over look upon steering the conversation toward audio equipment, I tend to go straight to favorite recipes and/or restaurants. Seeing as the thermometer is going to reach 113 degrees twice this week, I'll be trying like heck to drag said conversations out, to buy a few more minutes in my customers' air conditioned interiors before being banished to the outside to burn my hands on my spray-rig, and bump my head against the Arizona sun. The worst is when I put my hand in a glove and the sweat from the last job scalds me. But I digress. The name of the burger joint I have to try is Plush Burger; but as I said, I have good news. I have a new current favorite (in Phoenix). I tried a place called Five Guys, and it was good. I would eat there again (and again...); but the place that has me oohing and ahhing these days is a joint called Burger Studio on Mountain View and 7th St. They have a burger (their "Signature" burger) they call "The Caprese Burger". Great patty, great bun; with sliced (not melted) artisan mozzarella and tomatoes, romaine, a fresh (and almost coarse) pesto mixture, onions and finished with a superb balsamic reduction drizzle. I admire simplicity; and yet am a sucker for an over-the-top creation. This gem has a little bit of both going for it. Their fried stuffs are very good too. Sweet potato fries and of course regular, and really good onion rings. I saw them pour the zucchini out of a bag into the fryer; but they were nevertheless very good also. I want to try some of their other creations; but am in no hurry. You've got to try this burger if you get the opportunity.
Azaud, I forgot to answer your Pappasitos Post. My wife and I actually worked at Pappasitos for about 5 yrs each as waiters, bartenders (college and grad school), then floor managers, kitchen managers, and Asst GM's before were were both hired away by other restuarant companies.
I have made thousands of racks of Agujas and they are sublime, but my father in law makes better ribs, he really does. He won the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo BBQ Cook Off with them twice in the eighties. That is extremely high praise for anyone.
The quail, simply sublime. Simply marinaded in the fajita marinade then expertly grilled over the charcoal/mesquite grill. Tough to beat. I can tell you that you can eat off of the floor in any Pappas Rest during the busiest times, they are unbelievably well run, and their quality control and cleanliness is the best you can find anywhere.
That said, I would still go to Goode Co Taqueria for my last meal. Now the best Mexican (traditional) meal I have ever had: Hacienda De Los Morales in Ciuadad de Mexico D.F.. Maybe the best meals I have ever had anywhere, better than France, Italy, Spain, NY, San Fran..... Anyone else had the good fortune to check this place out? I used to go to Mexico City for work all of the time, it was the only good thing about the trip.
I finally realized there was a Five Guys Burgers within 10 miles of my house. Hit it last Thursday and have to say they deliver a good burger. Definitely better than In & out - more meat, always a good thing. Of course, a double burger, fries, and drink cost ~$11 at Five Guys and ~$7
I'd take Tommy's over Five guys 7 out of 10 times, but they are different approaches, so the comparison isn't entirely fair.
Hodad's in Ocean Beach, CA In-N-Out (almost any combination animal style) Big Daddy's in Charlotte Honorable Mention: Five Guys
Big Daddy's Bacon Cheeseburger on Steroids is definitely a heart attack waiting to happen: Ground chuck with bacon salt, 3 pieces of jalapeno bacon, 3 pieces of applewood smoked bacon, Monterey Jack and Bacconaise. It's huge too.
While I still give Five Guys an Honorable Mention against the others I mentioned, one definite big plus about them is that when you order fries, you get an ORDER of fries. Too much for me so one order is plenty big enough to share with the family. It is the only place I have been to where I can get some malt vinegar to go with the fries too.
Anyone going to Denver for the show should know about (now that I've secured my reservation!) a great little foodie opportunity. The name of the place is Bones. They are a gourmet take on the classic Japanese noodle bowl parlor. Their site is at bonesdenver dot com.
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