" THE BURGER LIST "

The Win-Dow | 94%

The OG: 425 Rose, Los Angeles, CA 90291
All Locations

A lot of what I write about food — burgers, especially — has to do with memories. In my humble opinion, the best culinary experiences are those which transport you to places old and new. Keep that thought in mind when you’re sitting on the brightly-colored plastic stools outside The Win-Dow and they call your order. You’ll catch a whiff of your near-perfect double cheeseburger and crispy, shoe-string fries and you won’t be in Los Angeles anymore. I’m not entirely sure where you’ll end up — but I was in the backseat of my parents’ 90s Toyota Camry experiencing the Golden Arches Drive Thru for the first time. Each bite transports you to a different burger memory. And each bite — technically — is perfectly crafted. The meat-to-bun ratio is golden, the pickles provide a wonderful bite, and the secret sauce is truly sublime. This is a burger that keeps it simple but punches well above its weight. And when that last bite finally arrives, I won’t lie: there is a bit of sadness. But, there’s also a realization that this a new culinary experience to which you can return in the future. And that is worth its weight in gold.

Goldburger | 92%

The OG: 5623 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
The Sequel: 1820 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Where to begin? Goldburger has long been on my radar as a “must try” burger. It’s consistently shown up on all the lists and I’ve avoided it for that exact reason. I wanted to seek out the burgers that are hidden gems — the ones less known or something romanticized like that. But, lo and behold, there I was, in front of the fabled outpost in Los Feliz in early October 2021 and I was instantly hit with a pang of nostalgia. There’s a reason Goldburger is on those lists — it’s not because they put truffle in their special sauce. It’s not because they use Wagyu. There are no frills here. If you want frills, go elsewhere. Goldburger is on those lists because they manage to carefully thread the needle of expert craftsmanship (the crispy lattice edges!) and familiarity (think of the idyllic burger from your childhood) with CURLY FRIES ON THE SIDE. Goldburger is a force to be reckoned with and I, too, recommend that you visit as soon as you possibly can.

Gucci Osteria by Massimo Bottura | 90%

347 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Massimo! Gucci! Burger! There are many things that make this burger awesome. First and foremost, it’s only available off menu at the Beverly Hills location of the Gucci Osteria. Second, it takes the classical elements of the “burger” and does it Massimo-style. The patty is made from Chianina meat and cotechino sausage. The cheese isn’t just regular cheese — it’s Parmagiano Reggiano (duh.). Re: special sauce, we’re working with a salsa verde (made with parsley, anchovies and capers, and mayonnaise laced with sweet, thick balsamic vinegar) that is a match made in umami heaven with insane homemade bread. We expect nothing less from a Michelin dining experience. We expect nothing less from a menu curated by Massimo Bottura. But, we’ll take it every time. Oh — and did we mention they’ve crushed the packaging? This is why we love burgers.

Ruby's cafe | 84%

The OG: 219 Mulberry, Suite A, New York, NY 10012
All Locations

If you're able to make a trip down to Ruby's, it's a g'day indeed. The Australian-influenced, chic spot serves up one of the tastiest burgers in New York — and now in Los Angeles, as well. The Bronte Burger is deceptively simple, which is one of the factors that makes it a burger worth coming back to again and again. The seasoning is near-perfect, the "bun" is just the right amount of wrong, and the sweet chilli sauce adds a kick that makes the Bronte memorable. Like our good friends down under, Ruby's Bronte is a standout in a crowd of burgers.

Burger house | 81%

The OG: 6913 Hillcrest Avenue, Dallas, TX 75205
All Locations

We can't talk about Burger House for too long without getting nostalgic. This place is your quintessential burger joint — serving up burgers, dogs, fries, and malts with that old-school Americana vibe since 1951. There's not too much flair about this hamburger, but that's exactly what makes it so great; it's not trying to be something it's not. Just goes to show you: good ingredients, great craftsmanship, and a continued passion for serving up quality burgers for 60+ years will earn you a spot with the greats.

Update (January 2020): Our most recent visit to Burger House proved two things. One, you don’t need frills and thrills to make a burger great. Two, niche fandom is dope. One day, we’ll be back to try the 10x10 challenge and maybe, just maybe, earn a spot on the Burger House Wall of Fame.

MAPLE + MOTOR | 80.5%

4810 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

If you're looking for a fancy burger, Maple + Motor is not the right place to look, but we're willing to bet most folks who find themselves at Maple + Motor aren't searching for a truffle burger with foie grais and caviar. The allure of Maple + Motor — aside from the old school dive bar vibes, of course — is the fact that the no-frills hamburger that is cooked up fresh to order here is one of the tastiest and most consistent on our list.

minetta tavern | 80%

113 Macdougal St, New York, NY 10012

We're pretty sure Pat LaFrieda would be decently proud of Minetta Tavern's Black Label Burger. It's a pretty well executed marvel and, while expensive, the craftsmanship, and attention to detail applied to a relatively uncomplicated-sounding burger make it a memorable, albeit not earth-shattering burger quest. Minetta Tavern uses custom Balthazar Bakery brioche buns, the finest cuts of Creekstone Farms-sourced prime black label beef, gorgeous caramelized onions, and handmade French fries, to present you with an upscale take on the hamburger that is equal parts bougie yet uncomplicated.

The Apple Pan | 79.5%

10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Don’t get me wrong. It’s a damn good burger. It’s better than most. But. But. Hear me out. It’s not great. And it’s definitely not the best. For all the hype, I was expecting… more. I’ve heard the arguments about needing to have the “full experience” of sitting inside and watching the process. I get that. Who doesn’t like a classic burger joint? And maybe when The Apple Pan reopens, this rating will change. I’ve also heard the arguments about needing to partner the Hickory burger with a pie. And look — we did that. There, too, the apple pie was lackluster (go for the banana cream when you visit). We gave The Apple Pan all the handicaps, but the truth of the matter is: there are better burgers in Los Angeles and if you’re going to charge $20 for a burger + fries (more if you do a double)… I expect… more. Period full stop. I know this review is going to get me some hate with Angelinos who have been hitting up The Apple Pan for years and years. I understand why this burger is good and technically, it is just that, good — but if ever there was a case for making room for the incumbents, The Apple Pan is a good one.