For one thing McDonald's was started here. There is such a variety of condiments here: green chili, bleu cheese, sprouts, peanut sauce, pineapple, etc. The more exotic combinations are usually served at trendy restaurants with very unhamburger-like prices. This is not to say California has the perfect hamburger. The perfect hamburger was served at World Burger Drive-In in Ft. Smith, Ark. in the summer of 1962.
My favorite fast-food hamburger chain in Southern California is Carl's Jr. They broil the burger for each order and bring it to your table. (Remember what Burger King was like before they discovered microwaves.)
If you are the slightest bit adventurous, try a Greek hamburger place. They may be called Apollo, Jim's, or Tom's #5. They usually have old faded posters of the Acropolis on the walls and Venus de Milo on the cups. They serve quarter-pound broiled burgers covered with chopped lettuce and tomatoes along with fries and a Coke for $2.99.
The real discovery when you come to Los Angeles is Mexican food. I first came to California for a visit in 1973. After some friends treated me to a machaca (shredded beef) burrito at Burrito King (corner of Sunset & Alvarado in Silverlake), I went back to the Midwest to get my albums and have never looked back.
I think Scotty beamed a 50's All-American cafe into 90's Beverly Hills, but a few molecules got scrambled. This is a wonderful combination of squeaky-clean innocence and campy fun. Waiters dance on the tables and there are notices on the walls such as 'Unattended Children will be Towed at Owner's Expense'.
Best of all, the menu of burgers, hotdogs, chili, and meals like Ed's Mom used to make, works out to less than $10 per person. A great place to take the family after Hollywood Blvd and before touring the stars' homes.
Check out the la.eats newsgroup for info on the best restaurants in Los Angeles.
If you have comments about this page or would like to suggest additional picks or pans of interest to visitors to Southern California, we would be happy to hear from you.
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