Pono Burger was that run don't walk standing order when I visited this fine burger establishment in the late spring of 2013. Though known to still be working out their kinks, when restaurants are in their first few weeks to months of opening, prices are dropped to lure and establish a customer base. That was my justification for how they could offer a premium burger for $8. There were impressive combos that hit the $12 mark but, organic grass fed beef, fancy ass buns and cheese that takes gold in the freakin cheese Olympics is good enough for me and is definitely Bang for your Burger Buck for you.
It has oft been said that good beef needs little else besides salt and pepper. The same holds true for the hamburger, despite the popularity of cheese, it just aint necessary. When I came upon the menu at Corner Burger, I saw the "Naked Burger" as a sort of challenge to take on a burger sans any topping(except bun) and see if my palate could appreciate this "meat minimalism". And for $5, I was a man with nothing to lose . .
For most that ride this train of Bang for your Burger Buck, we patron and ultimately celebrate the humble luncheonette. Village Kitchen is such a place, coupled with a charitable inception as the restaurant serves as a training ground for women living at the Good Shepherd Shelter. They also happen to offer a $4 cheeseburger that despite some expected modest ingredients, delivers one juicy and tasty burger.
It is a good thing that the meteoric rise of "concept" food trucks didn't hinder the continuance of "classic food trucks". Whether you call it a "roach coach", "truck" or that "guy on the corner of blank and blank", these traveling commissaries are critical to the day to day function of our city and the sight of them, such as Levon's Quality Foods Truck, is a welcomed one indeed. A line filled with hungry construction workers, a drifting lab tech on his smoke break from the MRI department at Kaiser or my personal favorite, a Doctor in scrubs who most likely advised a patient not to eat the plate of chili fries he is about to order is cosmopolitan Los Angeles to a "T". But enough of the scenery, let's talk about a double bacon cheeseburger with avocado on sourdough, with fries, for $6 bucks . . .
An "Old Style" hamburger charms you with it's simplicity. More than likely you are sitting in an old school diner or dedicated burger shack, where the food tastes homemade. Beyond the requisite loose grind, most likely done in house or to order from a meat purveyor; a decent bun, fresh toppings and some love on the griddle all ad up to "sublime burger simplicity". In Los Angeles, examples can be found at celebrated burger institutions like The Apple Pan and Pie N Burger, whose legions of fans have brought forth decades of success and with that success, escalating prices. Enter Woody's, not in LA but, in affordable Palm Springs. Not exactly old school diner thanks to some key dive bar elements(beers run you around $3), and priced like a Bang for your Burger Buck spot should be: $5.50 for all the essentials.
LA Buns just may be my favorite place I have covered at Bang for your Burger Buck. Being nestled in the South Los Angeles neighborhood of Downey, they are off most people's radar. They also toss my Bang strategy out the window, by forcing me to add on what would be costly add ons like cheddar, bacon and onion rings but are not costly because they charge .70 friggin cents for all three. And they season the hell out of their patties. Whenever I think of LA Buns, it makes me want to hop into a DeLorean, stop myself from what ever lunch plans I had and make tracks there. Oh, and they have a chicken sandwich that almost flipped the whole damn script on what we are searching for at Bang for your Burger Buck. Call it a Chik Fil A conspiracy or the fact that the folks at LA Buns offer a lotta Bang, you will come out of there a winner.
1/3lb of grass fed beef for $6 is straight up Bang for your Burger Buck. While the only beef I endorse is one for a fair price, I'll always give a nod for affordable quality and Shaka Shack deserves it. Also what is totally amazeballs is that this satisfying burger delivers without the need for cheese and steps up the tangy sauce game with a house made concoction vs the typical 1000 island. But man did that grass fed beef shine that sunny day in Santa Monica, it was like the cow just wanted me to eat him . . .
Hawkins House of Burgers is a legendary fixture in the Los Angeles burger scene. People make the trek to Watts like faithful Muslims make pilgrimage to Mecca; I saw freaking Macklemore there. Just bring an empty stomach as this burger was the only one I could not finish in the history of Bang for your Burger Buck. Heed my instance of shame, and for God's sake don't go double and ask em to go easy on the mayo. But don't take my word for it, well actually you have to.
Etched into my memory was a straight up Twitter warning telling me never to speak of Al & Bea's over the internet, it is that cherished. There is something about this tiny little Mexican American stand that just seems right. Lines of folks at odd hours help make that case as well. And though they are known more so for their legendary Bean and Cheese Burritos, their burgers sure do shine thanks to a well oiled griddle and rock bottom prices. Just how cheap? Seeing is believing . . .
There is something deeply satisfying about the charbroiled, stacked burger experience. Those 1/4lb frozen hockey pucks can deliver taste, if time and care are taken in the defrosting and grilling process. What makes these types of burgers work is texture. Gooey cheese, the crunch of shredded lettuce, a tangy thousand island sauce that is studded with just enough flecks of relish. It's a cheap burger that just tastes good. Burgers and More serves up a fine one and for under $5 too, making the drive to Alhambra just a little bit shorter and in that part of Los Angeles there is plenty more noshing to do . . .
