Best Creative Burgers In Los Angeles

Burgers today are more than a bun, lettuce and ketchup. First and foremost, the American classic food is carefully constructed most often using sustainable local ingredients, grass-fed beef and other forms of proteins and vegetables. Chefs are taking opportunities to get creative in their kitchens by adding unconventional spices and robust flavors to the burger. Take an adventure through Los Angeles and discover a brand new way to eat the hamburger.

Burger Lounge
281 S. Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 385-0898
www.burgerlounge.com

From the coastal town down south in La Jolla, Burger Lounge is now open in the L.A. area serving grass-fed beef burgers created with sustainable, locally fresh ingredients. Creative options include the restaurant's new game changer hamburger featuring smoky wild boar and topped with smoked cheddar, hand-cut, light and crispy onion rings and the Lounge's signature BBQ sauce. For a different take on the American classic, go with Burger Lounge's organic quinoa veggie burger – a quinoa, brown rice, zucchini, garbanzo, carrot, corn and chipotle patty, served protein style or "lounge style" (bun, choice of cheese, onion, tomato, lettuce and house made thousand island dressing). Poultry burgers can be made as well.

Blue Dog Beer Tavern
4524 Saugus Ave.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 990-2583
www.bluedogbeertavern.com

Burgers and brewskis are this tavern's specialties. Blue Dog features a dozen gourmet burgers to choose from, made with natural, house-ground sustainably farmed brisket/chuck blend meat (turkey burger, chicken breast or veggie patties can be ordered, too). Burgers here are served on a caramelized potato bun. For adventurous types, the "el scorpion" burger is crispy and fiery and made with crunchy, fresh nacho chips, jalapenos, pepper jack cheeses, pico de gallo and a dollop of sour cream to cut back on the spice a little. The mouth-watering karma burger is also a Blue Dog treat. Beers from California and Oregon are on tap, and enthusiasts will be led through the variety of tastes for pairings.

Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers
11660 San Vicente Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 447-6000
www.barneyshamburgers.com

More than 20 different burgers pique the palate at Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers. Different from other establishments, Barney's gives guests a few more alternative patty options including wild Alaskan salmon, garden burger, chicken breast, ground beef or ground turkey. That being said, guests can choose their choice of patty and peruse the menu. Highlighted international burger concoctions include the Parisian (marinated red onion and blue cheese served on a freshly baked baguette), the Greek (avocado, feta cheese, fresh tomato, cucumbers and lettuce all served in a whole wheat pita) and the Caribbean (sautéed zucchini, bell pepper and carrot in a tangy and spicy jerk sauce). Also available are chocolate or vanilla milkshakes, made to order.

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While CAFÉ del REY is not specifically a burger-only restaurant, diners won't want to miss out on the burger options. The Mediterranean-inspired menu, created by Executive Chef Chuck Abair, offers two hamburgers. Sheep's milk cheese is melted atop the lamb burger, along with a Greek favorite tzatziki and marinated cucumbers served with Tunisian Harissa spiced fries (tossed in Harissa powder and served with ketchup). The lamb burger is offered on both lunch and dinner menus. If lamb isn't on your diet and you are jonesing for a burger, CDR's cheeseburger featuring sharp cheddar and caramelized onion on a house-made bun will certainly do the trick.

U-Mini by Umami Burger
1131 Westwood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 943-8626
www.umami.com/umami-burger

Known for umami, or the fifth taste, Umami Burger is a restaurant concept dedicated to the all-American favorite burger, created by Adam Fleischman. U-Mini Westwood makes it easy to grab a quick burger when you are on the go. With so many options, the menu makes it difficult to decide on just one burger. Perhaps it is the truffle burger, hand-formed with house-made truffle cheese and glaze, or the signature Umami burger, which is prepared with shiitakemushrooms and caramelized onions, a roasted tomato, a parmesan crisp and umami ketchup. The house-ground Wagyu beef patties are "infused with the umami master sauce, and cooked to order." Visit the website to shop the restaurant's branded sauces.

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