Dear AHT: Ercole's Cheeseburger at Manhattan Beach, California

Posted by Robyn Lee, November 7, 2008 at 3:00 PM

Clicking in to the AHT inbox recently, we've got this bit of juicy intel. Eat up!

In the Los Angeles area, you need to know about Ercole's in Manhattan Beach. It is a nondescript dive bar, but inside they have some seriously good burgers. Ercole's has been around since 1927, and it is pretty much a neighborhood hangout. They get fresh ground meat from Manhattan Meat Market, which is next door to Ercole's. The burger is served in a wicker basket lined with paper. Very fresh, soft egg buns soak up the juice of the burger. The burgers are cooked just right—It certainly isn't a "well done" burger! The cheese is perfectly melted, and it is served with a very generous slice of red onion, slice of tomato, iceberg lettuce, and mustard. A nice long Kosher pickle spear and a bag of Lay's potato chips accompany the burger.

- Clay I.

Chowhound member ripken00 also recommends Ercole's, but warns that it's cash only and they "stop serving food at whatever hour they feel like, usually only serve food until happy hour times."

Ercole's

1101 Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach CA 90266 (at 11th Street; map)
310-372-1997
foodnow.tv/ercoles.html

7 Comments

Tags: bars, California, Dear AHT, Ercole's, LA, Manhattan Beach, Southern California

7 Comments:

Hmm. I grew up here, yet never knew of this place. (long long time ago though)
Going back soon. Maybe I'll give it a try. (after I get my fill of In 'n Out)

beeee at 5:14PM on 11/07/08

Most excellent. I'm in El Segundo on the 21st, and I usually go to Manhattan Beach for dinner. This might be the place.

kaszeta at 7:22PM on 11/07/08

@beeee
I'm with ya! I grew up there too. I loved Criterion Burgers at the Criterion and the burritos at La Via, but never heard of Ercoles. I guess I need to!

RossS at 9:52PM on 11/07/08

I hate places that give you potato chips instead of fries with your burger.

Fatfudge at 2:55PM on 11/10/08

That burger looks great!

ukfoodie
www.ukfoodies.co.uk

ukfoodie at 9:44AM on 11/11/08

Well, I tried to go yesterday, and ripken00's warning is worth heeding. Since it was Monday night (and MNF), they were only serving chili dogs.

So I went to Ebizo's, and had a pretty good burger there instead.

kaszeta at 9:46AM on 11/18/08

Oh, and I should mention, that is indeed a very good looking meat market next door.

kaszeta at 9:47AM on 11/18/08

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