[Photographs: Matthew Silverman] Ford's Filling Station 9531 Culver Boulevard, Culver City CA 90232-2618 (map); 310-202-1470; fordsfillingstation.net Cooking Method: Griddled. Short Order: A well-regarded chef fails to bring his talents to bear on his burger. Want Fries with That? Sure....
[Photographs: Damon Gambuto] Comme Ça 8479 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood CA 90069 (map); 323-782-1104; commecarestaurant.com Cooking Method: Griddled Short Order: This heralded burger lives up to the hype. A truly beautiful rendition. Want Fries with That? Yes! Expert execution...
[Photographs: Damon Gambuto] Rustic Canyon 1119 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401 (map); 310-393-7050; rusticcanyonwinebar.com Cooking Method: Griddled Short Order: An obsessive, young chef puts together one of the best burgers in town. Want Fries with That? Yes! Fresh...
[Photographs: Damon Gambuto] Tavern 11648 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90049 (map); 310-470-1539; tavernla.com Cooking Method: Grilled Short Order: One of LA's best chefs makes good on her reputation with a very good burger. Want Fries with That?...
[Photographs: Damon Gambuto] Westside Tavern 10850 W Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90064 (map); 310-470-1539; westsidetavernla.com Cooking Method: Grilled Short Order: Another upscale-casual spot falls victim to the fancy-pants impulses. Want Fries with That? No thanks! Surprisingly mushy and...
[Photographs: Damon Gambuto] Dish 3939 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu, CA, 90265 (map) Cooking Method: Grilled Short Order: A backyard barbecue burger gets a professional touch. Want Fries with That? No fries to be had. Prices: Sirloin burger, $6.50 Notes:...
The Bowery 6268 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (map); 323-465-3400; theboweryhollywood.com Cooking Method: Grilled Short Order: New York nostalgia isn't enough to justify the price of this good, not great, bar burger. Want Fries with That? They'll run...
"The patties definitely get a healthy seasoning from a shaker, but the depth of these burgers is mined from the grill's garlicky residue." Dino's Chicken and Burgers 2575 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90006 (map); 213-380-3554; dinoschickenandburgers.com Cooking Method:...
Rick's Drive In and Out 2400 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles CA 90039 (map); 323-660-5988; ricksdriveinandout.com Cooking Method: Char-broiled Short Order: A much admired local eatery fails to deliver anything more than burger mediocrity. Want Fries with That? No thanks....
"This is not some overwrought, post-modern re-imagining, nor is it a self-conscious art piece of brioche bun, constructivist architecture. It’s a burger made from quality ingredients." Reservoir 1700 Silver Lake Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90026 (map); 323-662-8655; silverlakereservoir.com Cooking Method:...
