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Review content:
This is one of those places where I'm absolutely convinced that the ONLY reason people THINK they like it is because it's been around forever. I'll break it down in 3 ways: Taste, Atmosphere, and Value.\r
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1) Taste:\r
Not even close to one of the best burgers I've ever had (that honor goes to Fergburger in Queenstown, New Zealand). While not terrible, it's a bit too greasy for my liking, as the quality of the beef is simply average, and the condiments/etc. are run of the mill.\r
There are SO many other places, including many chains, that are just much better--Five Guys, Fat Burger, and Fudd Rucker's, just to name a few.\r
One thing we found hilarious is if you ask for it ""medium rare,"" they say ""they're all medium rare."" If you ask for it ""medium well,"" they'll say they're all made like that. Whatever.\r
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2) Atmosphere:\r
One thing it is NOT is outgoing/ friendly. I'll second what someone else said with the sense of urgency. You do not go here to have a meal and a nice chat with friends. You go, you get in, don't ask questions about the menu, eat, and you get out.\r
Not much is here--mainly just a large U shaped counter. And nothing has changed in probably decades, including many of the old employees. I think that would be cool if the old dudes were nice, but they come off as surly and impatient most of the time. The only thing that has changed over the years seems to be their outlandish prices (more on that in a sec). Overall, as much as people WANT this place to be ""charming,"" we found it to be anything but.\r
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3) Value:\r
Flat out, it's a bad value. No one should have to pay upwards of $14 for a burger, drink, and fries, at an ""old school"" place like this. It's a sham. There are places that cost HALF as much and taste TWICE as good (if not better) and have BETTER atmospheres.\r
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Overall:\r
Once you get over the hype, take a step back, and really compare it to either places of either much better value (In N Out Burger) or atmosphere/taste (Father's Office [though note I hate the cramped feeling in their SM location and lack of reservations]), or both (Fergburger), you can't help but scratch your head as to why anyone TRULY likes this place. It's just another place that people in LA like to brag about going to because they think it's cool because OTHERS have thought it's been cool for decades... even though in reality it's average, at best.
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