Top 5 Hamburgers

J & J Burger Shack (barbecue)
5754 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles
just East of Farifax & Adams Blvd.

Good location for barbecue. Burgers are good and huge, but their beef ribs great. Pork's good, too. I also like their side dishes. Wood-smoked.

Phillips Barbecue
4307 Leimert Boulevard, Los Angeles
Vernon & Crenshaw Blvd west of 110 fwy.

They have three locations - Leimert Park, Crenshaw, and Inglewood. I've only been to the original in Leimert Park. I usually get the $50 or $100 mix platter for office parties. The drive in on Vernon might scare some that aren't used to that part of town, and it is kinda 'hood. But, everyone is nice once you get there and the food is damn good.

Across the parking lot is a great Jamaican cafe - Ackee Bamboo. Terrific meat patties and the Jerk, Curries, and brown stews are as authentic as you are going to get in LA. They get the complex mix of spices just right so that the heat does not obscure all the individual flavors. I don't break a sweat until the meal is 80% finished. Be prepared for Island Time or CPT(colored people's time), as my grandmother and parents used to say, in getting your food. Some days it's quick, others can take a few minutes. but it is always worth he wait.

Honey's Kettle Fried Chicken
2600 E Alondra Blvd
Compton, CA 90221

also a brand new location in re-vitalized Culver City
9537 Culver Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232

I prefer the Compton location - cheaper, more bare-bones, and closer to my house. The new Culver City shop is bright, clean, and very professional looking. Chicken is fresh, juicy, and a great crust. Their biscuits are out of this world.

Who do you work for Sysco Foods? You know all "the" spots. Phillips is worth the trip, but I really like Woodies BBQ at 3446 W. Slauson

As for burgers do you remember Fudruckers in Torrance and Woodies flame grilled in El Segundo both very good burgers!!

03-09-10: Samhar
Who do you work for Sysco Foods? You know all "the" spots. Phillips is worth the trip, but I really like Woodies BBQ at 3446 W. Slauson

I loves me some grub! Actually, my girlfriend and I love finding Mom & Pop places that deliver basic, good food, at reasonable prices. It's kind of our hobby.

I've never heard of Woodies, thanks for the tip - it's on my list now.

As for burgers do you remember Fudruckers in Torrance and Woodies flame grilled in El Segundo both very good burgers!!

I grew up just a few miles away in San Pedro. Great place for summer jobs in college, too bad it didn't survive until the Rolling hills plaza was redone. Don't think I've ever hit Woodies in El Segundo.

I guess I should have mention Texas Lucy's in Torrance at Sepulveda & PV Drive. My dad used to take me there as a kid. He said they had the best burgers in the area, but now at 45 yrs old, I realize he was just going to look at the waitresses in lingerie and chaps with their boobs pushed up and butts hanging out.(btw, they seriously toned down the "uniforms" sometime in the last ~35 yrs)

Kobbler King
3622 West Jefferson Boulevard (& Crenshaw)
Los Angeles, CA 90016-4206
(323) 731-9286

Absolutely rocks. LA Times(?) had an article 5 years ago or so on the 28 year old "kid" who owns this tiny shack. He personally handmakes his cobblers of all flavors depending on which fruit is in season. They are fantastic. He makes maybe a hundred or so a day and they all sell out by afternoon. But, they also do Chicken Fingers, Hot Wings, Shrimp Scampi, Jambalaya, Grilled Shrimp, Cajun Shrimp, Red Snapper, Catfish, Gumbo.

Tasty Q Bar-B-Cue is right around the corner on Crenshaw. Good BBQ & sides and great prices. BTW, bring your own turkey and they'll deep fry it for you while you eat.

While your are there, just keep going south on Crenshaw to The Cobbler Lady(3854 Crenshaw Boulevard). A different style from Kobbler King, but certainly as good. I've never tried anything but the deserts there, and they are pretty damn good.