Los Angeles has been a burger town for decades. Local chains like Original Tommy’s (1946), Fatburger (1947) and In-N-Out (1948) have captured millions of imaginations. Patrick McDonald originally debuted The Airdrome on Route 66 in 1937 in Monrovia before his sons Mac and Dick moved the building to San Bernardino in 1940 and rebranded the business as McDonald’s. If you’ve watched “The Founder,” the 2016 movie starring Michael Keaton as Ray Kroc, you know what happened next. Actually, you should watch the movie, but what happened to McDonald’s isn’t much of a mystery.

L.A. has been instrumental in burger history in other ways. At 1500 W Colorado Boulevard in east Pasadena, not far from where I live, a plaque on the sidewalk in front of the Firefighters First Credit Union marks where 16-year-old employee Lionel Sternberger sold the “first” cheeseburger at a bygone restaurant called Rite Spot that operated at this location.

Los Angeles also gifted us the patty melt. Tiny Naylor founded an eponymous restaurant and first served a burger on rye bread with caramelized onions and melted Swiss cheese in 1932. Du-par’s, a restaurant that Tiny’s son Biff Naylor runs at The Original Farmers Market, which has a Las Vegas outpost at Suncoast Hotel & Casino, still serves Tiny’s patty melt.

For me, Bill’s Burgers in Van Nuys remains the ultimate L.A. style burger, though of course Pie ‘N Burger, The Apple Pan and In-N-Out aficionados have other ideas. Bill Elwell (nearing 100 years old) has presided over the flattop at his Van Nuys stand since 1965. I’d urge you to make the pilgrimage to see him ASAP. Just don’t try to order French fries.

Considering Los Angeles is an innovation hub and has so many immigrants, our burger selection naturally evolved. We seemingly have more smash burgers than birds, substantial steakhouse-style burgers, and thickness level in-between. Burgers are by no means limited to beef or buns. International influences from countries like Japan, Lebanon, and Thailand have also kept burgers interesting. So have a plethora of regional U.S. burger styles, including Oklahoma style onion burgers (Burger She Wrote), New Mexico inspired green chile cheeseburgers (Panxa Cocina) and fritas Cubanas (Gigi’s Bakery & Cafe). In the past, I also enjoyed Minneapolis style Juicy Lucys filled with molten cheese. Now all we need are Wisconsin style butter burgers and possibly Connecticut style steamed cheeseburgers (which reminds me of the “steamed hams” on “The Simpsons”) and we should be all set. In the meantime, find my favorite L.A. burgers since 2022.

Amboy Quality Meats & Delicious Burgers Picante Burger (Or Other Styles from “Burger Show” Host Alvin Cailan – Chinatown ↓

Ban Ban Burger Wagyu Laab Smash – Sawtelle Japantown ↓

Botanica Burger – Silver Lake ↓

Burger She Wrote Oklahoma Double – Mid-City + Venice ↓

Camphor Le Burger – Arts District ↓

Dunsmoor Burger – Glassell Park ↓

Hangaburs Tepic Hamburger – Pop-Up ↓

Heavy Handed Short Rib Burgers Fries – Santa Monica + Studio City ↓

Le Champ Burger (Available at Sunday Brunch) – Arts District ↓

Love Hour Double Burger – Koreatown ↓

Manuela Venison Burger – Arts District ↓

Panxa Cocina Green Chile Burger – Long Beach ↓

Rita’s Deluxe Cheeseburger – Downtown ↓

Skaf’s On York Burger – Eagle Rock ↓

Softies Aji Burger + Steak Frites – Pop-Up ↓

Superfine Playa Smash Burger – Playa Vista ↓

Yellow Paper Burger Double – Eagle Rock ↓

Fingers Crossed For A Comeback (These Burgers Aren’t Currently Available)

Birdie G’s Kishka Burger – Santa Monica ↓

Kali Burger – Melrose ↓

Thicc Burger Holla-Peno – Pop-Up ↓