Dining Review: The best burgers in town

People ask me all the time, “What’s your favorite restaurant?” I always struggle with this question. It really depends upon my mood. However, someone asked me recently, “What’s the best burger in town?” Five outstanding ones immediately popped into my head. These are not your $6 Carl’s Jr. burgers. They cost a bit more, but they’re worth it.

Eden Burger Bar

333 1/2 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale

The monthly specials are always worth checking out at Eden Burger Bar. Last month’s was the Bourbon Burger with Bourbon bacon and barrel stout glaze. In June, they brought back a fan favorite, the truffle Mac-N-Cheese Burger with candied bacon chunks, chives and a cheddar crisp. But you can never, and I mean never, go wrong with the Black Label Burger, a menu staple ($12.95). This baby starts with a thick patty of their signature blend of beef, sweet and smoky, and adds black truffle shavings, crispy potato strings, truffle cheddar and garlic aioli on a soft brioche bun. I believe people can be heavy-handed with truffles, but this has the perfect amount. All varieties of fries are awesome too.

Bar Verde

102 Caruso Ave., Glendale

It’s the Fiscalini Farms white cheddar and the balsamic roasted onion that makes the Bar Verde Burger special ($13.95). Peppercorn aioli, organic tomato and freshly ground meat from local ranchers doesn’t hurt either. Find your way to this quietly elegant eatery on the top floor of Nordstrom in the Americana at Brand for a darn good burger and perhaps a specialty cocktail. All ingredients on the menu promise a seasonal, farm-to-table focus.

Bourbon Steak

237 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale

Around the corner from Nordstrom is the posh Bourbon Steak, recently reinvigorated by a new head chef, Kyle Johnson. The prices are normally sky high here but those on a budget can take advantage of Chef Johnson’s skills by mining the lounge menu. They have three good-looking burgers, but the one that haunts my reverie is the Blue Burger ($22) with blue cheese, caramelized onions, truffle aioli and mushrooms. See if they’ll bring you the Baby Iceberg Wedge from the main menu ($15) too.

Bashan

3459 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale

Filet mignon and beef short rib are hand-ground together for an amazing flavor at Bashan Restaurant’s Sunday Night Burger Bar. Gorgeous and juicy, the patty is topped with Hook’s one-year sharp cheddar cheese, slow-cooked grilled onions and garlic aioli ($18). You can add more items between burger and brioche bun (for a fee), such as smoked bacon, fried egg, avocado or St. Agur bleu. But honestly, it doesn’t need them. Remember, the burger is available only on Sundays from 5 to 9 p.m.

Taylor’s Steak House

901 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada

Taylor’s Steak House has been in La Cañada for decades. It’s the go-to place for red meat, burgundy leather and amber drinks. The large, juicy Prime Cheeseburger is ground fresh daily from steak trimmings and cooked on an oak burning broiler. It’s the most old school of the burgers listed here, made with American cheese (cheddar or Swiss on request), raw onion, iceberg lettuce, tomato, pickle and a sesame bun straight off the grocery shelves. You’re given Thousand Island, ketchup and mustard, so you can build it as you like it, plus steak fries, cole slaw (with raisins, not my favorite) and a big basket of bread. That’s a lot of food for $12.50. By the way, don’t rely on the website menu. My waiter said, “It hasn’t been updated in 10 years.” Old school indeed.

What’s your favorite burger in town?

--

LISA DUPUY welcomes comments at LDupuy@aol.com.