It’s the holy grail of American cuisine and one of the city’s flagship dishes. Burgers have held their reign for decades, but recently, a bolder and more delicious version is stealing all the attention: smash burgers are here to stay and delight our taste buds. The reason? The smash burger technique. Instead of crafting the burger out of a perfect patty, it takes a small ball of ground beef and smashes it onto a hot griddle or skillet, creating a thin patty with a caramelized crust and a juicy interior.
That being said, let’s cut to the chase and explore the 10 smash burgers in Los Angeles that you absolutely must try.
1. For The Win
If creating a smashburger is a form of art, then For The Win has mastered it. Their signature smashburger wasn’t created over night. All the ingredients were tested until they found the ultimate ground beef blends, with the perfect buns and sauce recipes. When you bite into their burger, you’ll know it to be true.
📍 Locations:
– 6221 Franklin Ave. CA 90028
– 12602 Hadley St. CA 90601
– 1200 S. Brand Blvd. Unit 3. CA 91204
– 317 S. Broadway CA 90013
🍔 Fan favorite: Cheesburger, Chicken Sandwich
2. Goldburger
This spot stands out as one of the best smash burgers in Los Angeles, thanks to its signature Goldburger with American cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and garlic-mustard aioli. Don’t miss the LA Special, piled high with thick pastrami slices.
📍 Locations:
– 1820 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
– 5623 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
🍔 Fan favorite: Goldburger w/ Pastrami, curly fries.
3. Love Hour
Love Hour is a local treasure that offers the ultimate customizable burgers. You’re welcome to order it how you want it, whether it’s a single, doubles, hell—even a triple. They also collaborate with other L.A. spots to create the most unique smash burgers out there.
📍 Location: 532 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
🍔 Fan favorite: Cheeseburger with pickle topping, onion rings
4. Heavy Handed
Heavy Handed’s smash burgers draw crowds with their premium beef and crispy, lacy edges. Topped with melted American cheese, caramelized onions, and their signature sauce, each bite offers a gourmet fast food delight. Pair with their housemade potato rolls and beef tallow fries for a truly satisfying experience and one of the best smash burgers in Los Angeles.
📍 Location: 2912 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
🍔 Fan favorite: Double cheeseburger and Short rib burger.
5. Burger She Wrote
This spot is loved by celebrities like Jack Black, Tony Hawk or Dave Grohl. But everyday folks love it just as much. Burger She Wrote’s patties are thin and crispy, yet so juicy and flavorful. Even the bun is toasted yet soft enough to melt in your mouth. With all the balance of flavors and textures, the hype is well-deserved in our book!
📍 Location: 7454 1/2 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
🍔 Fan favorite: Oklahoma burger
6. Easy Street Burgers
Imagine a place that received a 10/10 rating from food critic Keith Lee and also has Cardi B’s seal of approval. Well, this is the case for Easy Street Burger. Located in Studio City, this spot offers delicious, crispy, and juicy burgers that have rightfully earned its reputation as one of the best smash burgers in LA.
📍 Location: 4143 Lankershim Blvd, Studio City, CA 91602
🍔 Fan favorite: Double Jalapeño Monster
7. Burgers Never Say Die
Burgers Never Say Die often gets accredited for starting this whole smash burger craze, and we have to agree with that honor. They offer single or double smash burgers with the typical fixings of juicy pickles, freshly chopped onions, and cheese. So simple, yet so deliciously perfect. Expect a long line, but trust us, it’s worth it.
📍 Location: 2388 Glendale Blvd Unit A, Los Angeles, CA 90039
🍔 Fan favorite: McDouble and fries
8. Wanna Smash
This spot manages to stand out as one of the best smash burgers in Los Angeles, not only thanks to its name but mostly for its homemade sauces and topping combinations. Even though the patties are squished to the limit on the flat top, the griddled meat retains its juicy goodness.
📍 Location: 6350 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 9140
🍔 Fan favorite: Hot & Heavy, Double cheeseburger
9. Chris N’ Eddy’s
This spot on Sunset in East Hollywood, with its ’90s Nerf commercial-inspired interior, offers excellent value, staying open until midnight daily. Their menu labels burgers as “sliders,” but they’re nearly as substantial as a typical smash burger. Opt for Chris’ Way, raw onions and pickles, for the best experience.
📍 Location: 5539 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
🍔 Fan favorite: Double Slider, Chris’ Way
10. Proudly Serving
At this joint, double-stacked burgers are the default, but you can request a single if that’s your thing. The patties, not too thin, boast a seasoned crust, topping a toasted potato bun with tangy mayo sauce and pickles. Don’t miss the charred onions, smooshed Oklahoma-style into the patty, for an extra savory twist.
📍 Location: 110 2nd St, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
🍔 Fan favorite: PS Burger
Edited by Sofía Delpueche.