8 oz. Burger Bar

Posted by Edmund in Gastropub, Restaurants | 0 comments

8 oz. Burger Bar
Gastropub
About $10 to $15 for a burger.

2 locations—one in LA and one in Miami
I went to the one in LA, at:
7661 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

My brother wanted to take me out the other day just to hang out, so we went to grab some food. He’d been craving a real gourmet burger for a very long time, so we did some research and found out about the 8 oz. burger bar, one of the hot bars on Melrose. Melrose, being one of the coolest areas in LA, has its fair share of good bars and good burgers, so for 8 oz. burger bar to show up so prominently in our research is saying a lot.

The main draw of this bar is not so much the burger itself as the possibility for customization. It has a near endless list of choice, in terms of cheese, toppings, sauces, and sides. You can get anything from Humboldt fog and Bel paese cheeses to sunflower sprouts, fried green tomatoes, and sunflower sprouts. So if you’re looking for options, this is the place to go.

At the same time, the place itself has a great vibe. When we entered, we felt immediately at home. The bar has a large amount of space and was not overly packed, like some of the other bars in town (though, to be fair, we went at 8 pm). The service is friendly and helpful, the seating areas are nice and large, and the bar itself is clean. This isn’t just a grungy place—it’s actually a “gourmet bar.”

And the food doesn’t fail to disappoint, though I wouldn’t say, like some, that the burger is the best in town. The burger is outstanding in quality, with a great freshness and a great variety of options. The drink selection is nice, though the milkshakes are so good that I don’t know why anyone would look to the drink menu at all. And I have no complaints about the starchy sides (the fries, etc.).

So, if you want something a bit nicer than a fast food joint, and especially if you want to just chill with some good friends at a hot bar and grab some common cuisine, 8 oz. Burger Bar provides a great burger, shake, and fries combo. However, it’s not the unforgettable burger that I was looking for, especially at $10 just for the burger, without cheese or extra toppings.

What I had:

1. Pumpkin Gingerbread shake—This is a keeper! Hands down, the best part of the meal. $4 for a milkshake that is better and more interesting than what you can get almost anywhere. Extremely thick, to the point that you have to clear straw often and eat with a spoon. Awesome texture. Nice, creamy richness. Great flavors. Actually tastes like pumpkin. Nice touch with solidified, caramelized pumpkin chips (?) in there. Extremely flavorful. Get the shakes now. 4.5/5.0
2. 8 oz. burger w/ cheese, bacon, red onions, and roasted mushrooms added—Just a quality burger. Normal works with special sauce. Meat is cooked excellently. Bread is good. Meat is juicy. Delightful to eat. Very nice, home-cooked feeling. At same time, very much an Oinkster or Inn n’ out style burger. Nothing extraordinary for gourmet, and still cost me $16 with extras. 2.7+/10
3. Kennebec Fries—very good. Not the best, but extremely well cooked, crunchy, and crispy. Not too thick. Thickness just right to guarantee crispiness.
4. Truffled potato skins—pretty good, again. A bit oily/greasy because of truffle oil, but good flavor. Topped with chives and I think parmesan. Really good for what it is, but a bit too thick for me. Still, great for people who love wedge fries.

Ambience: 2.5/5.0
Service: 3.0/5.0
Taste: 3.0+/5.0
Value: 2.0/5.0
Overall Score: 2.6/5.0