Shake Shack

The first time I saw a Shake Shack was a few years back near Union Square, and I thought to myself there is no way in hell I'm waiting in that long ass line. The line was ten times longer than for a Pink's hotdog. For those who are not familiar to Shake Shack, it is the "In-N-Out" of NYC. They are also famous for their milkshakes.

As I was coming out of the 86th subway stop, heading to the Met Museum to check out the Alexander McQueen exhibit, it stopped drizzling, the clouds disappeared, the sun came out, and the angels sung, "Shake Shack." Ok, not really but when I saw the line was short I felt the angels were looking after me.

I went for a basic cheeseburger to compare it with the Angeleno’s favorite In-N-Out’s, and their talk about cheese fries. The wait time after you order your food is about the same as In-N-Out. Cost was a few bucks more. Seating more modern.

I’ll admit it, I got giddy when I saw my burger. You don’t need to take a bite to know it’s good, and it was damn good.

The patty was thicker and jucier. Yes, Shake Shake’s burger is better than In-N-Out’s…

Now their cheese fries…

were disappointing. Think Velveeta…which is not necessary a bad thing but I was hoping for more of a distinguish taste. The next time around I’ll know to order a milkshake instead, and of course, a cheeseburger.

Address: 154 E 86th St, New York, NY 10128
Phone: (646) 237-5035

The Apple Pan

My church is finally going to start their DTLA service so my Westside trips will be scarce. I think my next trip to the Westside might not be until the Los Angeles Film Festival, so I decided to have lunch at one of Los Angeles’ historical institution: the Apple Pan. The first time I was here I couldn’t eat anything since I was on the Master Cleanse. Don’t ask. I’ve tried a few times dining here but I always forget that it’s CASH ONLY. I never have cash on me.

The Apple Pan reminds me of the house in the movie UP. A sign of its time and it just doesn’t fit in with the other buildings in the neighborhood. However, the Apple Pan is a much more happening place. The set up is simple: a U-shape counter-top seating only with an old-school cash register.

I had just enough cash for an ice tea and burger, so I went for their Hickory burger with Tillamook Cheddar, and it was heaven! I loved the smoky flavor, and the burger was very juicy. I can’t believe I waited this long for Apple Pan’s burger.

It might be criminal for me not to try Apple Pan’s famous apple pie, but I only had a ten on me. I’ll definitely make sure to have their apple pie next time.

Address: 10801 W Pico Blvd, LA, CA 90064
Phone#: (310) 475-3585
Share

Tommy's Original World Famous Hamburgers: Birthday Part 4

After a night of debauchery at the Association, the Golden Gopher Bar, and the Broadway Bar, it was time to soak in the alcohol with my very 1st Original Tommy's burger and chili cheese fries at the Original stand. At this point, I don't remembered much...but I must have loved it since I just found the messy food wrapper the next morning...I am amazed at myself that I managed to take photos of the evidence....super messy!





Address: 2575 W. Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Contact#: 213.389.9060
Share

IN-N-OUT BURGER

I heart In-N-Out’s animal-style burgers!

This is a general review for In-N-Out. It’s pretty amazing that they’ve been making quality food since 1948. Everything is made fresh there. There are no microwaves and frozen French fries! The milkshakes are made with ice cream. The burgers are fantastic and cheap! They were the first place that I went to that offered animal-style burger –instead of bread they wrap the meat with lettuce.

Hey, we’re in Los Angeles where everyone is concerned with his or her looks. …

In-N-Out keeps it pretty simple. You can order a burger, cheeseburger, fries, milkshakes and grilled cheese sandwich for the vegetarian. Here’s a photo taken by Winnie L. that will make you drool….

Animal style burgers are not photogenic.

Oh, the original owners are Christians—check the bottom of the cups, and managers make $100k a year…sure makes me want to quit my job…

For all those East Coasters and Mid-West peeps, In-N-Out should definitely be on your eating list! Keep in mind that lines are ridiculous, but for the price and taste, it's so worth it!

Address: 3640 Cahuenga Blvd Studio City, CA 90068
Rating: 5 out of 5



Share

OINKSTER

My friends and I have heard great things about Oinkster, so we headed there after wine tasting at Colorado Wine Company. It’s a cute joint with lots of outdoor seating and indoor seating. If you’re a KCRW member you get 15% off. I shared the pulled pork and pastrami. One of my friends is avoiding meat for lent so she went for the veggie burger. We all shared the Belgium fries and strawberry milkshake.

The pastrami was a bit fatty but still pretty tasty.

I was disappointed with the pulled-pork sandwich. I was expecting BBQ sauce in the sandwich but Oinkster’s is Carolina style so it’s more like a French dip sauce…which I find it a bit too bland for my taste buds.

Oinkster uses Folsom ice cream for their milkshake.

It was good but 8oz is better. My friend had high expectations with their veggie burger.

The Belgium fries tasted good with Oinkster’s ketchup and aioli sauce. However, we found a hair in one of the fries…yikes!

The hair was in the potato...?

We forgot to show our KCRW card for the discount, but management was kind enough to give us a carrot cupcake.

It was a bit odd that the carrot cupcake came before the peanut butter cupcake we purchased… The carrot cupcake was good and the peanut butter cupcake…well, let ‘s just say I prefer a p&b sandwich.




Well, I can check the Oinkster off my list.

Address: 2005 Colorado Blvd Eagle Rock, CA 90041
Phone#: (323) 255-6465
Rating: 2 out of 5

Chick-Fil-A

I heart Chick-Fil-A!

I like to kill 3 birds with one stone when I'm visiting my cos in Irvine--it's good to be environmental. Since I have been eyeing Chick-Fil-A ever since my visit to the Deep South, I might as well stop by at a Chick-Fil-A. OMG, it was a nightmare getting there!

Google's directions are SO WRONG. If you're heading south on the 605 freeway DO NOT take the Spring Street exit, unless you want to get lost and talk to strangers. Take the Carson exit (before the Spring exit) and look for the "In and Out" sign -Chick-Fil-A is right next to the burger joint. To make matters worse, their parking lot was a bloody nightmare around 6pm on a Saturday.

The first thing that I noticed was the cleanliness. I had to double check that I was in a fast food joint. Most fast food joints' condiments/napkins area only has ketchup, mustard and napkins. Umm...Chick-Fil-A has 2 flavors of jams, 4 different coffee creams, hot sauce, mayo, ketchup, mustard, and napkins (I'm sure I'm missing a few items). Wow! They sure are generous with the condiments.

I went for the original chicken sandwich and the 4-piece chicken nuggets
kid's meal. The total came out around $6. I was impressed with the meat quality. It sure doesn't look like Micky D's mysterious meat nuggets.



Chick-Fil-A's nuggets are small though...so we won't feel guilty eating them? The waffle fries are great.

I should have order the grill chicken sandwich as the nuggets and the sandwich taste the same.

Nonetheless, they are both quite good, and I had to force myself to stop half way on the sandwich to save room for desserts. I had asked a customer if she prefer the ice cream or the milkshake. She didn't know as she's always been too full from stuffing her face with chicken and waffle fries. Be sure to make room for their ice cream. Chick-Fil-A uses the ingredients for the ice cream and milkshakes.

Ok, now I know why everyone is crazy for Chick-Fil-A! I think I'll make Chick-Fil-A a regular stop when I'm heading to Irvine.

p.s. In case you're wondering what the third bird is, it's laundry.

Address: 7681 Carson Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90808
Phone#: (562) 425-4232
Share

CHICK-FIL-A

I heart Chick-Fil-A!

I like to kill 3 birds with one stone when I'm visiting my cos in Irvine--it's good to be environmental. Since I have been eyeing Chick-Fil-A ever since my visit to the Deep South, I might as well stop by at a Chick-Fil-A. OMG, it was a nightmare getting there!

Google's directions are SO WRONG. If you're heading south on the 605 freeway DO NOT take the Spring Street exit, unless you want to get lost and talk to strangers. Take the Carson exit (before the Spring exit) and look for the "In and Out" sign -Chick-Fil-A is right next to the burger joint. To make matters worse, their parking lot was a bloody nightmare around 6pm on a Saturday.

The first thing that I noticed was the cleanliness. I had to double check that I was in a fast food joint. Most fast food joints' condiments/napkins area only has ketchup, mustard and napkins. Umm...Chick-Fil-A has 2 flavors of jams, 4 different coffee creams, hot sauce, mayo, ketchup, mustard, and napkins (I'm sure I'm missing a few items). Wow! They sure are generous with the condiments.

I went for the original chicken sandwich the 4-piece chicken nuggets kid's meal. The total came out around $6. I was impressed with the meat quality -check it out:

It sure doesn't look like Micky D's mysterious meat nuggets.

Chick-Fil-A's nuggets are small though...so we won't feel guilty eating them? The waffle fries are great.

I should have order the grill chicken sandwich as the nuggets and the sandwich taste the same.

Nonetheless, they are both quite good, and I had to force myself to stop half way on the sandwich to save room for desserts. I had asked a customer if she prefer the ice cream or the milkshake. She didn't know as she's always been too full from stuffing her face with chicken and waffle fries. Be sure to make room for their ice cream. Chick-Fil-A uses the ingredients for the ice cream and milkshakes.

Ok, now I know why everyone is crazy for Chick-Fil-A! I think I'll make Chick-Fil-A a regular stop when I'm heading to Irvine.

p.s. In case you're wondering what the third bird is, it's laundry.

Address: 7681 Carson Blvd Long Beach, CA 90808
Phone#: (562) 425-4232
Rating: 5 out of 5

BAJA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL

Baja Fresh is just not Chipotles, but I am thankful that Baja is across from the Grauman's Chinese Theater. I don't think I could eat another hot dog (spent my day at the AFI festival). I had a soft chicken taco and a soft carne asada taco. Meh, it's better than a hot dog, but not by much. The chicken was better than the carne asada. I had a nice fat chewy carne asada piece in the taco. I should have just ate a bagel from the Coffee Bean...

Address: 6922 Hollywood BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90028
Phone: (323) 467-4620
Rating: 2 out of 5

POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS

Potbelly is just like Subway but they offer milkshakes.

We were starving after spending 2 hours in the Spy Museum, so we settled on Potbelly. The bread is a little longer --8", and they heat all their sandwiches. We had 2 sandwiches, 1 pop, 1 bag of chips for $11. Yeah, it's easy on the wallet, but don't have high expectations...

Address: 555 12th St NW Washington, DC 20004
Phone#:(202) 347-7100
Rating: 3 out of 5

FIVE GUYS FAMOUS BURGERS & FRIES

We're at the Dulles Airport at 5:15AM for our 6AM last Monday, and what do I eat? Oh yeahhhh, a Five Guys' little cheeseburger! I had to check out what everyone is saying about this East Coast Burger joint.

This little burger was filling and very good. Their fries are similar and slightly better than Cheeburger's:


My only suggestion is to use paper cups instead of styrofoam cups for the fries.

P.S. I just noticed on their website they have one in Carson (20700 Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90746). Woohoo!



Address: Dulles International AirportDulles, VA 20101
Phone#: (703) 661-8787
Rating: 4 out of 5

CHEEBURGER CHEEBURGER

I encountered my first Cheeburger Cheeburger at JFK's Jet Blue terminal last Friday and it was quite good! I was surprised to find out that bf was actually telling me the truth when he said Cheeburger Cheeburger was the outcome of a SNL skit.

If you haven't been to a Cheeburger Cheeburger, you basically tap the items that you want on the computer screen. I guess it's a 99% mistake-proof. Their smallest offered size was enormous; we probably should have split it.

We also ordered fries and onion rings. I prefer their fries...

but B prefers their onion rings...

Like all food at the airport, it's not cheap, but if you want quality food, eat at Cheeburger Cheeburger. 2 burgers+2 drinks + 1 onion rings +1 fries = $30

P.S. Closest Cheeburger to LA is San Diego or Las Vegas.

Address: JFK International Airport- Terminal 6 Jet BlueJamaica, NY 11430

Phone#: (718) 656-6210

Rating: 4 out of 5