Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I was working in CC today, so I fought the Obama motorcade traffic and stopped in. I wanted to like this place, but ultimately, there were just too many missteps. First off, it ain't cheap. 8 bucks, plus, $2 for fries and $1.50 for a can of coke before tax when you're eating on a plastic chair out of a paper bag behind a strip mall featuring a donut shop is a bit much.

Damon's complaints about the bun were right on, plus, it;s just too big for the patty (which I watched them pull out, and looked very robitically pre-formed). They claim their default (medium) is pink, but mine came out medium well. Also, it seems like they slapped the cheese on at the last second, because mine was not melted. Also, parking is a bitch, and seems like it would be so even if the President were not in town.

I did like the pickles and the other veggies. There was a bit too much lettuce, but I just removed a bit. As for the fries, I absolutely disagree with Damon. These were top notch spuds in every way - would eat again.

Read about this joint's opening and never was tempted to check this out. Reminds me of The Fix. Perfectly mediocre burger, it seems.

i've been to this place and liked it. far better than most when you consider the taste to portion to cost ratios. you get a more than satisfying burger for a decent price. you sure don't get cheated here, that's for sure. also, the owner couldn't be more pleasant. i think damon's take is pretty fair, though i'd say he may be is a little harder on the place than i would have been. that said, he isn't far off regarding most of the points he makes. i would recommend this place if you are in the century city/westwood area, but maybe it isn't a place to go out of your way for. personally, my favorite "hole in th wall" style place in this area is Big Jo's. a burger shack on Broadway at 19th in Santa Monica... now that is a "hole in the wall" with no fancified aspirations. a strangely charming drill sergeant/burger nazi korean woman serving your basic thin patty charbroiled "california diner" variety of burger. no "proprietary blends" at Big Jo's, but somehow it works.

Home-made macaroni and cheese with a tossed green salad.

Pasta primavera

Grilled chicken breast ~seasoned with rosemary & Mrs.Dash gralic & herb & a little spirnkle of Zartarins Cajun Seasoning.
Avocados mix with just a dab of mayo. Sweet pototes with brown sugar & a little pancake syrup.
A lite salad with precooked bacon & slice roast beef lunchmeat, sprinkled with shredded chesse & a few cherry tomatos w/ dressing.
A Dinner roll.

Pasta with tomato, bacon and onion from America's Test Kitchen.

Spaghetti tossed w/ butter and fresh Parmiggiano Reggiano I'll occasionally take an extra few minutes and add sauteed mushrooms.

quiche or fritatta -- fast and flexible

Steak Tartare: 1 pound of cubed sirloin buzzed in the food processor, blended with minced onion, worcestershire, soy, and Tabasco sauces, 4 super-fresh egg yolks, minced parsley, a little olive oil, a good squeeze of lemon, and salt and pepper. Spread on toasted and buttered pumpernickel, and you've got a fast and fantastic weeknight dish.

I love to make some turkey chili in the crockpot. Great for winter dinners. Thanks for the chance to win!

In the winter, it's usually a big plate of homemade spaghetti with sauce, served with garlic bread and a salad and in the summer, it's a big plate of chef salad, with fresh vegetables and hard cooked eggs and strips of ham or chicken. Thanks for having the contest!