The Counter, Custom Built Burgers, Various Locations, Los Angeles, CA

The Counter, Custom Built Burgers
Various Locations in California and around the country.

A delicious higher end build your own burger chain, with signature burgers, and various types of fries (from Sweet, to chili cheese) and even fried dill pickle chips.

The burgers are delicious and can be had in 1/3, 2/3 or the monstrous 1 pound and are cooked to order including a deliciously rate medium rare. Then you get a choice of cheese (blech, I know it is only me). 4 Toppings including Sautéed Onions, then premium toppings (including Chili, a Fried Egg, Fried Onion Strings and Homemade Guacamole and Sautéed mushrooms) , a sauce from a huge list and a type of bun.

There are so many combinations you could easily have a different burger each time you go.

The Counter is a delicious and higher end burger chain, with a higher price to go with it, but well worth it for the taste and customization options.

The Hat World Famous Pastrami, Various Locations, Los Angeles, CA

The Hat World Famous Pastrami

Various Locations around Los Angeles

, CA.

A fast food institution from around LA since 1951 when the first stand opened. I actually can't believe it took me so long to eat here.

I tried the signature Pastrami Dip (Roast Beef with Au Jus), which was delicious, though like most food on the menu just covered in fat and grease. Seriously fatty pastrami here! With condiments in little packages to make it easy to go (but it is way too messy to eat in your car).

Tasty, but certainly not deli level pastrami, but still good and worth checking out.

A Los Angeles Fast Food institution, though better than some (like Tito's Tacos which I was not very impressed with) and better than most nationwide chain (except maybe 5 Guys).
Still you will feel this in your gut for a long long time!

Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Various Locations, CA

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Locations, all over

.

A delicious $5.00 higher end fast food burger, made to order, which huge and delicious orders of fries (and malt vinegar). The menu is simple, with different types of burgers (many of which with 2 patties), hot dogs, veggie and grilled cheese (the burgers without the burger), regular or cajun fries, and a ton of burger toppings, which you order with the food and they make. And I love the pickles!

Made to order so it takes a little while longer, but well worth the wait, dare I say it even better than In N Out?

And the fresh made fries are fantastic, and come in a huge paper bag. Great with the balsamic that they have there.

If you like burgers you will certainly like the quality of Five Guys. It is still fast food (no medium rare here), but the best quality fast food for a slight premium.

And they have peanuts for you to munch on while you wait, though they are way too salty.