Amboy is a cozy spot in Chinatown where burger fans flock for juicy smash burgers, tasty fries, and friendly service, making it a must-visit.
"In Los Angeles’s peak smash burger era, it’s sometimes nice to veer away from trendy, razor-thin patties and dig into thick, dripping, two-hands-required specimens like the 10-ounce Amboy DH. The slightly smaller line of Slim Thicc burgers includes a one-third-pound patty, while the classic smashed double cheeseburger rivals anything in the region. Beef hot dog provides a nice change of pace. Former Petite Peso chef Ria Dolly Barbosa leads the kitchen, prepping bold specials like steak frites with a creamy Hennessy mushroom sauce, caviar, chives, and crispy french fries, along with a bone-in tomahawk steak with spicy smashed cucumbers and a Korean ssamjang demi-glace. Whether ordering a burger, chili cheese fries, an unexpected daily special, or a specific cut of meat to prepare at home, this Far East Plaza restaurant is the place to be. Bring a group to try everything that Barbosa and Amboy founder Alvin Cailan are cooking up. — Mona Holmes, reporter" - Eater Staff
"In the land of smash burger ubiquity, it’s nice to see native son Alvin Cailan return to LA with a thick pub-style burger at Amboy Quality Meats and Delicious Burgers, tucked inside the former Chinatown home of Chego. Not feeling something extra-thick? The shop is always rotating through other styles, so expect something new and worthwhile just about every single day." - Rebecca Roland, Eater Staff
"For a delicious, portable, and satisfying pre-game bite, stop by Chinatown's Amboy for burgers. The Classic Double is the undisputed star here—a simple, old-school burger featuring double-decker smash patties (made of ground short rib, brisket, and rib-eye trim), American cheese, and caramelized onions. Scarf it down on the car ride to Chavez Ravine, or maybe pop a squat at a table in Far East Plaza to fully appreciate the patties' crispy edges. Anyway, baseball can wait because their fries are best enjoyed hot." - sylvio martins, nikko duren
"Amboy is a tiny meat shop in Chinatown that’s home to some tremendous burgers and our favorite fries in LA. But for this week only, chef Alvin Cailan is putting a special Emilia-Romagna burger on the menu. Named for the region in Northern Italy, it comes with two blended patties that have been coated with grated parmesan and then smashed into the grill, balsamic aioli, diced onions, and pesto all on a toasted squishy bun. Pre-orders are available here." - brant cox
"Located in Chinatown’s Far East Plaza, Amboy is selling “quality meats and delicious burgers.” That means you can expect everything from double smashburgers to harder-to-find cuts of meat like Denver steaks and Brazilian-style sirloins from the recently opened butcher shop, which was started by the chef behind Eggslut. Place your pre-orders through their website." - kat hong
