Father's Office

"Dating in LA comes with several typical ice-breakers. Are you in the business? How bad is that Coachella lineup? Wait, you eat meat? If the answer to the last one is even remotely close to a yes, head to Father’s Office - because a burger is always what everyone wants. We’re choosing the Culver location due to its less frantic setting and ideal front patio." - jess basser sanders, brant cox, kat hong, brett keating

"No burger in the city has caused more friendship implosions, breakups, and multi-generational family disputes than the one at Father’s Office—especially when it comes to the infamous “no ketchup” policy. Still, we’ll track this classic down every time we’re near its sprawling Culver City location. Topped with caramelized onions, gruyere and Maytag blue cheese, bacon compote, and arugula, this is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and extremely tangy. Some could argue that it’s a sandwich—and they might be right—but couldn’t you argue any burger is just a sandwich? Bonus: There’s also an excellent tap list." - brant cox, sylvio martins, nikko duren, garrett snyder

"Sang Yoon’s enduring gastropub is known for its fantastic burger, which uses dry-aged beef, arugula, Maytag blue cheese, and caramelized onion for something recalling French onion soup. But the menu offers compelling options beyond the burger, including daily specials like seasonal fried softshell crab and Spanish tapas-inspired dishes. Father’s Office remains one of the most reliable, flavor-packed places to enjoy hearty food and solid drinks (especially the craft beer selection), but the experience comes with some rules. First, it’s a true bar, so it’s 21 and over only, and second, they don’t serve ketchup. — Matthew Kang, lead editor" - Matthew Kang, Eater Staff

"Who knew a burger could be so polarizing? Yet here is the Father’s Office burger, a no-ketchup-allowed option served on a split roll and topped with caramelized onions and lots of arugula. This massive sandwich uses dry-aged beef and Maytag blue cheese for a remarkably different kind of burger. Let the arguments commence." - Rebecca Roland, Eater Staff

"Unlike the Santa Monica original, this Father’s Office outpost has lots of space, including a long covered patio that’s perfect for summer nights and multiple rounds of craft beer. And despite what the overwhelming tap list might lead you to believe, this location takes cocktails as seriously as it does beer. On weekdays, the space is filled with nearby studio and/or tech workers drinking negronis and decompressing about the drama of the day. But you can also come alone and occupy yourself with their very good burger. " - nikko duren