Father's Office in Santa Monica makes the best high-end burger. That would be my recommendation for a great dinner during your weekend trip. Make a reservation ahead of time. The Shack in Playa del Rey (less than 5 miles from LAX in the direction of Santa Monica) makes an awesome burger as well, but it doesn't have the same ambience of Father's Office.

Hamburger Hamlet is a tried-and-true classic but I don't think that there are any locations on the west side.

"I really never understood the big fuss about In-n-Out. Maybe it is the nostalgia thing, or maybe the fact that it is not widely available."

Better burgers than McD's, Burger King or Wendy's. Great milkshakes. Fries are better at McD's.

Also the mystique of the "secret" menu adds to the popularity of In-N-Out.

Apple Pan is a great LA experience, great fries, too.

Like bobludlow said, Father's Office is the best "high-end" burger. Only open for dinner, expect a line, burger comes "as is" no substitutions. It's delicious. Father's Office has a large selection of great beers on tap.

I don't eat a lot of hamburgers, but when we are returning home from a driving trip we exit the 405 Freeway in No Redondo, next to Manhattan Beach, and get an Amimal Style In-N-Out burger. Sure tastes good after a week of fine dining. Here is the Secret Menu, better than a regular burger.

http://www.in-n-out.com/secretmenu.asp

We also like any of the Tommy's. They have various names, like Tommy's Original, Tomboys World Famous, etc. Their chili-cheese burger is great, also fries and milk shakes. Our local TBs has jalepeno peppers you can pick up at the utencil counter, to add on the side.

It's like going to Philly and eating a cheesteak. You got to know what to order!

Have a double double with and a chocolate or vanilla shake. Nix the fries. Awesome!

Aloha!

Brentwood is pretty west side, bobludlow, no?!

I like In-n-Out, but am not gobsmacked about 'em. I think the whole thing about the place is psychological. Their marketing campaign has been brilliant in its simplicity -- not to mention the name itself...

Thanks for the secret menu link MBNancy. I didn't know about the grilled cheese.

I didn't know about the Grilled Cheese either, until a few years ago. My dil ordered one when we drove through, along with Animal style Fries, and that's when I first learned of the Secret Menu.

The person taking the order doesn't blink at all, they are used to people asking for The Flying Dutchman!

In fact, there is more to order, than on their posted list.

http://www.tiburon-belvedere.com/cgi...cgi?c=In_N_Out

In and Out is all about freshness. Supposedly there is not a single heat lamp, microwave or freezer in any of the InO locations.

There beef is 100% with no additives, fillers, nor preservatives. There are no cow brains, hooves, horns, intestines, etc. added. It's PURE beef meat. Likewise, there's nothing fake in their milkshakes.

The taste is average, but the quality of getting everything fresh and not frozen for days/weeks is great. I like mine "protein style", wrapped in a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. Strawberry shake and fries and I'm ready to go!

Astro burgers are great too. I haven't had one for years.

Islands is good for sit down hamburgers and a bunch of other things. It's more like the burger equivalent of Applebee's.

If you want something that is unique and if you like hot dogs, try Pink's Hot Dogs.

Casell's (see above) is great. (limited hours)

Hamburger Hamlet is an old reliable. It has been decades, but they used to have a wonderful lobster bisque.

A reliable friend swears by the Hungry Cat on Sunset and Vine. It's a sea food place, which is what I always have there, but he says the burger is great.

Tommy's on Rampart's is a historical burger stand. Bring Rolaids. Don't go there after midnight.

I want to try Pinks next time I'm in LA.

I had a Pinks for lunch in Las Vegas after a night of drinking...ugh...the flight home was not fun.

Sorry, that's "their beef", not "there beef" - gee, can't spell!

I think there is no shortage of good burgers in LA. I also give my vote to Fatburger (delish! get the chili fries too).

I think Father's Office has the best "gourmet" burger I have ever tasted -- carmelized onions, cheese stuffed right into the patty, arugala instead of typical lettuce, toasty french roll. Getting a table there is totally chaotic, though. You order at the bar and then stalk all the other diners until someone leaves their table. They also have a great selection of microbrews on tap and really yummy fries.

Apple Pan offers a great, but simple burger. Not good for large parties since you have to wait against the wall until a seat opens up at the u-shaped counter. The place oozes history and nostalgia, though. Good pie, too.

Tommy's chili is not of this planet. Bright orange and very tasty, but unless you have an iron stomach, you might want to save a trip here for another time.

Island's is ok, but not very different than the burgers you will find at other casual chain restaurants.

If you happen to be in downtown LA, Petes Bar and Grill makes a great cheeseburger.

Don't listen to the In 'N Out naysayers! They are THE BEST. Don't skip the fries...they are great, too.
Tommy's is a classic but definitely a grease bucket.
There's a place in Santa Monica called The Counter, which allows you to build your own burger. It boasts more than 312,120 combinations.
Mel's Diner is also a can't-miss, and so is Swinger's. These are more diners than burger joints, but you can get a burger there, too.

There's also Johnny Rockets.
Fifties-style, jukebox, big fat burgers, big fat fries, big thick shake.
http://www.johnnyrockets.com/locations/

There's nothing special about In-And-Out Burger. Locals boasted about it, so I tried it, twice as a matter of fact, still don't know what the fuss is about.

In N Out is great. There's a reason why it's so beloved here! The fries are nothing to write home about, but the burgers are fantastic. I highly recommend getting one with onions.

I second everyone who has suggested Apple Pan and Father's Office. Awesome burgers in very different settings. Definitely not chains.

If you're ever out in the Pasadena area on another trip, the burgers at Pie N Burger might be the very best in the L.A. area.

I like In & Out Burger but you can get pretty burned out on it. I always order it with the grilled onions. Someone mentioned Carney's--I don't know if it's still on Sunset but there is one in Studio City (it's a greasy spoon place and the chili burgers are what I affectionately call "heart attack on a plate"!). Hungry Cat on Hollywood & Vine is not a seafood place--they are the same owners who own AOC in Beverly Hills (a wine bar/tapas place). It is a very eclectic, California-type bistro. Their burgers are awesome, love their lobster roll and their frittatas. They also serve for dessert these cute little binets (the ones you get in New Orleans) in a plain brown paper bag dusted with lot of sugar and it's served hot! So Yummy! The other burger place I like is Fuddruckers (in Sherman Oaks) and Islands (Encino).