travellamb

Well, thanks to everyone for your advice. We went and had some In-n-Out burger - we were going to try some of the others, but there just wasn't time.

Overall, I have to say it was a really good burger, especially for fast food and ESPECIALLY for how cheap it is. That's what really blew me away.

I ordered my fries well done, and normally I like everything on the crispy side, but these were totally over done and lost all french fry qualities - ended up more like potato chips. My fiance ordered his fries regular and they were good.

Thanks again!

Gardyloo

I read somewhere that Woody's Smorgasburger on Sepulveda in El Segundo recently closed. That was the place for a burger near LAX. Years ago I returned to the States after living overseas, and the friends that met me knew how to welcome me home. In 'n Out is just a fast food burger with the usual salt to meat ratio.

Woody's now joins the pantheon of other dear departed Westside / South Bay /Long Beach burger places, most notably Henry's in Belmont Shore and the Burger Buffet on Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach. Sic transit gloria burgers.

MBnancy

Sadly, Woody's Smorgasburger sold three or four years ago to International House of Pancakes. Even though the round fireplace is still there, it's just not the same!

Haven't heard of Burger Buffet, but remember hamburgers at Clancy's, Foster Freeze, Jill's and the A&W drive in.

Gardyloo

Burger Buffet was on the west side of Sepulveda around 8th or 9th. They had a big round (real) fireplace in the middle of the room, you got a charcoal-broiled burger and all the condiments were laid out buffet-style (everything from the usuals to ground peanuts, pineapple, green and red chilis...) hence the name. Talking late '50s and early '60s.

curiousgeo

Count me in as another In-n-Out fan. It is fast food, so don't expect a life changing experience, just great food dollar value if that makes sense.

MBnancy

Wow, still can't think of where it would be, and I've been here since the 40s. Baskin Robins is near there on the west side of the street since the 50s. I have a couple friends who grew up on 9th near Sepulveda, maybe they remember it. We always play "name the old restaurants" game.

Gardyloo

(Sorry for hijacking the thread, travellamb...)

I might be wrong, it might have been closer to the top of the hill - maybe 3rd or 4th. It was a block up (S) from Chicken Delight. (Is this pathetic or what? Okay, do you remember The Breakers on MBBlvd?)

MBnancy

Sorry again.
Yes, I remember the Breakers on MB Blvd. It's now a Chicago Ribs! Also the Chicken Delight. They used to deliver in a VW Bug.

On the corner of 2nd St. was My Ship restaurant, a building made to look like a giant ship.

I have some emails out about the location of Burger Buffet for my own sanity...2 here in MB, one to CT and one to Hilton Head. Hope I sleep tonight...LOL

mlgb

My Ship or Ships? I remember the Ships in Westwood, where I had my first meal in LA.

MBnancy

Yes, it was My Ship, in MB. The Ships Coffee Shop you are thinking of is not there anymore.

http://www.roadsidepeek.com/coffeeea...feeshop/ships/

Found out about Burger Buffet from an older friend. It was a ranch style place on 9th, and was here when he moved to MB in 1954. He said the building was moved to Lomita about 1965. There is a strip mall now, with a sanwdich shop, cleaners and Japanese restaurant.

Gardyloo

Thank heavens somebody (older - hah) remembers the Burger Buffet.

Next question - what was the name of the great Mexican restaurant also on Sepulveda (moved there from somewhere else - can't recall) not far from the A & W?

(Am in NYC en route to Africa and may not have regular internet access for a few days so thanks for the memory workout.)