Back when we first started our little project known as Ladies Who Dine, our appetites took us for a visit (one of many we would have) to our ginormous neighbor to the north, LA, to grub on burgers and fries at Golden State (remembered here with a LWD Flashback). While back then we had a blog dedicated to our LWD outings, there was no Dianderthal. And hence, there was no Burger Quest. So as much as I may have enjoyed my burger, it held no standing on the growing list of awesome burgers I’ve enjoyed on my Quest over the last eight months or so.
Until now. For Mother’s Day, I asked my family to join me for a hike near Griffith Park. Resistance was almost immediate, one of my kids rolling her eyes and dropping her shoulders, nearly apoplectic at the thought of taking a walk outdoors. Once there, however, I was the one who first asked to turn around and head back; the one who didn’t think it wise for us to continue on for another hour-plus so we could get crazy-close to the Hollywood sign. And why my resistance?
HUNGER.
So we left, headed for one of my husband’s favorite spots, Berri’s Cafe, to split one of their lobster pizzas. We took Beverly to get there and, as we neared La Brea, I mentioned the nearby Golden State as a past LWD success story. When he asked if I’d rather go there instead (which I was kind of hoping he would do – I know it was Mother’s Day, but he was so excited about lobster pizza, I didn’t poo-poo the idea when first broached), I was, like, “Okay” (and secretly tingling inside).
The Golden State turkey burger is meaty, succulent, and well-stacked. They don’t skimp on the cheese, making it my kind of burger. It packs an enormous amount of flavor and, for my belly, is the perfect size. I couldn’t finish it all at the table, but was ready to take on the last few bites that remained in my to-go box as soon as we made our way back to the LBC.
Perhaps what I love most about Golden State are their sweet potato fries. Really – technically – they’re called fried sweet potato wedges on the menu. They are slightly undercooked, or at least not as over-fried as some sweet Ps can be. Still, they keep a bite to them – even a crisp on the outside. Once dunked in Golden State’s garlic aioli or their curry ketchup, these wedges become captivating. They are surely among the best sides I’ve eaten along a burger.
So another burger joins the list, and another tough decision must be made. But that’s why it’s called the Burger Quest.
Official Dianderthal Burger Quest Burger List:
1. Hawkins House of Burgers turkey burger with everything (mayo, mustard, pickles, tomato, red onion, lettuce), cheese added
2. PCB (Plan Check Burger) at Plan Check with americanized dashi cheese, ketchup leather, schmaltz onions, mixed pickles, crunch bun
3. Island’s California Flyer turkey burger (BBQ sauce, “Island Reds” – fried onion straws, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato & mayo)
4.Golden State turkey burger with provolone, lettuce, tomato, red onion, aioli, and ketchup, (added grilled onions)
5. Yeah! Burger (Make It Your Own – turkey patty, whole wheat bun, pepper jack cheese, sriracha mayo, ketchup, grilled onions, honey mustard)
6. The Habit (Veggie burger made like a Charburger, with mayo, pickle, tomato, lettuce, caramelized onions, cucumber, and sprouts)
7. The Counter (Build Your Own – turkey patty, grilled onions, cheddar cheese, chipotle aioli, ketchup)
8. Burger City Grill (The BCG, turkey patty, pickles, grilled onions)
Fry Factor
1. Island’s fries with ranch dressing
2. Golden State fried sweet potato wedges with garlic aioli (and a few with curry ketchup)
3. The Counter 50-50 fries (half regular, half sweet Ps)
4. The Habit french fries
5. Plan Check sweet potato waffle fries and regular fries
7. Burger City Grill fries
7. Yeah! Burger sweet potato fries
8. Hawkins House of Burgers fries
The Golden State
426 N. Fairfax in Los Angeles