Vin S.’s Review

The Experience

Last month, I reviewed Classic Burger, my favorite local diner. Their burgers are just fine, though each one on the menu is basically the same, just maybe with one different topping (avocado, bacon, etc.). Having tried one, I know what most will be. Except… they do list a Pastrami Burger. Does that mean there is pastrami on the burger? Or some sort of alternate pastrami patty? I returned to Classic today, with full intent to try this.

However, as I parked and walked in, I noticed a sign on the front window, announcing Korean Style BBQ burgers and tacos. What!? Now, I’m an LA guy. I’ve had the famous Kogi tacos from the travelling van, and think they’re delicious. (Haven’t tried their kimchi quesadillas yet though.) Regardless, I was surprised to see my local diner advertising this. All thoughts of pastrami went out the window, and I ordered the bulgogie (sic) burger. The guy taking my order seemed slightly confused, it must be a brand new item. I showed him the handwritten "specials" menu on which the bulgogie burger was listed.

You can read my atmosphere experience review on my prior post. I’m docking some points for the local diner jumping on an LA hipster bandwagon (esp. because Redondo Beach isn’t exactly LA).

The Burger

As I said, most all of the burgers at Classic taste the same. Very good, but not much variety in tastes. That’s why the bulgogi was an intriguing turn of events. However, in the end, there was almost no distinction between this bulgogi Korean flavor, and the usual Classic hamburger. Perhaps this is because they are still learning to make it, I may give it another shot some time. But for the most part, this was a Classic hamburger, with lettuce and onion mix, with what I assume was a bit of bulgogi mixed in. I could barely taste it, if it was (and it sort of looked like there was something in there to make it a slightly different color). I do like the regular burgers here, they’re a good size and taste fine. But I wanted something a little more unique, something bulgogi to stand out, and I just didn’t get it.

Bottom Line

Average rating:

3.06/5

 

 

Vin S.’s Review

The Experience

Classic Burger is my favorite local diner. Serves everything, it’s never crazy crowded, I can take my book and sit and read while I eat. The crew behind the counter is friendly. Today, I was shocked–they’ve installed big plastic booths inside, where before it was metal tables. While this did change the atmosphere slightly, you don’t always want your local diner to make changes, even if it is an improvement, you know? It throws you off. Part of going there is for the familiarity! Regardless, the food and people and everything is the same. Just now there’s big plastic booths.

Anyway, yea Classic Burger (according to the sign out front) (Classic Charburger #3 according to the receipt) (Classic Burger No. 3 according to Google) is close to the beach, lowkey, and serves breakfast and lunch and dinner most all the day long. I frequent it often.

The Burger

Classic Burger, despite the name, has a HUGE menu (pretty much whatever you want). And there are like 6 or 7 burgers to choose from. Usually, I just get the #1, a quarter pounder. Today, however, I tried something different for review, the #6, a turkey burger. But you can count this review for both, because they were basically the same burger! In fact, I think the #1 is the basis for all the others, which may just have slightly different toppings (i.e., the avocado burger, or the double, or the bacon cheeseburger). I’m not clear what the pastrami burger is like, and swear I will try it for you eventually.

The turkey burger then, was basically just the quarter pounder but with turkey meat. Whenever I eat the #1, it always reminds me of a more quality Big Mac–there’s lettuce/onion shredded together, thousand island dressing, and a pickle. I quite enjoy the lettuce/onion mix here, but it does overwhelm the meat… especially the turkey pattie. (Hamburger meat sticks out a bit more.) Also part of this overwhelming was because they put a DAMNED LOT of lettuce/onion mix on there.

This was made even more obvious because the one major flaw in this burger was that the bun fell apart one bite in, causing a giant mess of lettuce and onion and thousand island. (And the A1 steak sauce I dipped it in.) I don’t know what it is about the buns they use, but I wouldn’t mind something else there. I prefer the hamburger to the turkey though for sure, and am docking points from the score today because of that.

Otherwise, I think these burgers are very tasty, cheap, and I love this place.

Bottom Line

Average rating:

3.98/5