Our Addiction: Burgers & Beers

It’s sad when you live in a city where $20 for a burger and a beer is a deal. But, alas, in LA everything is expensive and the $20 seems well worth it for the deliciousness of red meat + suds.

When we're craving this ultimate combo we head to our favorite neighborhood burger + beer joint: The Golden State. 

The Golden State Burger 

(Photo from LA Weekly)

The Golden State burger (which Jonathan Gold from LA Weekly deems one of the best in LA) is absolutely delicious. The burger comes with your choice of side (the sweet potato fries with curry ketchup are a must), and to compliment your burger Golden State has a great menu of beers from Cali. If you’re feelin' a jones for something sweet you can add a scoop of gelato to your beer for a strange, but tastey, combo called the beer float. Note: Golden State is itty bitty in size and doesn't have reserved tables (its a seat yourself type spot) so don't show up with a giant party.

Golden State Burger: $10 + Tastey Beer: $5-$7 = Under $20 = Score.

But if you live Downtown there’s an even cheaper burger+beer spot. This place not only serves you a burger+beer for under $20, but goes even further to offer a burger + PITCHER OF BEER for under $10. 

The spot? Carl’s Jr. 

Carl’s has sneakily operated three select locations in Downtown LA that serve beer for years now. For just $6.50 Carl's will serve you a pitcher of Bud Light along with your $2.50 Hot Carl Big Carl Burger. 

Granted the burger is not nearly as good as the one at Golden State, but hey – it’s a cheap fix for a constant craving (what? You don’t crave burgers and beers every day?.... Well we do.)

Either way you now have burger+beer options under $20 bucks in LA. We'll probably stick with Golden State for dinner, but Carl's+Beer might be the perfect fourth meal after a night out in Downtown.

 

The Golden State

426 N. Fairfax Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90036

Open:  Tue. - Sun. (12pm - 10pm)

Carl's Jrs that serve beer (Downtown Only):

* Macy's Plaza on 7th & Flower

* California Mart at Main & Olympic

* Citigroup Plaza at 5th & Flower

Coming Attractions

Just last year we were talking amongst our friends, nursing our hangovers from the day before over brunch,  WISHING there were more nice sports/beer bars in Los Angeles. At the time it seemed all LA was good for was Clubs/Lounges and sleazy bars (not that we don't love spots like Backstage Culver City - karaoke, drinks, Seahawks fans - what's not to love?).

Now it seems nice sports bars and burger/beer joints are popping up everywhere around our LA neighborhood. If only we had the foresight, and funds, to open our own! With our expertise in booze and fun times we'd be gazillionaires if we owned a bar...

Here's a few new spots opening in the next couple months you should keep your eyes out for:

* Melgard Public House (7505 Melrose Ave.) - Opening next week in former Louise's Trattoria Spot. Easy American food, tons of beers on tap, and lots of flat screen TVs (From the guy who owns 3rd Stop and 1739 Public House)

* The Surly Goat (7929 Santa Monica Blvd) - Opening soon. Main focus of the Surly Goat will be craft beers - and tons of them.  (From the guy who started BoHo and Bar Delux, was expected to open in 2009 but, accordingly to EaterLA, ran into liquor license problems....)


* Name TBD - LAist reports a new Gastropub is expected to open just north of Golden State on Fairfax in a few months. More details to come...


* Locals Sports Bar & Grill (5047 W. Pico) - Just Opened! TVs, Beer/Wine/Liquor, 'Fresh' Bar Food (Whatever that means...)

* Capitol City (1615 Cahuenga) - Opened Sept. 2009 in former Goa spot. Lots of TVs, 60 Beers on Tap + Wine + Full Liqour, Two Stories, and Dance Floor/DJ Set up at back outside patio.

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