It was a flurry of beef and booze last night at the Victorian in Santa Monica, home to Los Angeles magazine’s annual Burgers Bourbon + Beer event.
After sampling all ten burgers (many of them twice) from the competing restaurants, our fearless judges handed out the award for Critics Choice, along with four more categories voted on by guests (and team members from the Los Angeles Chargers). In a way they were all winners, but in a more accurate and specific way, here’s who truly captured our hearts and our stomachs.
Jim Donnelly
Critic’s Choice
BOA Steakhouse (West Hollywood)
BOA Burger: Prime beef with Camembert cheese, Cajun-dusted crispy onions, and pickled jalapeño aioli on a brioche bun.
Jim Donnelly
People’s Choice/Chargers Award
Woodley Proper (Encino)
Prime Beef Burger: House-made brioche bun, house-made triple cream cheese, tomato jam, and roasted beet mustard.
Jim Donnelly
Best Patty
Belcampo (DTLA, Santa Monica, Beverly Grove)
Belcampo Lamb Burger: Grass-fed lamb patty with black garlic aioli and onion sprouts.
Tastiest Sauce
The Oinkster (Eagle Rock)
The Royale: Nebraska Angus patty cheeseburger with bacon, chili, pastrami, dill pickles, onions, tomato, lettuce, and Thousand Island dressing.
Jim Donnelly
Most Creative
Malibu Café (Malibu)
Best Burger: Beef and chorizo patty, roasted garlic shrimp, chipotle tomato sauce, and Havarti cheese on a brioche slider bun.
Jim Donnelly
Bonus shoutout to HiHo Cheeseburger, which won our first-annual online Burger Bracket in advance of the big event.
RELATED: The 50 Best Burgers in L.A.
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