In-N-Out
All over California
761 N, First St.
Burbank, CA 91502

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The famous only on the West Coast fast food Hamburgers, has the shortest menu you will ever see in a burger joint, and they do make damn good burgers, though still fast food (IE thin and dry). Still they are pretty dan good, though don't come with ketchup on them (you must add it), but do have Coke and Dr. Pepper on fountain. And if you like milk shakes, there's are amazing with real ice cream. If you are an east coaster you must check this place out, though this one is not my favorite as different from the others the fries (which I always thought took some getting used to) are exceptionally dry and overcooked here, giving even more of a stale Cape Cod Potato Chips flavor. Decent burgers though.

LightHouse Buffet

201 Arizone Ave

Santa Monica, CA 90401

(310) 451-2076

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Listed as a top 5 buffets by the Food Network, this place is pretty decent, but the food is of course buffet quality, but pretty damn decent for $11.95 lunch and $20.95 per person dinner. It is located one block away from the promenade, and remember not to fill up on too many drinks, which they will refill quickly to try to fill you up. A decent meal that will fill you, but of course nothing amazing.

271 E. Orange Grove
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 846-6227

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Kelly and I were driving to get some lunch in Burbank today, and decided to try this place, because of the sign about how great the corned beef was, so we decided to try the Reuben's. The Reuben's I must say were pretty tasty, though not quite as good as Victor's. Well worth trying out in Burbank though.

Daily Grill

2500 Hollywood Way

Burbank, CA 91505

(818) 840-6464

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At the Marriott Hotel near the Burbank Airport, this place is fairly expensive, and has OK food, though actually they have pretty incredible hamburgers. I used to love the Daily Grill, when we used to pick up Nicoise salad's with rare Ahi Tuna, and it was fantastic. Unfortunately the menu seems to have changed, and everything on it is incredibly expensive. The service is decent, and fast, but the menu is pretty pricey, and there was not too much I wanted on it.

Big Wangs

1562 North Cahuenga Blvd.

Hollywood, CA 90028

(323) 469-BIGW (2449)

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A Hollywood sports bar, with a pretty decent bar menu. The parking is valet only (unless you can miraculously find some street parking), and you pay in advance, so bring $5. The place has a few pool tables, and is surrounded by televisions, and has some tables to sit at, and then a bar area. You can get pitchers of cheap beer, and some large portions of food.

Father's Office

1018 Montana Ave.

Santa Monica, CA 90403

(310) 393-BEER

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I have been reading about this place like crazy, with a huge write up in both Los Angeles Magazine and also FOOD AND WINE magazine, and had been dying to try out this bastion of beer and burgers, which has won tons of award and accolades all over the place. This is one of the hippest places in town, and the line outside, and lack of parking add to that image. The place has a ton of beers on tap, with many obscure beers, as the owner/chef is trying to make beer the new wine. The place is tiny too, and you literally have to wait like a hawk to try and get a seat as soon as people get up, and then sneak in, and then you must order from the bar, and they will bring the food to your (though you get your drinks at the bar).

Now I really wanted to love this place, but I have to say I was a bit disappointed.

K&L Wine Merchants
1400 Vine Street
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 464-WINE (9463)
Hours: Mon-Sat from 10am to 8pm, Sunday from 11am to 6pm.

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My girlfriend and I had seen this place when they bought it, and that it was opening as we left the Arclight theaters each time, and had been excited to see it open, and even tried it on the first day. In fact I have been meaning to blog about it for sometime, but just never got around to it (though I did post about some of the wine I got there). This place is fantastic, with a knowledgeable staff, a huge selection, really good prices, and inexpensive wine tastings. Hollywood has really needed someplace like this for sometime, and I am so happy it is here now. Not only that, but the place was recently listed as one of the 10 best online retailers in Food and Wine magazine (June 2007), and is known for it's 2 excellent stores in Northern California, so you can't go wrong shopping here.