Sure, cheeseburgers are an always food, but National Cheeseburger Day comes but once a year. This annual moment of recognition for one of life’s finer, simpler and gloriously greasy things provides an especially good excuse to sample some of the best burgers in L.A. (and we’re a city that knows a good burger). We are, after all, the supposed inventors of the cheeseburger—shout out to Lionel Sternberger of Pasadena’s the Rite Spot, who in 1924 allegedly first put cheese to patty. To honor this invention, here are a few spots around town where you can really get to the meat of this holiday, from $1 burgers and inventive spins to ones that help the hungry.
Bourbon Steak
Because National Cheeseburger Day just so happens to fall during National Bourbon Heritage Month, Michael Mina’s Glendale steakhouse is giving us the best of both worlds with a special $14 stack. Chef Kyle Johnson’s creation tops an eight-ounce patty blend of brisket and short-rib with red wine onions, mushroom duxelles and bourbon steak sauce, all before drizzling it with a Maker’s Mark demi-glace. Be sure to pencil in a nap to follow it.
Dog Haus
Team Dog Haus loves any excuse for a good dog or burger party, so they’re bringing back their National Cheeseburger Day special: At any location, simply mention you want to upgrade your cheeseburger, and they’ll make it a double and add an extra slice of cheese for free.
Farmer Boys
This Inland Empire-founded burger chain offers $1 cheeseburgers when you mention the holiday promotion upon ordering, netting you an almost-free quarter-pound of USDA-beef burger topped with thousand island and American cheese. The list of participating restaurants is massive, and includes location in Hollywood and Downtown, among others.
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Plan Check Kitchen + Bar
One of L.A.’s most iconic burgers is on discount this Tuesday, and it’s available all the way from Downtown to Santa Monica. The restaurants’ signature item, the Plan Check Burger (PCB), utilizes both a flavorful American-ish dashi cheese, as well as dehydrated ketchup "leather"—taking the classic cheeseburger up a notch or 30. Finished off by schmaltz onions, mixed pickles and a crunchy bun, it’s one of the city’s top gourmet spins on the simple pleasure. The PCB normally runs $14.50, but on National Cheeseburger Day, catch it for $9.99 (including those skin-on, russet-potato fries, of course).
Umami Burger
This umami-lovin’ chain won’t offer discounts for the holiday, but it will sling burgers for a great cause: Launching on National Cheeseburger Day and running through September 30, Los Angeles Umami outposts team up with St. Vincent Meals on Wheels to raise funds for L.A.’s senior citizens who cannot afford or transport themselves to healthy food. Simply mention the fundraiser and Meals on Wheels when you place your order, and Umami will donate $2 to help feed those in need.