The 100 best dishes and drinks in Los Angeles 2015: Burgers and sandwiches

The whole city seemed to collectively freak out with the arrival of Dune, a small falafel joint in Atwater Village. The reason? The falafel sandwich, a thick house-made wrap filled with crispy, herbaceous falafel and hummus, malfouf and pickled vegetables. Yup, it's pretty much perfection. $8. - Erin Kuschner

Cilantro Mexican Grill is a tiny eatery in a Chevron—yep, the gas station—in the Valley, but damn, it's worth seeking out. Aside from the beef barbacoa burrito being insanely affordable, it's made with quality ingredients and packs some serious flavor. $5.95. - Jakob Layman

Alimento's chicken Milanese sandwich is a decadent, messy thing of beauty, so stuffed with ingredients that you might need to eat it with a knife and fork. A whole, boned thigh is breaded and fried, then topped with a slice of prosciutto cotto, pickles, peperoncini slaw and spicy chile mayo. We know most people come to this Italian spot for the tortellini in brodo, but you're going to need to switch up your order for your next visit—the sandwich is that good. $14. - Erin Kuschner

Yes, you could come to Barrel & Ashes for the ribs, but the barbecue joint's burger is just as worthy. Served during brunch and lunch, the Barrel Burger is a hefty mass held between a poppy seed bun, and features crispy bacon, oozing Swiss cheese and sweet onions on top of a patty that melts with each bite. $14. - Erin Kuschner

It turns out that chicken, pickles, tomato, slaw and dressing are just about all you need to make a memorable sandwich. Little Jewel is consistently praised as being one of the most authentic New Orleans experiences outside of the Big Easy itself, and this sandwich is edible proof. $11.50. - Jakob Layman

Tony's Italian Deli is a neighborhood spot that's delivered fantastic sandwiches to the Burbank community since 1979, including this stacked sammie full of Italian cold cuts (the salami here is on point), provolone and freshly sliced veggies. Yeah, it's a lot of bread (three layers!), but you'll inhale the whole thing before you even know what's happening. $6.99-$7.99. - Erin Kuschner

Knuckle & Claw's lobster roll is straight out of Martha's Vineyard (where co-owner Chloe Dahl grew up). Cold and fresh, it's served in two sizes (4 ounces of lobster in a large bun, 2 ounces in a small) and accentuated by a small amount of butter and mayonnaise. A secret blend of spices top the large chunks of lobster meat, but to put it all in Vineyard speak: it's wicked good. $9.50-$18. - Erin Kuschner

Most people come to the Apple Pan for the hickory burger, but the grilled cheese blew us away this year with its thick slices of cheddar cheese oozing between golden sourdough bread. The sandwich is served with a side of Apple Pan's fries, and takes you straight back to childhood. $5.50. - Danielle DiMeglio

Part bottle shop, part deli, the Heights is a place for both beer snobs and sandwich lovers. Many of the nearly 20 featured sandwiches are named after nearby streets, but our favorite is the vegetarian Lacy St—mozzarella, artichokes, roasted pepper and sundried tomatoes piled between freshly made Italian bread. $8.25. - Erin Kuschner

Irv’s is the feel-good burger joint where you’ll want to be a regular. Not only is the cheeseburger here affordable and tasty, each customer also gets a customized note and/or drawing on their plate—like, “Just for you Mr. Got Style.” Swoon. $4.10. - Jakob Layman

Chef Matt Molina (Osteria Mozza) is supplementing E.R.B.'s excellent cocktail program with legit bites, including these steamed buns filled with roasted pork belly, pickled cucumbers, hoisin sauce and scallions. They're small, delicious little sammies, and go well with one of the many fantastic drinks here. $10. - Erin Kuschner

You can't eat the Whipper Burger without a fork and knife. It's not possible. But while some behemoth burgers aim more for quantity than quality, the Whipper manages to encompass both. Two well-seasoned, tender patties are topped with a pile of expertly fried pastrami, along with sausage links that delightfully snap when you bite into them. It's worth the judgmental looks that go along with ordering it. $11.99. - Erin Kuschner

Howlin' Ray's wildly addictive chicken sandwich doesn’t hold any punches on flavor—or heat, for that matter. While you can choose between ordering the sandwich "hot" or "not," we can’t see why anyone would want to forgo the face-tingling euphoria of Nashville hot chicken. The butter bun, cabbage slaw, pickles and Southern spread help balance out the heat to keep each bite as delicious as the last. $10. - Jakob N. Layman

We've been obsessed with this sandwich ever since ordering it on a whim during one visit. It's an absolute behemoth, and filled with oven-roasted turkey topped with curtido (cabbage relish). $7.75. - Jakob Layman

Pita Bar & Grill makes some fantastic falafel, but their shawarma laffa is the star. They offer a wide array of pickled vegetables and Mediterranean sauces to smother them with, and the marinated meat is broiled to perfection. $11.75. - Jakob Layman