Now You Can Make the LA-Well-known Irv Burger at Residence

The story of Irv’s Burgers is well-known to longtime Angelenos, who’ve grown up alongside it. Initially based as Queen’s burger counter again in 1946 as a part of the unique Route 66, the present iteration was established by Irv Gendis, who purchased the enterprise in 1970 and ran it till 2000. That’s when Sonia Hong and her household took over, and the Hongs constructed up a following so loyal that when landlord points led to a everlasting closure in 2018, the group merely wouldn’t have it. 

After only a few years on hiatus, Irv’s Burgers is now again up and operating, due to the assist of one other native burger baron, Lawrence Longo of Burgers By no means Say Die. The flagship West Hollywood location reopened final 12 months — and whereas it’s not exactly in the identical location as the unique (it moved a half-block down Santa Monica Boulevard in 2014), the standard of meals, native sourcing and pleasant service brings to thoughts an easier time. 

“What units Irv’s Burgers aside is that our patties are floor day by day and by no means frozen,” says Armen Piskoulian, culinary director of Irv’s Burgers. “Our patties are floor within the mornings, shaped into pucks, pressed and seasoned to order on a temperature-specific griddle to make sure correct caramelization of the meat.” Every little thing else like veggies and sauces, are ready in-house as nicely. 

All of those made-to-order touches be sure that every thing from the basic “Simply For You” authentic burger to the Irv’s Double, The Huge Irv (with pastrami, sizzling canine and chili) and the Past Burger are a lot greater than quick meals — although the fast-casual fashion means you’ll get your meals sizzling, recent and inexpensive. “I imagine one double burger or two single burgers is at all times the way in which to go,” Piskoulian says. However if you wish to dive into the bigger format, The Huge Irv additions actually, ahem, beef that burger up. “Our all-beef chili con carne is an ideal addition, in addition to our pastrami,” she says. “When you like a bit bit of warmth, you possibly can ask for spicy peppers as nicely.”

As a lot as these piled-high sandwiches is likely to be nice for the ‘gram, it’s the standard $4 “Simply For You” burger that put Irv’s on the map within the first place — particularly as a result of it’s served on a paper plate with a smiley face and a word that reads, “Simply For You,” written by Sonia herself (she nonetheless works the Irv’s counter occasionally, identical to again within the day). With simply meat, cheese, pickles and a home sauce, this iconic sandwich is a city-wide favourite for a cause. It’s additionally simple to make at dwelling, you probably have the precise high quality elements.

“We small batch combine the Irv’s sauce in home,” Piskoulian says. “It’s our tackle a basic Thousand Island dressing that has been balanced within the good technique to complement the beefiness of our burgers. Irv’s sauce can be nice with fries.” As a result of making fries at dwelling which might be on par with Irv’s requires an entire lot of oil and much more endurance, we’ll stick to breaking down the burger recipe for now. 

And in the event you can’t think about standing over a sizzling pan on this warmth, hit up one in every of Irv’s two places as an alternative. West Hollywood runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and till midnight Fridays and Saturdays; a second location on La Brea and Olympic stays open till 2 a.m. on weekends.

Recipe courtesy of Irv’s Burgers culinary director Armen Piskoulian