Burgers under $4 do exist, but they’re usually not the ones you keep thinking about, and you usually can’t find them on Rose Avenue. Well that was before The Win-dow, a new project by Paul Hibler, aka the man behind Pitfire Pizza and Superba Food + Bread. You might not go for the decor — it’s just a walk-up window on a little patio. The seating area kind of feels like a school yard, with its colorful plastic stools arranged in irregular circles all around the corner. It’s informal and friendly, inviting you to come as you are. So when they call your name on the microphone to hand your order, you might just want to hang out there a bit more. The burger itself is a beautifully simple, perfectly balanced, melt-in-your-mouth cheeseburger. The patty is smashed on the flat-top grill to maximize flavor, cooked with caramelized onions until crisp, covered in American cheese, then carefully arranged in the freshest, softest brioche bun on a bed of house sauce and pickles. The meat to bread ratio feels ideal: it’s honestly as perfect as the place is unpretentious. The Beyond version of the cheeseburger is also available, as well as other classics including a fried chicken sandwich (probably the best in the city), $7 grain bowl, shaved kale salad and ice cream sandwiches.
Style: Street food
Addresses: 425 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291 (Venice) / 1827 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291 (Venice) / 1529 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (Silverlake)
Hours: Monday-Sunday 11AM-7PM
Menu: thewin-dow.la
Price: Burgers $3.95-7.95, Fries $3.25
Reservations: No reservations
This review was written by In The Loup contributor Laura Piron