What's your favorite burger in L.A?

Venice Ale House is the best burger in Los Angeles.  It's on the boardwalk with great people watching , sunsets and best of all... a huge craft beer list. It's made with local, organic, grass-fed beef of the highest quality.

The Apple Pan is also has an amazing hickory burger.

Plan Check Kitchen + Bar is also well known and opened a location at 1111 Wilshire Boulevard in Downtown LA on Monday of this week. 

One that hasn't been mentioned but is worthy.. 

The Standing Room in redondo beach is a great play on the gastro/fusion burger.  

The Standing Room (hermosa location) is a sit down spot with beer and occasional live music.  

The redondo beach location is located in the back of a liquor store.

The Apple Pan

My top 3 (veggie):

Stout Burgers & Beers has a killer veggie burger made of quinoa and lots of meaty options, too! Also, beer <3

The Counter (there are multiple locations) is a delicious DIY burger bar. Don't forget the cheese fries.

In-N-Out Burger. Can't be beat.

My vote is Plan Check Sawtelle for the classic PCB. I mean, they use ketchup leather. Yes, equal ketchup distribution on every bite. Add mounds of melted dashi cheese, onions, pickles, and a grilled bun. It just doesn't get much better.

Father's Office is amazing. I have only been there once, however it left a life long impression. 

Great answers so far. Here are my favs:

1. Simmzy's - my local goto... great burgers and perfect beer pairings

2. Plan Check Sawtelle or Plan Check Fairfax - place is great. Can't think about it without mouth watering

3. Father's Office or Father's Office - their burger is semi famous

4. Any of the Hillstone restaurants make a great high end burger ($17 on avg). Places like Houston's or R+D Kitchen or Bandera

5. Low end, value burger: nothing beats In-N-Out Burger (LAX location... perfect for arrival or departure grub)

Umami Burger are very good!

And In-and-out of course!! (protein version ;) )

I like Zach's list above. I would also add Plan Check Fairfax to the mix. Had a great burger there recently.

Richmond Bar & Grill has the best burgers in the LAX area and the best onion rings anywhere.  Good beer also.  However, they are closed on Sundays.

Father's Office. Hands down THE BEST. 

I love Stout Burgers & Beers in Hollywood. Amazing burgers and good beer selection. It's also close to the arc light if you want to do dinner and a movie.

I'm a sucker for a blue cheese burger and my two favorites are at Simmzy's and Rock & Brews. If you hit up R&B, make sure you share some garlic parmesan fries. (By sharing, you can't get called out for garlic breath).

It's decidedly unfancy, but I LOVE Burger Lounge. It's a small chain, but they use free range turkey, grass-fed beef, etc. Very reasonably priced plus great milkshakes and fries and an option for gluten free buns (that don't suck). I'd say it falls somewhere between In-n-out and Umami, probably more towards the former.

Hey Max! One of my favorite place to eat burgers in LA is Cafe' 50'S, or In-N-Out Burger, Burger Lounge! Bon Appétit!

Delicious burgers at Hinano Cafe in Venice. Right by the beach... Great dive bar with a greasy griddle thats hanging on to all that flavor. 

I agree with Matthias in a previous answer, Umami Burger is the bomb.  

http://www.umami.com/umami-burger/

You could also try R+D Kitchen in Santa Monica.  They also make a delicious veggie burger, in case you're traveling with vegans.  :-)

http://www.hillstone.com/#/restaurants/cafeRandD/

Here are my current favorites, in rough order of preference:

The Apple Pan - Best burger in Los Angeles. Old timey counter service is charming, expect to wait (but not too long) on weekends and dinner rush. Right near the Landmark theater, I generally try and combine the two events. They also have a great tuna melt. 

Pie'n Burger - A close second to Apple Pan, similar old-timey vibe. They also serve old-timey fountain drinks where they actually mix the soda with the syrup manually, with delicious results. And they have pie. Good move for after the Rose Bowl flea market.

Father's Office - This is mainly a bar known for its beer selection (something like 100 varieties on tap), but they've served this famous burger for years (and they famously won't serve it with ketchup). This place can be a mob scene. 

Republique - A recent addition to my list, it elevates the classic California fast-food style burger to its platonic ideal. Only available at brunch on the weekends.

Bill's Hamburgers - In the valley(!) in the most unassuming of roadside stands. Bill himself is still at the helm of this operation after nearly 50 years. Fair warning: no fries. 

Rustic Canyon Wine Bar - My favorite of the fancy pants burgers. Another excellent restaurant too. Burger has an egg on it. 

Honor Bar - A spinoff from the Houston's group, really tasty pub burger in elegant (but not overly fussy) surroundings. They often have a jazz trio playing.

Umami Burger - They get high marks for originality and flavor, though I find that their burgers—while extraordinary—are not nearly worthy of the praise that is heaped on them.

The Golden State - Solid middle-of-the-road offering. In any other city with would be the best burger in town.

Irv's Burgers - No fuss burger stand on Santa Montica Blvd. that's been there forever, serving a classic burger stand burger. They also draw charming illustrations on the paper plates. 

My top 3 would be the following:

1. Umami Burger

Awesome burgers, both "classical" and more modern takes. My favourite is the Manly Burger (pictured) with a Mexican coke (the one with cane sugar) - this is actually my favourite burger in the world.

2. Rustic Canyon Wine Bar

Great place for both burger-eaters and those who prefer something else. More upscale, but casual and a nice location. Best non-burgerjoint burger I've had in California.

3. Father's Office

Awesome burger, beers and very relaxed joint. Can't complain.
Wild card: In-N-Out Burger

Regular burgers, freshly made and fast. The only "fast food" burger I ever eat.

Original Tommy's,  it doesn't get any better...

My favorite burger places are The Oinkster A very famous and crowded place. They have good burgers and sandwiches and also serve beer. 

Another one would be Tops

Great and giant burgers. Really delicious, you should give it a try.

and of course as mentioned by many people here In'n'out.

Use the one In-N-Out Burger at Baldwin Park. This was the very first one.

Chego!!!!!!!!!!

In-N-Out Burger for sure

Big fan of In-N-Out Burger. There's one right out of LAX and you can go there any time of day or night. Just make sure you allow at least 30 min. Despite being a drive thru and a "fast food" joint, it's popularity and the long lines have taken the "fast" out of it.

Try Pono Burger in Santa Monica. Cool space and organic ingredients, including the beef from pasture raised, grass-fed cows. 

I'm with Andrew:  Simmzy's in downtown Manhattan Beach.  You can also get the burger at another of the family's restaurants, Tin Roof Bistro, in Manhattan Village Shopping Mall.

I personally think The Apple Pan is highly overrated.  More of a novelty.