- office burger - fries + aioli very casual eatery with tables inside + out, opted for outdoor dining area d/t bringing our doggie with us male server was great, always checking up on us and asking if we needed anything THE FOOD: the office burger was moist, rich, and savory--still thinking about it to this day. the arugula was a nice touch, helps cut the heaviness of the sandwich itself, the onion jam had a sweet note to it that i enjoyed read more

Father's Office - The Office Burger®, Frites in a "Basket" - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

My favorite burger in all of LA!!! I love the caramelized onions and personally love blue cheese so it's a 12/10 for me. If you don't like blue cheese they don't do substitutions so be warned. My dad's favorite beer is Pliney the Elder so love that it's on tap! I've also gotten the mushrooms before and fish sandwich which were good but the burger is the best. I believe you have to be 21 to enter into the bar and order and I typically sit outside. read more

Father's Office - The Office Burger® - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Father's Office has become one of my go to dinner spots in LA. With locations in Culver City and Santa Monica, it's one of my favorite places to grab food and drinks before a concert or a night out. It's also usually pretty easy to get a reservation, which is a huge plus. What we ordered: The Office Burger - $23 (8/10) The burger they're known for. The combination of caramelized onions, bacon, Gruyère, Maytag Blue cheese, and arugula works really well. It's pricey, but it's consistently cooked well and always hits. Fried Chicken Sandwich - $19 (9/10) Honestly, this has become my go to order. The chicken is crispy, well seasoned, and the kimchi vinaigrette with scallion aioli gives it a ton of flavor. One of my favorite sandwiches in LA. Frites in a Basket - $8 (9/10) Crispy fries served with a garlic parsley aioli. Simple and really good. Sweet Potato Frites - $9 (9/10) The roasted garlic Cabrales blue cheese aioli is the star here. A must if you like blue cheese. Salt & Vinegar Tater Tots - $8 (9/10) My sister's favorite. Order them extra crispy. Great seasoning and perfect for sharing. Spanish Mushrooms - $12 (8/10) Ordered these for my vegetarian friends and ended up enjoying them too. Simple, garlicky, and flavorful. Overall, Father's Office is one of my favorite spots for dinner and drinks in LA. The food is consistently good, the drinks are solid, and it's an easy recommendation whenever friends ask where to eat. Come for the burger, but don't sleep on the fried chicken sandwich. read more

Father's Office - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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I haven't been here in a while but their fathers office burger is still one of the best burgers. They were voted best burger a while back and was highly recommend by the LA times. Lots of unique craft beers and also wine to select from. Super friendly staff and bartender. You place your food order at the bar with your drinks. The salt & vinegar tots were delish with their burger. The stuffed peppers were also very nice with a little heat. Still an awesome stop as Santa Monica in Montana shopping street. Street parking. 21 and over since it is technically a bar serving Great food too! read more

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A really popular little bar in North Santa Monica that is especially known for its burger. They also have another location in Culver City @ Helms. They have many drinks on tap (I'm from San Diego originally so I had to order our own Cali Creamin and would suggest if you like an ale) and they are known for very quick service. You order at the bar and they bring everything to your table, it is not full service. Parking in this area can be a pain, your only option will be metered street parking, it just depends on what time you come, but the evenings are especially difficult to find a spot. Inside is fairly small, they have a small bar at the back with counter seating and then everything else are tables along the edges of the restaurant. For this visit, we ordered the Beet Salad, which was actually pretty nice and had a good mix of red and yellow beets, the Burger, which I was a huge fan of especially because Gruyère cheese and also the Grilled Artichoke. The grilled artichoke was a nice summer treat and I would recommend all of these. Pricing is a bit steep for a bar, but that's to be expected giving the proximity to the beach. I would suggest as a place to go with friends, it's not necessarily a date spot. read more

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Ordered the Fish Sandwich and Fathers Office Burger. Probably the best burger in town. I can taste that they grind their own meat to perfectly balance the juice and meaty portions. read more

Father's Office - Taters - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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This is different than your typical restaurant, this feels more like a bar style restaurant. You order it at the bar and when a table becomes available, you can take it. However, sometimes that means that a two top is sitting at a four top. They are very quick about turning tables around though constantly cleaning and picking up dishes so people leave faster. Food wise, not bad the burger was a little greasy but full of flavor. The tots were not bad. Just wish they were a little crispy and a little bit more tangy from the vinegar. Lastly, the crispy fish sandwich was decent. Overall I would rank this place a six out of 10. read more

Father's Office - The Office Burger®, Salt & Vinegar Tater Tots, Crispy Fish Sandwich - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I'm a burger fan, and when my friend offered me a late lunch at Father's Office, at first I wasn't really sure what he was talking about. Turns out, it's a cool, iconic burger bar/pub. There's an outdoor area as well, but we decided to stay inside. We ordered the Office burgers and fries to share, and if you don't mind blue cheese, it was a pretty great burger. I personally love blue cheese, whether in a burger or on a cheese plate, so we were very happy. You walk in, order at the bar, and within minutes you've got a juicy burger in front of you. Fast service. read more

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Both burger and service were disappointing. This past week I've tried a few highly regarded burgers (Amboy x2, Hiho, and Father's office), and Father's office was the worst. The flavor is overpowered by the sauce and cheese, so the burger itself doesn't have a chance to shine or find a balance with the other ingredients. When I entered the bar, I stood there while at least three employees noticed me but said nothing. They were too busy either chatting up those sitting at the bar (regulars?) or cleaning glassware. I stood there for about three minutes until I found a chance to interrupt the conversation between an employee and a seat occupant. If I had not spoken up, I probably would have been standing there in silence, unattended, for another few minutes or more Seems like a good environment if you're a local or regular. Otherwise.... Never again. Waste of time and money read more

Father's Office - Frites in a "Basket" - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Granted, this is a very cute name but I don't eat hamburgers, they do have some good drinks though and it's open late so I credit them for creating a brilliant name and opening up so many locations! I love the concept, I give them a lot of credit for that! read more

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Love this place - just wish I could get a little high quality ketchup or mustard for my fries. Feels like this is a tradition that is a little dated at this point and they could just make a gourmet version similar to their garlic mayo. read more

this is a popular little bar known for their delicious burgers. i went in expecting an overhyped spot but oh boy was i wrong. i was in love at first bite. we went at a not so busy time but you order at the bar and will have to fight for a table since it's a small place. since it's a bar setting you must be 21+ to enter and they do check ID's. there is no parking lot but free parking is available in residential areas or street parking nearby. i'd highly recommend this place but it is a bit pricey. The Office Burger maybe even life changing, this burger was savory, sweet, and had the perfect balance of textures. with caramelized onions, bacon, arugula and gruyére cheese, this is a must get. Pork Belly Al Pastor the braised pork belly was so tender it fell apart when we touched it. paired with the tangy pineapple salsa and the grits sope it sat on top of, this dish was elevated and hearty at the same time. Frites in a Basket these thin fries were tossed in a garlic parsley aioli and served with a side of a special mayo like dip. each fry was perfectly crispy and the aioli with the mayo dip paired so well together that we had to physically stop ourselves from finishing the entire basket in one go. read more

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I have been going to this place for over fifty years. The best hamburgers. Local eatery. read more

Great local beer taps and food in Santa Monica! Bar keep was friendly and knowledgeable about his taps. Food came out quick and was delicious! read more

Father's Office - Chicken sandwich and pint. - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Is the food insanely expensive for literally just a burger not even including the extra organ you have to sell for sides? Yes. Is the food pretty good and close to the wonderful Aero theatre for a quick-ish meal? Also true. Can see why people swear by this burger but evidently this is not a casual burger you can get regularly like Window. I respect the snowiness of the place though, one should eat food as the chef intended notwithstanding allergies. read more

Probably one of the best if not the best burger. I ordered the FO burger with the standard fries with a couple of beers. The flavors of this burger blended well together. It could have been my strong craving for a burger but this definitely hit the spot. The beers on tap were good. I would not take the bartender's recommendation and would look up the menu on the app. The parking is a bit challenging but we got lucky with one right outside the door so not much of a walk. read more

Father's Office - FO burger w BASKET OF FRITES - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I hadn't been to Father's Office in almost a decade, so when my husband and I were in Santa Monica the other day, we stopped by for lunch. We both had The Office Burger (hamburger meat mixed with bacon and topped with caramelized onions, Maytag blue cheese, Gruyère, and arugula) and we shared a basket of fries. The burgers were awesome -- super juicy and flavorful, and we loved the fries with aioli dipping sauce. The workers are also super cool and friendly! I'm so glad that this place is just as good as I remembered it. We will definitely be back whenever we're in the area! read more

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The food was fresh and delicious! Not greasy or overly spiced . Service on time polite and didn't talk while I had a mouthful of foods Happy they keep a calm ambiance. So you can talk. Very grateful for that with older people who wear hearing aides read more

If this is your first time coming to Father's Office, get the burger. We brought a friend and forgot to tell him, so do better than us. Hopefully this review will make up for the mistake we made, looking for some redemption here. Their burger is honestly amazing, and will get that myself the next time. My boyfriend and I were adventurous and tried something different - their pork belly al-pastor. I would call it more bbq than pastor. We both just eyed the burger that someone else in our group got. Our meal was delicious and unique but I think you see the pattern here, go with the Burger. read more

Father's Office - Pork Belly Al Pastor - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Stopped by for an afternoon drink with some friends. The inside is charming and the food is pretty good, especially the salt and vinegar tater tots. However the ambiance inside during the day is not as good as the Culver City location. Also, when we asked for ketchup for our fries, the server was a little rude about it. They don't have ketchup by the way which is fine haha but I didn't think it was a super unreasonable request. read more

First time at this location. In the heart of Santa Monica. Cute casual place with musics food and beer. Parking can be tricky- you can look for street parking. Warning: no food modifications period. Staff is very nice. You seat yourself and then order at the bar when you are ready. Indoor seating with only a few table and bar seatings are available as well. The lighting is dime so it seems dark. Office burger - very tasty! Salt and vinegar tater tots- crispy and delicious! Shoes string fries- thin, crispy and good! read more

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Walk in, wanting a beef burger. See a cheeseburger on the menu. Tell the bartender that I have an allergy to milk and need the cheese removed. "Not possible, sorry" Ok, what do you have that doesn't have dairy? Well, they have a chicken sandwich. Fine, I'll do that. It comes, then I ask for ketchup. "Not possible, sorry". Umm.. I don't *think* this is a weird request. I'm with @Rishi G. Skip this spot. I regret going and having to pay the $75. read more

tl;dr the flavorful burger may not be reason enough to go out of your way, but the excellent sides and extensive beer list are sure to please Originally opened in 1953, Father's Office was one of the forefathers of the craft beer movement. When Chef Sang Yoon purchased the bar in 2000, he rolled out a gastropub menu that was sensational at the time for its farm-to-table take on pub fare. But no item has garnered more headlines than the signature Office Burger -- a dry-aged patty with caramelized onions, bacon compote, Gruyére and blue cheeses, and arugula stuffed into a hoagie-style roll. The controversial burger has garnered wide praise (including Bib Gourmand recognition by the Michelin Guide and Yelp's highest marks for best burger in Los Angeles), while critics bemoan the "no substitutions" policy and the bar's ban on ketchup. In any case, the Office Burger is one of LA's most iconic doshes, and I've been waiting for years to give it a try. The narrow, recessed restaurant, tucked between a barber shop and an art gallery, would be easy to miss if not for the eye-catching neon sign sticking out above the single-storied block. Once inside, you immediately feel as though you've escaped from the fussy pretention that otherwise characterizes the boutique strip of Montana. The glazed terracotta flooring and light-wood panelled walls are comfortably lit by warm filament bulbs. The food and beverage menus span multiple charboards around the trim wooden laminate bar in the back. During peak hours, the ordering queue trails all to the entryway, flanked on either side by half-booth tables. When my partner and I arrived for early dinner, we were immediately welcomed in by the bouncer, who eagerly struck up conversation and shared his top food and drink recommendations. We opted for the aforementioned Office Burger, complemented by the Salt & Vinegar Tater Tots and a pint of Topa Topa Brewing Tux nitro milk stout. The burger patty was elongated to fit into its roll, covered with layers of melty cheese, and piled high with arugula. While the single glob of caramelized onions felt unevenly spread out, the flavor paired perfectly with the juicy patty. Most egregious to me was the omission of real, thick-sliced bacon; the compote felt like a consolation prize. Further, the blue cheese was nowhere to be found among the many strong flavors, and I would have welcomed a more substantial bun. Meanwhile, the crispy tater tots boasted a heavy helping of salt and vinegar as advertised, and my lips tingled slightly with each bite. The side of rich garlic parsley aioli was a welcome addition of even more flavor. Our lightly sweet and effortlessly smooth brew provided the perfect sip to wash down our tasty eats. Our modestly sized meal ran $50 (after tax and tip); I admittedly raised my eyebrows before conceding that the price tag was benign by Santa Monica standards. The polarizing burger surprisingly left me with a pretty moderate view. Its flavors were excellent, but the lack of traditional textures and toppings was apparent in each bite. I actually was more impressed with my side and my drink -- I'd be game to work my way through more of the tapas and taps in the future. read more

Father's Office - Office Burger - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Can't believe it's been over twenty years since chef Sang Yoon bought and transformed into this iconic Gastropub and the office burger was created!!! I don't miss the long long wait and although everyone is MADD over the smash I'll take this any day over the smash !!! Always an absolute pleasure whenever I'm town but more frequently been going to Culver City location.....Been too long since my last visit here!!! Highly recommended!! read more

A very special place for Locals and Cool Visitors! Cool Bartenders! Classic Burger...just ask for the burger! No need to think! Street Parking is extremely hard to find, so arrive early, unless you want to walk off the fries and Coke, or your favorite craft beer! read more

5 Star Rating Father's Office in Santa Monica is my absolute happy place--especially if you're looking to chill away from the pier's tourist trap. This no-frills restaurant bar (mostly bar, honestly!) is a must-visit for its legendary burger and amazing taps! Value - 3.5 At $22, their famous burger isn't cheap, but it's an experience worth splurging on. You're paying for an iconic, delicious bite every time. Food - 5 The burger here - oh, that's the magic bro. So many articles have been written about LA's most famous bougie burger, and for good reason. They don't allow any condiments, you must eat it as is, and honestly, every time I do, it reminds me exactly why they have that stupid rule! It's a French roll with great ground chuck, a caramelized onion compote, a handful of spicy arugula, and blue cheese... oh, good god, so good! It pairs perfectly with their uber crispy tots. Don't sleep on their taps either - I always get Russian River Pliny the Elder here, and they always have a freshly tapped keg, as if you're up in NoCal having it straight from the source. The food here is perfection. Service - 5 The service is easy and simple, and honestly, it's stellar! You just mozy up to the bar, and the bartenders are always so helpful and cheery. Physical Location - 5 The location on Montana Ave is fantastic; it's the only part of Santa Monica where you can truly chill away from the tourist trap near the pier. They have pleasant, clean outdoor seating. The indoor area is fun too - spacious, airy, and dim at night. Everything about the location works - cleanliness, decor, and environment. I could live here! read more

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Went with a buddy for burgers and beer today. He is from the OC so he wasn't familiar with LA's iconic FO Burger. While the FO burger wasn't bad, it wasnt worthy of its reputation as one of the best burgers in LA. The shoestring fries were good. The best part was probably the mayo dip for the fries. Overall disappointing experience considering all the hype and expectation. read more

The food simply isn't good enough to warrant such a snotty and rude response from staff when asking about making the food taste better. It doesn't even look or feel special or unique inside. read more

They now have an OPEN sign sitting outside when they are NOT OPEN. Seems like it's to inform customers about a new lunch day... however, the OPEN is so much larger than all other writing... when driving by the only thing you'd see is OPEN. So I wasted my time looking for parking, parking and walking over there. But they are closed. Perhaps the managers could come up with a logical solution. Like ONLY having the sign up WHEN THEY ARE OPEN. I'm so disappointed in this place. The only thing that keeps it going ARE the chefs! THANK YOU TO THE CHEFS!!! SCREW YOU TO THE RUDE WOMAN AT THE DOOR! read more

Father's Office - Rude Greeter - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Please read: Disappointed at Father's Office in Culver City: they decided to autograt our bill 30%+ before handing it to us through their mobile payment kiosk. This is a pattern in previous reviews, and I'm flagging this for other patrons to be aware of this deceptive practice. As someone who's worked in the service industry, this is an inexcusable practice and would not be considered a mistake. My recommendation is to always ask for the paper receipt, and check the itemized bill before paying. This is a lesson for us to be weary as we all start to receive receipts straight to the tip screen, surpassing the first glance on the itemized portion. Hoping they fix this with a call later this week, but should be known -- they also don't have prices on the menu read more

Father's Office - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Came here on a Friday night and managed to snag a table. It's a dive bar with a casual and friendly vibe. Unfortunately I don't eat meat so I couldn't order their burger which they're known for. The fried fish sandwich was honestly disappointing and I wouldn't order it again or recommend it. My boyfriend said the burger was great though. read more

Father's Office - Fried fish sandwich - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

If you like no music. No dancing. And people who haven't worn deodorant since the sixth grade. You're gonna love this place. We have burgers... I think... do you want to go back and cook yourself a burger??? We have beer. Do you want beer ? You need to order the beer over there. Idiot. You can't order food here! Only beer! Wait you want food? Why the f*** didn't you order food? Ok sit down. Why are you sitting!? You can't sit here!!! What do you mean, why are there chairs if you can't sit!? Why are you asking questions!? Just leave!!! A burger place with $30 beers on tap that taste like butt paste. AND THEY DONT HAVE MOTHER F****** FRENCH FRIES OR SIDES OF ANY KIND!!!! You get this: Burger: this burger is cooked bloody. Bloody as f***. No we will not cook it well done, only bloody as f***. And it comes with liverwurst sauce and essence of duck bunghole sauce. Weiner lettuce and pickled donkey D. No substitutions or modifications of any kind. Food is served as is. Take it or leave it you plebeian. To sum it up. This is where you take first dates from tinder. You'll likely never order food or be served alcohol, so it will be a cheap date. Then you can go to chipotle, hoping to get lucky, but you probably won't. Enjoy the long drive home alone to Simi Valley. read more

Santa Monica is rife with jaded 40somethings, dining and drinking some the best that the USA industry has to offer...Father's Office is on the shortlist. Stop making conversation with strangers and bring a frenemy with whom to fake it - always stop in - never stay long - read more

Santa Monica landmark. Best "specialty" burger in LA. Fun spot to get together with friends.

Im leaving an honest review here, the food was average, the tater tots were not great needed to be cooked more and the artichoke was undercooked and had a taste of old oil. The bread on the burger and please note they only have one burger to order just one and it's piled with arugula which I love but it was hard to get through and the bun wasn't even toasted for the price and expectation of a well known spot it was just basic and average. Not to mention no service you order and the bar and are on your own when the food comes a staff member brings it we ordered 3 chicken sandwiches a burger, artichokes and tots and they left us one butter knife..... read more

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Casual dining, Exceptional Quality! Great spot for a date or happy hour. Father's office ambiance is intimate, you order all your food drinks at the side of the bar and choose an open table. They have both outdoor and indoor seating. The food is absolutely incredible, not what you'd expect from a 'bar' and there's a wide variety of beer options on tap. We ordered the shrimp appetizer, sweet potatoes fries, the Fathers office burger and lamb skewers. Nothing disappointed. It's nice to take a little walk down Montana after your food, so the location is also nice as well. My lady and I have been a few separate times and we always remember Danny who provides great service with a smile! Would highly recommend Father's Office. read more

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I had read that the burger at Father's Office was voted one of the best in Los Angeles so during my most recent visit to the area, I made a pit stop at the original location in Santa Monica. Who would have guessed that a small gastropub in this neighborhood would have one of the best burgers in the city? The place has a small capacity of less than 40 including the bar seating. Table service was not offered, therefore everything must be ordered with a bartender. For $21, the Office Burger was dressed with applewood bacon, caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, maytag blue cheese, and arugula. No modifications were permitted which makes this the second burger joint I have encountered with such a policy. The two cheeses could be a little off-putting. I can see how they would be the least favorite components, however the kitchen made this a gourmet item for a reason. The patty was perfectly cooked to a medium rare degree of doneness as I had requested. I also ordered the Salt & Vinegar Tater Tots as a side. A couple of dozen tots were served in a shallow dish with a cup of garlic aioli. The dip was quite pungent with garlic flavor. I was still thirsty an hour after eating because of the aioli. It's not an exaggeration that the prices have increased by 50% over the past few years before the pandemic. The quality of the burger remains solid though so it was a four star experience for me at Father's Office. read more

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The most amazing burger in LA! Order at the bar, find a table and wait for your food. The burger comes on a French roll, juicy patty, caramelized onions, arugula, and bleu cheese. The perfect mix of flavors. The mushroom side is also a good portion and great flavors. Street metered parking. read more

I very rarely leave reviews but I would avoid this place. Poor service, over priced food. My burger and my friends burger was exceptionally rare, although it was supposed to be medium rare. And I asked for ketchup and they said they didn't have any. read more

You have to order the main burger or the crispy fish sandwich. Completely top-notch. The ambience isn't something to write home about, sure, but if you're in the game for outstanding burgers & crispy fish sandwiches (& good service), FO is your spot. read more

Father's Office - Crispy Fish Sandwich is elite - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California