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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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

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

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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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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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

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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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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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

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

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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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

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

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

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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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

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

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

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

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

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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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

Okay. Father's office has been a hidden gem. They have the best hamburgers. And the best micro local beer. Service is good. I think that when someone walks in they are automatically catapulted into old world charm, a place that has been long serving customers from many decades. You have to visit and see for yourself. read more

GREAT LOCAL SANTA MONICA PUB. The food is really interesting. They have fresh chicharones, "​Spiced Pork Rinds, Charred Tomatillo Salsa Verde"! Who has that? Right out of the fryer and still hot! My wife had the Arancini. You NEVER see these in a pub! They were delicicius! There were many taps; I think I counted 40! Mostly beer and some ciders. They also have a chalkboard that features some very special, rare beer. These beers are for serious beer drinkers and are apparently so rare that a pint could cost you $40. I'll stick to the ordinary IPAs, thank you. The staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is cozy. So have some Spiced Pork rinds and a brewski. Cheers. read more

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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

Pretty prompt service! My partner and I were visiting some friends in LA, and they took us here to their favorite burger spot. I got the office burger. I was pretty surprised to see it on a non traditional bun, but it was really enjoyable! Super juicy medium rare burger, lots of sauce. The tots were a little tooooo vinegary for me. I loved salt and vinegar chips but this one was a miss. I did however love the sweet potato and the basket of fries! I loved the outside seating as well, it was heated and it had a wonderful atmosphere just to feel comfortable and catch up with friends over food. 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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Piling onto the Office Burger love. It's featured on many lists as on of LA's best burgers. Melts in your mouth, love the greens and that everything tastes fresh, and if you ask for medium rare, it actually does come that way. The tater tots (not a usual choice for me) was also surprisingly really good. This was my first time at this location - vibes are completely different, it's like a filled dark alley pub. Didn't try drinks but they sounded fun and themed. The burger is worth it. read more

The gourmet burgers are juicy and packed with flavor, and the truffle fries are an absolute must. Great selection of craft beers on tap, plus a cool, lively atmosphere. Perfect spot for a casual night out with friends! read more

We came here for the burgers when they were doing a special (I believe original burger pricing for their anniversary celebration.) This is a nice place to hang out with friends, the beer selection is great, interior is nice, food is good. I'm not a huge burger fan in general so I can't say I loved the burger but i enjoyed it. We also got fries and chicharron which were good. We managed to mostly beat the crowd by arriving early on a Friday evening and got a table right away. It was very crowded and people were lined up to order and sit when we left. read more

I ordered very often, the food is great but when you order for delivery be aware that the cardboard box and the napkins smells terrible, it smell like mold, that's a bummer cause this little thing make a big difference. Such a disappointment cause I m sure they know about it, the smell is very strong. That changes the all experience. read more

My favorite place for burgers and beer. So good and nicest staff. Probably the best burger in LA

This is the best gourmet burger in LA. I'm not talking about fast food burgers - In-N-Out holds that crown. I'm talking about thick, complex burgers in a sit-down place. Ever since going here I kept coming back whenever I could. Bravo. read more

Great burger and chicarrones. So good I had to take a burger home for my wife. Trying the Fat Shrimp and Duck salad next time... and maybe another burger to go. And great service too! read more

I love Father's Office, and I understand technically it is also a 'bar,' but you also have outdoor seating. It seems a little extreme not to let my 12 year old son experience the burger and sit outside... as someone who loves your restaurant I'd love to ask you to reconsider this policy. Thanks! read more

Surprisingly we didn't wait long this time. There were a couple of tables available to sit after we order our food. It gets very loud as each customers tries to compete with the music just to hear the person next to you. However there are tables outside but that's always full. My watch tells me I had to leave or else will go deaf if sat there any longer. read more

Father's Office - Curry cauliflower bite, signature burger and sweet potato fries. - Burgers Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Salty, expensive and inedible! Gosh, what a total bummer this place was. Had never been and had heard of it forever. I kick myself for not getting my money back on a $15 artichoke that was so bad, all I could eat was the heart. Considering how adamant they are on the menu about no substitutions, I thought I might get yelled at. Vibe was good and the bartender was nice, but I hate this place and it makes me hostile. Bus staff also kind of rude - asked for a knife and fork for the artichoke and the guy acted like he was put out by that. Am I supposed to eat the very oily heart with my hand? Maybe the burgers are good, but I didn't want one and I do think a person should be able to ask for no cheese!!!! read more

Went here on a weekend for lunch and was seated right away. To order, you will need to go up to the bar. You also need to get your own water there. Anyways, we ordered the office burger ($21), fat shrimp ($20), and short ribs ($25). The office burger was a disappointment. For $21, I expected higher quality or just a bit more. In all honesty I would rather get In-N-Out than this. I do have to give the patty some credit though. It was juicy and cooked perfectly, but it was overpowered by the cheese. On top of that there was just way too many flavors clashing together. I honestly wasn't sure what flavor they were trying to create. It was also sad to just get a burger for that price and not have any fries added to it. If so, then it would be an additional cost, which is also fine, but based on how that burger tasted, I didn't want to risk it. Now moving on to the fat shrimp. Based on the price, I thought this dish would be a burger. There was no way that a hungry gal like me would get full from just 4 shrimps. I see this more like an appetizer in all honesty. Overall, the shrimp was delicious though. It was juicy, plump, and flavorful. I personally wouldn't get this again; I didn't think it was worth the price. I also got a chance to try the ribs (not pictured) and I was also disappointed. The piece that I tried had a good amount of fat. The sauce was too sweet and had way too much soy sauce. Other than that, I expected more considering how this was the most expensive dish. Overall, I really wanted to love this place, but I just couldn't. We basically paid $20+ for "appetizer" dishes and the flavors didn't mesh too well for me. Street parking was also hard to find. There were just way too many cons for me to give it a higher rating. read more

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

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