During my 36 hour foodie trip to SoCal,while I was at Grand Central Market-after Villas Tacos,the number 2 spot on my radar was For The Win-They are a smash burger specialist in SoCal and have a pretty good social media following and rank pretty high on many smash burger rankings in SoCal-so I made them a priority. When I walked up to their stand at the Grand Central Market there was zero wait which was pretty good-I decided to go with a Double Smash cheeseburger with added Bacon and Jalapeños.($16.40) and my brother went with the same thing minus bacon($14.45).All burgers come with grilled onions,pickles,and secret sauce.We ended up skipping fries because I was trying to save a little room to squeeze in a few more vendors before we left-so just burgers on this visit. They were very friendly when taking our order and we got our burgers really fast-I'd say in under 8 minutes but when I opened my burger no bacon,but when I pointed this out to them they more than made up for it by giving me an entire basket of bacon-so needless to say my brother got to partake in bacon on his burger as well. I don't have a lot of experience with smash burgers,as I feel the smash burger phenomenon hasn't really caught on as strongly in Sacramento as it has in SoCal or Vegas but I will say this-I loved this burger-the cheese was so oozy and gooey and the patties were crispy on the ends in only the way great smash burgers can be made-it was amazing-like DJ Khaled once said "The problem is this,I can eat like 5 of these back to back"...I felt that-these things were super yummy and yet light at the same time-yeah this was a great food item. I will admit they are a bit pricey-$16+ for a double smash burger seems a bit high but since I was on vacation-I was ok with it-I would order it again for sure next time I'm in SoCal. In closing-if u ever find yourself at Grand Central Market or just about anywhere in SoCal,as they have multiple locations,and you feel like indulging in an amazing smash burger-For The Win is the spot-they are serving up an amazing product and one I will think back on fondly for quite some time. PS-I forgot to mention they use pickled jalapeños which I thought were great but I know some people prefer fresh jalapeños on their burgers-like my brother who ended up scraping off all the jalapeños he paid extra for-so silly. read more

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For The Win Burger There's something special about enjoying a handcrafted burger in the lively, bustling vibe of Central Market--it just makes everything taste better. The cheeseburger, in particular, was absolutely top-tier. Juicy patty, perfectly melted cheese, and that classic balance done just right. One bite in and you know it's legit. If you're craving a simple but perfectly executed classic burger, this place is a must. read more

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I thought it was a pretty good Smashburger. I did like the crispy edges, I did like the onions, (charred and sweet). But, the standout to me was the sauce. I'm not a usually a big burger sauce person; I'm more of a ketchup and mustard person. But I did like this one, and I would like to try it again. read more

For The Win - Chew - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

While visiting Grand Central Market with family on Sunday May 17, we decided to try "For the Win Burgers". They did not disappoint. The smash burgers were tasty and fresh. It was cool to be able to watch them prepare the burgers. The French fries were very crispy and good. The customer service was good and the meals were prepared pretty quick. This location is in Downtown Los Angeles. There are parking structures near the venue. If you are looking for a good smash burger try "FTW". read more

For The Win - Single Cheeseburger Double Bacon Cheeseburger Triple Bacon Cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Went here recently on a solo foodie adventure and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. I honestly don't even know where to begin because they're doing everything right! First off, the ordering process is super smooth. They have easy self-service kiosks that make placing your order quick and convenient. I stepped away to wash my hands and by the time I came back, I was just waiting for the text notification and my food was ready in no time. The pickup window is on the opposite end of their small but cute burger stall, which keeps things flowing nicely. Now for the best part: the food. It was ridiculously good. I'm a simple girl and my usual go-to for a burger is In-N-Out--but this place completely blew me away (and the wait is way shorter, which is a huge plus). I ordered a double meat hamburger and added lettuce (because that's a must), along with fries, a can of Dr Pepper, and their fry sauce. Everything was so on point. The burger was juicy, flavorful, and had that perfect crisp on the edges. The crispy fresh fries were the perfect match, especially dipped in that addictive fry sauce. Hands down, this is officially my new favorite burger spot. On top of that, the staff was super friendly and helpful. I even had to give my compliments to the chefs after I finished because it was just that good. Definitely one of the best burgers I've ever had and I already can't wait to come back. They've earned a customer for life. read more

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Guys - this was good, but extremely overhyped . Maybe i'm not a big fan of smash burgers, but they are small and not THAT good for the price. I would rather get other burgers around sadly. Interior is clean, you order yourself and the waiter serves your food out. Clean up after yourself. That's why I wouldn't justify a $9 burger you can finish in a couple bites. But worth the try! read more

For The Win - Cheeseburger, fries - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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One of the perks of living within walking distance of grand central market is being able to grab a smash burger from here whenever the craving strikes. This time I went with the bacon cheeseburger and my god do they have it down to a perfect science. The crispy edges are always my favorite part and they never miss on the seasoning or flavor. Prices can feel a bit steep, but it's justified for the quality you're getting imo. The staff are always hospitable and keep things moving even when the place gets chaotic and packed. Very much worth checking out if you're in the area. read more

For The Win - Bacon cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My boyfriend and I are constantly on the hunt for good smashburgers and this ticked all the boxes! FTW lives up to the hype. Love the basic, to-the-point menu.. when it comes to smashburgers, it should only be limited to a few items and this place did exactly that. You order at the kiosk and receive your food within minutes. Portion sizes are phenomenal in comparison to the pricing, and food quality is amazing. I've tried multiple smashburgers in LA and this one takes the cake. read more

For The Win - triple cheeseburger and a lettuce wrap cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Service is still impersonal. As they seem to be the only establishment in the Market that uses a order kiosk where they don't deal with people. Food was good and prepared in a decent amount of time. read more

For The Win - Station front - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

For The Win lives up to the name. The burger was everything you want--juicy, perfectly smashed, loaded with melted cheese, and stacked on a soft bun that held it all together. Simple, no gimmicks, just bold flavor done right. The fries were crispy, well-seasoned, and the perfect side to round out the meal. The vibe is casual and fun, the food comes out fast, and it hits every time. This is the kind of burger you crave when you want something indulgent and satisfying without overthinking it. If you're a burger person, For The Win is a must. Straight-up comfort food that actually delivers. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I love a good smash burger. The ordering was fast as there was both a kiosk and a worker taking orders. Ambiance was the same anywhere in the market, it was super busy. On to the food, the burger itself was very delicious. My girlfriend doesn't necessarily like burgers, but she did enjoy this one. The meat was super juicy and you just can't go wrong ordering from here. The fries are something I came back for because I love French fries as well. I definitely recommend coming here for a good burger in LA! This has the Dyllan Guarantee! read more

For The Win - Grand Central Market - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Great burger- doesn't need extra toppings since the meat is perfectly seasoned and the pickles and sauce are not overwhelming. I did go for the loaded fries and glad I did, gooey cheese with caramelized onions-very satisfying. It's a busy food court with lots of options but they are quick and we found a clean table. Worth checking it out if you are craving a simple yet delicious classic burger. read more

For The Win - Menu - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Without getting into comparisons with other smash burger joints, here's what you can expect: Solid, reliable, CONSISTENT smash burgers. Sometimes they do get busy (even later at night). Parking is super easy, and dining space is limited indoors and outside. The burgers are greasy but 100% delicious. The seasoning is always on point, as is the lacy, crispy edge. Burgers come with onions, pickles, and their sauce. I find it odd that they nickel and dime you for lettuce and tomato. They are insanely cravable (I'm getting hungry just writing this). Skip the fries in favor of the sweet potato fries. I wish I knew how they keep them so crispy. They're crispy hot, they're crispy cold. How do they do it? I'm not too fond of their milkshake: it tastes kind of like Nesquick but a little more rich. Outside of the burgers, the one thing that has earned their spot in my rotation is the service. The staff here are friendly and go above and beyond. It really is appreciated. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

i ordered on the app. they call your name when your order is ready but the area is so noisy it was hard to here my name so i had to ask if my order was ready. the burger was delicious and fries were good too. Definitely want to go back but perhaps at another location where i can hear for my order and actually sit and eat. read more

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Food came out prompt and fast. I like that they had 2 kiosks for self ordering helped with the line. I like that you can animal fries up sweet potato fries here. It's okay I just wish it was more loaded like Lowboy's version. I got double patty cheeseburger today and well one was way more than enough lol read more

For The Win - Loaded Fries (Sweet Potato Fries) - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Great burger, but overpriced. Pretty small and the sides are not that big either. I'd rather go to in n out but if you like a smash burger this one won't disappoint. Inside is relatively clean and the staff is nice and the burgers came out quick. I'd go again if I was craving a smash burger - ask for extra pickles! read more

FTW burger made my day this last thursday night! it was around closing time for grand central market, with slim pickings still available. Already, I was disappointed to find that PBJ LA was closed as i always wnated to try it, along with the filipino spot that had a great halo halo i liked. With both of these choices eliminated i knew i was craving a burger... lucky for me i found FTW. i was skeptical at first with the whole millenial gimmick, and id never really tried smash burgers as i wrote them off as a fad. To my pleasant surprise, it was a great burger! what really made it a great experience though was the employees. The two chef guys were so friendly and chill and very talented at making the burgers ! i was watching them as i was interested in how they were made and they noticed me and made an effort to talk to me about it and engage in a friendly conversation which is so rare these days! i really appreciated it. i wish i got their names but yeah give these guys a promotion seriously!! read more

I was very excited to try their smashburgers after seeing pictures on social media. It's part of a growing chain of restaurants and this is conveniently located in Grand Central Market with a ton of other food stalls. The stall is located somewhat in the middle of the building and as we walked further in, it got stuffier and stuffier. We did visit during summer so it's probably better during the cooler seasons. When we visited, the market was already very packed but we lucked out and got some of the limited counter seats at For The Win. The stall is surrounded by glass windows so you can see the whole process while sitting at the counters. Double Cheeseburger: For me, two telling signs of a good smashburger are sad-looking buns and patties with crispy edges. And they delivered! But I thought it could've been a little more flavorful. I was a hungover and my tastebuds probably weren't at its peak but I just wasn't entirely satisfied with it. It was juicy though! Brussel Sprouts: I did not expect to find vegetables here but it's a great side to have with your greasy burger. I believe the sauce is something along the lines of balsamic vinegar because the bottom of the box was a lot more tart than the rest. This would've been so much better if the outer leaves were crispy but either it never got to that point or the sauce made it too soggy. Overall, a good meal but I need to come back and give it another shot when I'm not hungover! read more

For The Win - Double Cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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First time trying it and had high expectations. The look doesn't look as good as the one on the screen when we ordered. The taste was just ok. Maybe I should have added lettuce and tomato. But for $10 for a cheeseburger, I don't think it lives up to the hype for me. read more

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I was craving a smash burger and this place definitely delivered. It was worth fighting my way through the lunch rush at grand central market. The double cheeseburger is everything you'd want in a smash burger. It's juicy and sloppy in a good way. The patties are flavorful and slightly crispy on the edges. The sauce and pickles complete the whole thing. It's the perfect indulgent quick lunch read more

For The Win - Double Cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Paying $13 for a burger, you expect something satisfying but this was the complete opposite. The smashed patties were paper thin, the buns were small, and the overall portion felt like a complete ripoff. The burger was overwhelmingly salty, to the point where it completely overpowered everything else. There was no balance, just salt. For the price and the portion size, it's honestly hard to justify. read more

Wow, food was delish!! lol I couldn't even take a pic before digging in. The patties are smashed/thin and cooked to perfection. I'm typically a single patty gal but next time I'm getting the double. The staff - Mr. Kevin B who helped me put my order in was amazing, very helpful and social. This location is in the Grand Central Market - upbeat music, bustling with locals and tourists. Immediately took me back to NYC read more

For The Win - Tried their IPA Bunny with Chainsaw beer and it was solid. Food - devoured - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I got the single smash cheeseburger... and it was great. Rafael was very nice and answered all my questions without hesitation. I highly recommend! Thanks again, Rafael! read more

Food was good. But, I couldn't believe how similar it tasted to a McDonald's BigMaC. Nonetheless, the burger was good. But for Big Mac taste I don't think I will be spending $17 again on one of these. read more

Got this at the grand central market. Delicious. If you can eat a lot I would get 2 of them because they are small. I like the location because if anyone in your group doesn't want to eat there they can get anything else around, on top of the tourist attractions nearby. The staff gets pretty busy but they attend to you right away. read more

For The Win - Smash burger with fries - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Best smash burger you can get in Southern California. Nestled in GCM their burgers offer an easy ordering experience with a touch pad and fast wait time. While waiting you can walk around and check out other food giants like Egg Slut and Ramen Hood. The market is very alive and I've always had a great experience there. I really appreciate the ambience and possibilities to have a drink from one place and apps from another while waiting for your main dish to be ready. However the prices are pretty steep for the portion of the burger. About the size of a McDonald's cheeseburger. I tried mine as a single patty and it was $9-10.00. Smash burgers are always an interesting topic because the amount of ingredients is small and so is the labor but the simplicity of how it's prepared makes all of the difference. FTW executed perfectly with the crispness of the patty, soft bun, melty cheese and house made sauce . FTW has other locations throughout Los Angeles and I highly recommend trying them. read more

For The Win - Single smash - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Greasy deliciousness! If you're counting your calories or on a weight loss journey, please stay 100 yards away from FTW! This place cranks out the juiciest burgers packed with a ton of flavor. Take a friend with you. Share a burger so you can leave room for to taste something else in the Grand Central Market. Pro tip: Ask for extra napkins. read more

For The Win - Bacon Cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I've lived in DTLA for almost 6 months and somehow just made my way over to the Grand Centel Market for the very first time. I was extremely overwhelmed walking around and couldn't decide what to get, but the sight of FTW Burgers pushed me over the edge and I ordered right away. I ended up ordering a double smash burger and split an order of the golden cut fries with my wife. The food only took maybe 10 minutes to come out and when it did, I was ready to give this place five stars without even taking a bite. The French fries were crispy and were probably some of the best I've had in a long time. The double smash burger was hands down, without a shadow of a doubt, the best smash burger I have ever had in my entire life. I have no idea what was done here differently, but I was legit drooling as I ate this bad boy. The meat was so tender and juicy, the cheese was magnificent, and even the bun was perfect. Overall, For the Win is my new favourite burger spot in DTLA. Not only was the food amazing, but the setup itself was pretty cool and the staff was great. Want a burger at the Grand Central Market? FTW is the king. read more

For The Win - The perfect smash burger does exist. - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Always a good time at Grand Central. Burger was on point. It was slightly moist on the bottom but still solid overall. I can see why it's ranked high. Service was solid. Atmosphere is always going to be a win. No pun intended. read more

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I'm gonna call it how it is, it's good not great. FTW was jam packed today at GCM, but they moved pretty quick to get our order out. I ended up with the single cheeseburger with jalapeños in it and it was solid (7.7/10). Where it's at, and how far it is from me, I wouldn't make my way to get it. I can see why people rate this fairly high, but then again I know there's other spots out there that can compete. Overall, FTW was good just not great. Much love! read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

listen, I don't usually leave reviews but I think it's my duty to sing the praises of FOR THE WIN. If youve ever had a McDonald's fry as a kid in the early 2000s and you want to feel that same euphoria, then run, don't walk, to FTW. Fries so good they don't need any condiments. I think ketchup actually ruins what makes these fries so special, perfectly salty, nice crunch but not DRY just crispy enough to make you grab another one. And before you know it they're all gone. Oh yeah their burgers are pretty good too. But the fries are the real star here in my opinion. Burgers are hard to fuck up, good meat, enough cheese, great bun.. you're enjoying it 9 times out of 10. But fries? Fries are my unit of measurement when it comes to burger spots and FTW just made the top of my list. Adding to this review: yes they're kind of pricy, wake up it's not the 90s anymore our economy is f$&ked up and the food supply is monopolized by big corpos, I'll happily pay a premium to not eat low grade frozen food from CISCO that's been sitting on a truck for god knows how long. If you wanna get a cheap burger go to in & out and wait 45mins in a line around the block for an okay burger and mid fries. Or you could join us in 2025 and break that $20 for a burger and fries that will make your father proud. read more

I've heard good things from my friends about For the Win so figured we'll grab a quick burger dinner at GCM. We ordered using the kiosk and provided info on customization (plain cheeseburger with grilled onions and sauce on the side). The wait wasn't too bad. Upon returning home and opening up our food, my plain cheeseburger had pickles and sauces that I opted out on. I wanted onions but there were no onions in sight. The sauce had a slight kick and I'm not a fan of spicy. Disappointing experience for sure. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The wife and I went to Grand Central Market to try out some of the delicious foods that are offered inside. One of those spots was For The Win. I've heard so much about them having a great Smashburger so I had to give them a try. I ordered from the kiosk and pickup was just around the corner. Very simple. After about 10 minutes my name was called and I received my burger in a nice bag with plenty of napkins. I sat down and bit into the burger and it definitely is a good one. The patty was seasoned and cooked perfectly. The sauce they put on the burger was delicious as well. Sometimes the signature sauce can be a miss at burger joints. When I come back to Grand Central Market I will be purchasing another For The Win smashburger. read more

My friends suggested that I try For the Win when in DTLA, so I had higher than normal expectations. I thought to myself, what can be so good about this place? They're just burgers. It's located in Grand Central Market and had a somewhat long line on a Sunday afternoon. - - Cheeseburger (4/5): It was good, but not breathtakingly good, especially for the price of almost $10. I think it would be comparable to that of an In-N-Out cheeseburger for a fraction of the price. - - Fries (3/5): I think it lacked flavor and were not anything special. I think trying For the Win was good for the experience but it didn't stand out to me like how I thought it would after hearing my friends' experiences. I probably won't be back in the future because the price for what I got just wasn't justified in my opinion. But despite the price, there wasn't really anything I can complain about. Once again, the burger was good but just wasn't worth it for me. read more

For The Win - Fries - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Ambiance: It's in Grand Central market downtown, so it's chaotic. There are tons of people everywhere, long lines all over the place, just like any other food court. Food: I really enjoyed this burger. It was flavorful and perfectly cooked, and the fries were good and not over salted. It's definitely a solid place. Service: fairly quick for the line. Waiting, I just walked around to see what else the market had to offer, two laps around, and my order was ready. Parking over here is not great, mostly paid. So, if you plan on just going in for a quick bite plan accordingly. read more

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Grand central market is always a busy area. Order by tablet and pay through same tablet. I got it to eat there but doesn't matter because seems like everything is to go. The only thing is the price. I paid close to $20 for a double patty burger no fries and a drink. I highly regret it. Even with a double patty I was still hungry. Portions are small. Definitely not worth the cost. Taste was good but with $20 I can get a 8x8 from in n out with fries. Definitely will not come back. Way to many places to eat from that will get filled up with $20. read more

For The Win - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Oh my GOODNESS!!! If you like burgers and haven't tried these I feel bad for you. Nice and simple menu but these burgers will have you craving smashed burgers like a maniac! You are able to add other toppings on your burger but if you want the classic smash burger taste it's pretty much just the meat, cheese, onions and bread. Such an amazing taste these burgers have and it was definitely the best thing I ate from here last time I went to grand central market. I wasn't able to try the fries but I will get those next time. They have a small bar and a few tables but when I went all of them were taken so you will probably have to walk around after you get your food to find another spot to sit and eat but grand central market has tables everywhere so no worries. read more

One of the best smash burgers I've had in a while. I ordered a single patty smash cheeseburger with extra onions and it was AMAZINGGG

Really solid Smashburger. A little disappointed in the beef being kinda dry on the edges (it should be thin and crispy and this was just a little bit too thick.) not a huge problem though and very tasty (i had 2.) the sauce that comes with the fries is out of this world read more

For The Win - Smashburger - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Stopped by before a recent Dodger game to see what all the hype was about. I ordered a double cheeseburger and side of fries well done. This burger definitely lived up to the hype. One of the best smash burgers I have ever had. Just the right amount of grease and char on the burger. The cheese was nice and gooey. My only complaint was they forgot my pickles. The fries were average at best but the burger was sooo good I had to give it 5 stars!! read more

For The Win - Double cheese burger - Burgers Near Me - Los Angeles, California