ZipPicks Awards
Best French Fries in Downtown LA
Best Late Night Burgers in Downtown LA
Master Critic Review
Amboy Quality Meats & Delicious Burgers
8.0
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A butcher-shop-turned-burger-counter in Far East Plaza that dry-ages its own beef and runs custom sesame buns from Breadbar. The short menu signals confidence—this is a one-thing-done-right operation where the beef sourcing does the talking. Go solo or with one other person; the space is tight and the format is built for efficiency, not lingering.
Must-Try Dishes:
DH Burger, Truffle Burger, Classic Double
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Part butcher shop, part burger counter in Chinatown's Far East Plaza, built on dry-aged beef and custom sesame buns baked by local bakery Breadbar.
Who should go: Burger obsessives who care about the beef and the bun
When to visit: Weekday lunch to avoid lines at this counter-service spot
What to order: Go Slim Thicc over the oversized DH Burger for manageability; add the fries, they're the sleeper hit here
Insider tip: The sesame buns are custom-made by Breadbar bakery — they're half the reason these burgers work
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Located in Far East Plaza which has an underground parking garage—take a ticket and park in any unreserved spot. Street parking available on surrounding streets. On weekends the garage fills up, so arrive early or use a nearby paid lot ($8–$15).
Dress code: Come as you are—counter-service burger stand with a laid-back butcher-shop vibe. Jeans, t-shirts, sneakers are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate—small space with ambient kitchen sounds and chatter, but you can hold a conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: Up to 30+ minutes during peak hours; signature items like the DH Burger take ~20 minutes to prep. No reservations—strictly walk-up counter service.
Weekday lunch: Shorter waits—order at the counter and wait for your number. Crowd is lighter so food comes out faster.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Very limited—menu is almost entirely meat-focused. Only non-meat items are fries (regular, truffle, garlic) and drinks.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not for a traditional date — this is a counter-service burger joint inside Far East Plaza with communal seating, paper plates, and no cocktail menu (cans only). But for a casual, low-pressure first date where you both geek out over one of LA's best smash burgers in a cool Chinatown food hall, it actually works. Just know it's more "let's grab burgers and walk around Chinatown" than candlelit dinner.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — this is walk-in counter service only, no reservations needed or accepted. Order at the counter and grab a seat. Burgers take about 20 minutes to cook, so the wait is for food, not for a table. During weekend lunch rushes you may need to hunt for an open communal table in the plaza, but there's no host stand or waitlist.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the casual counter-service format and open-air plaza setting make it low-stress with kids. The menu is naturally kid-friendly (burgers, hot dogs, fries), and the outdoor communal area means noise isn't an issue. No dedicated kids menu or high chairs have been confirmed, so plan accordingly for very young children. Best for kids old enough to eat a burger and enjoy the bustling Chinatown vibe.
Is it good for groups? Manageable for small groups of 4-6 who can grab a communal picnic table in the plaza. Larger than 6 gets difficult — indoor seating is only about 10 seats total, and the outdoor tables are shared with other Far East Plaza vendors. No private dining or reservable large tables. Everyone orders individually at the counter, so coordination is easy, but sitting together takes some effort at peak times.
Is there outdoor seating? Yes — Far East Plaza has communal picnic-style tables in its open-air corridor that you can use after ordering. These are shared with other plaza vendors, not a private Amboy patio. The corridor has partial overhead cover from the building structure but is otherwise open-air with no heaters. Great in typical LA weather, not ideal on rainy days.
Best For
Better for: Solo counter-service lunch when you want a high-quality smashed burger without fuss. Budget-friendly ($10–$18 range), no reservations needed, and the format is built for eating alone. Elevated comfort food—not fine dining, just really good burgers and fries.
Skip if: You want a sit-down experience with table service—seating is limited and there is no complimentary tap water. Also skip if you need vegetarian or vegan options; the menu is intentionally narrow: burgers, hot dogs, melts, fries, and that is it.
Hours
Monday12pm - 9pm
Tuesday12pm - 9pm
Wednesday12pm - 9pm
Thursday12pm - 9pm
Friday12pm - 9pm
Saturday12pm - 9pm
Sunday12pm - 9pm