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Y-Not Burgers
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Y-Not Burgers
8.2
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Y-Not Burgers is a long-running, family-owned stand on Hawthorne that has been serving hefty burgers, breakfasts, and drive-through comfort food to the South Bay for more than 30 years. Regulars lean on it for turkey and ostrich burgers, old-school combos, and fast, no-nonsense service that makes it an everyday burger option instead of a once-in-a-while splurge.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quarter-Pound Hamburger Combo, Ostrich Burger, Chili Burger
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Decades-old family-run burger stand with turkey and ostrich options.
Who should go: Locals craving classic drive-through burgers and breakfast.
When to visit: Daytime and early evenings to avoid peak drive-through rush.
What to order: Hamburger combo, ostrich burger, chili burger.
Insider tip: Use the call-ahead or drive-through when the parking lot backs up.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small on-site lot with quick turnover; street parking available on Hawthorne but can be tight during lunch rush.
Dress code: Completely casual — come as you are, from gym clothes to everyday wear.
Noise level: Low to moderate; drive-through and griddle noise but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on drive-through volume; walk-up orders move faster.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait unless the drive-through line wraps around during peak noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — basic salads and sides; no dedicated veggie burger.
Vegan options: Very limited — fries and drinks only; no vegan mains.
Gluten-free options: No formal gluten-free program; burgers can be ordered protein-style but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for an extremely casual, no-frills meet-up. It’s more of a quick neighborhood stop than a setting for a traditional date night.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — reservations aren’t used here. Seating is first-come at counter-service speed, and most traffic goes through the drive-through.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — simple menus, quick service, and familiar comfort food make it easy for families. Best for kids 4+ who can manage counter-service seating.
Best For
Better for: Fast, inexpensive burgers with nostalgic charm; standout turkey and ostrich options you won’t find at typical fast-casual chains.
Skip if: You want gourmet burgers, craft toppings, or a sit-down environment with ambiance; this is strictly an old-school, no-frills operation.
Y-Not Burgers
8.1
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Opened in 1963, Y-Not Burgers is a classic South Torrance drive-through and counter stop where regular and large fries, chili fries, and zucchini with ranch come off the line all day. The fries are known for being served piping hot, with a well-done option and generous combo portions that keep families and old-school burger fans returning for decades.
Must-Try Dishes:
Regular French Fry (well done), Chili Fries with Cheese, Pastrami Burger Combo with Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Sixty-plus-year burger stand famous for hot, customizable fries.
Who should go: Families and locals craving drive-through fries and burgers.
When to visit: Daytime or early dinner to dodge drive-through backup.
What to order: Regular fries well done, chili fries, pastrami burger.
Insider tip: Request fries well done and add chili and cheese to share.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small on-site lot plus adjacent street parking along Hawthorne Boulevard; generally easy except during peak drive-through rush.
Dress code: Casual and come-as-you-are; anything from tees and shorts to weekend errand wear fits right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate; outdoor ordering area has typical street noise, but conversation is easy at the tables or in the car.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on drive-through volume; walk-up counter often moves faster.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait; 0–5 minutes for most orders.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A few options like fries, zucchini sticks, and salads; core menu is burger-heavy.
Vegan options: Very limited; plain fries are the most reliable vegan choice.
Gluten-free options: No formal gluten-free program; fries and some sides may be safe for low-sensitivity diners but share fryers and prep areas.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if the vibe you want is retro-fast-food casual; great for low-pressure hangs but not ideal for a more polished first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—this is a counter-service and drive-through spot; tables are first-come and typically available.
Is it kid-friendly? Very; families use it for quick meals, and portions are generous. Outdoor seating and fast service make it easy with younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Consistently hot, customizable fries and classic burger-stand comfort at budget-friendly prices.
Skip if: You want gourmet burgers, extensive toppings, or dedicated dietary accommodations.
Y-Not Burgers
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Y-Not Burgers is a longtime South Torrance counter joint dating back to the 1960s, known for griddled patties, chili-topped baskets, and a drive-thru that runs until 9pm. It’s more old-school than flashy, but the square-patty cheeseburgers and thick-cut fries still pull in regulars looking for a quick, inexpensive burger run after work.
Must-Try Dishes:
1/2 Lb Double Cheeseburger, Ostrich Burger, Chili Cheese Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 6.3
Consistency: 7.2
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Decades-old burger stand with a huge menu, drive-thru, and late-ish hours.
Who should go: Locals craving inexpensive, old-school drive-thru burgers.
When to visit: Evenings before 9pm for quick, no-frills burger runs.
What to order: 1/2 Lb Double Cheeseburger, chili cheese fries, ostrich burger.
Insider tip: Ask for your fries extra crispy and hit the self-serve pickled peppers for heat.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Dedicated lot with ample spaces plus surrounding street parking; rarely fills up outside peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual; come as you are. Most guests arrive in everyday wear, from work clothes to shorts and hoodies.
Noise level: Low to moderate; counter-service hum with kitchen noise, but easy to hold conversations.
Weekend wait: 5–10 minutes in the drive-thru; walk-in orders generally move quickly unless there’s a rush.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, though the drive-thru may queue lightly around noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A few workable options like grilled cheese, salads, and sides; not a dedicated vegetarian menu.
Vegan options: Very limited; fries and a few sides are the main choices, as patties and buns are not vegan-focused.
Gluten-free options: No formal gluten-free program; some protein-style modifications possible but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want something extremely casual and nostalgic. It’s more of a quick-stop classic burger stand than a date-night setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter-service with open seating and a drive-thru. Tables turn quickly and reservations aren’t needed or offered.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes. Straightforward burgers, fries, and shakes appeal to kids, and the relaxed setup makes it easy for families.
Best For
Better for: Quick, inexpensive, old-school burgers with nostalgia and speed—ideal for locals who want a reliable, no-frills stop.
Skip if: You want gourmet patties, craft toppings, or late-night hours past 9pm; other South Bay spots stay open later with more modern menus.
Y-Not Burgers
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Y-Not Burgers has been flipping griddled patties on Hawthorne since the early 1960s, serving square-patty burgers, breakfast plates, and shakes at everyday prices. It’s a retro counter-and-booth setup where you can still get a full burger meal without stretching the budget.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pastrami Burger, Double Cheeseburger, Breakfast Burrito
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Long-running burger stand from 1963 with drive-thru and diner-style breakfasts.
Who should go: Burger fans who appreciate old-school counters and fair pricing.
When to visit: Breakfast and early dinner when the griddle is busiest.
What to order: Pastrami Burger, double cheeseburger, bacon breakfast burrito.
Insider tip: Combine a basic burger with shared fries instead of combos to keep costs lowest.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: A small private lot out front plus adjacent street parking on Hawthorne; generally open spots except during breakfast rush.
Dress code: Completely casual—tees, sweats, and work clothes all fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate; griddle sounds and takeout traffic but easy enough to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Typically no wait; brief 5–10 minute slowdown during early dinner hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, though drive-thru can back up slightly around noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but workable—grilled cheese, fries, breakfast plates without meat.
Vegan options: Very limited—fries and select sides; no dedicated plant-based patty.
Gluten-free options: No gluten-free buns; burgers and breakfast plates can be modified but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for nostalgic, low-key charm. It’s more functional than atmospheric, better suited for casual hangs than romantic first impressions.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter-service with open seating. Tables turn quickly, and availability is rarely an issue.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—simple menu, booths, quick service, and low prices make it easy for families with young kids.
Best For
Better for: Classic griddled burgers, retro diner value, and fast meals without fuss.
Skip if: You want gourmet burgers, trendy ambience, or extensive dietary accommodations.