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Father's Office
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Father's Office
8.9
Since Chef Sang Yoon took over in 2000, Father's Office has become legendary for its no-substitutions Office Burger with caramelized onions, Gruyere, Maytag blue, and bacon compote. This gastropub pioneered LA's craft beer movement with 36 rotating taps and elevated bar food that still sets the standard.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Office Burger, Sweet Potato Fries with Blue Cheese Aioli, Spanish Mushrooms
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 9.5
What makes it special: Home of LA's most iconic gourmet burger
Who should go: Burger purists and craft beer enthusiasts
When to visit: Weekends noon onwards, weeknights after 5pm
What to order: Office Burger, sweet potato fries, craft beer
Insider tip: No ketchup, no substitutions - trust the process
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Montana Ave, can be tough after 5pm. Small lot behind building fills fast
Dress code: Casual - jeans and t-shirt perfectly fine, it's a gastropub
Noise level: Loud - bar atmosphere, difficult conversation at peak hours
Weekend wait: 60-90 min typical, no reservations taken
Weekday lunch: 15-30 min, arrives in waves with lunch crowd
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - veggie sandwich and salads, but no burger substitutions
Vegan options: Very limited - basically salads without cheese
Gluten-free options: No - burger comes on bun, no substitutions allowed, few other options
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if they're laid-back and love beer/burgers. No if they want quiet conversation or dietary flexibility
Can I get a table without a reservation? They don't take reservations - first come, first served. Expect long waits peak times, try off-hours
Is it kid-friendly? Not really - bar atmosphere, no kids menu, no substitutions policy makes it tough for picky eaters
Best For
Better for: Best craft beer selection on Westside, burger worth the hype despite restrictions
Skip if: You want customization, quiet atmosphere, or have dietary restrictions. Try The Counter instead
Father's Office
9.2
The legendary Office Burger features dry-aged beef topped with caramelized onions, Gruyère and Maytag blue cheese, bacon compote, and arugula. No substitutions or ketchup allowed at this gastropub that pioneered LA's gourmet burger movement since chef Sang Yoon took over in 2000.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Office Burger, Sweet Potato Fries, Spanish Mushrooms
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 9.3
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 9.8
What makes it special: The no-substitutions policy ensures burger perfection every time
Who should go: Burger purists and craft beer enthusiasts
When to visit: Early evening for bar seating availability
What to order: Office Burger, craft beer, sweet potato fries
Insider tip: Arrive by 6pm for bar seating without a wait
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Montana Ave, usually available within 2 blocks, metered until 8pm
Dress code: Casual gastropub vibe - jeans and nice shirt perfect, no need to dress up
Noise level: Lively but manageable - bar area gets loud, tables better for conversation
Weekend wait: 60-90 min for table, 30-45 min for bar seats
Weekday lunch: 15-20 min typically, bar usually has immediate seating
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - veggie burger and several salads available
Vegan options: Very limited - mainly salads without cheese
Gluten-free options: No - burger cannot be modified, no GF bun option due to no-substitutions policy
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if they appreciate good food and don't mind a casual setting. The no-substitutions policy is a great conversation starter, and the craft beer selection helps break the ice.
Can I get a table without a reservation? They don't take reservations - it's first come, first served. Best strategy is arriving before 6pm or after 9pm, or grab bar seats which turn over faster.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young kids - it's a bar atmosphere and the no-substitutions policy means no plain burgers. Better for teens who appreciate good food.
Best For
Better for: Craft beer selection and the legendary Office Burger that spawned countless imitators - this is the original gourmet burger experience
Skip if: You're a picky eater or want customizations - try Plan Check or Umami Burger instead for more flexibility
Father's Office
8.3
Chef Sang Yoon's gastropub revolutionized the gourmet burger movement with the legendary Office Burger, featuring dry-aged beef, caramelized onions, Gruyère, Maytag blue cheese, and applewood bacon compote. The no-substitutions policy and 36 craft beers on tap reflect an uncompromising commitment to culinary excellence.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Office Burger, Sweet Potato Fries with Blue Cheese Aioli, Garlic Mushrooms
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: Birthplace of LA's gourmet burger revolution since 2000
Who should go: Burger purists and craft beer enthusiasts
When to visit: Weekday evenings to avoid weekend crowds
What to order: Office Burger, sweet potato fries, craft beer flight
Insider tip: 21+ only venue, arrive early for bar seating
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only, very competitive after 5pm - budget 10-15 min to find a spot
Dress code: Casual - jeans and t-shirt perfectly fine, it's a gastropub not a restaurant
Noise level: Loud - expect bar atmosphere, difficult for intimate conversations
Weekend wait: 60-90 min typical, no reservations accepted
Weekday lunch: Not open for lunch, opens at 5pm daily
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - limited options including salads and veggie sandwich
Vegan options: Very limited - expect modified salads only
Gluten-free options: No - kitchen not equipped for gluten-free prep, no burger bun substitutes
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you both love beer and don't mind shouting over bar noise - better for established couples or friend groups
Can I get a table without a reservation? They don't take reservations - it's first-come, first-served only. Best strategy is arriving right at 5pm opening or after 9pm
Is it kid-friendly? No - strictly 21+ only, no exceptions even for dining
Best For
Better for: Craft beer selection destroys any other burger spot, and the Office Burger's blue cheese-gruyere combo is unmatched
Skip if: You're picky about your burger toppings, want a quiet meal, or prefer wine/cocktails over beer