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Urban Skillet
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Urban Skillet
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Late Night Legends
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
This halal burger concept brings street-inspired flavors and 100% locally sourced halal meat to Main Street, combining beachside chill with bold LA energy. The growing chain's flagship location serves gourmet burgers, crispy wings, loaded fries, and hand-crafted shakes from its Ocean Park spot where it all began.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Halal Burger, Loaded Fries, Hand-Crafted Shakes
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: 100% halal burgers with street-style creativity and fresh ingredients
Who should go: Halal diners, burger lovers, late-night crowds
When to visit: Late Friday-Saturday nights until 1am
What to order: Signature burger, stacked fries, specialty shake
Insider tip: Original flagship location of the expanding Urban Skillet brand
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Main Street and side streets - metered until 8pm, free after. Small public lot two blocks north at Marine/Main. Gets tight weekend nights.
Dress code: Come as you are - beach casual to streetwear. This is a counter-service spot where flip-flops and hoodies fit right in.
Noise level: Lively but manageable - music plays but you can hold conversations. Gets louder late nights when the bar crowd rolls in.
Weekend wait: 15-20 min during dinner rush (7-9pm). Late night (10pm+) moves faster with 5-10 min waits.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait - usually order and grab a table immediately. Lunch rush (12-1pm) might add 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - veggie burger available, plus fries and sides. This is primarily a meat-focused concept.
Vegan options: Very limited - can do fries and possibly customize a veggie option without dairy. Call ahead to confirm.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated GF buns or prep area. Cross-contamination likely given the kitchen setup and volume.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Solid casual first date - relaxed vibe takes pressure off, prices won't break the bank, and the beachy Main Street location gives you options to walk after. Skip if you want somewhere quieter or more impressive.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations needed - it's counter service and first-come seating. Grab a table when you arrive or order to-go. Weekends get packed 7-10pm so go early or late.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids (8+) - simple burgers and fries they'll recognize, casual atmosphere where noise is fine. Not ideal for toddlers given limited seating space and no changing tables. No kids menu but regular portions work.
How does it compare to In-N-Out or Shake Shack? More creative toppings and bolder flavors than In-N-Out, halal certified unlike either chain. Slightly higher price point but still under $15 per person. Less polished than Shake Shack but more authentic street-food energy.
Is it actually worth the Instagram hype? Yes if you're already nearby on Main Street - solid burgers with photogenic presentation and beachy backdrop. Not worth driving across town for unless you specifically want halal options or late-night food after 11pm.
Best For
Better for: Urban Skillet wins for halal diners seeking quality burgers, late-night munchies after bars close (open until 1am weekends), and Instagram-worthy casual eats on Main Street. The street-food creativity and fresh halal sourcing beats generic fast-casual chains.
Skip if: Choose elsewhere if you want a sit-down dining experience with table service, need extensive vegan/GF options, prefer classic American diner burgers without creative toppings, or want a quiet conversation spot. Also skip if you're far from the beach - not worth a special trip from inland LA.
Urban Skillet
8.1
This halal burger concept serves smashed double patties with creative toppings like truffle aioli, mac and cheese, or Nashville hot chicken. The Original Skillet Burger delivers caramelized onions and house sauce on brioche, while Skillet Fries arrive perfectly seasoned with generous portions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Original Skillet Burger, Truffle Banger, Oh So Hot Burger
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: 100% zabiha halal burgers with bold, creative flavor combinations
Who should go: Halal diners and adventurous burger lovers
When to visit: Friday-Saturday nights when open until 1 AM
What to order: Truffle Banger, Original Skillet Burger, Skillet Fries with extra sauce
Insider tip: The wings are underrated - get them bone-in with multiple sauces
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available on Main Street and side streets - typically easy to find during lunch, more competitive after 7pm on weekends
Dress code: Come as you are - casual streetwear, activewear, and sneakers all common
Noise level: Lively but conversational - upbeat music and energetic crowd but you can still hear across the table
Weekend wait: 15-25 minutes peak hours (7-9pm Friday/Saturday), counter-service so no reservations needed
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, usually order within 5 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - veggie burger available, plus loaded fries and sides, but focus is clearly on meat
Vegan options: Very limited - fries and possibly a modified veggie patty, better options elsewhere in the area
Gluten-free options: No dedicated buns but burger patties can be ordered lettuce-wrapped or in a bowl with toppings
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for the right match - casual vibe takes pressure off, shareable fries encourage interaction, and late-night hours work for post-activity meetups. Skip if you want quiet romance or need to impress with upscale ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations accepted - it's counter-service with open seating. Arrive during off-peak hours (2-5pm or after 10pm) for easiest seating, or be prepared to wait 15-20 minutes on busy weekend nights.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely kid-friendly - casual counter-service reduces wait anxiety, simple menu with familiar items (burgers, fries, chicken tenders), and loud atmosphere means noisy kids blend right in. High chairs available.
How does it compare to Shake Shack or In-N-Out? More adventurous flavors than both - where In-N-Out keeps it classic and Shake Shack goes upscale, Urban Skillet delivers bold creative toppings (truffle, Nashville hot, mac and cheese). Similar price to Shake Shack but with halal certification.
Is it actually worth the hype? Yes if you want creative halal burgers - the flavor combinations deliver and quality is consistent. Skip if you prefer classic simple burgers or if you're extremely price-sensitive (you'll pay $3-4 more than In-N-Out).
Best For
Better for: Halal burger cravings with adventurous toppings, late-night hunger (open until 1am weekends), groups wanting generous portions to share, and diners who want bold flavors over classic simplicity
Skip if: You want a quiet intimate meal, prefer traditional In-N-Out style simplicity, need extensive vegan options, or are looking for the absolute cheapest burger option in the area