The Burger Crawl

Umami is participating in The James Beard Foundation's Blended Burger Project, along with several other restaurants. The Blended Burger Project is a challenge to chefs to create, and showcase delicious, nutritious, and sustainable burgers made of a beef and mushroom blend. I was honored to be invited to try Umami's entry to this project, as well as two other burgers on their summer menu: The Manly Chick, and The Veggie Burger. This week's episode has an interesting twist, and a enjoyable adventure at Umami's Grove location. SUBSCRIBE!!! - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Cuethecritic The Burger Crawl - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Dju8d3K4jm2KnmuRSV7QsX3bkWHxbTZ https://www.instagram.com/cuethecritic | https://fb.me/cuethecritic Umami Burger at The Grove 189 The Grove Drive Suite C-10 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323-954-8626 https://www.umamiburger.com/locations/grove/ Hours: Sun - Thurs 11am - 11pm Fri - Sat 11am - 12am Find me all over the web: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CuetheCritic Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+CuetheCritic Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/CuetheCritic Tumblr - https://www.cuethecritic.tumblr.com/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/cuethecritic Vine - https://www.vine.co/cuethecritic Cue the Critic: Food stories, Food Reviews, The Burger Crawl, Food-based events, Food Photography, Writer & "Cue the Critic" Quincy Freeman. https://cuethecritic.com http://www.youtube.com/cuethecritic Send all burger recommendations, and/or food marketing/business inquiries to: cue@cuethecritic.com

On this episode, A3K and I find ourselves at Grill 'Em All. Along with amazing (and fattening) food, the restaurant has a unique theme of metal music, which I learned. I had The Behemoth Burger, and their, High on Fries, Buffalo Chicken Fries. A3k had the Samoa Joe burger, named after the famed wrestler. VISIT A3k's Channel - https://youtube.com/user/itsmea3k Grill 'Em All 19 E Main Street Alhambra, CA 91801 http://grillemalltruck.com/ SUBSCRIBE!!! - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Cuethecritic The Burger Crawl - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Dju8d3K4jm2KnmuRSV7QsX3bkWHxbTZ https://www.instagram.com/cuethecritic | https://fb.me/cuethecritic Find me all over the web: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CuetheCritic Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+CuetheCritic Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/CuetheCritic Tumblr - https://www.cuethecritic.tumblr.com/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/cuethecritic Vine - https://www.vine.co/cuethecritic Cue the Critic: Food stories, Food Reviews, The Burger Crawl, Food-based events, Food Photography, Writer & "Cue the Critic" Quincy Freeman. https://cuethecritic.com http://www.youtube.com/cuethecritic Send all burger recommendations, and/or food marketing/business inquiries to: cue@cuethecritic.com

Bill Elwell, 89, might be the oldest man still working in the restaurant industry, but even if he is not, he is definitely one of the most content. He has owned and worked at the stand he purchased in the 1960s, and it does not seem that he could be any happier. The beloved stand, located on Oxnard Street between Van Nuys Blvd and Kester, was filled with customers as I arrived just before 3p.m. On this week's episode of The Burger Crawl, my friend (Wayne) and I take a trip up to Van Nuys, and try Bill & Hiroko's Burger for the first time. We enjoyed ourselves. and Bill's definitely lives up to the motto on their business card, "What In-N-Out Used To Be." I found out about Bill's Burger after being referred by a friend, and directed to the article Matthew Kang of Eater L.A. wrote in 2013 when Bill was 86 years young. Matthew's article (http://la.eater.com/2013/4/17/6450255/bill-elwell-of-bill-hirokos-hamburgers-in-van-nuys) gave a decent history and interview of the small burger stand, which I will let you read for yourself. What Matthew did not cover in the article is that Hiroko Wilcox's father allegedly shot Bill in the ass during World War II. Even if that is just an old wise-tale, Wayne and I still got a good laugh out of the irony. SUBSCRIBE!!! - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Cuethecritic The Burger Crawl - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Dju8d3K4jm2KnmuRSV7QsX3bkWHxbTZ https://www.instagram.com/cuethecritic | https://fb.me/cuethecritic Bill & Hiroko's 14742 Oxnard Street Van Nuys, CA 91411 Hours: 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. M-F Find me all over the web: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CuetheCritic Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+CuetheCritic Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/CuetheCritic Tumblr - https://www.cuethecritic.tumblr.com/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/cuethecritic Vine - https://www.vine.co/cuethecritic Cue the Critic: Food stories, Food Reviews, The Burger Crawl, Food-based events, Food Photography, Writer & "Cue the Critic" Quincy Freeman. https://cuethecritic.com http://www.youtube.com/cuethecritic Send all burger recommendations, and/or food marketing/business inquiries to: cue@cuethecritic.com

If you are from Los Angeles, then you know who Big Boy is. Big Boy is the famed radio host of many popular radio stations in the city, I would say Power 106 is the most notable, and longest run (but don't quote me on that.) Additionally, you know that Big Boy had weight loss surgery. Well in 2016, he, his brother, and Food Network Star Contestant Kevin Robert have opened a healthy food cafe in North Hollywood. It is basically right up the street from Universal Studios on Lankersheim. On today's episode of The Burger Crawl, I sit down with Chef Roberts, and my friend and copy editor, Tatyanna Wilkinson, of the local blog I Heart NoHo (http://www.iheartnoho.com/). Tatyanna's Blog post on the Vegan Fair - http://www.iheartnoho.com/vegan-street-fair-brings-twice-the-deliciousness-this-year/ Food Network Star's Kevin Roberts - http://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/food-network-star/contestants/kevin-roberts/bio.html SUBSCRIBE!!! - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Cuethecritic The Burger Crawl - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Dju8d3K4jm2KnmuRSV7QsX3bkWHxbTZ https://www.instagram.com/cuethecritic | https://fb.me/cuethecritic Find me all over the web: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CuetheCritic Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+CuetheCritic Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/CuetheCritic Tumblr - https://www.cuethecritic.tumblr.com/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/cuethecritic Vine - https://www.vine.co/cuethecritic Cue the Critic: Food stories, Food Reviews, The Burger Crawl, Food-based events, Food Photography, Writer & "Cue the Critic" Quincy Freeman. https://cuethecritic.com http://www.youtube.com/cuethecritic Send all burger recommendations, and/or food marketing/business inquiries to: cue@cuethecritic.com

I have been going to Slater's 50/50 for about 3 years now, and the Pizza Burger has held the crown as my favorite burger within the chain. On today's episode of The Burger Crawl, I truly love and enjoy April 2016's Burger at Slater's. SUBSCRIBE!!! - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Cuethecritic The Burger Crawl - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Dju8d3K4jm2KnmuRSV7QsX3bkWHxbTZ https://www.instagram.com/cuethecritic | https://fb.me/cuethecritic Slater's 50/50 61 North Raymond Ave. Pasadena, CA 91103 (626) 765-9700 http://www.slaters5050.com Find me all over the web: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CuetheCritic Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+CuetheCritic Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/CuetheCritic Tumblr - https://www.cuethecritic.tumblr.com/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/cuethecritic Vine - https://www.vine.co/cuethecritic Cue the Critic: Food stories, Food Reviews, The Burger Crawl, Food-based events, Food Photography, Writer & "Cue the Critic" Quincy Freeman. https://cuethecritic.com http://www.youtube.com/cuethecritic Send all burger recommendations, and/or food marketing/business inquiries to: cue@cuethecritic.com

I really put forth a good attempt to make it to Shake Shack's West Hollywood, CA opening, but it was late, and the line was ridiculously long. I was hungry, and if you need more excuses I can come up with them later. KHA Entertainment's Billy and I decided to find food elsewhere. We made our way to the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, CA where there is a Steak N Shake. Due to misinformation from Billy, I thought Steak N Shake was somehow related but he was completely wrong. Aside from a similar name, the two chains have nothing to do with each other. Steak N Shake is a delicious burger. The bacon could have been better but that just may be me being picky. I hope you enjoy this week's episode of The Burger Crawl. SUBSCRIBE!!! - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Cuethecritic The Burger Crawl - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Dju8d3K4jm2KnmuRSV7QsX3bkWHxbTZ https://www.instagram.com/cuethecritic | https://fb.me/cuethecritic Steak N Shake 1455 3rd Street Promenade Santa Monica, CA 90401 310-260-1516 http://www.steaknshake.com Hours: Mon - Thu: 10:00am - 11:00pm Fri - Sat: 10:00am - Midnight Sun: 10:00am - 11:00pm Find me all over the web: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CuetheCritic Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+CuetheCritic Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/CuetheCritic Tumblr - https://www.cuethecritic.tumblr.com/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/cuethecritic Vine - https://www.vine.co/cuethecritic Cue the Critic: Food stories, Food Reviews, The Burger Crawl, Food-based events, Food Photography, Writer & "Cue the Critic" Quincy Freeman. https://cuethecritic.com http://www.youtube.com/cuethecritic Send all burger recommendations, and/or food marketing/business inquiries to: cue@cuethecritic.com

No fluff, no frills at Burger Lords. Just a simple, and well executed burger. SUBSCRIBE!!! - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Cuethecritic The Burger Crawl - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Dju8d3K4jm2KnmuRSV7QsX3bkWHxbTZ https://www.instagram.com/cuethecritic | https://fb.me/cuethecritic Burger Lords 943 North Broadway #102, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (323) 405-4012 http://www.burgerlords.com/ Sunday - Thursday: 11:00AM - 9:00PM Friday & Saturday: 11:00AM - 10:00PM Find me all over the web: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CuetheCritic Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+CuetheCritic Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/CuetheCritic Tumblr - https://www.cuethecritic.tumblr.com/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/cuethecritic Vine - https://www.vine.co/cuethecritic Cue the Critic: Food stories, Food Reviews, The Burger Crawl, Food-based events, Food Photography, Writer & "Cue the Critic" Quincy Freeman. https://cuethecritic.com http://www.youtube.com/cuethecritic Send all burger recommendations, and/or food marketing/business inquiries to: cue@cuethecritic.com

Alton Brown is the food mad scientist. He does things with food in such an way that it simply blows your mind when you eat it. As he joins the ranks of other chefs, musicians, and actors, like José Andres, Mindy Kaling, and The Black Eyes, who have created their own limited-time burgers for Umami Burger's Art Series, The Alton Burger is no exception. The Alton Burger is a southern honoring to breakfast on a bun. It is available at all Umami Burger locations, nationwide, through 24 April 2016. SUBSCRIBE!!! - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Cuethecritic The Burger Crawl - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Dju8d3K4jm2KnmuRSV7QsX3bkWHxbTZ https://www.instagram.com/cuethecritic | https://fb.me/cuethecritic Umami Burger Grove 189 The Grove Drive Suite C-10 Los Angeles, CA 90036 http://www.umamiburger.com Find me all over the web: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CuetheCritic Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+CuetheCritic Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/CuetheCritic Tumblr - https://www.cuethecritic.tumblr.com/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/cuethecritic Vine - https://www.vine.co/cuethecritic Cue the Critic: Food stories, Food Reviews, The Burger Crawl, Food-based events, Food Photography, Writer & "Cue the Critic" Quincy Freeman. https://cuethecritic.com http://www.youtube.com/cuethecritic Send all burger recommendations, and/or food marketing/business inquiries to: cue@cuethecritic.com

My friend, Dorian Hill, and I have been trying to figure out how to start his YouTube channel for just about a year. About a week or so ago, we finally got together and filmed my first [official] interview on YouTube, and his first YouTube video. In this collaboration, we decided to go to Fresh & Meaty, a local burger joint on the Los Angeles/Inglewood border. Fresh & Meaty is one of South Central's quintessential burger places. It is simple, down-home goodness that is cherished by the community that surrounds it. I am glad that Dorian and I chose such a filling and delicious plate to wrap up our filming. To view the interview please give Dorian's channel by clicking the links below. Please be sure to give him a subscribe. Appreciate, Ep. 1 (presented by Dorian Hill) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_aG6KLPyDY SUBSCRIBE!!! - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Cuethecritic The Burger Crawl - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Dju8d3K4jm2KnmuRSV7QsX3bkWHxbTZ https://www.instagram.com/cuethecritic | https://fb.me/cuethecritic Fresh & Meaty Burger 3016 W Florence Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 751-2247 Find me all over the web: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CuetheCritic Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+CuetheCritic Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/CuetheCritic Tumblr - https://www.cuethecritic.tumblr.com/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/cuethecritic Vine - https://www.vine.co/cuethecritic Cue the Critic: Food stories, Food Reviews, The Burger Crawl, Food-based events, Food Photography, Writer & "Cue the Critic" Quincy Freeman. https://cuethecritic.com http://www.youtube.com/cuethecritic Send all burger recommendations, and/or food marketing/business inquiries to: cue@cuethecritic.com

I am almost ready to reliant my war on Slater's 50/50, and their ability to produce an Asian-fusion burger. In 2014 I wrote a blog post stating publicly and unapologetically that this style of burger was the Achilles's heel of the chef at that time. However, since then I have had two amazing Asian-fusion burgers. The Burger of the month for March 2016 at Slater's 50/50 is the Pork Bahn Mi Burger. It features an Asian-spiced pork patty, romaine lettuce, pickled carrots, jalapeno, and daikons, fried kimchee, Gochujang Mayo, and teriyaki pork belly; all on a french bun. SUBSCRIBE!!! - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=Cuethecritic The Burger Crawl - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Dju8d3K4jm2KnmuRSV7QsX3bkWHxbTZ https://www.instagram.com/cuethecritic | https://fb.me/cuethecritic Slater's 50/50 61 Raymond Ave. Los Angeles, CA 91103 http://www.slaters5050.com Find me all over the web: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CuetheCritic Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+CuetheCritic Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/CuetheCritic Tumblr - https://www.cuethecritic.tumblr.com/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/cuethecritic Vine - https://www.vine.co/cuethecritic Cue the Critic: Food stories, Food Reviews, The Burger Crawl, Food-based events, Food Photography, Writer & "Cue the Critic" Quincy Freeman. https://cuethecritic.com http://www.youtube.com/cuethecritic Send all burger recommendations, and/or food marketing/business inquiries to: cue@cuethecritic.com