Father's Office

"Do not trust anyone who says Father’s Office is overrated. Or that the “No Substitutions” rule makes it terrible. Those people are liars. With a solid list of craft beers and fantastic drinking food, the original location of Father's Office is a true gastropub—before that word was overused into oblivion. The tiny, dimly-lit bar on Montana Ave. operates out of a space that’s been around since the 1950s and churns out what is easily one of the best burgers in town. First dates and out-of-town friends will always like it here, we promise." - brant cox, sylvio martins, arden shore, cathy park

"No burger in the city has caused more friendship implosions, breakups, and multi-generational family disputes than the one at Father’s Office—especially when it comes to the infamous “no ketchup” policy. But we’ll track this classic down any time we’re near one of their several locations. Topped with caramelized onions, gruyere and Maytag blue cheese, bacon compote, and arugula, this is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and tangy. Some could argue that it’s actually just a sandwich—and they might be right - but couldn’t you argue any burger is just a sandwich? Rest, set, fight!" - brant cox, sylvio martins, nikko duren, garrett snyder

"Does Father’s Office have one of the best (and most divisive) burgers in LA? You better believe it, and the bar’s not bad, either. Admittedly pretty cramped during peak hours, the original location on Montana is a small, but nonetheless fantastic, place to drink beer on a Saturday afternoon. The rotating craft beer list is solid, and the ambiance is fun but still relaxed, which is what we want from an evening in Santa Monica. " - brant cox, sylvio martins, nikko duren

"Continue your carb-themed night by heading down to Father’s Office for beer. This tiny, wood-paneled bar is the only place that’s open within a few blocks’ radius, but you’re not going here because it’s your only option. Father’s Office has about a million beers on draft and more in bottles, the place is always crowded, and once you’re inside you’ll completely forget that you’re next to a place that sells socks for $80." - jess basser sanders, amy clark, brant cox

"You probably know the Father’s Office burger. But you might not know about their laid-back Arts District location—it's three times the size of the original space in Santa Monica and perfect for a post-work group gathering. The dining room looks like a massive log cabin with a sloped wooden ceiling and leather stools lining the bar. Beer, wine, and cocktails take up the majority of the menu, so expect to show your ID at the door. Along with their now-iconic burger with caramelized onion and blue cheese, there’s dishes like fancy tater tots and duck confit salad to snack on. They don’t take reservations, but we’ve never had a problem getting a last-minute table here with a crew at primetime." - Nikko Duren