For The Win

Hamburger restaurant · Alhambra

For The Win

Hamburger restaurant · Alhambra

1

19 E Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801

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Highlights

Amazing smash burgers, crispy fries, and Brussels sprouts  

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19 E Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801 Get directions

forthewinla.com
@forthewinla

$10–20 · Menu

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19 E Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801 Get directions

+1 626 593 1764
forthewinla.com
@forthewinla

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Sep 15, 2025

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@eater

San Diego’s Popular White Rice Filipino Restaurant Opens in Montebello | Eater LA

"Known for smash burgers, For The Win started cranking out its burgers in the BLVD MRKT space in late May; I was told founder Barney Santos pursued them because they hit the right notes for the market—obsessing over food and operations as much as branding—and the operator has been expanding across Southern California with new locations in Hollywood and Alhambra. For The Win at BLVD MRKT is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m." - Mona Holmes

https://la.eater.com/2024/10/9/24265647/white-rice-filipino-restaurant-for-the-win-smashburgers-opening-blvd-mrkt-montebello-los-angeles
View Postcard for For The Win

JASMINE LIN

Google
Great smash burger and fries! The fries are a bit too salty though. The burger tastes really good and the size is perfect for one person. There are two staff and they are genuinely nice and polite. Not much people during 4 p.m. at the weekdays.

Amy Vu

Google
This place was such a let down. We always went to the Glendale location and were always blown by their smash burgers. I found out that there is another location in Alhambra that is closer to us so we were excited but we were disappointed. The burgers are no way worth the money here. I’ll be waiting for In n Out to open again. Also they need more staff because we were waiting for 5-10 minutes while no one was at the register, just to order some drinks.

Steph Couvrette

Google
Delicious smash burger. I absolutely love the lace that develops on the edges of the patties. We got a double hamburger with jalapenos and a double cheese burger and both enjoyed them. I loved the size of the burger and the ton of jalapenos they put on. The Brussels sprouts are a little pricey but that's because they give you a HUGE amount. They are very good and crispy, with a nice tart sauce. However, I would rather have fewer for a lower price. The fries are just okay. Standard shoestring fry. You order from a computer and they call out your name. It's fairly efficient. There's not a ton of seating inside. Maybe enough for 16? There are a few tables outside. Overall, great burger but it'll obviously run you more than In-N-Out.

Garrett Wollard

Google
It's right next to the movie theater. You have to park in the theater parking structure and walk over. This place was ok. Pretty expensive for a burger fries and a beer. Cost me $35. Smash burger was good but not mind blowing. Also the sauce being like $1.50 is a total rip off. Good but way overpriced.

Josie Sabbath

Google
Seats were not comfy and the price was high but it’s okay to try once in awhile . The French fries were really good ! Fresh and crispy salted great ! Milkshake was delicious i think id go just for the fries and milkshake fr! Burger was good but i think id rather go for In N out lol . My BF took my for valentines to try something different and it was delicious. Brussels sprouts were alittle on the salty side but good ! Added two strips of bacon was almost 2 bucks and did not taste fresh like the burger was precooked .

Wilson Wong

Google
The food was just OK. The burger was good, but the sweet potato fries were overcooked. Some of them had that burned bitter taste. Also, for a new restaurant there were broken things. Couldn't get a receipt because their printer was down. One of their restroom was out of order. Their disinfectant dispenser was not working during our visit.

Kaveh Ghazi

Google
Amazing smash burgers, slightly overpriced. Standard fast-casual eatery service and atmosphere. Location was clean!

Randy Taylor

Google
Had no clue FTW was near my pad! Super excited about this as I've beat up the Hollywood and Glendale locations for years! Just stumbled onto Montebello location in Blvd Mkt a few weeks ago and now the Alhambra location (took over Grill Em All spot) a few min from me! Always great burger (crispy edges) and fries (remind me of the old school beef fat Mcd's fries), I'm simple and no frills and they do a great a job. Keith was the man (handlebar mustache) was friendly, cool peeps. Def coming back, open 'til 10pm movie goers; WON'T be disappointed!!! RT
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Hacelle R.

Yelp
We ordered an order of Sweet potato fries, French fries and 2 cheeseburgers with lettuce and tomatoes. First off, the interior was very clean and spacious. We did not wait long for the food once we ordered from the kiosk. The staff members personally served our food to the table. The French fries were akin to McDonalds French fries minus the cardboard paper bag taste. It was nice and perfectly crispy. It kinda tastes like a Lays potato chip so that in itself was quite interesting. The sweet potato fries were pretty good as well. If I were to probably make a suggestion, probably would opt for a sugar coating instead of salt. The burgers, consisted of this nice butter soft brioche bun with a grilled onion smash burger. The highlight of the burger and honestly what stood out to me the most was the sauce they put in the burger. I have no idea what sauce it is but it is absolutely DELICIOUS. They sell the sauce on the side. This place is definitely worth trying! Thank you for the wonderful service and the delicious food we will come back and try the other stuff on the menu.
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Austin B.

Yelp
tl;dr the excellent, McDonald's-esque fries can't make up for the average smashburger; the expensive food isn't worth the premium Following the COVID-era smashburger trend, For the Win is a pandemic-borne pop-up from the mind of former fine-dining chef Santos Uy. Originally operating out of his Bib Gourmand-designated Papilles Bistro, FTW has since established multiple dedicated brick-and-mortar locations across Greater Los Angeles. While many burger aficionados lament that the quality has declined with the expansion, FTW remains routinely ranked among LA's top smashburgers. The relatively recent Alhambra outpost is located by the movie theater at the busy intersection of Garfield and Main. The interior decoration is pretty barebones. The concrete floors are polished, and the whitewashed walls have only orange-and-blue, FTW-specific decals. Up front, a handful of wooden tables are pressed up against a teal-upholstered booth. Further back, a diner-style counter peers directly into the open kitchen. The hum of the industrial refrigerator and sizzle from the grill overpower the low din of chatter. I originally was drawn to FTW for their lunch special: a cheeseburger, fries, and a drink for $9.99. Within about 10 minutes, I was presented with a cafeteria tray of food. The piping hot cheeseburger was mostly forgettable, from the flimsy potato roll bun, to the handful of snappy pickles, to the not-quite-juicy-and-not-quite-crispy patty, to FTW's overly sweet Thousand Island-adjacent fry sauce. The shoestring fries were a superior McDonald's dupe: excellently crispy, and the portion was the perfect size for sharing. The staff were friendly, and I was pleased to see my burger being cooked to order. Although I have never tried FTW during the pre-expansion days, I've confirmed during a return visit that the Alhambra location is middling as far as smash burgers go. Ultimately, the burgers are no more satisfying than a solid In-N-Out Double Double, but double the price; as such, I don't expect myself ever paying them a return visit.
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Ramon M.

Yelp
From the jump the greeting everyone working is a plus and it makes you feel welcomed and comfortable to want to eat inside the establishment, the young cashier with the tattoos on her was super awesome very friendly with great recommendation on what to order since this was my first time order any type of smash burger and let me tell you it did not disappoint one bit! I ordered the double cheeseburger no pickles (allergies) and she was very amazing hooking me up with a complimentary Mexican Dr Pepper and Order of Their Delicious and not over shooting it but I mean delicious French fries they give that nostalgic old skool 1990's can't name the spot fry taste with the oil and seasoning taste and cooked to perfection and you'll know the feeling when you bite into it and your tongue lets that taste sink I. , and the burger let me tell you that thing was like butter nice soft brioche bun patties smashed with grilled onions to perfection got that White Castle taste but way better and of course way bigger! The inside is super tidy and very clean and all the employees are keeping tiptop for all the guest and from the looks of the menu like have beverages for the big kids 21+ lol. I highly recommend it give a shot the area is chill and calm and the people here will treat with great hospitality. Food 20/10 Service 20/10 Cleanliness 20/10
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Teesha J.

Yelp
Overall experience was good. The restaurant was bright and clean. Service was good. The burger and fries on the other hand were DELICIOUS! They're deliciously seasoned smash burgers . Fries were PERFECTLY salted and crispy! On a nice day there's cute little artsy places to sit outside and enjoy the weather and art work Tasted so good we went back for seconds the next week! Definitely recommend! Pro Vecho/Bon Appetite
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Jess B.

Yelp
My husband and I tried this place out on a Saturday night. It was about 1.5 hours from closing. It's an open kitchen and they have both table and bar seating. We opted to sit at the bar and watch the cook prepare our food. Your order from a kiosk (there's two in total), which I really like. The menu is small and simple; there's only a few options for burgers and sides. My husband ordered a double cheeseburger with fries and I ordered a double cheeseburger (lettuce wrapped) with brussel sprouts. Service was standard. They weren't friendly but they weren't rude either. And our food was delivered pretty quickly after ordering. I started with the brussel sprouts and they were really salty. It was so salty that after my first bite I had to immediately down my drink. They were pretty pricey so I forced myself to eat them but paired them with the lettuce wrapped around my burger to decrease the saltiness. I had the burger next. It was good but I wasn't a fan of the sauce.
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Chris R.

Yelp
For an excellent local smash burger, go to "For The Win." The burger is crispy, juicy and very tasty! Located in Alhambra's city center, a perfect spot for a great burger! The restaurant is clean and staff are friendly! So....YESS if you want a great smash burger GO HERE! don't miss out!!!!
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Rickey S.

Yelp
TLDR: burger is tasty but seems overpriced for what it is. I'd give it a 4/5 stars overall if the double cheese burger was like $12 after tax: 5 star for the burger & 3 stars for the service. -- Came in on a Friday around 915pm. I ordered a double cheeseburger ($12.50) with tomato and lettuce added ($1) and it came out to $14.92 after taxes. The burger was good, crispy edges from the smash burger, well seasoned. The lettuce and tomato are a must to add more texture. It's just way too pricy to be $15 for a double smash burger imo. The service was mid. There were only two people in the restaurant including me. It took about 15 minutes to get my order. Maybe they were understaffed but there were only two workers but I could tell they were slammed with all the online orders coming in. The other customer who was waiting on his meal didn't get the sweet potato fries that he ordered because they made a mistake and had to wait for the sweet potato fries to be cooked (from frozen) and I ended up finishing my burger before his order was completed. Online orders weren't completed in the 15-20 minutes that I was there. After 9 pm they put the chairs up by the booth and only bar seating is available.
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Kalkidan A.

Yelp
I love getting smash burgers in Southern California because the best ones are here and this burger was definitely a win. The patty was thin, crispy, and delicious. Their burger could have used more sauce and grilled onions but besides that it was great. Fries were also nice and crispy and seasoned well. I also got the Brussels Sprouts, they were pretty good but had some very burnt pieces, still there was this delicious addictive taste about them that kept making me take another bite. The place is very casual, you order yourself at the front counter and clean up after yourself.
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Will C.

Yelp
They have an excellent smash burger here. I'd put it up against any other smash burger in L.A. I love the bun, cheese, sauce and the pickles. I also heard a few people ordering it without salt (for those of us with HBP) and heard it's still really good. I love the location, there's plenty of parking and seating. The guys working here seem really cool as well. Glad they opened a location in Alhambra!
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Derek W.

Yelp
For The Win has been on the list of places to try and finally did so. Walked in on a Sunday afternoon and noticed the place was empty. Was greeted and placed our through the cashier whom was very friendly. The food came out fairly quickly and I'll admit the burger was good but at $12.50 for a double cheeseburger with no lettuce or tomatoes and 2-3 pickles, I don't think I'll be back anytime soon. The fries and sweet potato fries were cooked perfectly. Was disappointed they don't even offer tap water so if you want a drink, it'll be $1.75 for a bottle of water or $2.75 for a can of soda.
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Julia K.

Yelp
My husband and I came here for a quick bite after discovering it about a year ago near our favorite local movie theater. There's plenty of parking behind the former Rite Aid or the theater structure. We ordered two single cheeseburgers, they do them smash Burger style here, and a side of sweet potato fries. Everything was fresh and delicious. Sad to see it was a pretty slow night for the restaurant as we have seen businesses come and go from this place over the years and it would be a shame to see this place go too. If you're in the area, stop by and get some bomb burgers, the fry sauce doesn't disappoint either!
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Hannah B.

Yelp
A great spot for tasty smash burgers. I tried their Cheeseburger and the Chicken Sandwich. The meat patty of the Cheeseburger was flavorful and had a crispy exterior and a tender interior. The burger as a whole was delicious. The Chicken Sandwich was not bad but not amazing. I was expecting the chicken to be well fried and crispy but it was kind of soggy. It was well seasoned though. I also tried their fries which were good but pretty standard. Overall, their food is good and I'd come back mainly for their smash burgers but not much else.
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Nikki B.

Yelp
There was a time when Smash Burgers were all the rage, so Chef Santos obsession with creating the ultimate American smash burger inspired him to open For the Win. I don't eat meat and never had a smash burger, so I don't understand the hype. I met up with a friend here. I was just going to order fries but the nice guy working behind the counter heard me mention that I don't eat meat and said that they could make me a grilled cheese. It was a nice gesture, so I ordered one with a side of sweet potato fries. My friend got the smash burger with cheese along with a side of sweet potato fries. The serving size was very generous. We could have shared one order. They were so good, especially when dipped in the Fry Sauce. The grilled cheese was basic. A few slices of American cheese on an inverted potato bun. The bread was exceptionally soft and had a chewy texture. Unfortunately, the cheese wasn't fully melted, so I took it home and cooked it some more in a pan until it was. It was much better. My friend enjoyed the smash burger. This place is spacious with counter seating and some tables along the wall. The music was enjoyable, and there is a free parking structure behind the movie theatre.
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Judy G.

Yelp
Great smash burgers! We ordered to go at the self service kiosk and the wait took a while. We ordered a regular smash burgers, a grilled cheese and 2 double cheese burgers. I had to eat their fries on the way home and it's so good and a great portion. Price is on the pricier side but the place is clean and free parking at the structure. This was my first time trying FTW.
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Rose F.

Yelp
I was in the area and remembered my prior visit and meal, so I decided to stop for a smash burger. You can order online for pickup or dine in. My food was ready when I arrived. It's a basic menu of burgers and fries (regular or sweet potato). I noticed this location did not list a patty melt or chicken sandwich that are available at their other locations. They may be able to whip up a patty melt since they do offer grilled cheese and burgers. It's worth asking for if you're interested. The smash patty was handmade, cooked to perfection with grilled onions, pickles, and their secret "fry" sauce on a potato bun $8, add $1 for cheese. This is a casual burger joint, clean, ample seating indoors and outside in the courtyard. It is located in the Renaissance Plaza, next to the Edward's IMAX movie theater. They've got you covered for lunch and dinner, open 7 days a week from 11AM-10PM. Enjoy and don't forget to tell'em that Rosemary sent ya!
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Amy L.

Yelp
Just got the cheeseburger and it was pretty good. It was a little on the pricey side though but i would come again. I liked how I didnt need to ask for no tomatoes or lettuce. Seasoning was perfect and the fries were crispy and they give a hefty amount. I saw him scoop it from the bowl then poured the rest on top. Came here because we smelled something yummy when we were near the theatre. Put the order in the machine, workers call your name when it's ready and bring it to you. That's it. They dont have a soda dispenser so you'd have to buy the can or a bottle of water. Bathroom was also clean.

J ..

Yelp
The burgers and loaded fries are sooooo good. Worth the price. Strawberry shake was delicious too. Even though I'm giving 5-stars I have feedback for the team at the Alhambra location. WIPE DOWN THE FREAKING TABLES, BOOTHS, AND CHARIS!! Guys, I was in today and spent $50 on 2 doubles, a loaded fries and a shake...and I ate on filthy tables. The sun was shining though and you could just see all of the dust all over the booths and tables. It was not appetizing. Again, food was amazing and I'll be back. But you guys need to keep the seating area clean.
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Hanna Y.

Yelp
Came in at around 7pm on a weekday and it was pretty much empty. They have a few tables and bar seating. There are 2 kiosks you can order from. We got two double patties and sweet potato fries. The burgers were good but I think smash burgers just aren't my thing. Nevertheless the flavors were on point! We got fry sauce to dip the sweet potato fries. The sauce costed extra which was unfortunate. If you don't want to pay for sauce the sweet potato fries were salted so it doesn't necessarily need the sauce. I will say to at least try it once because it was a good sauce.
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Michelle T.

Yelp
I tried the burger and it was pretty good. The fries were fresh and we added bacon to our order. It is one of the few smash burgers in the area. Utensils are available for you to grab and use. Restrooms are available.
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Jonathan T.

Yelp
For the win was a decent burger with healthy portions of sides. The smash burger was nice and crispy in mini size. The fries were big servings with sweet potato fries as my favorite. Service was good, we were helped fairly quickly with our food coming out just as fast. The ambiance was bright and clean. It's quite a spacious area with seating along the wall. Overall 4/5 stars because the prices are higher than usual. We wanted to try brussel sprouts but the $8 did not seem like a good deal.
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Magda N.

Yelp
We got single cheeseburger. It was delicious. Proper smash burger. At $9 though? Not worth it. Way too small. Fries is like mcd style but crispier. We had finished the burger by the time fries came out. Staff was nice but... we asked how big is the fries, and she told us to basically look at the picture, as they were true to size. They weren't. Picture looked way smaller. 1 is probably enough for 2, considering the size of the burger (unless you're trying to fill up). The condiments are all packets and self serve. Some are sticky. The booths looked a bit dusty next to the sunny glass door, even though we were came a little after 11 (they open at 11). They took over the old grill 'em all. It's now more of a quick serve. No crazy decor or music like the old place. Overall burger was tasty and hopefully they survive in this tough economy.
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Miori I.

Yelp
I had heard a lot of good things about For The Win. The Alhambra location replaced our absolute favorite restaurant for burgs (Grill Em All) so For The Win needed to be exceptional to win me over. Sadly, not that impressed. They really didn't change anything about the space except the paint and made it extremely minimal. They could have configured things better to allow for additional seating. There is limited indoor seating and zero outdoor seating. This screams take out only. We've tried it twice now. Once during their first couple weeks and the second time on National Burger Day. They had a $2 per burger deal that we couldn't pass up. The burgers are smash burgers..which I love. They certainly weren't the best. Overpriced for how small they are. Not a fan of them charging extra for smallest bits of lettuce and tomato. Brussels were over fried. Regular fries and sweet potato fries were a little soggy. Service was semi-friendly. No smile or greeting but they weren't rude. You can order at the counter with a person on the kiosk/tablet also located at the counter. Overall, the food was just ok. Maybe it's just this location but I don't see myself coming often or even when I'm craving a burger. Makes me miss Grill Em All even more!
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Hock Seng Z.

Yelp
When I first looked at it, it has a pretty normal exterior. When I ordered the food, the server was very nice. I ordered the triple cheeseburger meal with diet coke for drink and fries on the side! When i took my first bite, I was astonished. It tasted really well. However, it was on the pricier end. I will definitely be back for it again
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Aja M.

Yelp
Stopped in for a quick snack while picking up dinner. It was super easy to place an order through the kiosk and didn't wait long before we had a freshly made smashburger. Since we went at kind of an odd time, the place was practically empty but it could easily accommodate a large crowd. We just ordered a simple cheese burger with no sides or add-ons (the perfect snack!). It came out super hot and had those delicious smashburger crispy edges. A nice thin patty that melted in perfectly with the cheese but stayed juicy. Not dry at all! I would absolutely visit again but if I wanted one of these for a full meal I would likely get sides and add-ons as well! Overall, a great experience and I'm glad we stopped in!

Quang K.

Yelp
Automatic kitchen charge. Wtf At least disclose. Not too happy. Decent burger. Pricey.
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Grace C.

Yelp
Really yummy simple smash burgers! The potato fries are also super delicious--perfectly salted and crispy. Staff are all extremely kind and informative. Knocked down a star because a triple cheeseburger is $16 without any additional toppings. That's honestly just too expensive, especially with in-n-out just down the street. Abundant free parking behind the plaza next to the theater.
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Denise R.

Yelp
(IG @foodwithdeni) Finally tried the iconic @forthewinla for their smashburgers! We ordered the double patty cheeseburger & single patty hamburger sauce on the side + both with jalapeños and paired it with the CRISPIEST fries + Mexican coke *Plenty of seating inside & Parking structure available *They have multiple locations in LA so be sure to check it out!
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Kathy M.

Yelp
The location is very easy to find, but every time I pass by, I'm not sure if they're open or not. Both regular and sweet potato fries were salty. We didnt order the brusselsprouts, but $9 for an order seemed a little steep for us. The burgers didn't have any sauce inside. The bacon was over cooked, and really hard to bite into. The shake was okay. The prices of everything is a la carte and the beverages are sold by the bottle or by the can depending on what you're ordering. They even charge you for pickles, jalapeños, ranch, and other sauces. Your basic ketchup/mayo/mustard was available on the side for free. The service we received wasn't bad but wasn't great either. We've never been here and we asked how it worked. They just told us scroll through the menu. The ambiance is casual and quiet. No TV to keep guests entertained as they wait for their food. when our order came up, they didn't bring it to us, we went to go pick it up at the counter. I won't be coming back because the price doesn't justify the flavor of the food as well as the quality and experience of the restaurant.
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Flora W.

Yelp
For the Win in Alhambra serves up a winning combo of smashburgers and crispy fries that hit the mark - every bite feels like a victory - an all-around great spot! I stopped by with a friend, and let me tell you - It's exactly the kind of burger spot you dream about! We grabbed seats at the bar, which gave us the perfect view of the open kitchen, where you can see the awesome team members making your burger! I ordered the Hamburger with everything - tomato, onions, pickles, and sauce (because that's how a burger should be). The beef patty was smashed to perfection, giving it the classic crispy edge and carmelized flavor a smashburger is known for. The fries were golden and thin-cut, just as promised, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. A classic pairing that just makes your whole day better. The overall experience was great, from the food to the friendly team members, I had a wonderful time. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a chill spot with seriously good burgers!
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Channing J.

Yelp
There was a ton of hype surrounding the opening of For The Win since the OG location had such good reviews and it brought up my expectations. I was a bit disappointed since I walked in and found that quite a few of the tables looked like they hadn't been cleaned up and the prices were quite high for what you get. It was quiet in the restaurant aside from the workers who were all talking to each other since the place was empty at the time when I went. I only ordered a cheeseburger and that alone came out to $10. The burger itself was decent but wasn't anything special. I'd say you're better off getting a double double with fries at in n out for around the same price. Grill em all will be missed.
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Jon Z.

Yelp
This is one of the most popular smashburgers on social media and what not, so we stopped by on our SoCal trip. Unfortunately I wasn't really blown away or impressed much honestly. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't anything special in my opinion. I'd be interested in trying other smashburgers in the area before coming back here to be honest. I did like the sweet potato fries though. Crispy and salty, very good. Again though, not bad but not amazing either.
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Emily L.

Yelp
Good burger but overpriced IMO. Everything in my tray photo cost $60. A single smash burger is about $10 and if you added lettuce, tomatoes, jalepenos, and bacon, everything is an additional charge. I probably wouldn't add any of it next time bc it was only ok and the bacon was old. Probably fried a while ago. The fries were fine, nothing special. We got two extra sauces and those were good. I liked the mustard one more. The burger itself is good, lots of caramelized flavor. Im glad I came to try it but don't think it's worth that much.
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Karen K.

Yelp
Is FTW bad? No. But did my experience compare to the experience I got at Grill 'em All before For The Win took over their spot? No. Grill 'em All was amazing with creative delicious, large burgers. They had a memorable concept. They were one of the most stand out areas to eat in the Alhambra area. For The Win however is just average. It doesn't taste as good nor is it as satisfying for your tummy or wallet as In N Out. There are no soft serve drinks, which is inconvienient. The inside looks minimalistic, and without any patrons, very cold. The food leaves you dehydrated from the saltiness. The chicken sandwich was okay, but not the bedt ever. The fries were actually pretty interesting. They have a satisfying chew to them. I found them kind of addicting. Overall, considering how hungry I still was, and how even my 5 year old was still hungry after eating a sandwich, fries, and some milkshake, I would choose In n Out over this place. If I go back, it will be for convienience, probably. It's not busy, and ordering is easy.
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Phoua T.

Yelp
Upon arriving, the staff greeted us in, and the self ordering kiosk was present. They have a total of 3 kiosk to.order your food. The store ws nice and clean. Theres plenty of tables and a bar to sit at. The pruce of the burgers was cheap but expensive at the same time. To add things..such a slettuce and tomatoes was extra. You would expect lettuce and tomatoes to be on the burger, but no.It'ss literally the patty, buns,the sauce, and pickles. Overall, the food was good for trying it out for the first time.
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Fiona C.

Yelp
Brussels sprouts were super lemony so if you like that then you'll like these! The smash burgers were very normal not anything amazing. I did rate lower because they don't have free water cups, they make you buy bottled water. Other than that just a basic burger joint nothing amazing and overpriced.
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Taylor Y.

Yelp
These burgers are my favorite and are better quality and value than Shake Shack by far. I have been going to the newly opened location in Alhambra, but been to the one in Hollywood as well. In my opinion, I think the Alhambra location gives more meat and the burgers are bigger in general. In addition, the Alhambra location has a lot more space and wiggle room to move around, whereas the one in Hollywood feels a bit cramped and is a lot smaller. The staff in Alhambra are not the friendliest but honestly I just come for the burgers and it doesn't really bother me. The meat patties themselves are juicy, not dry at all, and have a lot of flavor especially with their house made sauce. It's similar to In n Out's spread. The patties are thin and I usually get a double if I'm very hungry. The bun is a potato bun, so it's nice and soft without getting soggy or wet. The burger also comes with pickles, grilled onion, and you can add cheese and other toppings for an extra charge. The star of the show is the sweet potato fries. These are the best fries I've had. They taste like they are double fried and extremely crunchy. The sweetness balances out with the saltiness and is the best side to accompany the burgers. I favor burgers that are thinner rather than thicker, so if you prefer this type of burger I definitely recommend! Although, these burgers are veryyy expensive. I believe they are the same price as Shake Shack or more. My total usually comes out to be $36 dollars for 2 burgers and fries. If you are trying to get a cheaper meal, this is not the place, but you can definitely taste the quality of the burger.
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Andy T.

Yelp
It was my first time giving For The Win a try. I went around 5:30 pm on a weekday to pickup an order from a delivery app. There is a parking lot in the back, but it has limited spots, as it's also shared with surrounding businesses. The pickup process was straightforward and everything was bagged and ready. I ordered the cheeseburger with a side of sweet potato fries. The sweet potato fries were sweet, but it's soft not crispy. There was a large quantity of fries; that was probably the highlight of the order. When it came to the cheeseburger, it was very average. While the patty was crispy, the bun was very soft and didn't soak up the juices well. It was a bit soggy. Personally, I didn't think it was worth the price.
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Kristy L.

Yelp
A little disorganized but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt because they are still new. The service just seemed like they were struggling to get orders to customers. They have a self order kiosk as well as a teller. We went to the self kiosk, ordered, and put our names down. After 10 minutes, an order was given to pair of customers to which they opened and examined it. They then realized it was not theirs and brought it back to the cashier. She stood there and looked at me sitting I guess hoping if I'd notice her. I hear her go "I think this is theirs" as we made eye contact so I walked up to her. I grabbed the tray and went back to the table only to realize that it also was not mine. I guess the tickets that get sent to the kitchen doesn't tell you whose order it is which is weird to me. We finally received our food after another 5 to 10 minutes and thankfully it was correct. Onto the food: - Burgers: cold and probably the size of my palm. For the price we paid, it was kind of disappointing. We also had to pay extra for vegetables which is kind of crazy. The price is no fault of the store itself because I'm fully aware that this place is now becoming a chain. However, I can't get over the fact that it seemed like our burgers had been sitting out for a while. The bun was mushy and patty thoroughly chilled. - Fries: also cold and only half filled. Didn't want to get a side of their sauce because the price was a little more than what I bargained for especially for smash burgers where the patty is thin anyways. Overall, I'd probably come back in maybe a year after they establish a system that works and when I see reviews getting better. My visit can be summed up in the following words: cold and kind of sad. There's parking in the back but it's kind of small and shared with an Albertsons I think? If not, Edward's has a parking lot that's a little of a walk but not too damning.
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Josephine C.

Yelp
In a Wednesday afternoon in January, I came with hubby to have lunch here. There was 3 groups eating for lunch when I came in. The menu is basic. I ordered from the tablet of cheeseburger smashed burger with crispy fries and soda can. I didn't wait too long for the food. The cheeseburger was really smashed as described and it burned edges which tastes good. They fried the fries crispy and seasoned very well. I parked in the movie theater parking. I hope they get more business.
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Tiffany N.

Yelp
I really wanted to like this place but it just didn't cut it for me. Maybe I'll try a different location & see how it goes. I know this location recently opened so maybe they haven't gotten everything together but it was kind of hard to find. They don't really have signage or any decor really. We walked in around 6pm & wasn't really greeted. A bunch of kids at the counter talking to each other and not really minding their customers. We ordered 2 double smash burgers, a hamburger for our toddler & 2 fries. Oh & 2 drinks. Salty is the only word I can really think of to say. It was like ordering salty grease with a side of burger. They need to work on their system when the food is ready. One girl would call the name while another girl would call the number. Bunch of customers confused and the wait time was pretty crazy. Now I do understand that it's new so maybe it's just a hiccup so that's why I'm being a little gracious with my rating
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Jessica W.

Yelp
I was so excited to have For The Win burgers in Alhambra. Now I can get this just less than 10 minutes away from me! My go-to order here is the double cheese burger and fries. And we decided to try the chicken sandwich also. Their burgers are the best, in my opinion. I love how flat the patties are and a slight crunch on the outer edge. And their buns are so soft and my favorite type of buns. As for the chicken sandwich, it was okay but not the best. It is very basic fried chicken in the same buns as the burgers. A plus is that the chicken wasn't dry. Overall great smash burger! It is on the pricey side but the quality is there. Definitely give it a try.
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Janine M.

Yelp
Burger is good, but if you're looking for the works like lettuce and tomato- you won't find it here. Fries feel like hospital cafeteria quality with extra salt. Paying $4.50 for a small mexicoke (when I could have spent half of that for the half liter little) hurt my soul. Decor was nothing to be excited about. Staff was friendly but not like In N Out friendly. Parking at this one can be hit or miss since you have the structure behind the movie theater. This is where the old Grill 'Em All used to be. For a $24 meal, I don't think I'd return but wanted to try it out to see what the hype was about.
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Vickie V.

Yelp
Today was the grand opening of FTW's Alhambra location and they were giving away 300 burgers. My goal was to go when the promotion ended to avoid the lines/wait time. Well, the line was gone by the time I got there but many people were still waiting on their orders. Somehow, I still made the cut and got a free burger even though I made it to the front at 1 p.m. The overall wait, however, was a little over an hour. This is to be expected as it was their grand opening. Anyways, if you have ever had a smash burger from this place you know their burgers are elite. The fry sauce ($1.25) that you must order with your fries is the star of the show (see my review for the Glendale location). I cannot stress how lucky we are to finally get a location so close to home. Get your burger on, people - you will not be disappointed! Parking is super easy as there is a parking structure next to the plaza the restaurant is in. There is a decent sized dining area unlike the Glendale location. I took mine to go and my food was still warm when I arrived (10 min drive). The hostess from the Glendale location, who is an absolute doll, has transferred to this location so you can all expect excellent service from this girlie.
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Lynn L.

Yelp
Burger tour: For the Win is number one on our burger tour - just not this location. I was SUPER excited when I saw that one popped up in Alhambra. No longer have to drive to Glendale. However - this location seems to hit the mark. The service isn't great. Staff doesnt seem very personable to care to speak to clients. Still gave it a four bc I still love their smash burger. But staff really leaves a bad taste. I would also just stick with the burger and fries.
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Stephanie H.

Yelp
I've had For The Win on my list of places to go for a while now. I was planning to go to the Glendale location and saw Alhambra was closer. The cashier said they just opened this location 2 weeks ago. My friend and I went around 12pm on a Thursday and there were only a handful of people inside. I ordered a double cheeseburger with jalapeños, lettuce and bacon with a side of fries and bottle of water. I would give the burger and fries a 10/10! Flavorful, fresh and filling! The jalapeños really took the burger to the next level. My only suggestion is to offer fountain drinks instead of only bottled drinks.
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Benson K.

Yelp
I haven't had smash burgers in quite a while. I saw that the For The Win chain was making waves across the LA burger scene, and finally it opened up a chain in Alhambra, whereas Grill Em All moved to Long Beach. So I decided to come to FTW to give it a try. Like Grill Em All, it's a fairly small establishment, but the staff were nice. There were self ordering kiosks up front. I ended up ordering a single hamburger to go. The sauce was nice, the bun was not too bad, and the onions were grilled which I love. The beef itself was a bit dry, which can always be a risk when eating smash burgers. I would've preferred a juicier patty myself, but overall the burger was decent.
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S. L.

Yelp
The prices here are wild. I was craving a smash burger for lunch so I found this place on Yelp. Was debating between here and south pas smash, but didn't want to wait until dinner. Ended up spending over 30 bucks for one burger, one drink, and 2 fries (they charge for every and all toppings). No water cups are offered at all. And I left feeling quite unsatisfied with my burger. I like my smash burger with nice bites of salt, crispy edges but this felt like they used alot of garlic powder and the meat was dry instead or crisp?? I know smash burgers aren't supposed to be juicy but i feel like there a difference between crispy and dry). Lettuce tasted sad for something I paid 50 cents for. Overall I left not feeling my cravings satisfied. The one staff was friendly but everyone else was just there. Fries were nice and crispy. Plenty of seating, overall would not go again sadly. I ended up having to go to south pas smash anyways to satisfy my cravings which will be a different review.
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Franklin M.

Yelp
This was once my burger hangout when Grill em All was here. I love smash burgers so I had to try it out. The interior is boring and doesn't have a welcoming feel to it. I tried to order on the self order screen and it was confusing and there was no help from the workers. The cheeseburger with fries ended up being pretty good but a bit pricey.
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Frederic H.

Yelp
Took my boy here to try the place since it was highly recommended by a friend. I am not a fan of those overcooked smashed patties...Place is pretty cold. You get to order thru the computer to cut labor. Sure, why not. Here goes $40. There are beers, another $8. Then, my son walk up and ask for water. The staff member informed him that if he wants water, he has to buy it. This is directive from the owner. Mister owner, that is some pretty lame thinking here. If we make the effort to come to your place, a glass of tap water is not going to kill you! Food is tasty but pretty small portions...I don't see a strong reason to be back.