For The Win

Hamburger restaurant · Downtown Los Angeles

For The Win

Hamburger restaurant · Downtown Los Angeles

4

317 S Broadway B10, Los Angeles, CA 90013

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Highlights

Smashed-patty burgers with crispy edges, cheese and sauce  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

317 S Broadway B10, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Get directions

forthewinla.com
@forthewinla

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

317 S Broadway B10, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Get directions

+1 213 278 0399
forthewinla.com
@forthewinla

$10–20 · Menu

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reservations

Last updated

Aug 18, 2025

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@infatuation

The Best Restaurants For Lunch In Downtown LA - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"There are so many smashburger spots in LA that we felt compelled to rank them, but if you’re going to have one, you might as well (spoiler alert) eat the best one. For The Win’s gooey cheeseburgers with crisp, lacy edges are our favorites, and their stall inside the Grand Central Market has an L-shaped bar counter where you can grab a stool and eat a double stack at its best: straight off the grill." - brant cox, sylvio martins, cathy park

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/the-downtown-la-lunch-guide
View Postcard for For The Win
@infatuation

The 18 Best Restaurants At Grand Central Market - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Smashburger aficionados might already know about For the Win. This casual mini-chain already has three other locations across LA, specializing in stacked smashburgers. For a gooey cheeseburger with crispy, lacy edges, their stall at GCM should be at the top of your priority list. The meat is beefy and tastes freshly ground, with a melted cheese-to-potato bun ratio that’s perfectly balanced. We usually order the double stack, which is surprisingly light, with jalapeños and bacon, plus their slightly spicy fry sauce. They always taste best straight off the grill, so grab a stool at their L-shaped bar counter and eat your order as soon as possible." - Brant Cox, Nikko Duren

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/where-to-eat-at-grand-central-market
View Postcard for For The Win
@infatuation

For The Win GCM - Review - Downtown LA - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Smashburger aficionados might already know about For the Win. This casual mini-chain already has three other locations across LA, specializing in stacked smash burgers. For a gooey cheeseburger with crispy, lacy edges, their stall at GCM should be at the top of your priority list. The meat is beefy and tastes freshly ground, with a melted cheese-to-potato bun ratio that’s perfectly balanced. We usually order the double stack, which is surprisingly light, with jalapeños and bacon, plus their slightly spicy fry sauce. They always taste best straight off the grill, so grab a stool at their L-shaped bar counter and eat your order as soon as possible." - Nikko Duren

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/for-the-win-gcm
View Postcard for For The Win
@eater

Best LA Burger Spot For the Win Smashes Into Grand Central Market Soon - Eater LA

"For the Win, a popular smashburger spot, is opening a new location at the historic Grand Central Market in Downtown LA. Known for its lacy-edged, extra-saucy burgers, For the Win has been highly praised and was featured in the Los Angeles Times 101 best restaurants list. The new spot will be in the former Kismet Falafel space near DTLA Cheese, and is expected to open by January or February 2023." - Farley Elliott

https://la.eater.com/2022/11/30/23486447/smashburger-cheeseburger-burger-for-the-win-grand-central-market-opening-coming
View Postcard for For The Win

Paul Nguyen

Google
A decent smash burger, cheesy and a bit messy. It would be a good starter or upgrade if you haven't gotten into smash burgers yet or if your idea of smash burgers was more in n out. Orders are called out via the opposite end from where orders are taken. The system is a bit rubbish though since someone is constantly yelling the numbers out but they can't be bothered moving out of the middle of the kitchen and to the window so that you can actually hear the order over other market noise. I see others not hearing their order called out the first time either, I'm not the only one, and I sat in a table right behind it, would hate to be a little hard of hearing and trying to hear it called out. Give it a few minutes and hover near the window unless you have super sharp hearing. That's the kind of thing that makes me annoyed that tips are taken at the touch screen self service ordering system before you have a chance to experience issues with their service, it's a bit ludicrous really. Despite that, worth a stop. They have other stores where the experience might be a bit smoother, but this location is convenient if you're around Downtown.

Annie Berrios

Google
If you’re hunting for one of the best classic cheeseburgers in town, look no further than For The Win. Their cheeseburger is pure comfort in every bite — perfectly seasoned, juicy, flavorful beef nestled between a soft, slightly toasted bun. The melted American cheese adds the perfect gooey richness, and the fresh pickles and onions give it just the right amount of crunch and tang. It’s simple, but that makes it great — no gimmicks, well-executed, high-quality ingredients. The portion size is perfect, and it hits that nostalgic, diner-style burger craving spot-on. It's worth the hype!

Faithful Foodie

Google
Placed the order on the computer screen, which is becoming the norm. There was no issue with this process. However, the screen was dirty. In addition to the screen, the empty table for us to sit was also quite filthy. The burger was tasty, and I understand why it's considered one of the best in the city. The fries were not as good as expected and went pretty much untouched throughout the meal. There was not much interaction with the staff, which is fine, except when picking up the order. The young lady was polite and presented herself very well when handing over the bag of food.

Wynelle Rogers

Google
$35.67 for 1 cheese burger, 1 bacon cheese burger, and 2 fries. My burger was paper thin. Is that what smash burger means? My tomato was thicker than my burger patty. Fries were subpar. Too expensive to me for just an "ok" tasting burger, Xtra $ for lettuce and tomato. I basically had an expensive BLT and paid Xtra for the LT! staff was nice when they brought out the food but completely ignored me when I needed help with the kiosk. It's basically self service then asks for a tip on top of ridiculous cost. Food was ok but I won't be back. Too many choices around the city to pay that price for a thin piece of meat.

Justin Han

Google
I love burgers that don’t have too much going on so this one is perfect. But they are a bit pricy for what you’re getting.

Akeesa Gunn

Google
Ambiance: It's in Grand Central market downtown, so it's chaotic. There are tons of people everywhere, long lines all over the place, just like any other food court. Food: I really enjoyed this burger. It was flavorful and perfectly cooked, and the fries were good and not over salted. It's definitely a solid place. Service: fairly quick for the line. Waiting, I just walked around to see what else the market had to offer, two laps around, and my order was ready. Parking over here is not great, mostly paid. So, if you plan on just going in for a quick bite plan accordingly.

Chuck Hodge

Google
Yummy burger and a cool, historic funky location. Lots of choices, we had snacks and beverages from a bunch of different places but the smash burger and fries here were good.

Rebecca Peterson

Google
This was the first place I've ever had a legit smash style burger and it was amazing! I was hesitant at first based on how unappealing it looked to me but I was so wrong in thinking that. Most places claim to have smash style but in reality, they just slightly press 2 patties together and call it a day. I've only had 1 better burger and that's in NYC so if you're in the LA area, I HIGHLY suggest this place. I can't wait to get back out that way for another one.
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Cecil G.

Yelp
Best smash burger you can get in Southern California. Nestled in GCM their burgers offer an easy ordering experience with a touch pad and fast wait time. While waiting you can walk around and check out other food giants like Egg Slut and Ramen Hood. The market is very alive and I've always had a great experience there. I really appreciate the ambience and possibilities to have a drink from one place and apps from another while waiting for your main dish to be ready. However the prices are pretty steep for the portion of the burger. About the size of a McDonald's cheeseburger. I tried mine as a single patty and it was $9-10.00. Smash burgers are always an interesting topic because the amount of ingredients is small and so is the labor but the simplicity of how it's prepared makes all of the difference. FTW executed perfectly with the crispness of the patty, soft bun, melty cheese and house made sauce . FTW has other locations throughout Los Angeles and I highly recommend trying them.
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Stephanie H.

Yelp
I'm sorry to say this because it took me so long to try FTW, but after my EXTENSIVE search for the best smash burger in LA, the double cheeseburger with extra cheese here reigns supreme. For reference, I got hyperfocused on this burger tasting journey, and I have therefore tried a good amount of the major contenders (Amboy, Chris & Eddy's, The Win-Dow, HiHo, BNSD, Trophy's, Easy Street, etc.). Everything about this burger is perfect: the juicy, seasoned & high quality meat; the thick, melty American cheese; the perfectly balanced fry sauce that is reminiscent of Howlin Ray's comeback sauce (not too sweet, no pickles, well-seasoned). Also impressed with the fact that they wrap their burgers in a heavy wax paper so the cheese doesn't get stuck (one of my biggest pet peeves lol) - GENIUS, and I don't know why no one else does this. I also ordered a side of sweet potato fries, which were an immaculate pairing. They arrived hot and crispy, but still fluffy on the inside. The sweet potato fries really complemented the burger in a next level way - topping your cheesy burger bite with one dipped in the fry sauce is literally a perfect mouthful. This is an execution meal tier burger - don't search any further, just order!
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Nick L.

Yelp
Without getting into comparisons with other smash burger joints, here's what you can expect: Solid, reliable, CONSISTENT smash burgers. Sometimes they do get busy (even later at night). Parking is super easy, and dining space is limited indoors and outside. The burgers are greasy but 100% delicious. The seasoning is always on point, as is the lacy, crispy edge. Burgers come with onions, pickles, and their sauce. I find it odd that they nickel and dime you for lettuce and tomato. They are insanely cravable (I'm getting hungry just writing this). Skip the fries in favor of the sweet potato fries. I wish I knew how they keep them so crispy. They're crispy hot, they're crispy cold. How do they do it? I'm not too fond of their milkshake: it tastes kind of like Nesquick but a little more rich. Outside of the burgers, the one thing that has earned their spot in my rotation is the service. The staff here are friendly and go above and beyond. It really is appreciated.
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Kay Y.

Yelp
Food came out prompt and fast. I like that they had 2 kiosks for self ordering helped with the line. I like that you can animal fries up sweet potato fries here. It's okay I just wish it was more loaded like Lowboy's version. I got double patty cheeseburger today and well one was way more than enough lol
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Matthew M.

Yelp
I'm gonna call it how it is, it's good not great. FTW was jam packed today at GCM, but they moved pretty quick to get our order out. I ended up with the single cheeseburger with jalapeños in it and it was solid (7.7/10). Where it's at, and how far it is from me, I wouldn't make my way to get it. I can see why people rate this fairly high, but then again I know there's other spots out there that can compete. Overall, FTW was good just not great. Much love!
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Jose R.

Yelp
Great burger- doesn't need extra toppings since the meat is perfectly seasoned and the pickles and sauce are not overwhelming. I did go for the loaded fries and glad I did, gooey cheese with caramelized onions-very satisfying. It's a busy food court with lots of options but they are quick and we found a clean table. Worth checking it out if you are craving a simple yet delicious classic burger.
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Jack L.

Yelp
Great smash burgers here. Well seasoned, balanced toppings, and quick service. It's not the best I've ever had, nor is it very convenient place to grab a bite, but it is pretty good if you're in the area. I would skip on the cheese on fries but for a double cheeseburger, it was pretty tasty.
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Scott K.

Yelp
Crap, I deleted the photos before I posted it. Anyways, great burger decent fries nothing special about the service was really fast. It was done three minutes, burnt edges on the end of the burger. Cheesy bacon is good. There's a few tables provided by the actual market itself, and there seem to be plenty of seating by this booth. I would go back, but there's so many other places to try. I can't guarantee anything.
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Roger P.

Yelp
I was very excited to try their smashburgers after seeing pictures on social media. It's part of a growing chain of restaurants and this is conveniently located in Grand Central Market with a ton of other food stalls. The stall is located somewhat in the middle of the building and as we walked further in, it got stuffier and stuffier. We did visit during summer so it's probably better during the cooler seasons. When we visited, the market was already very packed but we lucked out and got some of the limited counter seats at For The Win. The stall is surrounded by glass windows so you can see the whole process while sitting at the counters. Double Cheeseburger: For me, two telling signs of a good smashburger are sad-looking buns and patties with crispy edges. And they delivered! But I thought it could've been a little more flavorful. I was a hungover and my tastebuds probably weren't at its peak but I just wasn't entirely satisfied with it. It was juicy though! Brussel Sprouts: I did not expect to find vegetables here but it's a great side to have with your greasy burger. I believe the sauce is something along the lines of balsamic vinegar because the bottom of the box was a lot more tart than the rest. This would've been so much better if the outer leaves were crispy but either it never got to that point or the sauce made it too soggy. Overall, a good meal but I need to come back and give it another shot when I'm not hungover!
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Angela Y.

Yelp
I was craving a smash burger and this place definitely delivered. It was worth fighting my way through the lunch rush at grand central market. The double cheeseburger is everything you'd want in a smash burger. It's juicy and sloppy in a good way. The patties are flavorful and slightly crispy on the edges. The sauce and pickles complete the whole thing. It's the perfect indulgent quick lunch
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Sylvia K.

Yelp
First time trying it and had high expectations. The look doesn't look as good as the one on the screen when we ordered. The taste was just ok. Maybe I should have added lettuce and tomato. But for $10 for a cheeseburger, I don't think it lives up to the hype for me.
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Allen K.

Yelp
Finally got to try the FTW burger after hearing so much praise of it. It was good, but at $10 for the cheeseburger without any add-ons, it wasn't worth it. When my son ate this, he compared it to In&Outs. Very similar quality at half the costs. I would agree.
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Daniel M.

Yelp
Easily one of the top 3 Smashburgers I've ever had! The meat wasn't too smashed but just enough. Plus the bacon tasted amazing too! I didn't try the fries but my coworker said they were bomb! Service was cool, no cashier. Just order at a kiosk and in 5-15 minutes someone calls your name and gives you your order. Definitely coming back!!
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Gabe C.

Yelp
Greasy deliciousness! If you're counting your calories or on a weight loss journey, please stay 100 yards away from FTW! This place cranks out the juiciest burgers packed with a ton of flavor. Take a friend with you. Share a burger so you can leave room for to taste something else in the Grand Central Market. Pro tip: Ask for extra napkins.
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James A.

Yelp
I really had high hopes for this spot as it was named one of the best burgers in LA! I ordered the double burger and a fry. The fries were as perfect as you could ask. Warm, perfectly salted and crunchy! However, the burger was a bit dry and just left me a bit disappointed. I would not let my 1-off detour you, but something to keep in mind on your next visit.
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Luis M.

Yelp
Always a good time at Grand Central. Burger was on point. It was slightly moist on the bottom but still solid overall. I can see why it's ranked high. Service was solid. Atmosphere is always going to be a win. No pun intended.
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Steven M.

Yelp
I've lived in DTLA for almost 6 months and somehow just made my way over to the Grand Centel Market for the very first time. I was extremely overwhelmed walking around and couldn't decide what to get, but the sight of FTW Burgers pushed me over the edge and I ordered right away. I ended up ordering a double smash burger and split an order of the golden cut fries with my wife. The food only took maybe 10 minutes to come out and when it did, I was ready to give this place five stars without even taking a bite. The French fries were crispy and were probably some of the best I've had in a long time. The double smash burger was hands down, without a shadow of a doubt, the best smash burger I have ever had in my entire life. I have no idea what was done here differently, but I was legit drooling as I ate this bad boy. The meat was so tender and juicy, the cheese was magnificent, and even the bun was perfect. Overall, For the Win is my new favourite burger spot in DTLA. Not only was the food amazing, but the setup itself was pretty cool and the staff was great. Want a burger at the Grand Central Market? FTW is the king.
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Larry H.

Yelp
The wife and I went to Grand Central Market to try out some of the delicious foods that are offered inside. One of those spots was For The Win. I've heard so much about them having a great Smashburger so I had to give them a try. I ordered from the kiosk and pickup was just around the corner. Very simple. After about 10 minutes my name was called and I received my burger in a nice bag with plenty of napkins. I sat down and bit into the burger and it definitely is a good one. The patty was seasoned and cooked perfectly. The sauce they put on the burger was delicious as well. Sometimes the signature sauce can be a miss at burger joints. When I come back to Grand Central Market I will be purchasing another For The Win smashburger.
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Nelson M.

Yelp
Grand central market is always a busy area. Order by tablet and pay through same tablet. I got it to eat there but doesn't matter because seems like everything is to go. The only thing is the price. I paid close to $20 for a double patty burger no fries and a drink. I highly regret it. Even with a double patty I was still hungry. Portions are small. Definitely not worth the cost. Taste was good but with $20 I can get a 8x8 from in n out with fries. Definitely will not come back. Way to many places to eat from that will get filled up with $20.
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Celine C.

Yelp
I've heard good things from my friends about For the Win so figured we'll grab a quick burger dinner at GCM. We ordered using the kiosk and provided info on customization (plain cheeseburger with grilled onions and sauce on the side). The wait wasn't too bad. Upon returning home and opening up our food, my plain cheeseburger had pickles and sauces that I opted out on. I wanted onions but there were no onions in sight. The sauce had a slight kick and I'm not a fan of spicy. Disappointing experience for sure.
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Alejandro B.

Yelp
Oh my GOODNESS!!! If you like burgers and haven't tried these I feel bad for you. Nice and simple menu but these burgers will have you craving smashed burgers like a maniac! You are able to add other toppings on your burger but if you want the classic smash burger taste it's pretty much just the meat, cheese, onions and bread. Such an amazing taste these burgers have and it was definitely the best thing I ate from here last time I went to grand central market. I wasn't able to try the fries but I will get those next time. They have a small bar and a few tables but when I went all of them were taken so you will probably have to walk around after you get your food to find another spot to sit and eat but grand central market has tables everywhere so no worries.
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Anabelle H.

Yelp
My friends suggested that I try For the Win when in DTLA, so I had higher than normal expectations. I thought to myself, what can be so good about this place? They're just burgers. It's located in Grand Central Market and had a somewhat long line on a Sunday afternoon. - - Cheeseburger (4/5): It was good, but not breathtakingly good, especially for the price of almost $10. I think it would be comparable to that of an In-N-Out cheeseburger for a fraction of the price. - - Fries (3/5): I think it lacked flavor and were not anything special. I think trying For the Win was good for the experience but it didn't stand out to me like how I thought it would after hearing my friends' experiences. I probably won't be back in the future because the price for what I got just wasn't justified in my opinion. But despite the price, there wasn't really anything I can complain about. Once again, the burger was good but just wasn't worth it for me.
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Kyle B.

Yelp
Service is slow and impersonal. Food is good, but the burger is quite small for the price.
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Akeesa G.

Yelp
Ambiance: It's in Grand Central market downtown, so it's chaotic. There are tons of people everywhere, long lines all over the place, just like any other food court. Food: I really enjoyed this burger. It was flavorful and perfectly cooked, and the fries were good and not over salted. It's definitely a solid place. Service: fairly quick for the line. Waiting, I just walked around to see what else the market had to offer, two laps around, and my order was ready. Parking over here is not great, mostly paid. So, if you plan on just going in for a quick bite plan accordingly.
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Hashim Q.

Yelp
Really solid Smashburger. A little disappointed in the beef being kinda dry on the edges (it should be thin and crispy and this was just a little bit too thick.) not a huge problem though and very tasty (i had 2.) the sauce that comes with the fries is out of this world
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Dennis H.

Yelp
Stopped by before a recent Dodger game to see what all the hype was about. I ordered a double cheeseburger and side of fries well done. This burger definitely lived up to the hype. One of the best smash burgers I have ever had. Just the right amount of grease and char on the burger. The cheese was nice and gooey. My only complaint was they forgot my pickles. The fries were average at best but the burger was sooo good I had to give it 5 stars!!
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Chan Y.

Yelp
Super Messy, Super Delicious. Had a double bacon smash burger with fries and their homemade sauce. This burger was excellent.
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Valerie C.

Yelp
Another social media let down :( Service: didn't really interact with anyone, as I ordered on a tablet and picked up on the counter. The brief human interaction I had was the guy who called out my name and handed me the order. Food: $11 for a single patty cheeseburger ($10) + lettuce and tomato ($1). I requested no pickles but still got pickles in my burger. The patty was unevenly seasoned, some parts were very very salty. Sauce was good but nothing special really. I was hoping that lettuce and tomato would give the crunchy texture, but they were all mushy. In my honest opinion, with the similar price range, I would rather have an In-n-Out double double combo (which included fries and a drink).
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Richard R.

Yelp
I really want to like smash burgers and smashburger places, but you know it's just not that great a thing. Give me a thick med rare juicy burger with high quality meat any day, not this unrecognizably charred thing which actually started out as really nice looking quality ground beef. But let's rate this on its own merits : The burgers here are average for the style in my experience and should just get 4 stars for being solid for what they are. But factor in the extra charge for lettuce and tomato, the wimpy small and squishy bun and just can't do it. Regular fries lacked flavor too.
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Giovanni P.

Yelp
The rave about smash burgers has intrigued me more and more lately and this place by far has my favorite at $10+ I'll gladly pay for its quality. The taste is great and not overly salted. The burger was packed carefully and reflect the service they put into it. I would recommend this burger spot to anyone visiting Los Angeles as the vibe of it all is just to good to pass up.
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Kate O.

Yelp
A great smashburger, simple but everything is done right. The price is a little steep, and I'd recommend another location if possible just because parking and weaving through grand central market can be chaotic. I've doordashed from this location before, and it definitely doesn't travel the best.

B T.

Yelp
Very disappointing I just bought a happy meal Burger for 10 dollars. The website lied. The burger looks big and delicious You open the box and it a happy meal Burger. I am so pissed for Paying 10 Dollars for. 3 dollar burger
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Erik G.

Yelp
I'm a bit late to the party with this smash burger phenomenon. I read online that FTW has one of the better smash burgers out there. I knew that I needed to give it a try. To be fair, I haven't had so many smash burgers to compare it. With that being said, it was very good burger. However, it was way to expensive for what it was. A single cheeseburger costs $9. Factor in tax and a tip and you are looking at an $11 burger which to me is too expensive for a single patty. Nevertheless, it was dang good burger.
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Eric M.

Yelp
In town for the weekend and wanted to see what the hype was with this burger spot. They open at 12 on Sunday, so I made sure to be there within 10 minutes of them opening. It was a little hard to find, as it is in the middle of Grand Central Market that is filled with other vendors. Surprisingly, the line to order was not that bad and there were only 2 people ahead of me. I ordered a triple with cheese, lettuce, and jalapeños and my fiancé ordered a double with cheese, lettuce and sauce on the side. We originally wanted bacon but somehow they were sold out of it within 10 minutes of opening? The food came out pretty quick, within 10-15 minutes which was perfect because it gives you time to walk the market and shop. They'll call your number so keep an ear out for your order number. Got my order but when I got to my car I realized that they forgot my side of sauce. Now onto the food, the burgers were...amazing. The only thing I can think to complain about would be the pricing. My two burgers were pretty expensive and I didn't even get a drink or fries. Another thing I hated was the fact that they don't have an option to order ahead or online. Looking forward to going back though
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Kay R.

Yelp
There are so many options at Grand Central Market, so we did a little research before our visit. The recommendation to try For the Win was spot on! This was hands down one of the best smash burgers I've had! I tried the double cheeseburger with everything on it--absolutely incredible. The fries were also hot and crispy. The ordering and pickup process were easy, and there's an open kitchen concept. The name captures it all; they are winning!
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Stacee S.

Yelp
A little salty for me but not bad! I love the bun and the fries. Definitely could have eaten a double but considering I had to go back to work after lunch, the single cheeseburger was perfect. Pretty fast service considering!
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Jason W.

Yelp
Been here several times for lunch, service is slow and the food apps would say your meal is ready but sometimes they've barely started. They've even missed an item or 2 but the quality is excellent. It is a tad pricey but it's a tourist spot in DTLA so go figure. I read that their fries are fried in beef tallow but I can't taste it like other places that have it so can't confirm. If they can fix their service speed and order accuracy this would easily be a 5 star place for me.
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Kimberly T.

Yelp
FTW has been yappin about being the best smashburger in LA, so of course I'd have to see for myself (opinions own btw). This spot is located in GCM next to Ghost Sando shop. It is prob one of the busiest stalls in this food hall bc of the hype. There was already a lot of people who ordered ahead so it must be that good. I ordered the double cheeseburger with BLT as an add-on. They do charge for lettuce and other things as extras, so it'll rack up the price of your meal. Pretty pricy for a burger. I wanted to order loaded fries but they didn't have any available at the time so I opted for regular fries. There was a wait to get my food so you'd need to stick around and hear when they call out your order number since it's pretty loud. Luckily, I was seated at the front so you can see the staff in action. I got my burger and the patty hangs out on the side. The bun could barely cover them, so it'll get pretty messy to eat. It's a solid burger and tasted pretty good, but I personally don't think it's the best. The price can be a major turn off for some people since they charge for the vege, and can get pretty hectic. Maybe would return if I'm at GCM or at another FTW location
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Joe P.

Yelp
FTW comes up in a bunch of lists of best burgers in LA and after having one, I can see why. But as you may see from the picture, the book does not match the cover. When I first opened the wrapper, I was initially disappointed because it does not look pretty at all. Looked a little soggy and smushed. But looks were deceiving because I was very happy with the flavors and textures. Their standard cheeseburger comes with grilled onions, pickles and sauce. All blended well with the crusty smashed patties and bun. Service was quick but we came before noon. Will be back!!
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Daniel Z.

Yelp
Came here for a quick dinner on a weekday night after seeing amazing reviews for this smashburger. I got the double cheeseburger and loaded fries on my visit and am sad to say that it was quite underwhelming compared to other la smashburger staples like burgers never say die or easy street. The edges of the patty were not that crispy and there wasn't enough sauce on the burger for me personally. However I will say that the pickles were delicious and the people were super chill. Maybe it was the hype or maybe I came on an off day but check it out for yourself and see what's up!
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Jonathan L.

Yelp
It's good, but not at this price point. Decided to check this place out to see all the hype. I can't justify burger for like almost $20 bucks for a triple cheese burger. The burgers are very thinly smashed, and not that filling. I would rather gotten a 5x5 at in n out with the works and probably would have been cheaper and just as delicious. I opted to add the jalapenos, but the ones they use are those cheap canned soggy and sour jalapenos, not very fresh. I don't recommend getting that added. Also got the fries and they were whatever. Nothing special. Wouldn't come back again especially at this price point. If it was $10 bucks then sure.
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Lawrence P.

Yelp
This was a bomb burger. Saw a few posts on my socials about this place and was excited to try. I love that the menu is small and easy. I'd rather a place make one thing really good than a bunch of mediocre dishes. Got a double cheese with bacon, lettuce and tomato. Fries. Burger was so good. Cheese was cheesin. Smash patty was juicy and well cooked. Fry sauce was bomb. The whole thing was incredibly flavorful and the double was just enough for a big boy like me. Only negative I could say is this is one messy eat. My boyfriend got it all over his hands and face so I cut mine in half to make it easier to eat. Fries were decent. Pretty middle of the road. Overall really good. I thoroughly enjoyed. Just gotta remember to bring the wet wipes next time.
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Lissa L.

Yelp
It's tucked discreetly in a strip mall, which offers limited parking. It's an unassuming place with very few tables (and barely any decor) so try to come at non-peak hours. On the Saturday that we were there, we noticed that between 3:15pm and 3:40pm, nobody was lined up. However, prior to that, we'd been in line for 20 minutes and were lucky to score a table because a family with small children kindly offered us theirs as they were about to leave. So many people come to this place, it's unbelievable! There's a sign that the food will come in around 35 minutes. Ours came in 40, but we were okay with that since we had a table. A sweet girl came to refill the condiments and napkins at our table. But other than that, nobody checked on us. I ordered a cheeseburger with tomato and lettuce (you have to order this, their burgers only come with the bread and patty) and you have to pay for cheese. They also charge a dollar if you want their dipping sauce for your fries. To be fair, it's super tasty. The burger was a revelation. Their smash burger was crispy and juicy and this combined with the soft bread, the melted cheese and the tomato and lettuce, made for a powerful flavor bomb. I savored every bite and was so sad when I was done. As someone who is sick of burgers, my love for them was reignited by FTW. I will definitely visit them again but next time I'll probably just order it via Doordash or get it to go. The lack of seating and a waiting area made it slightly claustrophobic for me. It's the only reason (along with the parking issue) why I couldn't give it 5 stars. But as regards the food alone, it most definitely deserves 5 starts. Maybe even 6! FTW's burgers definitely deserve the label "best burgers in Los Angeles.
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John T.

Yelp
BLUF: Burger (yes) fries (yes) FTW makes a pretty darn good burger. Located in the historic Grand Central Market in downtown LA, their burgers are very good. Using the now popular "smash" technique, they do it well. The burger meat is fresh and flavorful. Wife and I ordered the single burger with cheese and fries. It was a good combo. I thought the burger was a tad small but the wife thought otherwise. I will order a double next time I eat here and you can assure yourself I will eat here again! The fries were hot and crisp. Give yourself tim because they cook everything to order. Service was good and the ambience was "food hall" like.
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Groyper G.

Yelp
$23.44 for a double cheeseburger and fries. the burger reminded me of 5 guys a little taste wise. I liked it. I'd get in n out over this all day and for half the price.
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Joshua A.

Yelp
20/10 This is my go to spot for smash burgers! Incredible taste. Sauce is literally perfect. Bread compliments all the ingredients just right. And of course, the patty could turn an atheist into a Christian. FIRE. I got a double with cheese + bacon. $17 but I was aware of the price so I don't mind it. Note: I don't understand people that complain about price, they are not forcing you to order lmao Parking is TERRIBLE obviously, but I grew up in LA so I did the ole park and dash iykyk Overall, this burger is f***king epic. Shoutout to FTW Burgers!
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Brandon B.

Yelp
Overall great food. The fry sauce is perfectly tangy, fries are crispy and salty, and the outer perimeter of the patties have a perfect maillard reaction. Unfortunately, for $20, it just didn't have much of a wow factor. I can't justify the price, and I think Villas tacos is a better option if you find yourself in grand central market.

Jace K.

Yelp
The smash burger was at a different level one of the best in LA, their cheese on the burger was excellent the meat was crispy and in general the burger was very good. The survive was very fast.
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Luke W.

Yelp
This was a mid burger. - The smashness of the burger was satisfactory, but the burger wasn't superb in any way. - lettuce and tomato was not included with the burger and cost an additional $1. - $14.84 for a double cheese burger with tomato and lettuce lies on the pricier side, but makes sense for being in central market. - the service was fast and the staff was friendly - the location is in a large food market and the parking here costs $5