Heavy Handed

I finally made it out to Heavy Handed after hearing influencers hype this place like it was the second coming of the Smashburger. “Best smash in L.A.” “Heaven between two buns.” You know the drill. They’ve got a few locations, but I hit the Silver Lake one since I was already in the area. The place looks great inside. Super clean, cool vibe, and there’s a bar literally sharing the same space, so if you want a beer with your burger, you’re covered. Good draft beer selection too, or so I'm told. I didn’t drink beer, but the taps looked impressive. Menu’s simple. Smashburger, prime rib burger, fries, ice cream, and drinks. That’s it. No salads. No secret menu. No “build your own.” You come here for a burger and fries, period. I ordered the Double Smash with fries and a drink. Everything is à la carte, so if you want chilies or extra sauce, they’ll happily charge you a buck here, a buck there. I added chilies thinking I’d get roasted jalapeños or something interesting. Nope, three pepperoncini in a plastic cup. One dollar! Not the end of the world, but yeah… I noticed. Food landed and the first thing I saw was a lot of fries. Good thing too, because the burger looked a little small for a double. Smashburgers are always on the thinner side, so I expected that, but for the hype I figured it would be a little more… substantial. Flavor-wise? Solid. Good sear, good seasoning, cooked well. But best smashburger in L.A.? Not for me. I’d give it a 7 out of 10 on flavor. I’ve had smashburgers elsewhere that add little upgrades grilled peppers, specialty sauces, crispier edges, that take things up a tier. This one was good, but not memorable. What really dropped the score was the price. My combo with the chilies ended up just over $20. That's a lot for a burger that didn’t blow my hair back. Size-to-price ratio matters to me, and this combo felt like a $14–$15 meal, not $20+. The fries were generous, but I basically ate them to fill the space the burger didn’t. Was it bad? Not at all. It just wasn’t “drive across town for it” good. And when I know places like "The Win-dow" up the street exist, better prices, more options, and still great smashburgers it’s hard to justify coming back here. So overall: good burger, great fries, nice spot, friendly people… but not worth the price tag. I’m glad I tried it, but next time I’m in the neighborhood, I’m heading somewhere else. Final rating: 6/10. Good, not great, and not a repeat for me.

A double with chopped chilies was pretty good along with hot and crispy fries and a beer. Their vanilla chocolate swirl ice cream was also good. Atmosphere and service felt great. They have a bar to the side.

This place looks really nice and has a great vibe inside, but unfortunately, the stars of the show are lackluster. The burger I got was a double and I literally thought it was a single. The sauce leaves a lot to be desired in terms of flavor. The fries are boring, even though they give you a lot. The burger is nothing special at all. Nothing unique at all. $20 for a double combo. Extremely limited drink selection. They had coke, sprite, and maybe 2 other selections. They have some craft sodas that you can pay an up charge for. Really disappointing honestly, I was excited to try this place. It just feels like a carbon copy of a lot of successful smash burger joints in LA. Parking is also horrible.

About $15 for a single patty combo. The service was good. They’ve got merch. Tons of fries to distract from a tiny burger. Potato bread bun. NO MUSTARD! Argh! Awful sweet pickles. The fries were just ok. Parking is difficult to find. Meter parking available.

Great burger and fast service! Love their homemade pickles and they gave us a chilled beer glass for the drink we ordered. Plenty of seating and they were playing good music. Would love to return to watch a game!

Pretty great smash burger, 20 bucks and you get a combo which i think is pretty good. If that’s too much for you maybe go to McDonald’s. 20 bucks is the new average lunch in LA. The fries were pretty good too. I’m glad they had coke and not Pepsi lol. The staff was really friendly and present.

Love the one in Santa Monica and have been telling people about it since my first visit. This one is almost as good and it seems they're finally nailing the taste that made the other one so good. Service was also great, the guy brought my food out and was really kind. I just wish they would give the sauce in the little container again instead of a packet so I can dip my fries in it. Also if they can knock off a dollar or two from the price that would be amazing. Still would recommend.

Pretty decent burger along with dozens of beer options. They have plenty of seating options for indoor and outdoor. You’ll probably find parking along sunset. Enjoyed every bite of the triple burger and did I tell you they sell unsalted patties for your fur friends.

My son and I have our usual Thursday dinner out, and Heavy Handed had been on our radar for a while. We've driven past it plenty of times and always said, "We should try that place one day." After seeing it pop up on Yelp, we finally made it happen. He got the double cheeseburger, and I went for the triple--lettuce wrapped to stick to my low-carb goals. We also shared a basket of fries, which are fried in beef tallow. Now, I usually don't eat fries because of my diet, but when I saw the sign saying they're cooked in beef tallow, I had to give them a try. One bite and I knew--these were the best fries I've had in a long time. Rich, crispy, and packed with flavor that regular fries just don't have. The burgers were smashed-style, but what really stood out were the bread and butter pickles. That sweet and tangy crunch completely elevated the flavor. It balanced the richness of the beef so well. Honestly, this was one of the best burgers I've had all year. Heavy Handed is definitely more than just a trendy burger spot--it's the real deal. We'll be back.

The hubby loves his smash burgers and we are always on the hunt to find a place that beats our favorite spot in San Diego. We got to Heavy Handed right after they opened so it was open and empty but the service was top notch and the guy working was super helpful and gave off positive vibes and such attention. The restaurant was spotless, ample seating, and cool from the air conditioning. We had a few spots to hit afterwards so shared the double burger combo which came with a drink, their delicious fries fried in beef fat, and a side of sauce which is tangy and cuts through the heaviness. The burger was rich and topped with caramelized onions, picked, and their heavy sauce. The fries are my absolute favorite, fried perfectly, crisp, but still soft and chewy in the middle. A must is a side of their house made pickles which are a sweet bread and butter pickle, crisp, and refreshing. They sell soft serve dipped in chocolate, strawberry, butterscotch, and cookies and cream as well. The table next to us all got a cone which looked delicious and what we'll save for next time.

Parking is tough but well worth it for a good smash burger and excellent fries to boot. Staff is great. Efficient and to the point to get it all right Cute place with both indoor and outdoor seating. Restroom is very clean. Place is quite put together

As smash burger styling goes, Heavy Handed creates a very tasty burger. With a decent amount of caramelization of crispy edges, the textures are spot on, and the fatty goodness of a smash burger is spot on, laced with cheese and sauce. Construction-wise, the burger here falls flat literally. The bun does not hold up to the fatty ingredients, and it feels like a mushy mess in your hand wrapped in paper. There is also a lack of fresh textures that some lettuce and tomato may give. Burger lovers will miss the missing beefy taste that comes with a well-balanced burger, but if you are seeking a filling bomb of fatty flavors, I think Heavy Handed delivers. The fries here are also quite good and should not be overlooked.

The service is pretty quick, and it wasn't busy when I went. I enjoyed the burger, it's a simple smash burger. I've had better but it was good enough, not sure why this place has so many bad reviews. The fries were just okay, but it's worth coming back.

Preface: To 5 smash burger joints I'm comparing to based on Peacock's "Call Bullshit" offer on June 7th for Emmy nominated Poker Face. So this review is solely on a two bite comparison. Best smash burger of the day! (A well deserved slow clap with a chef kiss to end the appreciation). Crispy edges yet still juicy. Doesn't hurt that they also have a bar area that had the Dodgers game on. LGD!!

With so many smash burger spots in Los Angeles, one thing that stood out to me about heavy handed were the branding, butter pickles that they use, and their thicker cut fries which are perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside which is different from other smash burger places. Their burger was good with a potato bun, cheese, caramelized onions, and their house made thousand island that had a kick of almost horseradish but a bit different from normal thousand island. I loved that they piled up the fries which were fluffy and perfectly tasty with their house sauce. The burger itself was a bit lacking. I think the meat was less tender and has more of a chew or maybe it was just the patty I got. Personally I like more sour pickles than buttered pickles so that for me is just a personal preference. Overall heavy handed was a nice smashburger but I don't know if I will crave it. I love the branding with the orange and red and the 90s burger diner inside though.

First time visiting the Silver Lake location and I liked it more than the Santa Monica location because of the indoor and bar seating options. We tried the short rib burger which was good. I prefer it without the pickles (even tho the pickles here are so vinegarily good) so it doesn't overpower the flavor of the meat. If you get a combo, the meals are definitely heavy handed with the fries. The double hazy right now was the perfect assist to the meal. Make sure to end with a chocolate dipped ice cream cone!! Chocolate chocolate is the way to go.

All good in my book. I get to drink a sour, watch sports and listen to Outkast Cute burger joint in Silverlake that had a small bar area with TVs. They also serve soft serve. Definitely want to try that next time.. they dip them too!

Short: A decent burger spot with killer fries and ice cream options, with a fun, unqiue atmosphere. Long: After driving by and seeing this place open up (in the old All Day Baby spot), I thought to give this place a try. The atmosphere is unique, bright colors and a lively vibe make for a cool setting. For the food, it was solid overall. Starting with the highlights; the fries are some of the best I have had (frying in beef tallow is the best). The butterscotch dipped ice cream cone was another standout. If I came back for one thing it would be this! Sweet and rich butterscotch perfectly balanced by vanilla ice cream. Now for the burger, Heavy Handed gets a lot of hype for their burger, especially the short rib grind, so I came in with high expectations. Unfortunately, it fell a bit short for me--the flavor wasn't as bold as I hoped and came off a bit underwhelming. Overall this spot is still worth checking out especially for the fries and ice cream.

Pretty fire spot. Gotta get the fries and make em "heavy" which is there version of in n out animal style fries but with picklesssssss

Incredible food as always! Pros: absolute best smash burgers in LA, crispy fries, fun soft serve flavors, and a great selection of beers. Also the vibes and decorations in all of their locations are Cons: nothing? Truly nothing.

I tried Heavy Handed at its new Silver Lake location and had a solid meal. The service was friendly, and I appreciated how the employee taking my order answered my menu questions. I ordered a combo that included fries, a double burger, and a drink. I thought the burger was fine but did not find it very memorable. The texture felt one-note with the meat, cheese, and caramelized onions; while it tasted good, the burger did not leave a strong impression. On the other hand, I liked the crispy fries and was intrigued by the ice cream. I will definitely revisit to at least try their soft serve and maybe get another order of fries!

I've had it with "smash burgers". It's the most bad faith food a place can serve at this point. No one does it better than anyone else, and every places burgers is equally fine yet boring as the next one. Not to mention each smash burger place seems to be trying to out-stupid each other with their idiotic phrase-names. Do me a favor- if your gonna charge me 12-15$ for a burger, please have the decency to slice and put some vegetables on it or least conceive of some interesting flavor combos for a classic food like a burger akin to something like hot dogs from Chicagos famous Hot Dougs. Putting TVs on the wall and serving beer is the only thing different about this place and the next spot like it some 500 yards away. Sick of underwhelming food, over built spaces and general mediocrity these days. Branding doesn't make the food taste better. Try harder.

Utterly disappointed. While the contributing factor might have been due to ordering off of Uber Eats, the lack of flavor in everything I ordered threw me off. The burger was dry and greasy. The fries were reminiscent of cardboard. The chocolate vanilla soft serve tasted like one of those sad cafeteria ice cream cups you get that are low fat with no sugar. Just no bueno. At least they got my order right and the packaging was nice, but the quality was not it.

I've been to the original Heavy Handed in Santa Monica and I loved it then. Learning that there was a new location close to work got me excited. My coworkers and I came here for lunch one day and they literally rave about it now. We all got single smash burgers. Two of us got fries and one didn't. We quickly realized we could have shared fries because we got so much! My other coworker skipped the fries because she wanted ice cream. Smart lady! Once we saw her ice cream we instantly wanted one. We all ended up with vanilla ice cream cone dipped in cookies and cream shell. It was so good. We're already talking about going back and splitting fries so we can get ice cream! They also serve beer and perhaps wine, but we didn't get any. They also sell their secret sauce and their pickles to take home.

Now I don't have to trek over to the west side for a Heavy Handed burger! The smash burger space is pretty saturated, but I think this is one of the best. Plus the ice cream options are classic dipped soft serve.

Might be the second best burger in LA (behind Easy Street). But unlike Easy Street you don't need to wait an hour long for this burger. The burger itself melts in your mouth and the pickles are incredible. And the fries are perfectly done, kinda like a fresh batch of McDonalds but a premium version. Cool looking spot inside too with good amount of seating and TVs to watch sports. Great to have that much space for a burger joint since so many of these types of spots don't have a lot of seating. Definitely going back here

I was very excited to try out heavy handed when I saw it opening up. I ordered take out online, the process was super easy I loved how I could order my burger without onions (the win dow down the street can only do "light" onions) I also really liked being able to add chilis to my burger. My take out was very hot and fresh. The closed packaging definitely does a good job maintaining the heat. The heavy sauce reminded me of canes sauce ( which I love ) and the pickles are a 10/10. Yes, it's a little more expensive then the win dow but still lower priced compared to other small smash burger concepts I've tried like "for the win" , and "easy street." I first put 4 stars just because I can't say it was the best burger I've ever had in my life but the staff was great so I changed it to 5 I want to definitely go back to try the ice cream

Insanely good smash burger and fries. Sat at the bar, had a beer, watched the game with a buddy and ate incredible food. My new favorite spot

5 star on a delivery order so you know it was GOOD! Really great burger, caramelized patties and a soft buttery bun. The heavy fries were bomb and they have something special with their sauce and house made pickles. Really enjoyed everything we ordered!

excellent smashburger (the bun is so puffy!) and some of the best soft serve you can get in the area. Loved the option for strawberry "magic shell" and the beer selection is pretty great

I loved it here. I went to the Silverlake location on Memorial Day. Service was great. Ambiance was everything. I loved the early 2000's hiphop playing. Food was fresh and yummy. Save half your meal so you can indulge in a cone. Vanilla cookie and cream dipped ice cream cone was yummy. Did I say the service was great!! Will be back!

Great food, fast service. My dog enjoyed the puppy patties and outdoor patio. The sour not sour beer on tap is delicious! Heads up, its card only!

Pretty decent burger along with dozens of beer options. They have plenty of seating options for indoor and outdoor. Pretty chill vibe. Parking wise, You'll probably find parking along sunset. Service was pretty easy: you order in the counter and they buzz you in when your food is ready. Enjoyed every bite of the triple burger and did I tell you they sell unsalted patties for your fur friends.

This place LOADS you up! They are called heavy handed for a reason! I got the double burger with regular fries! The fries felt like I would never get to the bottom! The burger was delicious! I especially liked the bun and the sauce that came with it!

The burger and fries were amazing!! I don't know what the heck this person leaving a bad review was talking about the food was greasy, etc... then complain that they didn't have any other choice but the "allege" cold fries because you didn't eat meat, wtf lol.I almost did not go based on your review. Super Bias! I took mine to go and the fries are still hot. Shout out to the cashier who was friendly and helpful. And the SODA is on point to go with my meal.

Pretty good smash burger! Nice atmosphere, AC is pretty good. Beer offerings and ice cream cones but only tried the combo. $18 for a good double burger these days, seems about right. The fries are nice and crispy but we're a bit off. Was happy that a server came around to ask how things were..,hmm, should I say something? Heck why not. I'd like to come back. Told the guy the fries had a fishy aftertaste. He said there is no fish on menu, "perhaps we've just been fishing or just had fish this morning?" Uh, no. Queried the inter-webs and this came up."fries taste 'fishy'. Old, oxidated, and irregularly filtered frying oil can really affect the quality and taste of your fries. A well-used fryer oil should be filtered at least once a day, making sure any free-floating bits and slivers are removed completely." So yeah, maybe I'll try again when they get busier.

Smashburgers: the final frontier. These aren't just the best Smashburgers and Fries in the Galaxy--they're a revelation. Heavy Handed's mission: to craft the most sublime burgers in Los Angeles (and beyond!); to unite their masterful patties with fries that redefine perfection; to boldly elevate burger artistry to heights no establishment has reached before! The reviews drew me in, but they barely scratched the surface of this transcendent experience. The burgers--crafted from prime ground short rib beef--deliver a depth of flavor that borders on the spiritual. Each bite releases a symphony of rich, complex notes that ordinary burgers can only dream of achieving. The meat, pressed against the scorching griddle, develops a caramelized crust that shatters on first bite, giving way to a succulent, juicy interior that will haunt your taste buds for days. And the fries? Dear god, the fries. Confession: they might surpass even the extraordinary burgers (heretical, perhaps, but undeniable). Cooked in beef tallow--a nearly forgotten art--each golden baton achieves the platonic ideal of what a french fry should be. The exterior crackles with a satisfying snap, giving way to a pillowy, steam-filled center that melts on your tongue. As fellow diners pass with their orders, the intoxicating aroma of these crispy treasures will have you contemplating a second round before finishing your first. Just when you think your taste buds couldn't possibly handle more pleasure, Heavy Handed tempts you with their Dipped Ice Cream Cones. This isn't an afterthought--it's the perfect denouement to your culinary journey. The Straus Family Creamery Organic Soft-Serve creates a velvety canvas for the crackling chocolate shell, the contrast between warm dip and cold cream creating moments of pure bliss. Add sprinkles for a nostalgic touch that somehow elevates rather than diminishes this sophisticated treat. Consider yourself warned: this isn't merely a meal, but a transformative experience. You'll leave in a state of profound contentment, questioning every burger decision you've made before this moment. And as the last of the chocolate shell disappears from your fingertips, you'll already be mentally scrolling through your contacts, deciding which lucky souls deserve to share in your next pilgrimage to this temple of culinary perfection.

I had a chance to stop here, after reading about it online. The burger was great, fantastic bun and the meat was very flavorful. the fries were golden crisp, and reminded me of animal style but clearly unique. Awesome that I can watch the dodgers, and the design of the store is really really nice. Great experience overall!

I ordered the double smash burger for delivery and thought it was pretty average. Nothing too exciting and the pickles were too sweet for my liking and rather bland even with the heavy handed sauce . Not sure what the hype was about . I would choose in n out over this place any day .

I'll keep it simple. Wife and I moved to silver lake. Craving burgers. Check nearest with best reviews. Heavy handed pops up. Based on the reviews you would think this place is the next come up in silver lake. For $12 for a double cheese burger with Big Mac sauce is wild. Burger trash. Unsalted. Buns soaked in grease. I was sold on the "short rib patty" but quickly disappointed. They did live up to their name though, heavy handed for sure. Heavy on oil and fries. I'm a glass half full guy so I'm happy it wasn't cooked in seed oils?

I'm not a fan. Only because of my tastes. The food was hot and fresh. I'm just not a fan of butter pickles or their heavy sauce. I will go back again but I will order the way I prefer. And to try their soft serve ice cream.

came here to check out the new silver lake location...parking is always tough but once you find parking, there's plenty of seating inside, there's also a bar if you like to drink. i ordered the double combo, comes with fries and a fountain drink. the food came out super fast, and the fries were fresh and very good! i also tried the soft serve swirl which was very good. overall i would recommend to check it out~!!

I wanted it to be a good review but I was very disappointed. I've been in the burger business before managing at Johnny Rockets and Steak n Shake for years until I became a plumber. I feel the burger meat didn't have any flavor. I ordered a double with everything. The bread was soggy especially the bottom bun ; and it blended into the bottom meat patty. It felt like a wet napkin. It didn't feel the bun was toasted at all. No support from the bun, sorry but it felt like slop. Then it's sauced up which I feel does all the heavy lifting for the burger's taste. The sauce is nice. It taste like 1000 islands with dill. The fries were good. Soggy burger, tasteless meat, but nice sauce. The service was nice.

Great burger - nice friendly staff- attractive outdoor patio . One thing though- at least at the Santa Monica location- homeless people screaming and fighting on the sidewalk right in front of the place , their lunacy spilling onto the property . Took away from the experience, to say the least. But the staff basically , and not unkindly, told them to take it somewhere else - so I give em props for that ...

The food was delicious and quite filling. The food was served in a timely manner and very easy to order food. The place had a bit echo and got a bit loud from time to time. It's decked out in wild, saturated paintings on the walls. i

This is the best burger I've ever had in LA! The beer selection was great and the outdoor patio is dog friendly -- my beagle loved it! Super chill location to hang with friends and watch a game inside -- will definitely come again.

I love burgers! I wanted this to be good so I got myself in there as soon as it opened. First the food - my goodness this is one of the worst smash burgers I've ever had. Greasy, mushy, and sloppy, the meat did not taste fresh, and my fries were cold. Truly disappointing. Because my partner does not eat beef, their only other option was a grilled cheese but they also do not eat cheese. They ended up eating cold french fries as their meal because there was no other food to accommodate them. I would think that in an area like Silverlake where there are many vegetarians, that a business would provide more than a grilled cheese sandwich so that a vegetarian or vegan can join a friend or partner who eats beef. Second the service - a bit of a mixed bag. I expected there to be more excitement since this literally just opened. Third - the branding.. perhaps this is my personal taste but I believe that the branding is hideous. There's nothing elevated or chic about it. Ketchup and mustard colors? This looks like an establishment that you'd find at a strip mall in San Bernardino. It does not reflect the culture of Silverlake, nor does it fit in anyway whatsoever. In closing, this location has been cursed for many many years. I cannot imagine this business staying put for very long considering that shake shack didn't make it in the junction and we also have plenty of better smash burger options in the area. The culture of this neighborhood is rooted in small businesses and not chain restaurants with dated and over saturated business concepts. Once this goes down can we please bring back a brunch restaurant with cocktails ? A deli? Something unique and less basic & middle American?

I was definitely not impressed. Scale of 1 to 10....for me 2.5. If folks don't like sauce they should still offer the basic condiments like mustard and mayonnaise! Burger was not filling whatsoever. A true disappointment . I spent almost $17 for a Burger that was terrible! The service was decent for a Burger joint. The overall ambiance was terrible at best! One guy laughed so loudly that it was quite annoying . Then he doesn't know how to use an inside voice. Then the children were loud. Lack of home training! Anyhoo....one and done! Won't be back

super gas burgers were bomb af that double and fries the flavors were top notch! yo and shout out the staff cool vibes everything was cool about the spot and tvs in there !!!

We stopped here after my nudist retreat in Encino. We were all starving and readddyyyyyyy. We saw the guys that own the place, and invited the tall one to join us at the next retreat. We were so hungry from the retreat activities so we ate it all quick and finished the meal with their chocolate swirl that was dipped in chocolate which was 10/10.

Stopped by for a glass of wine before dinner and I had to come back the next day for a double. It's my favorite smashburger in LA! Tangy pickles, sweet onions and the perfect secret sauce. And a $12 glass of the best orange? Unheard of in this city. Can't beat the food or the vibe. This is going to be my new game night spot!

love love love Heavy Handed! Had to try out this new location and it definitely did not disappoint! The staff is so friendly! I'm vegetarian so I love their grilled cheese and my husband is OBSESSED with their short rib burgers. Plus we never skip on the soft serve. If you haven't tried HH, I highly recommend!

this place is awesome! delicious smash burgers. super great service and they are so fast! i love the outdoor seating too. 10/10

Repeat customer. This is my go to burger and the best smash burger in LA, but they recently changed their shoestring fries into thicker cut - disappointing

I have been to the studio city heavy handed and enjoyed it so decided to try this one on sunset. I was working in the area and went with 5 coworkers. I tried the double burger with everything on it, fries and a swirl chocolate dipped cone. The burger and fries are good. I enjoyed them. The ice cream was fantastic. I would return. Both this and the studio city one are great.

It is honestly the best Smashburger I have ever had. It's the perfect proportion of meat to bun to cheese to sauce. I don't even like pickles and I love theirs. The fries came out so hot and they were absolutely delicious. The soft serve is truly the Best I've ever had. Definitely try the dip!! The ambience is incredible and the staff is super friendly. The murals and vibe are so unique and it's dog friendly!. It's an incredible addition to this area and perfect to grab before a dodger game. I can't recommend it enough.

Heavy Handed has the best smash burger in LA, no doubt about it. Their Santa Monica location was where I was first introduced and that is an experience I will never forget. The burger, fries, and atmosphere can't be beat. Their Studio City location came next; food equally as good but atmosphere not quite on par. Their newest location here in Silverlake had equally good burgers, decent atmosphere, BUT, they have completely different fries from the other locations which is very disappointing. Different style fries from the same franchise restaurant? That's like someone opening a McDonald's and they only serve curly fries. The fries at the new location are much thicker and have a heavy potato taste. At the other locations they are more of a shoestring style with a nice golden light crispy texture. If thicker fries are your thing, this is your place but I will be sticking to the other locations moving forward.