Bill's Burgers
Hamburger restaurant · Van Nuys ·
Classic burgers cooked fresh on a vintage griddle
Classic burgers cooked fresh on a vintage griddle
"Legendary San Fernando Valley roadside stand where lines stretch from the ordering window down Oxnard Street, this cash-only spot has remained essentially unchanged for nearly six decades. Even into his 90s, owner Bill Elwell worked the vintage 1920s or 1930s flattop, flipping chargrilled, well-seasoned patties sourced locally from Northridge and ground fresh every morning, then topping them with American cheese, iceberg lettuce, freshly sliced tomatoes, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. The dry humor of a menu line — “You can’t have it your way, this is not Burger King” — fit Elwell’s straightforward, sometimes gruff style; as he put it, “Whichever way I make the burger, that’s the best way,” and he liked when people ordered double cheeseburgers with everything, the item he considered his claim to fame. Through waves of burger trends in Los Angeles, virtually nothing here changed except the prices, which rose from $3.35 in 2011 to $4.20 in 2018 and to $7 by May 2025." - Rebecca Roland
"This Valley staple has drawn diners to Van Nuys since its opening in 1965. The move here is to keep things simple with standard well-griddled singles served with cheese on extra-squishy buns. Just make sure to have cash on hand and some patience; this cash-only establishment often comes with a bit of a wait. Find Bill, who is now in his late 90s, often in the stand himself, either overseeing the grill or digging into a burger in the back. Know before you go: Bill’s Burgers is cash-only, and there often is a bit of a wait" - Eater Staff
"There are burgers and burger-makers, and then there’s Bill Elwell. The 97-year-old burger cook and namesake man behind this Van Nuys beef and bun legend first opened this restaurant in 1965. Though Elwell no longer operates the griddle regularly, the kitchen still turns out some of the tastiest and most modestly priced burger meals in the Valley. Elwell’s age and the ongoing mystery of how he manages to keep this busy roadside stand going are reasons enough to make the trip out." - Mona Holmes
"One of LA’s OG burger spots, Bill’s Hamburgers has been open in Van Nuys since 1965 - and Bill has been behind the counter flipping burgers that entire time. They’re as simple as you can get: American cheese, tomato, onion, and mayo, but the meat has a great, crispy char, and at $5 for a double, there aren’t many better deals in town. Cash only." - brett keating
"This Valley staple has drawn diners to Van Nuys since its opening in 1965. The move here is to keep things simple with standard well-griddled singles served with cheese on extra-squishy buns. Just make sure to have cash on hand and some patience, this cash-only establishment often comes with a bit of a wait." - Rebecca Roland, Eater Staff
