The Apple Pan

"The Apple Pan has been a Westside staple since 1947 and is arguably the best burger in L.A. (sorry, In-N-Out). Famous for its ‘Hickory Burger’ and pie selection, the diner-style restaurant is popular among locals and has limited seating so make sure you get there early but trust me… it is worth the wait." —Florence O’Connor"

On the Grid : The Apple Pan

"For anyone who’s lived in LA for even a short amount of time, this place probably needs no introduction. Even if you’ve never actually set foot in the place (and if you haven’t, you should), The Apple Pan is an LA staple and serves up one of the city’s few paragons of burgers to which all others are compared. Walking into the place is like stepping back in time, not because it’s a 1940s themed eatery, but because the place is actually from the 1940s. It’s the restaurant that originally inspired the layout, menu, and style of the Johnny Rockets chain (though, of course, it remains far superior). No tables, no waiters. Everyone sits around one large horseshoe counter. Seating is limited so make sure to go when you have a little time to spare." - Clever Creative

The 20 Best Burgers In LA - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"The Apple Pan in Cheviot Hills hasn’t really changed much since it opened 1947, and that’s about all you need to know. This LA institution/living museum has more than earned its place in LA burger lore, and while the classic tangy-sweet hickory burger can be divisive, it’s still very tasty and totally unique. Come pay your respects and get a slice of delicious banana cream pie on your way out." - brant cox, cathy park, sylvio martins, garrett snyder

The Most Classic Restaurants In Los Angeles - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"The Apple Pan isn't a museum, but stepping into this burger counter does feel like visiting a well-preserved landmark (motto: Quality Forever). The staff wears classic soda jerk hats as they flip burgers and slice wedges of banana cream pie. There's some plaid wallpaper on display, red leather chairs at the counter, and a general hominess that's impossible to replicate. The ham sandwich and tuna melt are stealth favorites, but the required order is the delicious, if divisive, Hickory Burger, with its sweet-tangy sauce that falls between ketchup and barbecue. It's a true LA original, and you won't find another burger in town quite like it. Hickory burger, french fries, banana cream pie" - brant cox, cathy park, garrett snyder, sylvio martins

The Best Burgers in Los Angeles | Eater LA

"Timeless burger stand the Apple Pan from late founders Ellen and Alan Baker has served in West Los Angeles since 1947, when the city lacked freeways and a lot of the area still boasted farmland. But the Apple Pan’s Midwestern-style burgers have become synonymous with Los Angeles burger culture (it even inspired the Johnny Rockets chain of burger restaurants). Wait for a seat at the U-shaped counter and pick either a steak or hickory burger, with or without a thick slice of Tillamook cheddar cheese. The steak burger offers a sort of relish ketchup sauce above a griddle-seared patty, pickles, mayonnaise, and a perfectly-shaped mound of iceberg lettuce. The hickory burger boasts a slightly smoky ketchup with the same accompaniments. First-timers might not be blown away, but millions of fans over the decades have come to love its ineffable greatness, a true sum-is-greater-than-its-parts charm that includes the unchanged diner decor, sometimes gruff service, and of course, a sweet slice of apple, boysenberry, or seasonal pie to finish. — Matthew Kang, lead editor What to order: Head to the Apple Pan with a friend to order both the steak burger and the smoky hickory burger, and always end with a slice of pie" - Eater Staff