Father’s Office

Not quite 99 billion served, but dammit it’s still good after all these years.
Sang opened the Santa Monica sixteen years ago. Not only is there comfort in the flavors, but in the consistency of excellence. Inky dark onions caramelized (in bacon fat?) to contrast peppery arugula and sharp cheese with a perfectly cooked-​to-​order ground chuck on toasted, oblong bread is still great after all those years. And after all the imitators. Think about how many.
There have been burger chains that have gone on to become national brands, some deconstructionist plays touted by the demigod herself, Oprah, and others that have tried to stretch the burger format across all cuisines, using any and all proteins, cheeses, lettuces, compotes/​fruits, and breads to taunt a follow up to Borges’ Library of Babel (intuition tells me to leave that to another more worth writer based on the insinuated title). Yet to think that all began with the Office Burger, and it still holds up, says something that might turn this review into social commentary.
So why 4 stars? Well, there are things that are not perfect. Competition for a seat is one of them. Although my last experience here was a comfortable one with tables available, it was only because we ventured there late on a Monday night. I also suspect the five story parking structure under construction for the complex is also helping deter people. But this won’t last. The 30+ taps of brew are too enticing, as are the five curated kegged wines.
I even appreciate the misses on the menu such as the chorizo poppers, even though I felt I might get sick because of the cake batter texture inside suggesting a grossly under-​cooked pork product. It is fine, they would do it again if I asked, but the burger already came, so we just let it be.
Because damn, its good, after all these years.

I got the Fathers Office burger, bone marrow, and sweet potato fries.
The highlight was the fries.
The burger was not good for $ 10+ burger.
The bone marrow was meh for me.

burger went down in quality. even gave me a nice helping of FOOD POISONING this time round. the pain was something I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy.
I tried to get in contact with the establishment prior to posting this, of course they wouldn’t get back to me. if you’re looking to be on a temporary deathbed, go here.

Food is SO good. Got the office burger, and it did not disappoint. The burger is so thick and juicy and flavorful. They don’t have ketchup so don’t bother asking. Drinks are abundant (but they don’t have vodka. Owners decision). I absolutely HATE beer, but gave it a shot since they’re known for their craft beers. One word – Yum!
They also have free valet parking which was nice! Only downfall is that it’s open seating, and it was REALLY hard to find a table to sit at, resulting in us eating at the bar. Overall, great experience and I’ll be back!

VERY underwhelming. The «burger» and fries sure did disappoint.
I had high expectations for Father’s Office. After having read about it on various lists discussing best burgers in LA, i was sure i would enjoy at least a good burger.
Sadly, this burger was just mediocre. The burger’s caramelized onions simply overpowered every other flavor. Was there meat in my burger? Was there salt? Other vegetables? I can only guess.
The bread was similarly underwhelming. It was a soft deli-​style bun. When I first received the burger, I thought they had mistaken my order for a roast beef sandwich. The taste added a nice texture, but sadly no flavor to the burger.
The fries were of the thinly sliced variety. They just weren’t very good. They lacked any distinguishing flavor. They just tasted like potato. I like my fries to taste at least like potato and salt. Sadly, they did not make the cut.
Other than the crummy burger and fries, I actually liked this place’s setup. It’s a bustling bar with a cool atmosphere and a stellar selection of drinks. Parking is valet. Altogether, it might work well for a late night place, but it’s priced too high to be worth my dollar.

Taking the back seat during my ride home from FO couldn’t have come at a better time because Im able to Unilocal about how amazing my burger was before I forget all the amazing flavors my taste bud encountered. I Had the burger of course and I can’t describe the perfect balance between juicy meat, saltiness of the bacon, and tanginess of the Bleu cheese mixed with the sweet flavors. I am not a fan of sweet potato fries or Bleu cheese– let’s just say I couldn’t get enough of the sweet potato fries dipped in the Bleu cheese aioli. I wish there was a location closer to the valley.
Side note: I don’t think it’s fair to judge a place based on the service from staff but I have to say, some of the servers need to remember their job is to provide service not attitude or sarcasm– just sayin

second time coming here and still very satisfied.
Parking: Street parking only, since there is construction going on.
Location: You can’t miss this place, this place is really big. They have in door and out door seating, it was a bit too cold to sit outside yesterday. However, the times I’ve happened to come it gets very dimmed inside which are at night. As you come inside you will get carded so this is a 21 and over spot. Seems like a diverse place with people of all age. Weather you’d like to drink or eat both are really good, I’ve came for the food both times. The food, service, and drinks are good quality. Definitely recommend coming here for boys/​girls/​couple night!
hope you enjoy, check out my foodie instagram @foodgurula

Amazing food, great atmosphere, but get there early! It gets pretty crowded on Friday or Saturday nights and you may not be able to find a seat, so be aware of that going into this. It can get frustrating when your food is ready, but you still don’t have a seat. That would be the only downside of Father’s Office.
Aside from the crowd, it’s a pretty big place, with great food and drinks. Staff can be a little demanding, but I guess there a bit irritated due to the madness. Once you’ve gotten past the the fight for a table and ordering your experience is bound to be great! Order the burger with fries! Definitely my go-​to whenever I’m here!

Father’s Office is exactly what you want from an upscale brewpub. The food is fantastic, the beers selection is large, and the servers are extremely knowledgeable. If you’re not sure what kind of beer you want, ask a bartender and he or she will point you in the right direction. As for their signature burger, it’s on point. The secret is their special sauce, a perfect combination of sweet and savory that’s complimented well by the meat, greens, and cheese. It’s super gourmet and not really a burger in the traditional sense, but I’ll spare you my feelings on the gentrification of the hamburger: D
My only advice is go at a slow time (Sunday afternoon, anyone?). If you end up here on a Friday or Saturday night, good luck. It’s a total shit show.

Food is good but gone down a notch.
For some reason, the famous burger at this particular location just isn’t as good as the Santa Monica one. It might be in the bread, which tastes cheaper or perhaps was just old /​out too long? Not sure.
The down-​marking from 5 also includes how despite a large, fairly unpopulated outdoor seating area, they declined my being able to bring in my small dog.
They said he could be «leashed outside» which is not acceptable.
Hopefully they revise their policy as I’d love to come back.

I love Father’s Office — used to live near the Santa Monica location so I know how crazy busy it came get. Came here on a Saturday night around 7ish. Luckily it wasn’t too crowded yet and there were a few seats available. Of course all the outdoor seating was taken. My friend grabbed the table and I ordered at the bar. The waitress was really nice and let me taste the cider. We split a Father’s Office burger and got regular fries and sweet potato fries to share. The food came out pretty fast and was as tasty as ever. Of course no substituting and no ketchup!
Overall a cool place. We left a little after 9 and it was getting pretty crowded.

Still my favorite burger period, still a model for consistency, still a fantastic beer menu and still one of my favorite spots in town!
I came twice here last month on a visit to my old stomping grounds. Austin took great care of me both times and recommended some tasty beers. I finally tried something outside of the burger and sweet potato fries, or should I say in addition to, by sharing their Spanish mushrooms with a friend. They were garlicky goodness that I would definitely order again.
I will remain consistent as well and continue to come here every time I’m in LA, multiple times each visit most likely.

TL: DR — or just skip to the food part.
[Time & Date of visit]: Friday evening, 8ish
[Party Size]: 2
[Location/​Ambiance]:
Parking — Complimentary Valet
I’m not sure if it’s all day or just after a certain time, but there was an employee checking ID’s. I guess it makes it easier for the bartenders since they also have to take food orders.
Inside — The restaurant is shaped like a «C», the outside patio runs parallel with the bar on the inside. Most tables are on the patio seat at least 4 or more. Inside, against the wall are some booths, with the ends containing 2 top tables with running booth chairs against the wall.
The tables are «supposed to be» communal, unless some @$$ is sitting by himself at a 4 top table and unwilling to share. We had no problem asking a nice couple at an outside table, sitting facing the street if we could share the table space with them. We conversed, as they asked if it was our first time there and they gave us a few suggestions. They really seem to enjoy the burger they were sharing, almost foodgasm of «mmm’s» and «oh man».
Ambiance — Dim lighting eases up the vibe with the hecticness of people walking all over the place and trying to find seating. Somewhat loud throughout the place. Best I can describe it is a very casual gastro pub.
[Service]:
It’s a fast casual setup but you can make a tab and just pay for everything at the end. Food runners also bus your table after your meal.
*tip* If you’re ordering food and drinks, queue up at front of the kiosks at the bar and the bartender’s should spot you pretty easily when it’s your turn.
Even with a packed house, it’s not that long of a wait to put in an order with the bartenders. Run a tab or pay for it up front. Drinks are handed to you at the bar, while the food is brought out in a timely manner.
[Food Highlights]:
The Office Burger — medium — Some will say it’s hype, but my cousin who lives in LA actually never heard of this place until I sent her a list of must try places via Thrillist. As a burger seeker, YES IT’S GOOD. Will it convert any vegetarian’s? Probably not that good. So what makes this place any different from just stopping by an In-​N-​Out and ordering it up animal style? Well, the bread is different. More hoagie than bun. Different– but meh on that. What comes together for me is the slightly sweet bacon jam mixing with the slight bitterness of the arugula, and the greasy, juicy, and tender because they actually cooked it medium– burger patty. The gruyère is underwhelming in the mix but serves more as a medium for the other toppings. Cherish each bite and just let the flavors tingle your taste buds. Must order.
Frites in a Basket — (French Fries) — The seasoning is just right, not too salty, but just enough for flavor. Cooked very well. Not the world’s best fries I think, but they are good. Pairs well with the office burger.
Sweet Potato Frites in a Basket — (yes, Sweet Potato French Fries) — A shareable side that doesn’t come included as an option with the burger. No you can’t sub it either. I’m a little torn as I think the dipping sauce for the regular fries works better for the sweet potato fries. Not the best version of these I’ve had either, but they are tasty. Though the regular fries edge out on taste compared to them. Still worth a try.
A copy of the menu can be found here. Though I’m not sure prices are up to date:
We also tried some beers, such as Ommegang Hennipin; which wasn’t as smooth as I was hoping on the finish. And Avery lilikoi kepolo. I think the Avery had a better finish.
{Summary}:
First off, there’s no ketchup. Maybe you can sneak some packets in or a bottle as some fellow Unilocalers have joked about when I asked about this place. But to me, you don’t really need it. Unless you just have to have it on your fries. All in all, it’s not a typical burger joint. It feels like a gastro pub, especially with the fancier apps on the menu. The beer selection is vast. The burgers are great, even if it’s not on a bun. I didn’t get the vibe of Burger Nazi, so I actually liked it overall and how it’s served. 4 stars.

10 years ago this was where I had the best burger of my life (Santa Monica location). FO was one of the first «gourmet» burgers I’ve eaten and it was spectacular. Don’t think the FO burger has changed, but the burger scene has changed. So many good spots out there now like Umami and G Burger to name a few.
Fathers office just doesn’t do it for me anymore for their burger. Sweet potato fries are awesome. Service was okay. Order food from the Bar which isn’t bad but it’s kind of annoying to wait in line to order at a restaurant like I’m ordering a drink at a bar.
Price is fair. Location is good. Restaurant is clean and open feel. Great place to hang out on a sunny day or warm night.
Sometimes I wish I could go back to pre-​foodie me. Life was so simple.

BEST BONE MARROW!!!
I have a thing for Gastropubs… we mesh well together. Finally introduced to a very delicious burger and bone marrow. I’ve had bone marrow before but nothing like their bone marrow. SO GOOD. Came here on a Saturday evening and there were a good handful of people but nothing to crowd the place. Kind of disappointed in the service — they didn’t bother to check on us, fill empty water glasses, AND we were sitting at the bar area with two bar tenders in front of us. It’s okay… the bone marrow made up for it.
THE OFFICE BURGER — I was told I would like this than a SuperDuper burger (yes, i love SuperDuper) and it is true, I did! The buns were fluffy, the patty was meaty and juice, and the mountain of spinach added that herbal flavor needed to break up the heartiness of the meat. There’s a sauce on the bun that reminds me of ketchup and bbq sauce mixed together that bind the bun and meat together and gave it a little tart flavor. It’s a decent sized burger for one person — it can easily be split between two. Fries were added HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
ROASTED BEEF MARROW — OHMY!!! I’ve had bone marrow before but nothing like this one. I can’t explain the melting jelly texture on my palette and how delicious it is, it’s just really yummy. They serve it with thin sliced grilled toast for you to spread the bone marrow but I can literally eat spoonfuls of the bone marrow on it’s own. TO THE GREATEST POWER, HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Thank you for being of very close distance to my SoCal home… I will be back!!!
JABA APPROVED. Until the next review…

Super cool place!
This is the former Helms Bakery factory that’s been carved out into a hipster watering hole. And yet, without a checkered plaid and handlebar mustache I still felt like I fit in.
The tap selection is terrific, but almost no local brews except a terrific hefeweizen I had from Pasadena. Otherwise, it’s all San Diego beer — it’s like I never left home!
The food wow’d me, but not as expected. I wasn’t blown away by their famous Office Burger, which is served with a rectangular patty (so you know it’s hand forged) and a ton of toppings that drown out the flavor of the beef — slightly bitter arugula, Maytag bleu cheese, and a sweet caramelized onion marmalade that’s almost like a berry compote overwhelming each bite. Also, I asked for medium but it wasn’t definitely medium rare. The menu states that you can absolutely not make any special requests, which is a shame since most of us probably want to hold the jam dollop.
But my companion got one of their specials, a lamb skewer — DELICIOUS! Moist yet crunchy on the outside and a hearty portion for $ 12. Made a nice small plate for sure. They also had a soft crab small plate special which looked pretty awesome. Nice to know they don’t just serve burgers here.
Also, I ordered my burger with the FO shoestring fries, or frites, and those were spot on. Given the skinniness of each piece it’s hard to get this right, and FO does.
Apparently to celebrate the fact that it’s inside the former Helms, they do serve desserts made with the Helms baked goods, which look like a must try when I return.
The whole place is self seating and there are tables separate from the bar but no table service; you still have to go to the bar.
Parking is a free valet lot or you can park along Venice Boulevard if there’s room. I was surprised that there was space and no wait inside when I arrived during prime time on a recent weekday night. Then again it was Tuesday, and it’s probably packed on weekend evenings.

«Can we go to Mother’s Desk?»
Actual quote I said when I told my friends we should go here. I feel like the name is a little arbitrary and the crowd is a little pretentious. The first word out of the hostess, without any emotion was «id? So this place is COMMUNAL seating. Sit… wherever. «
After creepily stalking around corners we managed to grab our table in the same fashion that one grabs a TV during black Friday and take turns ordering at the bar.
The food was fantastic. The Office Burger was a work of art. It was the one thing that impressed me.
Still it was a good night with great people. Even with the hipster crowd, it was a nice place to talk… or compare instagram posts of your moustache.
Enjoy your burger and expensive microbrew!

I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt since I’ve been here so many times but on my recent visit when I ordered my burger medium it came out pretty done. The first bite was perfect but them it started to get more dry. Luckily I planned ahead and ordered way more food than I needed so my meal wasn’t a complete lost. They have a large selection of craft beers that you can’t go wrong.
Maryland soft shell crab– slight fishy smell and the sweet sauce that came on the bottom could be better.
Sweet Potato fries were on point as usual.
Sticky toffee pudding — warm, soft, sweet and amazing with ice cream.
Next time i’m going to have to order medium rare or just send it back.

3.5 stars. We arrived and the woman checked our ID to get in, so I am guessing you can only be 21 to eat here? Or maybe it was because we got there at 6:30 on a Friday night? I’m really not too sure but this was definitely a different restaurant experience I’ve had.
First, they tell you to find a spot to sit, then to order your food. I found this strange, as it was a bit of a battle between my boyfriend and I and the other people there to snatch a spot to sit at. After about 30 minutes, we finally snagged a spot while waiting next to a couple. I really did not enjoy this experience and I wish it was like a regular restaurant where you are seated by a hostess, but hey, it’s not my restaurant.
We ordered two burgers, two beers, and a basket of fries. Our beers came first and man, they were both amazing! They have a giant selection and an endless amount of beers on tap! The fries were really good too, the garlic aioli was so delicious. The burgers came out last and although they were on the pricier side for a burger ($ 12.50), you can tell the ingredients were high quality. We left extremely full!
We will probably be back, as this place seemed like a fun place with a bigger group! But hopefully we won’t have to go to war again to find a spot to sit!

It’s embarrassing that I’ve lived in LA for like 3 years now and only about 10 – 15 minutes from Father’s Office and I only just recently made my way out there… oops.
+ Sweet potato fries — OMG SO DAMN GOOD, the best sweet potato fries ever. And I LOVE sweet potato fries. Ok do you get it? Good, order these.
+ Spanish mushrooms — meh whatever. We found hair in ours and they brought us a new one so that was kinda gross… but besides that they were average. Nothing over the top.
+ BEER, BEER, and MORE BEER!
+ OFFICE BURGER — dun dun dunnnnnnnnn… well why the f else would FO have so many damn reviews? YES YES YES! So damn good. Just eat it.
The office burger and the sweet potato fries and one of their many refreshing beers can turn the grumpiest bitch into the happiest one alive. Proven fact. (Sorry I was hangry)
Complimentary valet in the lot on Helms.

Very good beers and burgers!!!

If you enjoy sweet potato fries even the tiniest bit, you must eat theirs. Now. Seriously. It’s a foodgasmic experience.
The regular fries are super thin, perfectly crispy. Divine. But it’s hard to order them when I know I can have the magical sweet taters in my mouth.
This place is the closest thing I have seen to my favorite Grand Rapids (Yeah, Michigan. I went there.) bar, Founders.
Like people said, weekends are SUPER PACKED and you have to be aggressive to get a table.