Big Jo’s

Traveling though Santa Monica, I passed by this cute little burger joint. I had to stop in. They have a pretty simple menu — which includes breakfast sandwiches, burgers, and fro sandwiches. I decided to take a chance on their food, and I bought burgers and fries for my entire staff. Everyone enjoyed it.
Cute little Korean elderly people own and run the shop. They seem to know everyone and remembered people’s names and orders. That is what makes family!
Double cheeseburger was about $ 5.75
And the fries were $ 2.25. They make seasoned salt available for the fries and burgers.

I love this place for a couple of reasons. One is my imagined history of this little shop. It seems like it was started by Italian immigrants selling burgers in the 1940s/​1950s. Now it’s transitioned into place owned by Chinese/​Korean proprietors and staffed by hispanics. It’s a microcosm of the American dream.
The second reason is the food. It’s a good solid burger with no frills at a decent price. The service is rapid enough and never seems to fail. The lawn chair dining room just adds that extra bit of kitsch to the place. Now if only they were open for an early dinner service…

It’s not much to look at when you pass by, but I hear from locals that it’s been here for a long time and still has its old fashioned cheeseburger taste. When asked if I wanted to go to Jo’s, I asked who is that? After that exchange with coworkers, they said to come with them and I would find out. Oh yes, I’ve been there before and had pastrami. Today I ordered a chili cheeseburger with fries. I didn’t get a drink, though it was about the same as the combo in case you’re wondering. The flame grilled patty was nice and juicy and tasted good. The crinkle cut fries were moist and crispy.
For a small place ordering up at the counter with a long line, they are rather efficient taking your order and getting food to you. I’ve seen the line out the door, but we were lucky this trip. They’re cash only, so be sure to bring it.

Fast. They microwave sandwiches. Bread tough to chew. Asian lady I had to repeat «no bell peppers» 3 times. They are fast little meat lots of grilled oions.

Friendly and fast service with awesome food at a great price! Couldn’t ask for more. This is a classic burger place that you shouldn’t miss out on. Make sure to bring cash cuz it’s cash only :)

Good feel good food and family owned.
Plenty of parking
Great fries and chili burger my favorite
Suggest free refills on drinks

High protein tip: Get the triple burger, plain. It’s all meat and some bun.

Big Jo’s has been around for decades and they haven’t changed since. They offer a good traditional burger – no bells or whistles, just a plain burger that is bomb. The Korean ladies provide such a great experience too.

Oh my gosh, run to Big Jo’s and get the pastrami egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. It’s to die for. The pastrami is amazing and the bun is delicious. And since I’m a miser, the $ 4.11 price tag is one of the best deals around. Service is fast and there’s a little enclosed patio. If eat ten sandwiches in one sitting and feel a heart attack coming on, UCLA is a block away.
And cash only.

I’d been craving a really good burger for a while and was tired of the commercial quality of many of the chains. So I was pleased to discover Big Jo’s still has the authentic great tastes that we know and love in a cheeseburger.
I tried the double cheeseburger combo with everything (Double patties with lots of cheese oozing right out the edge of the bun, shredded lettuce, onions, crinkle-​cut fries, and a medium/​large drink for under $ 9.50 with tax!).
The flame grilled tastes, which are normally muted or non-​existent in regular burgers are front and center on this one. What a treat! Patties were still juicy and the cheese stuck to the foil wrap when I opened it. Yum.
And they provide plenty of moist and crispy, thick-​cut, fries in their combo, with real old-​fashioned flavors that I have missed so much at other burger joints.
The service was quick and friendly, with lots of joking between the counter and the regulars.
Cash Only! And there’s only one very small, two person table inside next to the ordering counter. There’s a much larger covered out-​door section.
Well done Big Jo’s!

A Santa Monica classic. You don’t come here for that warm and fuzzy feeling of great customer service that goes along with being a long-​time customer… you come because the food is awesome! Want a great burger? They got ‘em. Want a solid Philly cheesesteak? Look no further. Want to head to a place where everyone knows your name? Uh… this isn’t the place for that. It does, however have great food and that’s why you will be lining up during the lunch time rush. Go before or after the rush or get one of their great breakfast sandwiches in the morning (that come on super soft hamburger buns!) and you will leave satisfied without making a huge dent in your wallet. Not fancy but a great spot for some great food.

Very rude customer service. You should avoid this place, you have better option in the area

Ah the little Asian ladies are so cute!
The food is delicious. And the prices are wonderful.
I have been waiting years to go there, but due to their hours I didn’t have a chance to to until a few days ago. And honestly, I was beyond impressed. Continue the amazing work!
I even burned my tongue on the fries, but I didn’t care. It was all too delicious!

I work close to here and a friend told me I needed to check it out.
They told me, pastrami breakfast sandwich on a hamburger bun, with a coffee for $ 4.50.
I did it and my life has been forever changed.
Pastrami for breakfast… I KNOW RIGHT?! I’ve had the bacon, pastrami trumps.
If you a real one, get a hash brown and put it on the sandwich.
CASH ONLY, they have an ATM.

The owner (I’m assuming) the Asian lady behind the counter taking orders doesn’t seem very friendly. If you ask her for peppers she won’t make eye contact or respond she will just throw it in your bag. I guess she’s on auto mode taking so many orders that she doesn’t have time to smile or say thank you.
Burgers are pretty good. I wish the fries were a little crispier. I crave this every once in a while. The chained up seasoned salt shakers is pretty hilarious. It’s cash only. It’s not a big deal for me because if I really want this I will go get cash.

Classic American comfort. Chili cheese fries consist of thick and crispy crinkle-​cut fries, topped with a slice of American cheese, and thick bean-​less chili. Very tasty! The burger is simple, and delicious. A thin patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and thousand island, on a sesame seed bun. Not the place to eat if you’re dieting, but very comforting indeed. The dedicating parking is another positive for this place.

Feeling hungover? Go to Big Jo’s. The burgers have magic grease that will cure you. It’s delicious, cheap and fast. They also have a nice little outdoor patio where you can nom. Highly recommend the double cheeseburger and fries with the seasoned salt.
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Only thing is that it’s cash only, but they do have an ATM inside.

In the evenings I run by Big Jo’s and for a long time I had never even stepped foot in the place. I finally popped my Big Jo’s cherry and came in for lunch on a weekday. This is the type of burger I find myself craving, not those $ 14 ketchup leather, arugula, brioche bun, truffle aioli types, although, I like those too. It’s just that sometimes you want a good no frills cheeseburger with fancy ketchup and not some house made tomato ketchup concoction. Big Jo’s fulfills that craving and their food hits the spot. You can call in your order ahead to not wait so long with the lunch rush and get back to the office or you can order there and eat out in the patio type of area they have setup. They also have a a decent breakfast sandwich deal if you’re in the mood for something hearty before heading to work. No Acai bowls here, sorry.

PUT THE SEASONING SALT ALL OVER MY MEAL AND BODY!
In the hell of this part of Santa Monica — there are a sea of chains and overpriced mediocre food due to all the business parks around. Big Jo’s is a respite from some of the crap around the watergardens. Couple korean ladies slangin’ patties — and quite quickly, despite what people are saying below. They’re running a full on line of guys in the back and cracking out burgers and fries quite quickly.
Just don’t try to modify the burger, they’re not really having it. Go there, get the bacon (live a little!), and a side of fries. You get it in a brown lunch bag with the grease soaking through, and then just generously shake the hell out of those special canisters on the counter all over everything.
Do it!
FYI — no seating around. Grab and go, buddy.

Great local spot, that I finally got to try out. Had a pastrami sandwich and grilled chicken burger. Both were well sized and tasted great. They definitely look pretty busy, but they get you in and out pretty quickly.
We’ll be back!