Hits Only: The Five Best Dishes I’ve Had This Week
Now that smashburgers have hit ad nauseam territory, let’s talk about how a majority of them are actually more pressed than smashed. If you consider yourself a purveyor of smashburgers, but don’t sling patties that boast crispy edges that look like equal parts delicious topography and death metal font, then my friend, go ahead and press that patty down with a little more oomph.
Flatty Melt
Hammer Burger — Santa Ana, CA
The best smashburger that I’ve had yet. Let’s get that out of the way first, so we can focus on the perfect crispy latticework of Hammer Burger’s smash patties. This sterling example has all the beauty of a patty melt’s toasted buns, caramelized onions, and textbook cheese ooze with the added textural appeal of smashburgers. Get this ASAP.
Chicken Inasal
Lasita — Los Angeles, CA
Perfect chicken inasal is what’s happening here. I got an expertly balanced bite of smoke, pepper, tang, and zest, which draped over the juiciness of the artfully grilled bird.
Crispy Smoked Jamaican Jerk Duck Confit
Joyce — Los Angeles, CA
Duck confit on the menu is a great tell for the level of skill going on in the kitchen. The rendered fat of the duck locks in tenderness like a Hallmark card writer, which is then energized with the vibrant punch of Jamaican jerk seasonings. It’s comfort food in a tuxedo, accessorized with a pair of comfy Clarks Wallabees.
Sizzling Cheesy Shortrib
MGD Korean BBQ — Hollywood, CA
Sizzling plates are always stealing the show and this one snatches the audience by the neck and submits it to a melty cheese sauce and juicy short rib that’s large enough to please any Flintstone character.
Varenyky with Mashed Potatoes
Mom, Please — Playa Vista, CA
My first time having Ukrainian food at Mom, Please and it definitely won’t be my last. The varenyky that I ordered were stuffed with smooth potato filling and featured a luscious layer of umami-rich mushroom sauce that put all caps on COMFORT FOOD.
