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Cassell's Hamburgers

  • c

Is no one here familiar with this gem? Fabulous hamburgers, 1/3 and 2/3 pounders, and a make it yourself situation with the condiments.
3266 W. 6th, Los Angeles, close to Vermont.

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  1. It is probably the best known hamburger place in L.A.

    1 Reply
    1. re: JonW

      I doubt that. I hear much more about Father's Office, Apple Pan, and Fatburger than Cassell's.

    2. It's plenty familiar on this board. As with most places, it has people singing its praises and people cursing it. The old "It's-not-as-good-as-it-used-to-be" refrain. I fall into the former camp. If I concede that it has lost some of its shine, they're still mighty fine burgers, I love the potato salad and the lemonade sure would have tasted good today. When I'm in the neighborhood I'll frequently pick a few of their meat patties for grilling at home for dinner.

      6 Replies
      1. re: TomSwift

        Been a while since I've been - BUT the pototo salad stays in memory as marvelous (no fries if you haven't been there). I remember the old location a few doors down that had a little patio in the back.
        But yes, in Mid-Wilshire, it's a fine place to go for a burger. I wouldn't cross town for it, but it's quite good - and not that far from 'SC if people there are looking for a fun and easy lunch. (and a block or two from the red line).

        1. re: Jerome

          They have fries and onion rings. Great potato salad and home made condiments and some reall good lemonade. Yeah it used to be better, but I still love it.

          1. re: Burger Boy

            The fries and onion rings are there, but pretty bad. But there's still nothing like a 2/3 pound USDA Prime Cassell's burger ordered rare, the drippiest, bloodiest creature on earth.

          2. re: Jerome

            Hey Jerome!

            I have never been to Cassell's, but when I do go I want to sample all of their best. Will you please help me by offering a detailed list of items to order and recommended preparations?

            Finally, once more before Chowhound 2.0 debuts (and our lovingly crafted on-screen identities get garbled beyond all useful recognition in the mandatory registration process -- humor) I would like to thank you for so, so many wonderful posts to this board over these many years. I'm sure that I speak for everyone when I say that you are greatly admired and respected for the depth and breadth of your chow-knowledge, and we are all the better for it.

            And here's to a bright future for the Chowhound resource, as it is now set to continue through CNET. I hope to see you there!

            All the best to you,


            1. re: David Ford

              the change is something that I know nothing about - cnet?
              oh well.
              Thank you anyway for the compliment.

              As for what to order? It's a burger joint. We all have our tastes. I like the 1/3 lb because I find the 2/3 too big for me to handle and frankly overpowering. I get it without cheese - suit yourself. Rare to medium rare.
              The fries are relatively new. go classic - the potato salad is at the buffet table. it's wonderfully garlicky. Get a bunch. use the 1000 island liberally on the burger, if the tomatoes look good, go for it - if they're pale skip it. One slice of onion.
              the onion rings are decent from what I remember.
              Most important - the lemonade has been fantastic. Make sure they have it - it used to be fresh made, if ti still is get it. warning - the old stuff was really acidic, be prepared. But it's refreshing and nothing cuts the burger fat like a sharp sour lemonade.

              Again, what a very kind compliment. Thank you.

              1. re: Jerome

                Hi Jerome,

                In response:

                >the change is something
                >that I know nothing
                >about - cnet?

                Please see link below for the scoop.


                Link: http://www.chowhound.com

        2. Been going since the late '70s after hearing Paul Wallach rave about it on his radio show. New owners and location but when I went a few weeks back it was still great! A double cheese burger (USDA PRIME) with a large lemonade, great potato salad and even homemade mayo - YUM!!!

          The only downside - I was full until lunch the next day!

          Cassell's Hamburgers
          3266 W 6th St
          Los Angeles, CA 90020
          213 480 8668

          Link: http://www.hollyeats.com/Cassells.htm

          1. I like this place, but they have Langer's style hours. Close at 4pm or something like that.

            1. h
              Hershey Bomar

              Is this a hoax?

              This place is old news and the meat tastes like a soggy old newspaper; mildewed and left on the curb.

              The potato salad is unique and the owner unfriendly.

              1 Reply
              1. re: Hershey Bomar

                Dude, that flavor at Cassell's is actually how beef is supposed to taste. I'm not being pompous here, but growing up I've been lucky enough to taste real meat from farm fresh cows and it has real FLAVOR. That's what I love about the Cassell's burger, it's got real flavor molecules sticking to the inside of my mouth.

                In the US we've headed down a sad path of eliminating flavor from our diets and places like Cassell's remind us of how meat is supposed to taste.