Burgers and Beer- an American combo

I am happy to say the new Father’s Office in Culver City is open and doing a booming business.
If you don’t know about F.O. as it is known to locals as the best burger to be hand in a bar atmosphere anywhere in L.A. The original F.O. is on Montana and 11th Street and is a small crowded bar with an amazing selection of beers on tap as well as some terrific local wines. The place is charming but you need to arrive early to insure a chance at sitting down as they have an absurd “first come first serve” rule when it comes to getting a table.
We discovered it years ago and have enjoyed many a burger and brew there. The highlight is the burgers as the menu has little else. They come as is- no substitutes- with arugula, caramelized onions, blue cheese and an aioli sauce on the side. No ketchup to be found. The actual burger is thick and juicy and as close to homemade as one could find in the outside world. It comes with a large handful of thin crunchy fries that go perfectly with the aioli sauce. So this is the deal; you get there and push into the bar, order a beer or glass of wine, a burger and maybe their roasted beet salad ( which is large and very well done). They give you a number and then you spend the next 15 minutes hovering over tables that look like they might be almost done. The second someone moves to leave you pounce. This is the way it works at both the original and the latest expanded version of F.O.
So last night we went there at prime time about 8 pm. and found ourselves starving and wishing we didn’t have to go through this painful process before sitting down to enjoy our meal. There were 4 of us so we branched out and stood right next to 4 different tables waiting to get lucky. You have to be aggressive lest the other vultures will nab your spot, so the nice ones finish last.
It took us about 15 minutes to finally slide into seats and as usual the wait was worth it. The same menu and the same non-service abides in the new location with three times the amount of room.
I most definitely recommend the Father’s Office but wish they would grow up and get the staff they need to accommodate us hungry souls.