Umami Burger - Los Angeles (Hollywood Blvd.)

Really? I don't get it.

It is/was so popular and I figure Angelenos know their burgers. I went with a friend to the one on Hollywood Blvd.; my first visit, but she's an after-work crowd regular. I'm not trying to come down on them, especially since I didn't try a beef burger and I'm sure that has a lot to do with it.


I forgot what it was called but it was pretty standard. I made them replace the beef with a "veggie version" (this was a menu substitution) and was really disappointed when it arrived and I found out it meant a portabello mushroom. Was hoping they made a house non-meat alternative. I can get a mushroom anywhere and it didn't seem they did anything special with this one. Judge for yourself, but I don't think it looked special either?


The fries. Pick from a variety. Here's the thick cut which was a mistake. I like the way they look but the thinner ones are better. My friend knew better. Even the dipping sauce was wrong. This was the house ketchup my server recommended. Eck. I mooched off my friend's aioli and thin cuts.


This Diet Coke was so tiny, I felt sorry for it. I needed like, three of these. I'm not a big fan Los Angeles tap water either. I hate this unsatisfying feeling.


A kokeshi collection. Why? Because it's supposed to have Japanese flair? This place isn't Japanese and the kokeshi didn't match anything else in the building. The restaurant isn't comfortable to sit in--maybe that's why everyone was sitting on the patio?

I realize I'm not being totally fair about this by not eating beef, but they put a veggie option on the menu, right? I won't be returning, but I'm glad I finally tried this place. Ultimately... I've had so many meals in the neighboring area that were so much better (the Thai Town neighborhood is just down the street and I've never had a bad meal at any restaurant there) and there are still so many other restos to try. But you know this couldn't have been too good if we had to pick up a snack not too long after this lunch.

Here's my salad and hummus from Desert Rose (on Hillhurst) just a couple hours later.