Burger Crew meeting called to order on Sunday, May 5th, 2024 at noon (Innie’s pick)
Members in attendance: Angela, Trevor, DK, Wayne, and Innie.
I. Ordering
Ban Ban Burger is from the folks that brought us Tuk Tuk Thai. This is your place to get thai-influenced smashburgers. If you’ve ever been to Thailand or anywhere in southeast asia you know they’re very generous with flavors and Ban Ban Burger delivers.
Between the entire group we ordered
Grapow Smash – free range beef, onions with house-made grapow paste. Served a fried egg, house Thai pickle, American cheese, and wild garlic aioli on a potato roll
Wagyu Laab Smash – Wagyu beef, onions, seasoned with zesty laab powder, with house Thai pickle, mint, and herb sauce with American cheese on a potato roll
II. The Burgers
This burger is all about the flavor and not so much the meat because
True to Thai influence the burgers were spicy. As someone who’s pretty sensitive to spicy (but still loves it) would rate it as a medium spicy but I really appreciate the heat doesn’t linger. Our resident spice experts said they were not disappointed with spicyness if it were advertised as a “spicy burger.” The meat itself was a bit plain but all the crazy flavors made it not noticeable. The patty had a good (not great) sear and tasted like pepper was mixed into the beef.
The wagyu patty was also very nice and DK described it as a “deep tissue and shiatsu” flavor and appreciated the mint chutney. It seemed it was better balanced than the Grapow burger.
Both patties were loose pack and thus very messy. I absolutely love the sunny side egg with the large (GMO?!) yolk.
I realize there’s so much flavor but I haven’t described it. The reason is it’s very difficult to describe if you’ve never had spiced thai food. They completely captured the essence and it felt like a party in my mouth and all the spices were invited. <insert some spice girl meme>
The potato bun was super squishy and eggy and the pickles were PERFECT. It’s like partial pickled texture but full pickled flavor. Wayne felt it could been more pickled for his taste but appreciated the crunch. PICK A LANE WAYNE!
The closest comparison to this burger experience to Ban Ban Burger would have to be Chego’s (which is now Amboys… see previous review).
III. The Sides
So now that the bacon debate has been fully settled, the new hot topic is what is considered a “shoe string” fry? We’ve decided to take it upon ourselves and measure. 5mm thick. Is that shoe string? absolutely! Although thinner than McDonalds they’re still fluffy and crunchy. Cooked perfectly and served hot with some sort of lime salt.
Sweet potato fries (measured > 5mm) were also fried nicely with crunch and fluff. No soggy potato fries here.. which seems to be a challenge for most establishments out there.
Ketchup… yes this is a side. I’m usually the first to poopoo any artisanal or homemade ketchup. When I want ketchup I want heinz, del monte, hunts, store house brand, or even fancy castup. Enter Ban Ban and their fancier ketchup that has some sort of lemon grass or curry oil in it. It has a very light touch and it’s good! Trevor approved.
Last note, if you get the Pandan Shake, make sure it’s not frozen solid. Wayne some how got one that was impossible to eat. He had another one made and said it wasn’t as sweet as he expected and had an earthy/grassy flavor (read: dirt). And if you ever happen to be in Singapore the pandan shakes there are superior.
IV. Miscellaneous
Located on Sawtelle south of Santa Monica Blvd. It’s at the end closest to Santa Monica Blvd so parking was not too difficult. YMMV as you get closer to Tsujita etc. Go on a Sunday because parking will be free at the meters. They open at 11:30 or 12 and be the first ones there if you can. As we were waiting for our orders it got quite busy there.
There’s a small refrigerator display case with some unique beers, mexican coke and a water station for those that need/want it.
Lastly, please go to 10 Speed Coffee down the street (walking distance). EXCELLENT cappuccinos, mochas, and espresso.
V. Value
The members were asked how much they would pay for their burgers. These were the ratings and value given by the crew:
Trev: 4.4, $15
Wayne: 4.5, $11
Angela: 4.2, $16
DK. 4.8, $17.50
Innie: 4.1, $13.50
VI. Verdict
Another winner of a burger spot! If you’re in the area please pop in and get a burger and afterwards take a coffee break and head over to Plan Check for one LA’s best burgers.