Burger Crew Meeting called to order on Sunday, September 26, 2021, 9am (Stop #7 in Burger Crew Does the Best of LA) at Pier Burger in Santa Monica, CA
Members in attendance: Angela d. (hey, that’s me!), Sumana S., Trevor Y., Wayne T., Dennis K., and Innie C.
Guest: Will G.
I. Ordering
What a better way to start a day than with some burgers! This is one of the few burger places open for breakfast! Sumana and Will ordered a breakfast burger (a Pier burger topped with bacon and a fried egg – $6.96).
DK and Wayne decided to double down with a double breakfast burger ($10.95).
Innie decided to opt for a traditional choice for this location: a double pier burger ($8.95).
Trev and I got the double pier burger ($8.95), but we added bacon ($1) and got a hot dog with chili and bacon for good measure ($8.75). Because, what’s breakfast without a side of a chili bacon dog?
A note for when you’re ordering, the burgers come with lettuce, tomato and a homemade sauce. If you want pickles and onions (which, of course you do), you’ll have to request it. Onions can either be raw or grilled. No one remembered except Trev and I (we pass the “do you actually read the menu” test). Innie requested pickles and onions on the side after she had put her order it. They happily obliged and gave her the toppings in 2 little condiment cups.
II. The Burgers
As we’ve experienced many times over the years, the patties were loose packed with a great char, and were cooked medium rare to medium. The meat to bun ratio was not too good in the single, so as the standard burger crew rule goes “always double”.
The buns were very top bun forward (burger crew translator: the top bun was too big and the bottom bun was too small). Maybe it was too early in the morning and the person doing the slicing wasn’t quite awake yet. Some of us felt that the bun was drier than usual and used to be denser. This is not the first issue we’ve had with buns on this trip (maybe COVID is to blame).
Overall, toppings were just ooookay. According to Trevor it was a “standard tomato” (read: no yummy sauce all over the tomato). According to Innie, the lettuce is just for show, but it does make for a pretty burger picture! The cheese is good and melty. The pickles are nice and thick cut! In the breakfast burgers the egg was fried and cooked throughout (no runny yolk). It kind of looked like a giant slice of mozzarella! Though most of burger crew enjoys a runny yolk, this egg was less messy and didn’t have to worry about losing the yolk. The bacon was chewy (very Wayne friendly) and not as flavorful as we wanted it to be.
III. The Sides
Given that it was 9am, we had already eaten at 7 other burger places earlier in the weekend, and we still had 2 more burger places to go for the day, no one got fries. But how could I say no to a bacon chili dog for breakfast? This was our first time getting it and, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it would have been good without the bacon! The chili was really good and the dog came with pickles and onions on top by default. I find it ironic that those are standard for a hot dog, but you have to request it for your burger.
This dog was definitely a knife and fork hot dog, and it came with a little wooden knife and fork.
IV. Miscellaneous
As the name suggests, Pier burger resides on the famous Santa Monica Pier. They have plentiful outdoor seating with heaters and umbrellas for your comfort. For your whimsy there are some fun murals!
The bathrooms are right across the way, which could be good or bad depending on how you look at it. Pier burger seems to try and be more eco friendly. They had the wooden utensils and paper straws, but their drink cups and condiment cups were still plastic. The strawberry lemonade is good.
It’s good to note that they open early so you can get your burger fix if you find yourself in Santa Monica jonesing for a breakfast burger. They have other things on their breakfast menu as well.
If you so happen not to enjoy burgers (which, you’re probably in the wrong place), they have a lot of other delicious sounding things on the menu: hot dogs (which are bomb), chicken sandwich, fish sandwich, and concretes.
V. Value
I ask the members how much they would pay for the burger they ate. We said we’d pay between $10 and $12 for these burgers so they are nicely priced!
VI. The Verdict
Great, meaty burger with a beautiful view that you can have for breakfast. What more can you ask for? Maybe a side of chili bacon dog
The ratings: 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.2, 4.5, and 4.6
On to Grill ‘Em All or as we so affectionately call it – Gorilla Mall