Burger Archives - AJ Feuerman

ALOHA INDEED!

I had one of the best milkshakes I’ve ever had at Pono Burger in Santa Monica. The Oatmeal Stout Milkshake is made with organic vanilla ice cream, Anderson Valley Oatmeal Stout, housemade salted caramel sauce, whipped cream and toasted coconut chips. (I should note it’s only for the 21-and-over crowd.) It is one of several new items added to the charming, beachy restaurant’s menu for Spring.

I found the biggest mind blowers from the Pono Burger menu were the beverages, actually. The food was great and I’ll get to that, but I wanted to start with the superstars — this milkshake as well as their homemade, delicious strawberry lemonade and some really unique, tasty, organic cherry cola. I was really glad I let the server talk me into that cola — I am trying to find it in a store so I can buy it for home.

It was a hard choice – especially with the recent menu additions, but I settled on the Piku “Fig” Burger. It is dressed with “drunken” caramelized fig jam, brie, bacon, arugula and balsamic (it normally has crushed hazelnuts on it as well but due to allergies, I went without). It was a juicy, wonderful tasting sandwich with every bite. All of the flavors came together as a really savory party in my mouth, guys. Highly recommend this one. I think I even appreciated it more later on, when I had time to process it. Like when you see a movie and like it even more an hour after you see it.

My partner in crime for the day ordered the Kuawa Burger and was kind enough to save me a bite or two. The server made a great call suggesting she add avocado to it — that was great — and the best part was that it had potato chips on it. How could you not love that? A burger with a salty, satisfying crunch?! Amazing.

At places like this, I always find myself sad I don’t have more than a +1 with me or, at least, a giant stomach and a body that never gained weight. I’m just never able to try as many items as I’d like but I guess that just means I’ll have to go back for the Sassy Wahine burger (wasabi mayo and ponzu!) and more of those delicious fries. Frankly, the fries were only secondary to the homemade aioli they serve them with.

If I haven’t made it clear enough, I was really impressed with the service. The management could not have been nicer and our server was sweet and informed and gave an honest opinion when we asked for it. Sometimes you’re going to find servers pre-programmed with salesy shtick so I value that kind of thing. The overall aesthetic of the place is very tied into the beach being nearby as well as the Hawaiian traditions the owner draws inspiration from. “Pono,” by the way, means “to do things the right way” and they certianly are. Everything about Pono burger is, at the core, honest, as well as charming, communal, familial… and really yummy.

More:

Parking is available in an underground garage – it’s free!

Pono Burger website

On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

You would not know coming into the warm, elegant setting at The Continental in Toluca Lake that when the building opened in 1958, it was, in fact, an IHOP.

It has been many things since, but yes, it started as the International House of Pancakes. (And let’s all be thankful because I have a long, storied relationship with IHOP myself and if I never enter one again it will be too soon. But I digress. Stories for another time and after certain family members are dead.)

Onto the cocktails, though. OMIGOD. My favorite was the Christopher Oaxacan, a cocktail that is both fun to say (even though I can’t actually say it) and even more fun to drink. In addition to pineapple juice, lime juice and agave nectar, it has mezcal in it; which I recently learned the hard way is not Tequila.

Beer and wine have a presence on the menu but my money’s remains on all of the amazing cocktails. When someone puts that much effort into a craft cocktail offering, you almost have to honor their art. They even got me to try a Bourbon cocktail – something I never do. Bourbon sets my nose-hairs on fire. (You’re welcome for that imagery.)

May I recommend the patio for enjoying some cocktails? It was my favorite part of the renovated interior.

The new menu includes decadent, complex flavors in choices such as Thai Seafood Bouillabaisse, a stew of fresh shrimp, scallops, calamari and vegetables, cooked in a creamy coconut, lemongrass and kaffir lime broth. I had a tiny bite — it was not nearly enough. However my favorite amuse-bouche was the slider version of their Continental Burger, served with prime Angus beef, crispy pancetta, tempura-fried dill pickles and white cheddar cheese. I’m a giant sucker for white cheddar.

As a whole the menu is quite diverse and even changes things up for lunch. Some of the dishes manage to be both French and Thai inspired. They even manage Jewish-Vietnamese somehow as they feature their slow-roasted brisket in a Vietnamese Style Banh Mi. You’ll find salmon, chicken, vegetarian options, salads, sandwiches. I’ve said it before — the worst part about writing these posts is that they make me hungry and that’s never been more true than now.

You know, I could eat Brussels Sprouts every day. True story.

When the awesome staffers were not hugging me hello or introducing themselves, I stepped aside to admire the centerpiece of Continental’s décor, a new, five-panel/35-foot wide mural depicting Toluca Lake that wraps around the walls throughout the front rooms.

It’s a nice tribute to the history of the establishment and if you look closely at it, you will spot a tiny flag with a Mo’s logo — Mo’s was the most recent and rather cherished tenant of the space. The owner remains the same, though — so I am able to make peace with the transition.

Also because it is delicious. 😉

More:

Official website
All of the socials – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Street parking available,, which I would recommend first. The valet lot in the back is tiny.

P.S. (Congrats to them on landing on Eater LA’s “Hottest New Restaurants” list.)

Say “Aloha!” to Pono Burger

ALOHA INDEED!

New to Toluca Lake: The Continental