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    Heavy Handed

    4.0 (693 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Heavy Handed Photos

    Business Info

    HEAVY HANDED ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Heavy Handed

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    Reviews With Photos

    Amanjot K.

    I've had their smash burgers and love them! This time we stopped by for the funnest soft serve which was yummy but definitely a bit sweet after a while. The soft serve itself is great but the funfetti dip does make it much sweeter. I think it's a great dessert to share! It's an outdoor space so it's always packed but perfect for a smashburger.

    Calli Y.

    We were recommended this area since we were hear by and needed food. It's a more hip "Inn& Out" almost but smashed burger style. They have burgers, fries, and soft serve. A little pricey but the food was good. I got the combo but they charge you $1 for protein style which I thought was not warranted. But that's just me. Lettuce cannot be more then a bun price. The fries were crispy. Comes with a packet of sauce. I didn't end up trying the soft service since I thought It was a bit on the pricier side. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great patio to sit and people watch.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Single patty combo with chopped chilis added
    Paulina T.

    This place had a solid smash burger that was filling and the combo was a good price! The single patty was more than enough a d adding the chopped chilies just gave it that extra kick! Fries were perfect and we were given a generous amount for the combo. Service was fast and friendly when we had any questions about the menu and modifications. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe was also very relaxing and all outdoor seating but the weather was great for it.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Perfect place for a quick bite to eat if you're craving a burger!

    Painted side wall - art to start
    John S.

    Cruising around Venice on my bike soaking up the sun & hippie culture. Decided to stop by Heavy Handed after hearing some buzz and my stomach grumble. Glad I did. [[HIGHLIGHT]]This place was popping on a sunny day, which is always a good sign. It's got that slightly artsy, Venice vibe on the outside, but still feels laid-back and fun.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The burger delivered. Soft bun, gooey melted cheese, and those crispy edges on the patty that give it that smash burger magic. Nothing overly complicated, just done right. Exactly what you want when you're hungry after riding around. They've also got tallow fries and ice cream, which makes it feel a little more fun than your standard burger stop. Overall, really solid experience. Good food, good energy, and worth a stop if you're in the area.

    Single & double combo
    Jaime M.

    We checked out this spot while in the area and it was good! We tried the double and single cheeseburger. Both burgers had a soft bun and the perfect amount of cheese, pickles and sauce. The fries had a very good flavor, not too salty and a good crunch. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The spot had good music playing but could definitely use more umbrellas to keep the sun and tree seeds from hitting you.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Give this spot a try if you're craving a good burger!

    Outside
    Angelina G.

    Yum! I love this spot their burgers always hit the spot. I am such a smash burger fan and this burger is hard to beat. Also if you're in the mood for a sweet treat try their ice cream!

    Double cheeseburger and fries
    Ken B.

    Hands down the best Hamburgers in LA. The burgers are meaty and fresh, and they serve copious amounts of french fries that are cooked in tallow. Huge plus!

    The Bag
    Ernest R.

    Hit it again. Ordered a Double Cheese Regular Fry and a Cookies N Crème Cone with Chocolate. The service was friendly and professional. Had my Ice Cream as I waited (that was delish) and soon after my order came up hot and ready to go. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was a lively atmosphere with plenty of people coming and going.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] My food tapped all markers and was a satisfying bite all the way round. I am a fan and surely appreciate the professional service and great flavor of the Fries and Burgers. Gratitude and give thanks Heavy Handed Staff and Cooks for the well roundedness of your offerings and will surely be back soon.

    Half eaten and want more!
    X M.

    Really glad I found this place as its been awhile since have had a really solid hamburger. Service is fast - they buzz you when ready. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Dig the outdoor seating too and the vibe is fine.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Single combo
    Maya D.

    Quick service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Uncovered and covered outdoor seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food came out really quick, even though they were pretty busy. The food was really tasty and everything came out piping hot. If you love a great smash burger, then this is a great spot for you. Their special sauce seems to be their signature which comes on the burger with an extra packet serving included. Nice size portion on the side of French fries.

    Dipped soft serve
    Kelley N.

    Unfortunately, I got food poisoned after eating here. The food was OK at best. The fries were very very saucy. A regular basket of fries is more than enough for 2 people to share. Burgers were okay. Everything was quite pricey. Even to add chilies was a few dollars extra. The soft serve was a let down. The dip was not dipped properly. The chocolate coating was not even. There was really thick areas, and then some that were barely coated in chocolate. The cookies and cream dip didn't really taste like Oreo. Just tasted sweet. There's a paid parking lot behind the store with limited spots.

    Regular fries. HUGE!!!
    Jaime R.

    Located on Main Street, Heavy Handed often lands on "best burger" lists--but it didn't live up to the hype for me. I ordered the single cheeseburger with regular fries. The portion of fries was massive--way too many--but quantity didn't make up for the lack of flavor. The burger itself was just okay. The heavy sauce and over-seasoning masked the short rib blend, and I couldn't really taste the beef at all. Flavor overall was lacking, and while the in-house sauce is interesting, it's overpowering and runny . Service was also just okay. The front cashier seemed distracted and not particularly friendly. The space was clean, though. When people have to talk up the soft serve instead of the burger, that's a miss. Overall, it felt like an overpriced hipster burger spot--nowhere near the quality of In-N-Out, HiHo, or Yellow Paper, and not worth a return visit.

    Cookies and Cream Dipped  Creamy Soft Serve Cone
    Autumn D.

    It's a burger stand in between Santa Monica and Venice. Food was hot, but it lacked a lot of flavor. The meat patty had a nice texture, and edges, fries were okay they were just generic. Heavy handed sauce that was okay too again lacked flavor. Soft serve was good I was just expecting the cookies and cream dip to have more flavor, like be a little sweeter at least. The soda fountain is also watered down. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Heavy homeless population for those that get bugged by that.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]A tweaker was sitting across from us but again that doesn't bother me maybe for others, and only street parking.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Only outside tables.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Personally wouldn't go back.

    My cheeseburger meal. Over all 4/10. Cheeseburger was too sweet and fries weren't very flavorful. IMO.

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    Heavy Handed Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Heavy Handed

    What happened to the old french fries😭?

    EXACTLY THIS!!!! I HATE THE NEW FRIES.

    Is this place open on Thanksgiving or any other holidays?

    I don't know. Call them to confirm as I haven't been there lately.

    Do you guys have a gluten free bun option? Are your fries at least cooked on their own if no?

    Do you guys ever use lettuce or tomatoes? I'm thinking not but wanted to confirm. Thanks.

    no lettuce or tomatoes.

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    Palms n’ Patties

    Palms n’ Patties

    4.3
    (505 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    Have I ever known what it's like to eat cookies like Cookie Monster? Well that's basically what I…read moredid today with Palm n' Patties beef tallow fries. WOW. They were so so good. I've been wanting to check this place out for awhile as they blown up on social media and today just felt like a burger and fries day and I have to say this is a place that lives up to the hype and more. I ordered the grilled smash and it was amazing. Perfectly balanced and delicious and the perfect size for me, not too big or small, not too greasy, packed a ton of flavor across the meat, cheese and perfectly balanced with their house sauce and pickle. Ate that one up too. I also appreciated their level of service in how they packaged up my order so nicely and with a great level of care, and hooked me up with a ton of fries too - they were overflowing when I opened the bag and still nice and hot when I took them home! Casual spot definitely is going to be on my list of go to regular spots for one of the BEST in LA. Hands down. I totally get it. You got something real special here Pn'P!!!

    I'm not going to lie, this burger slaps! I've wanted to try this spot for a while, as I'm on a…read moremission to try all the popular smashburgers in LA. The concept of the bun's exterior being on the inside with the patty is completely new to me and gives it a different texture. The interior of the bun was buttered and heated on the griddle, though I felt it was a bit overly buttered, but not too salty. I recently had a smash burger elsewhere that was overly salty, but not here. While the price is a bit steep, I'm happy to pay more knowing they use quality ingredients. They are very efficient; I received my burger 10 minutes after ordering. However, the burgers aren't very filling. I ordered the Grilled Double Smash ($13.54), and while it was very good, I still felt a little hungry afterwards.I loved the crispy edges, the sweetness of the onions, and the butter pickles. There's so much to love about this spot. Despite ordering at the kiosk, the customer service was great. The staff was happy to offer suggestions and help. They use the best ingredients, with 100% organic, grass-fed patties, and they don't use any seed oils. You can check out their website for more details. I love eating burgers with my son, and I'll definitely bring him here again, knowing they use better ingredients. This is a place that cares about its customers and community.

    Photos
    Palms n’ Patties
    Palms n’ Patties
    Palms n’ Patties

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    HiHo Cheeseburger | Santa Monica

    HiHo Cheeseburger | Santa Monica

    4.2
    (1.3k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    From the outside to walking in the front door, the decor and feel in HiHo says fancy burger joint…read more The inside is as minimal as their menu, but the mood is set by a lot of dark brown and stained wood which is a good thing. What surprised me was the prices but more on that later. The menu is streamlined and the choices are few. What HiHo does offer is simple done correctly. The Waygu beef is fresh and they do not over season the burger. They let the natural goodness of a quality beef patty do all the talking. There is plenty of flavor but the burger is not overly greasy. The buns are made in house, as well as the pickles and they both deliver. I love a burger with shredded lettuce. The French fries are prepared fresh and cooked to perfection for my taste. I like my fries slightly crispy and a little dark. They showed up well done and almost too hot to eat. I tried their in house sauce called "Matty Sauce" and still don't know how to feel about it. It was explained to me as their version of thousand island but there was an after taste to the sauce I still can't describe. I decided I didn't care for the sauce but never stopped dipping my fries in it. So in the end, I guess I ended up liking it? I feel you will either really like it, or really dislike it. I tried both the chocolate and vanilla shakes and preferred the vanilla. The shakes are made with house made ice cream and serve their purpose. I liked the fact they have a dispenser just for water and ice. Overall I say drop what you are doing and go get a HiHo Double. The most amazing thing about this burger is its simplicity and freshness. Two things that are often overlooked and/or not well done. If you want bells and whistles go elsewhere. If you want a really, really fresh and well made burger at In N Out prices, HiHo delivers.

    Dined in with a group of 6 people on 7/3/26 at 1:00 pm. It wasn't busy, but half of the store was…read morefull. Parking: you have to park in a garage because it is limited on the street Hi ho double burger: 4/5, super juicy, but it is fatty. The burger is small compared to an in in out burger, but it packs a lot of flavor. It definitely feels heavy like something you can't eat all the time. Fries: 3/5, nothing special with these fries. It was crunchy but for the value, I don't think it was worth.

    Photos
    HiHo Cheeseburger | Santa Monica
    HiHo Cheeseburger | Santa Monica
    HiHo Cheeseburger | Santa Monica

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    Father's Office

    Father's Office

    3.8
    (3.3k reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    A really popular little bar in North Santa Monica that is especially known for its burger. They…read morealso have another location in Culver City @ Helms. They have many drinks on tap (I'm from San Diego originally so I had to order our own Cali Creamin and would suggest if you like an ale) and they are known for very quick service. You order at the bar and they bring everything to your table, it is not full service. Parking in this area can be a pain, your only option will be metered street parking, it just depends on what time you come, but the evenings are especially difficult to find a spot. Inside is fairly small, they have a small bar at the back with counter seating and then everything else are tables along the edges of the restaurant. For this visit, we ordered the Beet Salad, which was actually pretty nice and had a good mix of red and yellow beets, the Burger, which I was a huge fan of especially because Gruyère cheese and also the Grilled Artichoke. The grilled artichoke was a nice summer treat and I would recommend all of these. Pricing is a bit steep for a bar, but that's to be expected giving the proximity to the beach. I would suggest as a place to go with friends, it's not necessarily a date spot.

    Ordered the Fish Sandwich and Fathers Office Burger…read more Probably the best burger in town. I can taste that they grind their own meat to perfectly balance the juice and meaty portions.

    Photos
    The many many taps!
    The many many taps!
    THE OFFICE BURGER
    THE OFFICE BURGER
    The Office Burger - Juicy beef patty, soft mini baguettes, melted Gruyère and blue cheeses, caramelized onions, and fresh arugula.

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    The Office Burger - Juicy beef patty, soft mini baguettes, melted Gruyère and blue cheeses, caramelized onions, and fresh arugula.
    Black Sheep Burgers

    Black Sheep Burgers

    4.5
    (744 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Went to Black Sheep Burgers for lunch today. Don't be fooled by the name. They do not have any…read morelamb burgers. Although Black Sheep Burgers has a vast selection of hamburgers (they probably should have called the place Black Cow Burgers) I had a Chicken Katsu sandwich. It was very good. I liked the option of being able to decide what I wanted or didn't want on my sandwich when ordering. I don't like avocados, so I ordered my sandwich without avocados. There are also a vast number of sides to order if you are very hungry. I was tempted to order the 40's french fries, but the sandwich was enough for me. Professional eaters probably would have ordered several sides. There is a large seating area outside. I sat outside. Other than the traditional problem with eating outside (your napkin, like the answer, may blow in the wind) since Black Shep Burger gave me several napkins, it wasn't a problem.

    Food was good, but overpriced and difficult to park safely…read more First off, great taste, but we were on a museum visit which brought us to the area, so we avoided usual staples in the area that are more value for the money. It's in the sawtelle area near Olympic and predominantly Japanese food spots. Service was friendly but in this economy, not a good value. The burger prices should come with fries. 70$ for 3 people was too steep for what you get

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Double Double (minus tomato and onions as requested by the six year old)
    Double Double (minus tomato and onions as requested by the six year old)
    Cali chicken burger

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    Cali chicken burger
    Mel's Drive-In

    Mel's Drive-In

    4.0
    (966 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    I'm an Americana fan, so I was excited to learn that Route 66 turns 100 this year. That's when I…read morediscovered that the historic western end of Route 66 is right here in my neck of the woods--Mel's Diner in Santa Monica. I finally visited earlier this week with one of my nieces, who was in town from Kauai. For a Monday evening, I was pleasantly surprised to see the restaurant had a healthy crowd. AMBIANCE This isn't a cozy, homey diner. The concrete floors and walls give it more of an industrial feel. That said, each table has its own jukebox, which instantly gives the place that classic American diner atmosphere. SERVICE Our server reminded me of the old-school diner waitresses from movies set in the 1950s and 1960s--efficient, brisk, and focused on getting the job done. I was curious whether that image reflected reality or was simply a Hollywood stereotype, so I looked it up afterward. It turns out that traditional diner service really was known for being fast, efficient, and no-nonsense: seating customers quickly, taking orders, serving hot food promptly, keeping coffee cups full, collecting payment, and moving on to the next table. Our server was certainly speedy, but he was also more accommodating than those classic diner stereotypes. He pointed out to my niece that ordering fries with her sandwich might be too much since we were already ordered a type of fries as an appetizer. He also patiently answered my questions about the Slow-Braised Short Rib Dinner, which I had my eye on. At the end of our meal, my niece mentioned something about her own experience as a restaurant server. By then, though, he was clearly ready to move on to his next table. Fair enough-- it made the experience feel even more like an old-school diner. Haha! DRINKS One pleasant surprise: they serve Spiked Milkshakes. My niece was thrilled! As for me, I ordered a glass of Chardonnay, and -- it easily held its own against glasses I've paid considerably more at upscale restaurants. APPETIZER Bacon Ranch Cheese Fries -- Need I say more? MAIN COURSES Reuben Sandwich (with colesalw instead of fries, thanks to our server's suggestion). My niece loved it. Slow-Braised Short Rib Dinner -- Absolutely delicious! The meat was incredibly tender. I ordered the demi glace (sauce) on the side because I wasn't familiar with it. I asked our server whether it was sweet, and he said kind of. So I decided to try it separately and requested it on the side. It turned out to be rich, savory, and the perfect complement to the short rib. I'm glad I ordered it that way. I highly recommend the Slow-Braised Short Rib Dinner. DESSERT We skipped dessert because my nieces' spiked milkshake was practically dessert on its own. PARKING The restaurant has its own parking lot immediately next door. I got lucky and found an open space as soon as I drove in--just a few steps from the entrance. It reminded me of those movie scenes where the main character somehow always finds the perfect parking spot right in front of where they're going. BOTTOM LINE Overall, we had a very enjoyable dinner. If you're looking for a classic American diner experience -- especially if you're a Route 66 enthusiast -- Mel's Diner is definitely worth a visit.

    Been here a couple of times now and it's become one of my go to diners in the area. The food is…read moregood, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the portions are generous for the price. I ordered an omelette sandwich while my gf went with the ham steak breakfast, and we shared a peanut butter milkshake that was surprisingly good. I can see this place getting pretty packed during the breakfast rush, but we stopped by for a late brunch and had no trouble finding parking. It's conveniently located near the 10 freeway, though traffic around the area can get a little hectic

    Photos
    Wide shot of the inside of Mel's drive-in
    Wide shot of the inside of Mel's drive-in
    Short Rib Grilled Cheese
    Short Rib Grilled Cheese
    Awesome interior with a jukebox

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    Awesome interior with a jukebox
    The Counter Santa Monica

    The Counter Santa Monica

    3.9
    (1.7k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Four words.... Southern fried chicken sandwich…read more BOGO on DoorDash!! It's big, crispy, comes with jalapeño, pickles, and honey mustard on a big beautiful bun!! Served with tots or shoestring fries... so good!!!

    Here's the scoop on the parking:…read more Parking in the back lot is validated for 90mins before 5pm & 2hrs after 5pm. So you park, scan the QR code on the signs, & pay for EXACTLY 90 mins before 5pm or EXACTLY 2hrs after 5pm. It will ask for your license plate & cell number - it takes Apple pay. Don't close out the browser page, bc you'll need to enter in the parking validation. (Yes the total is a lot & yes you will be mad if you're used to what used to be easy & free parking. But just follow these instructions & have faith.) Once you get to your table, find the card next to the menus w/parking validation QR codes. Go back to the browser with the parking payment on your phone & scan the QR code that corresponds to the time of day you are there. It will automatically make your parking free, if you pre-paid for the correct amounts of time. I learned the hard way - do NOT pre-pay for anything besides 90mins before 5pm or 2hrs after 5pm bc the validation will NOT work & you will end up paying for the whole parking fee. Do this once & you'll remember from there on. And you can still park there for free. This location no longer serves alcohol - under new ownership, they didn't renew their license. But the food is still same, & the service is same, & once you get used to the parking validation, your parking will still be free. This is literally the only Counter I know of that is still around. I still love making my own burger on a huge salad!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Tots are great!
    Tots are great!
    Beer Flight!

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    Beer Flight!

    Heavy Handed - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

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