Irv's Burgers

Irv's Burgers has been through a lot. The roadside Santa Monica Boulevard stand, which first opened in 1946 and was relocated in 2014, was thought to be closed for good in 2018. But Sonia Hong, who's operated the shop since 2000, wasn't ready to give up the fight. With the help of new business partner Lawrence Longo and Oui Melrose chef Armen Piskoulian, Irv's Burgers has made a miraculous comeback four years later—complete with Hong's trademark paper plates doodles, cheery customer service and a slate of new all-American menu items like hot dogs, cookies and milkshakes.