Tory Davis

The humble veggie burger used to be an afterthought, something on the menu to placate the neglected vegetarian or vegan friend in a world dominated by carnivores. But today, things are different. Los Angeles has transcended Meatless Mondays—everyone in this city seems to be a part-time vegetarian, especially as plant-based meals are touted as a way to combat the drought. Now the veggie burger has a cast of elite chefs from some of the best restaurants in Los Angeles who are determined to put their own spin on this meat-free delight. With no clear rules for what constitutes the patty, the field is wide open for experimental deliciousness. To find the best veggie burger options in L.A., we did some research: here are eight solid picks to sink your teeth into.

Like fried chicken sandwiches and BBQ, chicken and waffles bring a promise of comfort to the table—a reminder of the days when carbs were still good for you, "fried" was not a dirty word and your grandma just wanted you to have a belly full of hearty home cooking. While this Southern comfort food can be found at a number of Roscoe's locations across town, there are plenty of other great spots in LA that serve outstanding versions of the dish for brunch or otherwise. Here are our favorites, from a Thai diner to Thomas Keller's $30 adventure. Grab your wetnaps and dig in! 

Drinking on Cinco de Mayo often mirrors what you see on St. Patrick's Day: Amateur hour with an emphasis on "chug, chug, chug." But Mexican beer today has so much more to offer than crunchable cans of Tecate and glass bottles to cram lime wedges into. The cerveza artisanal movement in Baja is gaining steam with more than 80 breweries in the region; by the end of 2015, many more breweries will have navigated through the legal hoops to distribute in LA. For now, head to your favorite Mexican restaurant or beer bar—we'll show you where—and give these pioneer cervezas a try.   

There's something deeply satisfying about finding a dish that makes you happy—a go-to plate or bowl that you find yourself ordering time and time again. In the world of Thai restaurants, that dish is often pad Thai, a dreamy plate of noodles that satisfies your guiltiest indulgences. LA has an exceptional and vibrant Thai town, with restaurants that serve top-notch pad Thai. But why stop there on the menu? In order to draw you out of your comfort zone, we'll take you on a journey of five Thai dishes from some of LA's best Thai restaurants. The dishes range from approachable to challenging, but one thing is certain: All reveal flavors and nuance sure to make you put your pad Thai order on the backburner—for now. RECOMMENDED: LA's best Thai restaurants

This bustling, gregarious addition to the Atwater scene serves up some interesting breakfast fare, including a stellar chicken and waffles dish. With a wafting scent like Amish funnel cake at a county fair (with the requisite dusting of confectioners sugar) and maple syrup studded with bacon, the waffle itself has a soft, dense interior like an old-timey cake doughnut—though nowhere near as sweet—redolent of cardamom and clove. There's such a crisp outer layer it almost seems fried (it's not). The crunchy chicken breast is barely battered, but what's there is craggy with nutty rolled oats and just a hint of heat at the end. The smokiness of the bacon in the maple syrup plays well against the spiced waffle and gives the savory chicken even greater depth. And even the coffee is good.

True to its name, Poppy + Rose smells like wildflowers the moment you step through the door. The bright, cheery space has a corrugated metal ceiling, and offers what could be the best chicken and waffles in town. The waffle is a crisp, rectangular grid with a soft, barely sweet golden interior that creates an ideal texture contrast. The chicken is melt-in-your-mouth tender, with a bone-in and boneless piece that boast a craggy, crunchy coating with plenty of pepper. Even the white meat is decadently moist with zero excess oil. The chicken perches atop the waffle and is sprinkled with sliced scallions that appear decorative until you add one to your bite, and suddenly the richness is tempered by the sharp green note. A little dip of each bite into the real maple syrup and suddenly the fantasy balance between savory, sweet and sharp is a genuine reality.

Sweetie Pie's might be the best soul food you're probably not eating. This NoHo outpost of the St. Louis original (we hear Oprah is a fan) will get your belly to a happy place right on time. Find a seat in the long train car with an airy, arched wood ceiling and order the chicken and waffles. A crisp round waffle arrives sprinkled with cinnamon; one bite into its springy white interior and suddenly you're floating on a vanilla cloud. The super sweet syrup becomes unnecessary, even on the fried chicken. And oh, the chicken. Moist, juicy meat is perfectly seasoned down to its core, with a crisp and peppery batter that fast food chains can only dream of. The crunchy batter is a distinct traveler on this journey; it can be a little on the salty side, but has such nuanced seasoning it doesn't matter. Add the balancing sweetness of a fluffy waffle bite and you're done: nirvana has arrived.   

Hungry Fox is indeed a sly creature, masquerading as just another squat box (albeit one painted electric lime green) in the sprawl of the Van Nuys grid. But amidst assorted pro-America regalia and cheerful pots of lucky bamboo is some of the best Thai-style fried chicken you can find. It appears deceptively simple: juicy and seasoned just right, with a strong, crisp batter that looks like a fantasy (and tastes just as good). But alongside comes a sassy nectar: an orange, traditional Thai chili sauce that takes the chicken into the stratosphere. But let's not forget the waffle: crisp, airy and delicate, not unlike biting into a crusty French baguette. The generous dish is enough to feed two—if you feel like sharing.