Burger You Should Be Eating RIGHT NOW: The Standing Room's Cash Burger.

What Burger?: Cash Burger.

Where Can I Get This Burger?: The Standing Room (Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach).

Why This Burger?: The Standing Room is a classic LA story. Something Steve Martin would pen. Originally conceived in 2011 and run out of a diminutive Redondo liquor store counter, the burger shop earned its moniker by being just that: standing room only. Although it took a little while for word to leak, soon the dams broke and patrons from all over Los Angeles were flocking to the Beach City spirits shop for some of the tastiest burgers anywhere. I, unfortunately, was not one of these aforementioned diners. I simply couldn't find the time to make it during open hours to Redondo.  However, last year when The Standing Room announced they were opening a larger, more expansive second location in neighboring Hermosa, with expanded hours, I knew I had to make it happen. Recently I finally did and I fell madly in love with their Cash Burger.

Let it be known: I'm a sucker for an Asian-y burger. I blame my parents for never introducing me to Asian-infused cuisine as a kid because any time there's a dollop of some Asian-inspired touches on an otherwise very American burger, my head explodes with utter excitement. Since The Standing Room specializes in self-described "American-Korean fusion food," it's no surprise I enjoy their wares. Especially the Cash, which includes not one, not two, but THREE Asian toppings: shishito pepers, "Korean aioli" and Hoisin BBQ sauce. PLUS bacon, cheddar cheese, American cheese AND A BIG ASS ONION RING. All atop a half pound, medium-grind, Angus beef-short rib blend housemade patty. A true melting pot burger. The very American, yet very Asian, burger is packed with flavor. Like Roy Choi-flavor. And don't forget the crunch via the onion ring and pepper combo. The combination of this crunch with the other components -- the Hoisin and aioli's sweetness, the sharpness of the cheddar and the American cheese's creaminess -- make for one heck of a burger. Beach Cities or otherwise.