Hinano Cafe

04/16/09

BEST bar on the Westside, HANDS DOWN!

by Mickrhodes at Citysearch

I moved away from Venice to Claremont last summer and I miss a few key things about living inland: NUMBER ONE is the beach, of course, but NUMBER TWO IS THE HINANO BAR! I LOVE this place. Went there regularly for the past 13 years and I gotta say there's nothing like it anywhere else in LA. Great burgers, ICE COLD tap beer in frosty glasses, good prices and FREE POPCORN! They even have a decent jukebox. I wish there was something like it out here but there just ain't. I miss you, Hinano ...

• Pros: Down home, yet could be completely ruined by hipsters
• Cons: Parking

09/14/08

Burger Destination!

by NativeCalifornian at Citysearch

Best burgers I've had in a long long time. If parking and traffic were not so difficult, I'd be going here at least 3-4 times a month just to get that absolutely fantastic burger.

Not wanting to lead anybody astray here, I'll at least describe the characteristics of the burger that has me in a mouth watering frenzy. I understand that everyone has different ideas of what is a good burger.

First I'll mention that I don't usually care for bars and this bar is one that I, as usual, don't really care for. Filthy bathroom, loud mouthed customers, bartenders that occasionally step outside to take a puff of whatever.

The tap beer is fresh, cold, and served in frozen glasses! Yeah! The parking situation is what you should expect when you are literally footsteps from the waters edge at the Pacific Ocean coast in Southern California. Luckily, there is a pay lot that costs something like 7 dollars. If you get real lucky, you'll find a parking meter for roughly 2 dollars an hour.

Now for the meat of my review: This is such a fantastic burger. It is a large sesamie seed bun. The patty is large, probably a third pound. It is served on a bed of shredded lettuce with grilled onions unless you specity otherwise. The real appeal of this burger is that the large, juicy patty is grilled until it is crispy on both sides. And it seems to be well seasonsed with salt and pepper too.

Sounds simple, but who really takes the care to fry up a burger so that it is hot, fresh, crispy, juicy, and THEY REMEMBER TO ADD SOME SALT AND PEPPER just before placing it on the prepared bun with the fixings and deliver it to you in a paper basket with a (whimpy) bag of potato chips.

Trust me, if you like a hot and juicy cheeseburger or hamburger, this place is fantastic.

• Pros: Burgers, tap beer, bar atmosphere, free popcorn.
• Cons: Parking, unpredictable staff and clients.

09/07/08

Best Burger by the Beach

by KevBacon at Citysearch

Best greasy, hangover-curing burger in West LA. You'll find me there once or twice a week and it's always an empty stomach that draws me in. Great burger, amazing turkey burger. Plenty of good beer to wash it down. Great people to enjoy it with.

Hinano perfectly fits my definition of a great dive bar. Friendly service from bartenders who remember you. Awesome food options (as I have already said: burgers!!!). Good beer choices. Live music, pool tables, and a jukebox.

You will find regulars on their same stools day after day, but lots of fresh faces too. Everyone is friendly. I almost always go alone, but end up having a great conversation with someone new or the bartender each time. Good relaxed place to watch a game. Not a lot of TVs, so you won't always get your game unless you arrive early. Not a sports bar, but a good bar to watch sports, hang out, grab a bite, and relax.

• Pros: Great food, friendly people, good service