Father's Office

(310) 736-2224

3229 Helms Ave
Culver City, CA 90034 34.03 -118.384

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhood: McManus

Hours:

Mon-Thu 5pm-1am

Fri-Sun 12pm-2am

Last updated 1.24.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Pubs, Bars & Clubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Bar Menu

Catering Services:

Restaurant Management

Bar & Club Special Features:

After Work, Outdoor Seating, 21 & Over

What People Are Saying About Father's Office

Featured Review

Randi Schmelzer

Contributor

In the historic Helms Bakery building, this second branch of Santa Monica's coveted Father's Office is part beer joint, part gastropub--and three times bigger than the original. Still, while the leather booths and room-spanning bar may seem spacious, the key word here is "crowd": Everyone comes to FO, from scenesters and studio execs to local moviegoers and shoppers in need of a not-so-quick pick-me-up. In addition to two walls of specialty beers on draft, the order-at-the-bar menu features an interesting selection of bistro-style eats, including lamb skewers, cheese plates, sweet potato…

ambiance
75.0% positive
  1. “Nice ambiance - no ketchup tho”
  2. “But the fare does NOT make up for Culver City location's ridiculously slow service.”
  3. “Nice sinks, friendly staff, awkward location, highly priced”
  4. “After reading many of the reviews for Father's Office, I have come to two possible conclusions: 1) The reviewers secretly love this place and don't want it to get as over-patronized as the Santa Monica location, so they're bad-mouthing it.”
drinks
92.18999862670898% positive
  1. “Great burgers and beer but do NOT bring a date here”
  2. “We also both like burgers, and we'd heard the hype on FO so I went to order a couple at the bar.”
  3. “Great place for beer, food is ok”
  4. “It is a nice bar and it has a wonderful outdoor terrace with picnic style seating.”
  5. “The staff is very knowledgeable in the flavors of beer.”
  6. “great place to get a delicious burger, fries, and an assortment of beer!”
  7. “And, I think it's most fairly judged when viewed as an excellent one-trick pony, rather than a normal, well rounded bar or restaurant.”
  8. “cant think of a better place for good food and drinks with my friends.”
  9. “tried some really great beers (and I'm usually not a huge fan of beers), tasty sweet potato fries with blue cheese aioli and the best burger I've ever had.”
  10. “This is the quintessential place to meet with a few friends (or tomboy girlfriends) after work, have a couple of great beers, eat a terrific burger, and talk about debauchery, business plans, and sports - nothing more, nothing less.”
  11. “On my way out, I felt sorry for those fighting to get our table while I happily walked away, buzzed and stuffed full of good bar food.”
  12. “or when the bar is half full, they still make you wait!”
  13. “Overall: If you love beer, it's worth it hands down.”
  14. “Apple beer was refreshing!”
  15. “The beer was very tasty and I was surprised by how much variety they had.”
  16. “This isn't a typical bar - it's the vision of a unique proprietor.”
food quality
79.72000122070312% positive
  1. “mean you can't even ask for no cheese on your burger if you have a dairy allergy - like my friend who when I brought up Father's Office responded with "yeah I f**king hate that place.”
  2. “encourage anyone who thinks this is a good burger to go over to Apple Pan so they have something to actually judge a burger by.”
  3. “This is a good burger?”
  4. “They informed us that when they asked for ketchup they were informed, and I quote, "Our fries are too good for ketchup, you'll have to make do as they are”
  5. “The food is incredible, and they have a good 20+ import taps on the wall that you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else, along with a few lockers full of great exotic-sounding import bottles.”
  6. “There are no hosts or hostesses here to seat you so if you are looking for an ok/over priced burger along with some frustration over trying to find your seats, this would be a great place for you.”
  7. “The only reason the place is so packed is because the burgers are pretty good (if bad taste left in your mouth doesn't overpower the taste of the burgers!)”
  8. “The food is quite frankly good.”
  9. “to make a classic at least treat it with respect and use a decent cut of meat.”
  10. “If you go to Fathers Office, you're going to get a juicy burger, smothered with caramelized onions, arugula, and blue cheese on a french roll.”
  11. “Their famous burger is exceptional, I don't usually like blue cheese, but you can't even taste it!”
  12. “quite frankly, with the proper mental planning, i love FO for their peche lambic and speckled hen on tap, they're fries (sweet potato and regular) and their bone marrow appetizer.”
  13. “Great burgers, but at what cost?”
  14. “The burger was very good (as I'd heard) and the place was packed (as I'd also heard).”
  15. “There are many places in LA that have great gourmet burgers, so you should spare yourself the bad attitude and stay away from here.”
  16. “"No." The Chef couldn't be bothered to grill 2-3 pieces of bread (like he'd served with the dish) to make a guest happy.”
  17. “Good burger, bad service”
  18. “Also, the sweet potato fries were the best I have had yet in LA.”
  19. “best burger outside of san francisco”
  20. “just wish the burgers didn't taste so damn good.”
  21. “The beer was very tasty and I was surprised by how much variety they had.”
  22. “Ok burger, small menu, everything is overpriced.”
  23. “have to admit, the important bit, the burger, was faultless, amazing succulent meat, caramelized onions to die for, and the fries, were, well, fries - that could have used some ketchup.”
  24. “Small menu and mediocre food.”
  25. “Good burger, but terrible customer interaction skills!”
  26. “For an mediocre and overpriced burger along with some frustration over trying to get past the bouncer, this is the place for you.”
  27. “Great burgers and beer but do NOT bring a date here”
  28. “cant think of a better place for good food and drinks with my friends.”
  29. “Garlic parsley fries were good, but took 30 minutes for waiter to bring them after several requests.”
  30. “Their sweet potato fries are awesome.”
  31. “So tried it out after hearing the burgers are the best in town - the crowd is nice, the place is popping - but they didn't have ANY thing I could put on my burger, which was a bit dry to begin with.”
  32. “great place to get a delicious burger, fries, and an assortment of beer!”
  33. “On my way out, I felt sorry for those fighting to get our table while I happily walked away, buzzed and stuffed full of good bar food.”
  34. “Very pretentious menu leads you to believe, this is going to be the best burger and fries ever, and it should be considering the price.”
  35. “tried some really great beers (and I'm usually not a huge fan of beers), tasty sweet potato fries with blue cheese aioli and the best burger I've ever had.”
  36. “Everything on the menu is great, but the burger is phenomenal.”
  37. “was told that if I didn't like bleu cheese, I should order something other than the burger.”
  38. “his is the spot for you if too many options overwhelm you and you're just looking for a damn good burger.”
  39. “Indeed they do make a great burger, but the hassle and the crowd are not worth it.”
  40. “For a great burger AND a friendly staff try The Counter.”
  41. “This is the quintessential place to meet with a few friends (or tomboy girlfriends) after work, have a couple of great beers, eat a terrific burger, and talk about debauchery, business plans, and sports - nothing more, nothing less.”
  42. “The burger is good, albeit a bit too rich, but doesn't make up for the horrible attitude of the employees.”
  43. “I'm generally willing to try anything once, so I took my chances and ordered the F.O. burger "as is", because I was eager to experience what others were calling "the best burger in L.A." My review of the burger is analogous to my review of Father's Office”
  44. “Best burger ever!”
  45. “Worst Service Ever (and the food's no good either)”
  46. “There are many other good burgers in town.”
  47. “The burgers looked pretty good, but there are a lot of great burgers in LA.”
  48. “We also both like burgers, and we'd heard the hype on FO so I went to order a couple at the bar.”
  49. “Yes, the fries were good, but when you're as hungry as we were, almost anything would taste great.”
  50. “The burger was extremely juicy.”
  51. “We'll never go back and made sure to tell our friends and family that this place is ridiculous - major 'tude and crappy food.”
  52. “This is the 2nd best burger we have had in our lives.”
  53. “Great place for beer, food is ok”
menu variety
61.11000061035156% positive
  1. “The beer was very tasty and I was surprised by how much variety they had.”
  2. “his is the spot for you if too many options overwhelm you and you're just looking for a damn good burger.”
  3. “Very pretentious menu leads you to believe, this is going to be the best burger and fries ever, and it should be considering the price.”
  4. “Ok burger, small menu, everything is overpriced.”
  5. “Everything on the menu is great, but the burger is phenomenal.”
  6. “Small menu and mediocre food.”
overall
95.2400016784668% positive
  1. “There are no hosts or hostesses here to seat you so if you are looking for an ok/over priced burger along with some frustration over trying to find your seats, this would be a great place for you.”
  2. “Father's Office is a great place to meet after work.”
  3. “There are too many good restaurants around to waste your time and money on this place.”
  4. “great hamburger interesting place”
  5. “great place to get a delicious burger, fries, and an assortment of beer!”
  6. “So tried it out after hearing the burgers are the best in town - the crowd is nice, the place is popping - but they didn't have ANY thing I could put on my burger, which was a bit dry to begin with.”
  7. “The burger was very good (as I'd heard) and the place was packed (as I'd also heard).”
return potential
0.0% positive
  1. “We'll never go back and made sure to tell our friends and family that this place is ridiculous - major 'tude and crappy food.”
  2. “it wasn't a very pleasant experience for me and i don't think i would go back there.”
service
43.59000205993652% positive
  1. “know already before I get there, this is not a full service establishment even though they charge full service establishment prices.”
  2. “I'm glad these people don't like it, as I would probably be bored stiff sitting next to these people.”
  3. “The reason for my low rating is the AMAZINGLY rude staff member I encountered.”
  4. “Father's Office exudes the snooty attitude of a trendy gourmet restaurant, with customer service on par with Burger King.”
  5. “the bartender was very nice, very cool.”
  6. “Garlic parsley fries were good, but took 30 minutes for waiter to bring them after several requests.”
  7. “For a great burger AND a friendly staff try The Counter.”
  8. “It seems the common thread here is that the waitresses suck).”
  9. “Nice sinks, friendly staff, awkward location, highly priced”
  10. “The staff is very knowledgeable in the flavors of beer.”
  11. “The burger is good, albeit a bit too rich, but doesn't make up for the horrible attitude of the employees.”
  12. “Good burger, bad service”
  13. “But the fare does NOT make up for Culver City location's ridiculously slow service.”
value
60.19000053405762% positive
  1. “tried some really great beers (and I'm usually not a huge fan of beers), tasty sweet potato fries with blue cheese aioli and the best burger I've ever had.”
  2. “For an mediocre and overpriced burger along with some frustration over trying to get past the bouncer, this is the place for you.”
  3. “know already before I get there, this is not a full service establishment even though they charge full service establishment prices.”
  4. “Indeed they do make a great burger, but the hassle and the crowd are not worth it.”
  5. “Overall: If you love beer, it's worth it hands down.”
  6. “Ok burger, small menu, everything is overpriced.”
  7. “Very pretentious menu leads you to believe, this is going to be the best burger and fries ever, and it should be considering the price.”
  8. “There are too many good restaurants around to waste your time and money on this place.”
  9. “There are no hosts or hostesses here to seat you so if you are looking for an ok/over priced burger along with some frustration over trying to find your seats, this would be a great place for you.”
wait time
33.3299994468689% positive
  1. “Garlic parsley fries were good, but took 30 minutes for waiter to bring them after several requests.”
  2. “But the fare does NOT make up for Culver City location's ridiculously slow service.”
  3. “cars coming by at slow speeds and peering at us while we tried to be in the outdoors.”
2 Star Rating: Below Average

04/21/11

Laissez-faire twinne

by TastefulTammy

Santa Monica's Father's Office is a beautiful spark in the protein adverse world of west LA. Cramped quarters with beautiful food. Culver City's recent expansion has a great facility, reminiscent of the recent Bigfoot West in woody decor and bar choices. But the food feels like cheating. I have asked the bussers (since there are no waiters), and I swear they lied to me when they told me the burgers, as well as the sweet potato fries weren't frozen or processed. When I asked the bartender, he became unruly like no service industry representative should. Bottom line: A beautiful lodge does not make a great restaurant automatically.

1 Star Rating: Poor

11/03/10

This restaurant sucks

by Garden Angel

Was hoping that I could mark a zero for the grade.

If you want stuck up & rude "as all get out" waiters and waitresses-and pathetically over priced food-then by all means-run right over to this place.

What a disaster!

Oh and do not let me forget that they are a Bar (Bar= Establishment or area that serves alcoholic beverages)

THAT DOES NOT SERVE FREAKIN VODKA OR CHARDONNAY!!!!!!

And no apologies either.

I will never go back and I will tell all of my friends (and even enemies) not to spend their money at this locale!!!

I have to re-comment on the servers-they truly suck.

Also, it's aburger restaurant and they do not even have ketchup!!!

I LOVE what another review writer posted: "Burgers with a side of arrogance!"

That is a perfect description of this place!

For the first time in many many years I did not give a tip.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/01/10

Father's Office is a once a week place for me now

by Kylafornia

I hope you decide to visit this place with a friend or at least bring a clone of yourself because the crowds get crazy! My suggestion would be to grab a table as soon as you come in because its self seating at this place. We decided to order our food and drinks at the bar first which could have been disastrous and meant that we would eat on the floor. Lucky for me I brought a bully friend who fought her way to the very last table outside!

They have a tantalizingly long wall full of beautiful beers. My friend ordered us the Jolly Roger which comes in a bottle big enough to share. It was one of the most satisfying beers I've had in quite awhile. All three of us ordered burgers, which my friend who ordered the beer said they will not substitute the toppings. You get it the way it is or don't buy one. I'm ok with that because I don't mind picking stuff off. Lucky for me I didn't need to pick a single thing off! It tasted divine and I would be more then happy to stop by this place again when I'm in the area.

The only downfall to Father's Office are the bathrooms. They are labeled "Sons" and 'Daughters" which is cute, but the sinks to wash your hands are on the outside of the bathroom doors. I don't know about you, but I'm positive they have the germiest doorknobs on the planet with this layout. I'll be bringing a napkin with me next time if I've had one too many beers.

1 Star Rating: Poor

06/19/10

Worst Service Ever (and the food's no good either)

by pamilaw

If you are thinking of going to Fathers Office for food or drink -- think again! The food has to be ordered their way (even if you are alergic to cheese or don't like it), they make you order at the counter and then deliver it to you in a basket. There are no condiments allowed because the chef's ego does not allow them. If try to suggest anything out of their box, you will be rudely told no. Who do they think they are? There are too many good restaurants around to waste your time and money on this place. (I would give them less than one star, but the software doesn't allow it.

  • Cons: Rude staff, bad food, self-service
3 Star Rating: Average

03/17/10

Nice sinks, friendly staff, awkward location, highly priced

by thecollinsissue

I really wanted to come here after checking out buttercup's sales (I needed a drink), so I invited a friend to meet me, and here's the deal with this place...we both agree...

the bartender was very nice, very cool.

the selection of beer seemed impressive, though we did not order any.

the appetizer was acceptable.

being in the middle of a parkinlot is not my favorite place to be, really.

cars coming by at slow speeds and peering at us while we tried to be in the outdoors... was uncomfortable.

prices were steep.

overall, place is just okay. won't go back for a while.

  • Pros: service, selection, bathrooms
  • Cons: price, location, sad outdoor area

The Details on Father's Office

Place Categories:

  • great place
  • best sweet potato fries
  • great apple beer
  • good bar food
  • overpriced ok burger
  • bad attitude
  • friendly staff
  • enjoy customer
  • half full bar
  • helpful waitstaff
  • excellent restaurant
  • not pleasant experience
  • overpriced frustration
  • ridiculously slow service
  • bad taste
  • overpriced small menu
  • amazing caramelized onions
  • nice bouncer
  • nice ambiance
  • nice crowd
  • good import taps
  • good quantities
  • best burger
  • overpriced everything
  • hate king
Advertisement

Featured In

Recent Reviews In Culver City

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Tito's Tacos

11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA

1 Star Rating: Poor

Akasha

9543 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Dear John's

11208 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA

Advertisement