Apple Pan

07/12/04

Heartland decor and traditional American fast food--it's all about the burgers and the apple pie.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Imagine Dorothy's Kansas house dropped in front of the Westside Pavilion: white clapboards, plaid wallpaper and wood paneling. Suit-and-tie types, frat boys and families alike jostle for the 20 counter seats.

The Food
The Westside's best burger, doled out in a paper wrapper, draws the carnivorous masses from all over town. The signature steak burger is a juicy, medium-thick patty on a seedless bun piled high with all the fixings--mayo, sweet relish, crunchy dill pickles, crisp iceberg lettuce and a slab of half-melted Tillamook cheddar. For an extra wallop, the hickory burger comes drenched in barbecue sauce. For dessert, ignore the crusty counterman who deadpans, "Get anything but the apple pie." Plates are reserved for the cinnamon-tinged mainstay. Get it a la mode and the heated slice will slowly melt the rich, custardy vanilla ice cream.

12/07/09

It's about the EXPERIENCE

by WORX4FUDE at Citysearch

This is one of LA most controversial burger spots, and all the excuses for the nay-sayers are illegitimate, to put it lightly.

Adored by all the folks I grew up with on the Westside, the Apple Pan is a historical landmark of epic tastiness. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? HELL YEAH! I highly suggest the "Hickory Cheesey," the Hickory Burger with a thick slice of Tilamook cheddar, and their near-perfect fries. The burger's barbecue sauce in combination with the chunk of hand-leafed iceberg lettuce "set off" this burger. It is my favorite burger in LA (along with the Double-Double, and the burger at Father's Office)

The place hasn't changed much in the past 50 years, as you may notice from the original counter top and swivel stools. The waiters range from the smugly rude little fella on the left counter, to the always smiling Gordon on the right side. Gordon is the gray-haired monster of a man who is always working late nights, and is always happy to refill your ketchup plate without you needing to ask. I suggest sitting in his section; the other waiters can be a bit abrasive during rush hours.

The fact is: you can get a very good burger at In-n-Out, but it doesn't have the same feel, the same taste, OR the ambiance. Even during my periods of unemployment, or as a struggling college student, I would happily pay 10 bucks for a burger and IBC root beer, here. The taste and the satisfaction after crammin' down a Hickory Cheesey at midnight is unmatched. And the hordes of people who line the walls during peak lunch and dinner can attest to that fact.

If you haven't tried the place, save up your pennies, and hit the A-Pan at 11 o'clock at night, with a mellow beer buzz. You will almost certainly return for another experience... and another... and another.

• Pros: Tasty burgers, old school feel, great fries, open LATE
• Cons: Standing wait during busy hours, pricey, cash-only

07/21/09

Excellent food if you can deal with the place

by philipchasen at Citysearch

We went there today for the first time. When we sat down, we could see the counter man was in machine mode. Fast, fast, fast. Don't ask stupid questions. Give me your order. I had a tuna sandwich with swiss cheese on toasted rye. Came out just as I asked and delicious. My wife ate an egg salad sandwich and she loved it. In the meantime, people are starting to congregate around you watching as you eat. Don't take an extra minute or someone will be upset with you that you took too long.

Unique place with good food, but we won't be back. Too frenetic and high pressure. Just not worth the hassle. In addition, their signature apple pie wasn't that wonderful. OK, but I've eaten way better.

• Pros: Excellent
• Cons: Frenetic place

03/27/09

Apple Pan

by TrealTalk at Citysearch

Some great all around food. Good wholesome dishes and who would have thought you could do so mch with apples!?!

• Pros: Example: best croissants in town
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

03/06/09

This must be a joke- "best burger LA?"

by tailspin at Citysearch

Something is dreadfully wrong with the rating of this restaurant. I have been meaning to get a burger here for years. I have always been thwarted by the lack of parking or crowd at the counter. I finally made it here yesterday with my wife and we were extremely unimpressed. The burger was really small! It costs $6.50(ala carte)for a burger the size of a McDonalds regular hamburger with lots of lettuce added. You get no fries for that price.It actually tasted ok, although overpowered by pickles and condiments. But, it is $11 for the same amount of food in a Happy Meal. And no I dont think McDonalds is great, I am just using it for a size comparison. I think it is the old world 1940's charm drawing in the crowds. "The Counter" in Santa Monica had a significantly better burger. Dont believe the hype surrounding The Apple Pan!

• Pros: old world charm
• Cons: value and parking

12/24/08

Go somewhere else for your hamburger or pie...You've been warned...

by GarySimmons at Citysearch

I just ate at the Apple Pan on Pico in Los Angeles tonight, and yes the burger and fries were very good?not the best?but very good, but they will NEVER see my George Washington?s again and here is why: A single patty basic hamburger, size no greater than the single at In & Out Burger or a single at Wendy?s or McDonalds that only comes with lettuce, pickles, mayo and their sauce costs $6.50! I added small fries to that for $2.20 and no drink, no cheese and nothing else?came to an unreasonable $9.30 with tax, not including a tip for the gruff service.

After I left, I felt that I was really taken, or as my mother would say, ?they have some nerve!? This Apple Pan hamburger and fries tastes just the same and not better than the one at In & Out Burger all over California and if you go there?the same exact single burger and fries would cost you less than $3.50! Now folks, please keep these other things in mind. Add a slice of cheese: $60 cents and a drink: $ 1.75 and you will walk out of there paying $12.00 for a thin fried burger, small fries and a drink. Still hungry?order their Apple Pie Slice: $5.00 a slice. Now, $5.00 is not bad for a nice sized slice with chucks of apples, but not the small 3-4 fork serving that they give you there. Now your bill is up to almost $18.00 with tax, and no tip. $20.00 for one person to have a complete hamburger meal at this place: As my mother your say again: ?They have some nerve!? But folks--It gets worse?there are NO TOMATOES. (In & out on the 1.75 burger has a tomato or two.) I ask the waiter who says, ?use the sauce.?

Go somewhere else unless you have a lot of money to burn or want to walk away hungry?there is nothing historic , fun or memorable about this place except how you paid 3x the price for a fast food hamburger and how they are probably still laughing at you.

12/04/08

Burger Paradise--and Great Grumpy Waiters

by MikeAdventure at Citysearch

For those of you who were waited on by the "grumpy old waiters", do us a favor and don't come back to the Apple Pan. You obviously haven't been waited on by the professional staff (Gordon or Hector, among others) over the past thirty years. These guys are pros, the burger is the center of the universe for those of us who know burgers. Thanks for offering your opinions, but just don't take up a seat at the counter and keep the rest of us waiting.

MA

• Pros: Hickory Burger with Cheese, Apple Pie
• Cons: Parking

12/04/08

Hands down the best burger and pie in L.A.

by MatthewMinkin at Citysearch

The Apple Pan has been around for at least 50 years. Same guys have been the servers for almost that many. Quick service, consistency, quality ingredients, and amazing burgers and pie. I've been going there for 20 years.

• Pros: Hickory Burger, Steak Burger, Tuna Sandwich, and all Pies
• Cons: They need a "take a number" system to seating.

11/14/08

a burger plus pie makes me very happy

by StefMcDonald at Citysearch

i love the old-school charm of this place and cannot resist the burger (nothing fancy, everything just right) and the cream pies.

• Pros: everything
• Cons: none

10/18/08

Women beware!! Don't be mistreated by grumpy old waitors with no manners. Horrible attitude.

by Customer1000 at Citysearch

I completely agree with the last review. We also had a grumpy old waiter. This individual doesn't say a whole lot and has a thick accent. I have heard from others how rude he is when he is upset. Ironically, they all were women.

I thought this place was convenient late at night and a casual place to drop by. Last time, I drove 1 hour to eat there. I was with my girlfriend on a nice date when the nightmare began.

We ordered full meals and were enjoying our drinks when we were told that after one coffee we had to buy a full order of another coffee or leave. We were not even there for twenty min and did not even digest our food. We were still thinking about eating pie. Well, this waiter started to yell out that we had to eat and leave for other customers to have a seat. I went to the bathroom and while I was gone he was rude to my date, yelled at her telling her to get up and signaling for other customers to come and take her place. When I came back I could tell something was wrong because she was standing . So I asked the waiter why he was being so rude and he didn't say anything. After I walked away from the situation while opening the door he started to yelled to everyone in the restraunt "You eat, You Leave". So, if you want to sit and relax and enjoy a nice meal stay away from Apple Pan. This is the worst service ever. It ruined our whole night. She was so upset of how he treated her and it was embarrasing. A NIGHTMARE!

As for the food, it's a hamburger like any other served fast food style. Not worth it.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Disrespectful staff, Food is just like any fast food but more expensive. Women Don't go alone!!

10/15/08

Simple Comfort Food

by juliebear720 at Citysearch

Apple Pan has simple yummy burgers and some of the best pie in town! Be prepared for some grease. And at least a 15 minute wait for your counter spot.

• Pros: heavenly pies
• Cons: crowded, dirty counters