Twice in the same number of weeks, I’ve received burger recommendations for two restaurants within a couple of blocks of one another. On my way to Hawthorne to sample one of the recommendations, I figured I might as well sample the other while I’m in the area.
Looming large at the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue and Lemoli Way, the well-worn Fabulous Charbroiled Burgers has a bit of ‘70s kitsch charm to it. The funky fonts, faded signage, UFO-like outdoor seating, and ginormous amusement park sign all contribute to its curb appeal. The interior is also ‘70s-like but in a less charming and more dated way. It has the typical penny nickel quarter dollar machines for random toys and candy, but in an unexpectedly huge quantity spread throughout the restaurant just in case you’re in the market for a misshapen bouncy ball or temporary tattoo and don’t want to walk more than four feet for it.
The burger selections were straightforward and I went with the bacon cheeseburger ($3.85). I had heard Fabulous’ burgers were large but I was a bit disappointed when I got it to the table. The burger took up a lot of area but seriously lacked in volume. I think they might have taken a typical preformed patty and smashed it with a pan until it was larger and equally thin as a compact disc.
The burger lost a lot of its shredded lettuce as I unwrapped it from its white paper. My first bite revealed that the paper-thin patty didn’t retain enough heat to melt the slice of American cheese. Additionally, the bacon had been precooked and reheated past crispy and into the realm of hard. The flavor of the patty came from the charbroil rather than having any discernable beef flavor or seasoning.
Fabulous Charbroiled Burgers isn’t fabulous. Unless it’s well after midnight and you aren’t fully in control of your better judgment, drive another block or two west to B & R Old Fashion Burgers for a truly fabulous burger.
RATING: 2
Fabulous Charbroiled Burgers No. 1
3301 West Rosecrans Avenue
Hawthorne, California 90250
(310) 644-8474
Hours: Daily 24 hours
