Father's Office does indeed have the best burgers in town

We dropped $42 on a couple of burgers and fries last weekend (not counting any tipping). While it's hard to deny how ridiculous that is, it's also hard to deny how awesome they tasted.

Father's Office is located on a posh street in Santa Monica and has a strange set-up. It's a small, narrow place with first-come, first-serve seating. So, if by the time you get your $42 worth of food you don't find a seat, you're eating it leaning against a wall. As lovely as the hard-wood wall is, it really doesn't make up for it. Luckily, we got a seat.

We got two burgers the only way they make them (with caramelized onions, applewood bacon compote, gruyere, matag blue cheese and arugula). They were AAAAWESOME!! I couldn't stop thinking about those burgers for days. Almost equally delicious was the garlic aoli which comes with the shoe string french fries. We also got the sweet potato fries which were good, but not a must in my book. Their service wasn't great.. they bring things out as they're made so you never know what you're going to get first, last, or at the same time. We didn't get the sweet potato fries (while they brought out plenty to folks who came in after us) until we were done with our burgers. They have a very long list of micro-brews, which is the other draw to this place. I got the Speckled Hen which was perfect (good if you like golden, thick beers).

They've also got a nice list of fancy small plates (mostly Spanish, tapas-like dishes) like House Cured Spanish White Anchovies and Dry Cured Spanish Mountain Ham. We might try getting one of these next time and splitting a burger and fries (they are BIG).

I've heard this place is mobbed at happy hour. Although, for $10 a beer, how can you walk out of there happy? We happened to go on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn't so bad. I'd go again.. even with the price.. the burgers were just that good. I hope my mother's not reading this, she'd say, "Well Alexis, you LOVE to spend money!"

Father's Office
1018 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-393-BEER (2337)
http://www.fathersoffice.com/