Ahhhh Fatburger.

The first time I went to Fatburger, my husband pulled me over there. One dark, wet January evening,he had to pull me past the loud traffic along Vermont, on a filthy sidewalk into this questionable shopping center to this greasy looking little dive of a hamburger stand.

"You have to taste this," he said. Sigh. Ok. Then let's get back to the motel. Give me a simple hamburger with everything. Pete put some money into the jukebox and we watched the burger construction. Sat down on a wobbly stool, picked up the burger and with the first bite, the heavens opened up - angels started singing, cherubs flying around tooting their horns for us, miriad shooting stars! Vermont Ave. looked like fun and the shopping center was a welcoming place all of the sudden. I don't know what it is, but they make a great burger. Maybe it's all the winning people who come by from course and session that infuse the food with greatness.

We went to a Fatburger that opened in Colorado in a nearby town and it was good - but not as good as the ones at 1611 N. Vermont Ave. (& Hollywood) Hollywood, CA 90027. Now a trip to LA isn't complete without a Big Fat Deal.