Hinano Cafe — Restaurant in Los Angeles

This cafe is really better described as a classic low-brow bar and grill and is easily found near where Washington Boulevard runs into Venice Beach, not far from Marina del Rey and Santa Monica. It's a bit of a hole in the wall, but is known locally for its rather basic menu of hamburgers, including turkey burgers and veggie burgers. When I was there, they were playing a lot of 70s and 80s music, like Bruce Springsteen. It has a nice, genuine low-brow atmosphere. I selected the turkey burger and thought it was rather tasty. and thought it was tasty. The staff was friendly and attentive and made some excellent recommendations about the local beers available on draft, including a rather excellent local pilsner whose name I didn't catch. Parking isn't too easy, without having to walk a ways, but it's manageable. There are multiple TV monitors, making watching football easy and enjoyable. In general, it's a good value for money and the experience overall was very positive. I would recommend for almost everyone seeking a low-brow experience. The one negative that I noticed was the restrooms, very small and dilapidated, but you could argue that this is part of the low-brow these patrons...

Though few know that this little treasure exists, Hinano Cafe is what many believe to be the epitome of the Venice way of life. Coming off the beach and slipping into the Hinano for a pitcher and a burger is a rite of passage! The burger at Hinano....what can I say??? Although very simple in appearance, the Hinano burger is in my top 5 burgers of all time. I have brought more than 10 of my besties to try that burger, and every single one has agreed that there is something about that burger that makes it very special. I thought maybe the bun. Some say it is the custom mixture of the burger patty that makes it so perfect. My good friend Neil says it the whole environment that feels like you just found a gem of a bar in Honolulu with rock n roll on the jukebox, wood shavings on the floor , three quarter pool tables, and all the free self serve movie-style popcorn you can eat. It is the perfect cure to my sunday hangover(hair of the dog) and home away from home. Heads up though, it is a cash only bar. So hit the ATM on your way there or be prepared for a surcharge, because you will have to hit the ATM in the liquor...

Hinano is a classic. Friendly no-frills dive bar just w stone's throw from the beach. They open at 8am and their budget friendly breakfast is a good enough excuse to say "it's 5 o'clock somewhere and order a beer at 10am. At $5 a breakfast burrito, you can afford a fair few beers as well, just remember to bring cash (or use the on-site atm, no big deal). Beers are served in chilled glasses and pitchers, with a smile and it is damn near impossible to resist ordering one of their divine burgers. My favorite is the veggie with swiss. Make it a double if you intend to stay a while. I am kinda convinced that the word hinano is Japanese for burgerheaven. Sports on the tvs, juke box, pool tables and even some popcorn to munch on while enjoying some people watching. You won't be bored. Take a minute to check out the old photos on the walls, make conversation with the patron next to you and order another round. The only bummer is it's beer and wine only. But that might actually be a good thing. I don't think I'd still be alive to write this review if there had been tequila and...