The Standing Room Redondo Beach — Restaurant in Redondo Beach

Summary: This is something else. I love places that just don't fit the norm by exceeding expectations and standards. A decent amount of street parking and a small lot. A decision fatigue-inducing menu of burgers, sandwiches, sauces, and toppings, but affordably priced, substantial in quantity, and delicious. This is a hidden gem that is not really hidden anymore, but will continue to flourish as long as the chefs keep rocking the fantastic cuisine.

First time here was on a Wednesday evening at around 8:45pm. Found parking across the street easily enough. Made my way into the liquor store adorned with banners saying "The Standing Room" to help those that wouldn't normally venture into a liquor store for Asian fusion. Made a quick right toward the kitchen in the back and quickly perused the menu (but fortunately had read the Yelp reviews first to get some ideas). The menu is pretty massive and diverse for such a tiny kitchen, so 1) read fast, 2) come prepared, or 3) call in your order :-)

I went with the Dressed burger, which had grilled onions, spring mix, fried egg, blue cheese, bacon, etc. etc. It was cooked medium by default, which is my preference. I also got an order of the parmesan truffle fries. The total came to about $11 after 10% off for checking with Yelp. I took my order stub to the woman at the liquor store counter where I paid and was given my receipt to bring back to the kitchen when the food was done. About 10 minutes later, it was ready to go (oh and there were at least 3 more in-person orders and 2 phone orders placed while I was waiting), and I made my way to the car to dig in (there are no tables or anything in the store, so eating location is on your own).

I'm really glad I decided to eat in the car instead of taking the food home because the burger would have likely soaked through the wrapping. As I unwrapped it, the beauty of its assembly was so evident. It's amazing that the whole thing held together because it was BIG, and it was JUICY. The brioche bun was the critical aspect that allowed the burger to be a success because it was super soft, but it was thick and durable enough to absorb the burger's richness without everything falling apart in my hands. So well crafted...so well architected. This was a thinking person's burger.

And the flavors...an evolution. The first bite of the burger was ok. The second bite, better. The further I got in, the more I discovered all of the aspects of the construction. First there was subtlety and a bit of blandness. Then I discovered the spread. Then I found the bacon and its crunchy texture. Then there was the blue cheese that cut through everything, but then was quickly balanced out by sweetness that somehow came out of nowhere. It was so strange to have a single food item change so much throughout the course of its consumption. There were just so many taste and texture elements to discover, that only when it was gone and I was so much fuller did I realize what a culinary journey I had just embarked on.

Then there were the fries. By themselves, there wasn't an abundance of flavor. The parmesan didn't stand out, there wasn't a lot of salt, but the crunch factor was excellently balanced. Not too hard, and not too soft. Then I started using some ketchup to add a bit of sweetness into the picture and instantly the contrast showcased the true flavors of the fries. The nuttiness of the truffle, the savory essence of the herbs with parmesan...amazing. And so much food! I can eat a lot, but I couldn't finish the burger and all of the fries. What value! I can't wait to go back to this amazing gem of a restaurant that is like a gourmet food truck in the back of a liquor store in beautiful...

At first glance, you probably thought Google Maps directed you to the wrong address. There's no way this is the correct burger restaurant, but looks can be deceiving. With a sketchy-looking "order inside" sign on the wall outside, you walk into the liquor store and see this hole-in-the-wall burger joint.

I ordered the classic hamburger and regular fries to be on the safe side, but I wish I had been braver to try out the other options. The total costs for the hamburger and fries came out to be ~$20 with a tip. The hamburger felt like a homemade hamburger fresh from off the grill. The fries were a little salty but goes perfect with the ketchup. We ate outside on the tables since there weren't any available seats inside or public bathrooms that we saw, although I could be wrong.

Summary: BATHROOM. I didn't see one but there could be one inside the liquor store for customers only. CLEANLINESS. The presentation of the food was good. Nothing spilled and all utensils were in the bag. COSTS. $ Decently priced for the quality. CUSTOMER SERVICE. The staff were very fast. It took about 10 minutes for the food to come out. FOOD QUALITY. The ingredients are fresh and super tasty. Nothing frozen, generic, or bland. Something about hamburgers make me nostalgic. FOOD QUANTITY. A decently sized meal. WAIT TIME. About a 10...

The service is friendly but i waited for about 20 minutes for 2 burgers at some generic fries... the reviews made me give a local liquor store a chance and when i did i was surprised at the prices. Most burgers cost $10+. I felt like an idiot paying $30 for 2 burgers and 1 order of fries but this place had good reviews so i said what ever..fine. My burger was the 'chance'. I took a chance but now I'm sitting on the toilet wishing i would have ordered 'in n out' instead. MY ASS IS ON FIRE! they basically put a huge meatball on a bun and smothered it with things that ended up falling off the burger with my first bite. The Jalapeños are approximately 1/4 thick and i counted more than 10. It says all burgers are medium well on the menu but mine ended up being so over cooked that it was dry and flavorless..the fries were also expensive ($5) but they weren't too bad after i added Himalaya salt to them. overcooked, overpriced, oversized meatball of a burger... i think the chef who created these burgers is probably amazing, but he's not the guy cooking them here... these burgers are half assed, oversized and...