HiHo Cheeseburger | Santa Monica — Restaurant in Santa Monica

Location was easy to get to. Plenty of street parking and a parking structure across the street. My husband was super excited to have lunch here after my doctors appointment.

Store was very clean. Very open seating inside. There were 2 tables outside, the one we sat at was dirty and I hadn’t brought my wipes. The other table was being used.

To order, there are printed laminated menus. I’m not a big burger eater, so I usually get a child’s size. When I asked to order that the gentleman just said I was ordering a HiHo Double? I was not sure. Of course, then I realized they do have single patty burgers. Had I read the entire menu. I then asked if they are the same size, the kids and the Classic? Another gentleman then chimed in and said they are all the same size, it’s the double patty. So I just said yeah I’ll take that. I had given up. I wasn’t too hyped to eat a double but again, my husband was excited to eat here. I don’t remember adding fries. As I usually just pick them and never eat the entire order of fries. But apparently I did agree to fries. I ordered chocolate Oreo shake. My husband ordered the Chicken tenders and fries. He wanted a fountain drink but they were not working. Only bottled or can drinks were available.

We sat outside and waited. Husband went to get our order. The meal looked nice and appeasing. The shake was the first item I tried. It was good. Nothing exciting to gush about. Just a shake with Oreos. The fries were perfectly cooked, a list crisp and delicious. They looked a bit greasy. For the burger, it was a good burger. Also not too phased to say oh my god this is amazing…. If anything it was just good. I liked the pastrami I added to it more than the burger. I wasn’t too crazy about the bun. I ate almost half and gave the rest to my husband. Glad we can check it off our foodie list. Used their restroom which was very poorly lit. I guess that’s the style but...

Updated 9/27/22 from 4 star to 2 star: I gave them another try for the 4th time. Asked them nicely to use more lettuce in my protein style bunless triple patty cheeseburger. When it came out with 2 pieces of lettuce I asked them to send back and add more. He returned and said that's all the lettuce we are allowed to give! I was in shock. Is there a shortage of lettuce, does it cost more than beef now? You'd think the bun costs more than 2 extra pieces of lettuce but they are under strict orders! No sense of customer appreciation at this place, just robots working there under cooperate rule. I'm done supporting this company. The fries are still some of the best around. Burger lounge around the corner gives a huge amount of lettuce, count my pictures under that review.

Original review: I give them many kudos for having very friendly staff and service. Also the quality of the beef is top-notch and some of the best I've had. The texture is so unique compared to any other burger I've had. The twice fried fries are amazing and must try! Here's where there is room for improvement: No cash accepted, cards only. Not a big deal and I understand it's much more convenient for a business not to deal with cash. Lettuce wrap burger protein style did not have any extra lettuce compared to a regular bun version burger. Only two layers of lettuce and so thin I could barely hold the bottom of my burger. I recommended they give generous amounts of lettuce for protein style version, so it looks like the lettuce is similar thickness as a bun. Next time I will try ordering with the buns since they looked so good! My burger was soaking in liquid, not so nice. My friends burger had much less liquid on his plate. Easy to solve, just drain it before serving. Overall the experience was very positive and I recommend HiHo cheeseburger as a great place to enjoy a fine burger. Nice outdoor ambiance...

The burger did taste good but the experience was one of the most bizarre I’ve ever encountered.

They advertise a lettuce wrapped burger, which I double checked when ordering, but when it arrived it came in two of the dinkiest little pieces of lettuce I’ve ever seen. Don’t see how they can call that a “wrap”.

When I asked for more lettuce, the waiter had to go get his manager, who then told me they can remake the burger, but they are unable to give out additional lettuce. I don’t understand, they’ll throw away a perfectly good burger and make a brand new one, but they can’t just give me more lettuce? Like some extra lettuce would somehow cost more than an entirely new burger?

When I tried asking why, he just kept repeating he can make a new burger but not give out more lettuce.

Then later on he comes by to check on us and asked how everything is. I didn’t respond because I already voiced my opinion to him several times just to be shut down with no explanation. Then he says loudly to me in front of all of my friends “FINE, I can see you’re UPSET, so I’ll break the rules for you JUST THIS ONE TIME!” As if he’s going massively out of his way to get me some lettuce. Came back a few minutes later with two more tiny pieces. Like dude, either do it or don’t. Don’t give me an attitude. Don’t patronize me. I went out to eat to relax, not to get sass.

I thought this had to be a one time thing, but I saw a few other reviews with similar...