My favorite burger of all time is Carl’s Jr’s Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger. I’ve always been a little let down by almost every other type of burger, and also most western bacon cheeseburger knockoffs.
Squishy seeded bun (not too thick or dry), onion rings, tangy bbq sauce, a couple strips of bacon, melted cheese, and beef patties. No unnecessary veggies. Just pure bliss of a burger.
I usually like to eat it with onion rings, and a chocolate shake.
Is there a really nice version of this anywhere? Most copycats just don’t get close to Carl’s Jr’s level of taste-balance. This is the burger I’d take over even a Five Guy’s burger (but they’re pretty close). Eat Fantastic’s City Slicker burger comes close.
by ducklingkwak
31 Comments
The “Granada Burger” at Frosty Queen in Granada Hills actually does a good version of this. Much better meat, and cheese. It’s my go-to when I’m there.
Burger King, why try to fight it.
Hamburgers Nice
Minus the onion rings, the other items on their own are trash. But they some how come together into this amazing burger which can’t be replicated
Check out the Oinkster – they used to do a direct knockoff special burger but their Bacon Crispinator is still pretty similar
The Black and Bleu burger at Blue Dog Tavern in Sherman Oaks.
Gus’s Famous Burger at Gus’s BBQ.
Dog Haus does one that’s pretty good. It’s called “The Ringer”
Man this reads like an ad.
Burger Lounge
Best Western i ever had was from Carls, something about the distinct flavor it has can not be replicated, been to many burgers spots around the city and when i see a western on the menu i immediately think and will compare it to Carls , nothing compares
Low boy has exactly what you’re looking for
The Fix Burger. Bit Pricey but will not disappoint
This is my brothers favorite fast food burger since he was like 5. Mine was the bbq chicken sandwich.
Oui melrose has a bbq bacon burger. Get it without the coleslaw (or coleslaw on the side) and it’s by far the best burger on this list, which seems to have pretty crappy recommendations so far. You will get the same flavors as the Carl’s Jr burger. Trust me, I’ve done the same search myself and there are several good ones out there, but Oui is the best. https://www.ouimelrose.com/
Spearmint Rhino
Burger she wrote has a pretty good western burger but it is pricey. $17 bucks for the double but pretty damn good.
Torrance Tavern has an excellent western burger and they’ll absolutely make it a double for you. Their onion rings are super crispy and the BBQ sauce isn’t too sweet.
There’s this spot in Cudahy named “Chris’s” the best clean tasting western bacon burger ever… their fries are so good too. Jus kind to a sketchy area
Been a while since I’ve had it, but don’t sleep on Johnny Rocket’s Smoke House Double. A little better quality ingredients and crispy onion rings, without trying to be something it’s not. Plus their shakes are really good.
I agree though that’s it’s very hard to top Carls’ version. Too many places try to “elevate” a western burger by adding ingredients like truffle, fancy greens/veggies, or thick cut onion rings, and it throws off the flavor profile.
Tam’s
I’m suspecting what you’re probably most infatuated with the carls DWBC burger has to be the BBQ sauce, because you can source most other ingredients in much better quality except for the BBQ sauce itself. Go to carls, get some BBQ, and keep them in your glove compartment.
Bun Street
Caveman kitchen
I use to work at The Habit Burger Grilled and I would build my own Double Western BBQ cheeseburger and add onion rings inside it so bomb. When I wanna feel healthy I’ll get it in LEAFED LETTUCE WRAP 🥬
Once a year Oinkster does Burger Week in June. A couple if times they did the Western, and it was a lot better than Carl’s. Only place I know that did it justice.
Late to this but Boneyard Bistro in Studio City has a very similar burger. Spendy but I enjoy their food on occasion.
Grub burger in Whittier is epic
I haven’t tried it yet but maybe Burger Lounge – they just added a western bacon burger – i think the flavor is going to be a bit different, but imo Burger Lougne’s bbq sauce is one of the best tasting sauce ever
Pizza Man in North Hollywood has the best knock off version that can get delivered to my front door.
The Smokehouse BBQ Burger at The Cheesecake Factory is delicious!