Some restaurants change with the times; Cassell's Hamburgers simply refuses to let time change it. Since 1948, this Los Angeles institution has been grinding premium beef daily and searing patties on the same original crossfire broiler that founder Al Cassell himself used over seven decades ago. Named one of the World's 50 Best Restaurants by Eater Los Angeles and winner of Los Angeles Magazine's People's Choice Burger Award, Cassell's has become more than a burger joint — it's a living piece of LA culinary history.
From a 1948 Lunch Counter to a Modern Classic
The story begins in 1948, when Al Cassell opened a humble hamburger stand that quickly became an iconic lunch counter in Los Angeles. Cassell's was famous for two simple but revolutionary practices: grinding fresh beef every day and making its own mayonnaise. That passion for the perfect hamburger — built on pristine ingredients and honest technique — is the same spirit that powers the restaurant today.
After decades of serving hungry Angelenos, Cassell's found a new home in the historic Hotel Normandie on Wilshire Boulevard. While the brand has grown, the soul of the restaurant remains true to Cassell's original principles: a hamburger shop obsessed with premium beef, ground fresh daily in house. Today, the menu has expanded to include classic milkshakes and malts, a full 1950s-style breakfast menu, a coffee bar, house-made pies, and a fully stocked bar — but the burgers are still made the way Al Cassell intended.
Two Iconic Locations in Los Angeles
Cassell's operates two distinct locations, each with its own character and dedicated following. The flagship is tucked inside the historic Hotel Normandie in Koreatown, at 3600 W. 6th Street. This location sits a block from Wilshire Boulevard and offers the full experience: breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails, and outdoor patio seating. Hours run Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The newer Chinatown location, at 1021 Alpine Street (with an entrance on Centennial Street), brings the same classic menu to a vibrant neighborhood. Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with happy hour on Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Both locations accept orders for pickup and also offer e-gift cards, making it easy to share the Cassell's experience.
What's on the Menu: Burgers, Breakfast, and More
At its core, Cassell's is a hamburger shop, and the burgers are the undeniable stars. But the menu goes far beyond the classics, offering something for every craving. The full lineup includes:
Hand-formed burgers made from whole chucks and briskets ground daily on the original grinder
Classic milkshakes and malts made with Fosselman's Ice Cream
A 1950s-style breakfast menu featuring organic eggs from Chino Valley Ranch
House-made pies baked fresh
A coffee bar serving espresso and brewed coffee
A fully stocked bar with beer, wine, and cocktails
Burgers Done the Original Way
Every burger at Cassell's is cooked on Al Cassell's famous original crossfire broiler, a rare piece of equipment that imparts a distinct smoky flavor. The patties are formed using the original press, ensuring consistent thickness and texture. The beef comes from Aspen Ridge, a brand known for raising cattle without antibiotics or added hormones. Each day, whole chucks and briskets are ground in-house, a practice that has never wavered since 1948. Even the mayonnaise is made from scratch, following the same approach that made Al Cassell a legend.
A Full Classic Breakfast
Breakfast at Cassell's is a nostalgic trip back to the 1950s. The menu includes pancakes, eggs, omelets, and breakfast sandwiches, all made with organic eggs from Chino Valley Ranch. Pair your morning meal with a coffee from the bar or one of their famous fresh-squeezed juices. The breakfast menu is available at the Koreatown location starting at 9 a.m., making it a perfect spot for late risers and early birds alike.
Shakes, Pies, and the Bar
No trip to Cassell's is complete without a thick shake or malt. They use Fosselman's Ice Cream, a Los Angeles institution since 1919, for a creamy, old-fashioned taste. House-made pies rotate but always hit that sweet spot. In the evening, the fully stocked bar transforms Cassell's into a relaxed spot for cocktails, local beer, or a glass of wine — all while the grill sizzles in the background.
Commitment to Quality Ingredients
Cassell's takes sourcing seriously. The menu lists specific producers for nearly every ingredient, which is rare for a burger restaurant. The beef is 100% Aspen Ridge, certified antibiotic-free and hormone-free. Their Beelers pork products are free of nitrates, added hormones, and antibiotics. The chicken, from Naked Truth, is free-range and raised without antibiotics or added hormones. Even the albacore tuna is sustainable, line-caught fresh from the Pacific Northwest. The organic eggs come from Chino Valley Ranch, and the ice cream is from Fosselman's. This level of transparency means every bite lives up to the promise of quality that Al Cassell set in 1948.
What Makes Cassell's Special?
Plenty of burger spots claim to be classic, but Cassell's can back it up with authenticity. The original equipment — the crossfire broiler, the grinder, and the press — is still in daily use. That's not a gimmick; it's a commitment to technique. The beef is ground in-house every single morning. The mayonnaise is made from scratch. The pies are baked on site. The milkshakes use a century-old local ice cream brand. Add in the historic Hotel Normandie setting and the laid-back, no-frills vibe, and you get an experience that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern.
Cassell's has also earned the trust of critics and locals alike. The Eater Los Angeles nod placed it among the top 50 restaurants in the world, and Los Angeles Magazine readers voted it the People's Choice Burger. These accolades reflect not just a great burger, but a restaurant that consistently delivers on flavor, service, and atmosphere.
Who Is Cassell's For?
Cassell's appeals to a broad range of diners. For burger purists, it's a pilgrimage site — a place to taste a hamburger made exactly the way they were served in the mid-20th century. For locals in Koreatown and Chinatown, it's a reliable neighborhood favorite for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Tourists staying at the Hotel Normandie or exploring the city will find a convenient spot to experience LA's culinary heritage. And anyone with a sweet tooth will love the shakes and pies. Families, office workers, late-night crowds, and weekend brunchers all feel at home here.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you're craving a classic cheeseburger, a plate of fluffy pancakes, or a cold shake on a hot LA afternoon, Cassell's is ready to welcome you. The Koreatown location is inside the historic Hotel Normandie at 3600 W. 6th Street, open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Chinatown location is at 1021 Alpine Street, open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. You can also place an order for pickup at either location, send an e-gift card to a friend, or browse the full menu and hours at cassellshamburgers.com. Come taste a slice of LA history — a burger made fresh, served with pride, and true to its 1948 roots.
Tags
