TIE! The Last Drop / Thorny

OK, OK, so we went at the absolute WORST time to take a photo – the place was packed to overflowing. But y’know, that’s kinda the point: the Last Drop, winner of Best Burger for 2010, has garnered a dedicated legion of fans. Now, not everyone was eating burgers (tempting as they are), because the menu has lots of other choices, but with their grilled-to-order bad selves, these big, juicy, burgers were definitely spotted on many plates.  Owner Isaac and Paty are hands-on with every aspect of their Cerritos restaurant, and their attentiveness is apparent. Weekly specials, live music, pool table (and tournaments!) all add to the burger-filled fun.

So many of you wrote “Wherever Thorny’s cooking” that we thought he deserved a special mention in this category. Long-time Mazatlán chef/ cook, known only by Thorny, estimates he’s grilled some 350,000 burgers in his 15 years in town, at a plethora of restaurants including Munchkins, Il Mosto and Beach Burger. Thorny’s set to open his own little place in Olas Altas, Thorny’s Surf Burger,” any day now; keep an eye out for the opening. -JB