HiHo Cheeseburger
Don't judge a book by its cover. Time has proven this to me in the past, and this time was no exception. I've read so many articles talking about the HiHo Cheeseburger, but upon first glance, the burger looked like any other ordinary burger with shredded lettuce. Since I was given the opportunity to try it out, I hopped onto it and got myself over to Santa Monica!
Upon meeting the guys who run the place, I was impressed (yet slightly skeptical) after learning about the background. They were searching for years to find the right farm to source their meat, and they happened to chance upon this New Zealand farm with 100% grass fed, grass finished wagyu beef. The beef is 100% free of antibiotics and hormones, and they had a previous location in Santa Barbara county in Ojai. The owners decided to keep the burger classic and simple with a white bun, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. A burger is $6.95 a la carte or it can come with hand cut fries or a side salad.
My friend and I got one of each combo, and it was a great decision! The fries still had the potato skin on and were nicely fried, and the side salad was light and easy to eat. Now on to the main star of the show, the burger. Upon first bite, my friend and I were pleasantly surprised at the taste of the meat. The HiHo cheeseburger comes with two patties and two cheeses, and it was the perfect amount as it provided an all around great meat taste and quality. The burger tasted like the classic All American burger you've been dreaming of but never had, and the beef was so flavorful and was textured very well. With the simplicity of the side toppings and ingredients, it couldn't have been made better. It was obvious that the meat had substantial quality!
For dessert, we got the key lime and the banana cream pie; another two American classics! Although I recommend trying both as they were very light yet flavorful, my personal favorite was the key lime. It was the perfect finish to the meal as the pie wasn't too heavy but provided a nice, sweet touch to the end of the meal.
Overall, I was very impressed at what HiHo Cheeseburger had to offer! Pictures definitely do not do the burger justice, and it is obvious that the quality shines through. Come here expecting delicious food and a leave with a happy stomach!