THE GREASY FOODIE: Apple Pan

The Greasy Foodie

The story begins blustry day Friday after Thanksgiving in 2008 in a cramped booth at a fake NYC deli in Nashville called Noshville. In between my wife, Rachel, and my brother, Michael, I sat across from my "cooler than me" cousins Mark and Sarah, and Sarah's just as cool husband, Danny. Mark, who lives the awesome life being a lawyer living in San Francisco working for Facebook, with his only downfall being his SEVERE lactardation..which has never been medically or scientifically proven to exist in Mark.. Sarah and Danny are foodies from NYC who have tried every dive "chicken finger" hut and "curry on a stick" in the big city. Danny and Sarah had discussed that they were trying to go to as many places from Bobby Flay's 'Throwdown' show as they could, and that there was one in Nashville we had to try.....a place that I had never heard of in my 13 years of living there..I will get to that adventure later.

I got an idea from my cool cousins idea. An idea became a hobby. And the hobby became an obsession. And thus produced the list.....a world-famous spreadsheet...of every restaurant that has ever been featured on Food Network and Travel Channel....every restaurant from the famous shows like "Throwdown", "Man V. Food", "Man v. Food Nation", "Food Feuds", "Food Wars", "Best Thing I Ever Ate", "Food Paradise" and "Diners Drive-Ins and Dives" to the obscure "Best Food Ever", "Meat and Potatoes", and "101 Best Places to Chowdown", plus my additions of the restaurants of famous chefs, favorite catergories (burgers, wings, pizza, bbq, and sandwiches) and local places of legend. Names, cities, food they are famous for, and addresses. It was and still is an obsession. As of 11:31am on November 27, 2018, THE LIST HAS 4,660 RESTAURANTS ON IT...WITH A FEW OVERLAPS HERE AND THERE. And then over Pastrami Eggs Benedict at Nate N' Al's Deli in Beverly Hills, Hannah and Andrew, our good friends, gave me the idea of the blog. Document every place I went. And thus, "The Greasy Foodie" was born. I will log the places, the shows they are from, and what I had. So far, every place I have been has been amazing, except two, one being mediocre, and another being down right awful.

If there is a city you have been to, or are going to, or are from and want to know what from my list is in the city, send me a email at agmarks@gmail.com

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Apple Pan

From Burger Paradise and Best Burger In America

10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

"Steakburger (ground sirloin topped with melted Tillamook chedder, pickles, lettuce, mayo and signature relish), Hickory Burger (same toppings and smothered in a tangy hickory sauce)"

This place is a LA Burger institution. Before Umami, Father's Office, Tommy's, and In and Out, there was Apple Pan, and when Umami, Father's Office, Tommy's, and In and Out are gone, there will still be Apple Pan. This is a beloved burger joint and a part of what makes it great is the love, devotion, and loyalty to Apple Pan. Stepping into Apple Pan is like stepping back into 1930's LA. White counter tops, servers in white shirts and bow ties, soda in paper cups. If it is not broken, do not fix it. The patrons of this place show the love and loyalty people have. People bringing their kids and grandkids saying "your father/grandfather/mother/grandmother brought me here".

This place is plain and simple and delicious. No frills, simple burger and pie. No pork belly with a kimchi glaze topped on a gluten free bun with a creme frasice of basil. This is a straight forward cheeseburger. This place has only a few things on the menu and they do them to perfection! Great burger, atmosphere, and history! It is clear and easy to see why people have loved this place for so many years and continue to come back!

THE GREASY FOODIE