The smoke has cleared, the grease has settled, and Downtown Los Angeles just witnessed the most explosive culinary showdown of the year! The 2nd annual DTLA Burger Battle reached a fever pitch, pushing patty-slingers and bun-builders to their absolute limit. This grueling, month-long cage match of flavor culminated in a stunning result, as one contender rose above the rest, dominating the competition and seizing the coveted title of Greatest Burger in Downtown Los Angeles.
Packed with Flavor
The Little Tokyo heavy-hitter, SunGraze, didn’t just win; it staged a culinary coup. Securing the flagship award for Greatest Burger in Downtown Los Angeles 2025 was just the beginning of its legendary run. This flavor phenomenon stood toe-to-toe with the city’s finest, landing four additional crushing blows in specialty categories.
The SunGraze proved its ingredient superiority by claiming number one in other top categories as well. The Sauce Boss, and the Bun Believable. Most significantly, The SunGraze secured the ultimate knockout punch in the Most Innovative category, cementing its status as a revolutionary burger. As one Downtown Weekly Analyst noted, “This is more than a burger; it’s a flavor phenomenon! SunGraze didn’t just enter the ring—it owned it.
CATEGORY KNOCKOUTS: THE CONTENDERS WHO DARED!
The Grand Championship wasn’t the only fight on the card! The rest of the field clawed for glory, resulting in some epic title defenses and surprising upsets. The classic, unyielding Double Cheese Burger from Shake Shack defended its Big Cheese Belt, proving that sometimes, simple perfection is the hardest to beat.
Shown here: French Onion Smash from Bike Shed Moto
The French Onion Smash from Bike Shed Moto didn’t just smash the competition—it left them weeping in the Smashterpiece Showdown! This powerhouse also secured The Prime Patty Prize, proving its meat mastery is no joke, and its larger sibling, the Bike Shed Burger, won the Size Matters prize.
Showing the competition that plant-based doesn’t mean pulling any punches, the fierce, green challenger, the Impossible Burger from 33 Taps, took home the Plant Power award.
The title for Slide Or Die went to the unexpectedly delicious Teriyaki Mango Sliders from Far Bar, demonstrating that global flavors can deliver a knockout blow. Cruising to victory and stealing the hearts of voters was the Goudacris from Park Burger, rolling over all competition in the Greatest on Wheels mobile kitchen category.
Downtown Burger tied with Glory Burger for Best Bang for Buck who voters picking Glory Burger’s for their fries, coming in first place for Best Side Hustle.
WINNER TAKES ALL!
The victory is more than bragging rights! The SunGraze and the team at BunGraze will be immortalized on the cover of the next Downtown Weekly, a stunning two-page spread celebrating their dominance.
Sungraze from Bungraze Burger
The 2025 DTLA Burger Battle has set a new standard for ferocity and flavor. DTLA has voted, the judges have tallied, and the SunGraze from BunGraze stands as the undisputed champion! Until next year, the battle lines are drawn, and every patty in the city will be training for a shot at the crown! www.dtlaburgerweek.com
