My next burger visit required a brave stomach and eager taste buds. Featured on Laist’s: The Best Burgers In Los Angeles and named after Metallica’s first recorded album “Kill ‘Em All,” is a restaurant influenced completely by the genre of heavy metal, Grill ‘Em All. The burger joint started out as a food truck serving fresh half-pound burgers with weird topping combinations that intimidated their customers, yet managed to win the Food Network’s “Great Food Truck Race.” After their accomplishment, co-owners Ryan Harkins and Matt Chernus decided to open up a stationary location providing their popular mouth-blasting burgers.

As I walked into the restaurant, one of Metallica’s hit singles, Whiplash, roared through the universal speakers. Then I was greeted by the friendly order-taker that had a half-shaven haircut.

Several of the workers recommended the “Dee Snider” when I asked about the most popular burger on the menu. The half-pound burger patty was hand-shaped on the spot, cooked medium rare and consisted of crunchy peanut butter, strawberry jam, Sriracha hot sauce and bacon. It tasted like a spicy, crispy peanut butter and jelly sandwich, with meat. It was definitely different, but surprisingly tasteful; therefore, I suggest its consumption to any burger explorer.

By the way, the restaurant offers half-priced meals for life to customers who get any Grill ‘Em All iconography tattooed on them.

Both photos taken by Janet Acosta.

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