Fukuburger, Los Angeles

Colin Fukunaga and Robert "Mags" Magsalin came up with the idea of creating the FukuBurger truck while working at Tao, a high-end Asian restaurant in Las Vegas. The pair's successful combination of gourmet Angus beef, turkey, chicken, and vegan patties with Japanese-influenced toppings—including wasabi mayo, teriyaki sauce, and red ginger—led to the establishment of FukuBurger's permanent location in Los Angeles and an applauding article from Caroline on Crack. In addition to hosting innovative cuisine, FukuBurger whets whistles and inspires chopstick duels with Japanese lagers, sake bombs, and beer-based Fuku Bombs until close at 4 a.m.

Hanging light pendants enliven modern barstools with red tints while chalkboards list the day's draft selections. A mural of a Japanese woman reaching for a burger adds to the bar's casual ambiance and acts as a siren that causes patrons to crash into the brick wall.