The Iron Horse, Westwood

Learning to make The Iron Horse's signature stuffed burger is a right of passage for many chefs. Since 1972, chef after chef has mastered the art of taking ground beef and stuffing it with a diner's choice of cheese, perhaps fresh mozzarella, cheddar, or swiss. To date, the restaurant has welcomed about 5,000 employees into the family—40 of whom have gone on to culinary school. Others have become doctors, lawyers, superheroes, or other professionals. Yet there's a good chance they still remember how to grill a perfect burger and cook the requisite railroad-tie fries.

Indeed, tradition defines The Iron Horse. Just ask one of friendly staffers, who might tell a story about an old coworker or the time they had Bruce Springsteen as a customer. Or ask one of the many regulars, who have passed the years over beer, burgers, and other house specialties, such as sandwiches and welsh rarebit. Seats at the long wood bar or near the dining room's wood burning fireplaces aren't exclusive to veteran diners, however—The Iron Horse always welcomes new faces.