Irv's Burgers Route 66 Holdout

Since 1958 there has been a burger joint on Santa Monica Blvd at Sweetzer Ave. in West Hollywood. It was originally called Queen's Burgers (apropos no?) but it has been known as Irv's Burgers since 1973 when it was bought by Irving Gendis. Mr. Gendis ran the stand until it was sold to Sonia Hong and her family. The Hong's bought the burger stand in 2000. Sonia and Mama Hong are neighborhood fixtures. Every burger comes with a handwritten note on your paper plate and sometimes a little drawing as well. The Hong's makes some great burgers and fries but it is them that makes the place a treasure.

Irv's has always had a celebrity following too. Shelley Winters, John Cassavettes and The Sharks and The Jets from Westside Story were fans as well an Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Linda Ronstadt love the place so much it is the cover of her album "Livin' in the USA". I have personally seen Jim J. Bullock enjoying an Irv's burger there.
The Hongs are now on a month to month lease and may possibly loose the burger stand that is their livelihood. The owners of the property are planning on building a new building on the corner and forcing the restaurant to close down. It seems a Peet's Coffee wants the space. It would be a shame to see Irv's go as it is one of the very last bits of the old Route 66 culture left in Los Angeles. It is also ironic that West Hollywood City hall is directly across the street and the city is very supportive of historic buildings. If you have a chance to stop in and have a burger go soon as there may be no more Irv's very soon.