Larsens Grill - Oxnard, CA
I was not planning on burgers last night. There was rain in the forecast and, as a native Californian, I preparing for an extreme weather occurrence. (In this case, 10 minutes of rain). I had just pulled some ahi tuna steaks out of the freezer to thaw for dinner when Matt sent me a text saying he was driving home from his team’s camp in Solvang and to think about what we were going to have for dinner. My dinner plans immediately went out the window for several reasons: First of all, I knew Matt would be too hungry after a weekend of riding for ahi tuna steaks. Secondly, my cooking does not meet anyone’s standards except my own and maybe my mom’s, and finally, Matt is far too handsome to not be seen in public with.
Since it had just rained for 10 minutes and the ground was wet, we did not want to drive too far for dinner so we decided on eating somewhere in the Collection at Riverpark. I hadn’t been to Larsen’s yet - although I had heard they have a good happy hour and (eyeroll) a good burger. I roll my eyes because everyone says that every place has a “good burger”. Sometimes I think people assume I only order burgers. Tonight my plan was to NOT order the burger — I was going to a nice steak restaurant and I wasn’t going to eat with my hands. Also and I was wearing white pants and white pants and burgers don’t mix.
As we were being seated, a waiter passed by us with several dishes and all I saw was a plate containing a massive , two-patty hamburger. I hadn’t even looked at the menu and my plans for being unpredictable had gone out the window. I kept asking for more time to look at the menu until I finally stopped kidding myself and ordered the burger.
(2 house blended beef patties, lettuce, onions, applewood smoked bacon, tomatoes, pickles, 1,000 island dressing and American and cheddar cheese)
I ordered “THE Burger” medium - rare with no cheese and no 1000 island dressing. At a place where the meat is quality, I didn’t want to taste anything but meatiness.
THE burger hit the spot. Like, it seriously made me happy. There was nothing out of the ordinary about it. Just a good burger and no skimping on the bacon. The only thing I would change about this burger is the onions. Grilled onions would have made this burger even better. I had to ask for mustard 3 times before I got some. I didn’t even use it. There was no ketchup. All these things lead me to believe that maybe this is one of those places where they think their food is too good for condiments like ketchup and mustard. Then again, they were going to put 1000 island dressing on my burger.
I forget what Matt ordered as his main dish. I remember he ordered a side of brussel sprouts because I ate some. All the sides we had were good. I should start taking pictures of the meals Matt orders when I order my burgers.
