Some time ago, I interviewed Shyan Zakeri, a young entrepreneur who has brought Los Angeles burgers to New York. His pop-up, Shy’s Burgers, travels around Brooklyn and Manhattan most weekends. And his inspiration was Apple Pan, a quaint diner on West Pico Boulevard, not far from where Zakeri lived as a child. It’s quintessentially American, with plastic booths and tables, milkshakes, and a neon sign that arches over its entrance. Though it may look like any of the city’s diners, it’s home to the best smash burger in the city, complete with a potato bun, American cheese, lettuce, and just the right amount of sauce. The fries are perfect, too. —Elena Clavarino

Elena Clavarino is a Senior Editor at AIR MAIL