As bars with food go, the Tavern is a lot like Joe Jost’s: they don’t make it until you order it—and they make it right there. At a place known for burgers, one of the best is the Pendejo Burger: served with a split ortega chili atop the patty, a slice of jalapeño jack cheese, and ’tude sauce. There’s also the zesty Redneck (comes with “tangy Q sauce”); the Arnold (tavern ham, bacon and swiss cheese)—and the Wuss, which comes with tavern ham and cheese. Sometimes, there’s homemade meatloaf. And there’s also the Jesus-size, which means they up your burger patty to a half-pound of meat for an extra 50 cents.

49ER TAVERN 5600 PACIFIC COAST HWY | LONG BEACH 90804 | 562.494.7670 | OPEN DAILY, 11AM-MIDNIGHT | BURGERS AND DRINKS FOR TWO, $20

Tags: american, bars, burgers, dinner, lunch