We arrived at my friend Carol’s eco-conscious store a bit early for her summer solstice, but very hungry. Happily, the shop is right across the street from Mustard Seed Cafe, purveyor of my favorite turkey burger of all time. I’m not even a turkey burger fanatic, but in the years that I lived in this neighborhood, I never tried anything else at MSC because I just couldn’t stand not ordering it.

The burger is laced with tons of rosemary and usually very juicy. I prefer to pretend I’m eating healthy by getting it on an enormous bed of salad that includes some cooked broccoli, zucchini and pickles, but really I like how the juices trickle down and blend with the vegetables. Note that the red-onion garnish is grilled slightly, so that it’s mild and sweet.

Since I’m not likely to be dropping in for lunch very often now that I live in northern California, I tried to pry some cooking secrets out of our waiter, but I didn’t get very far. I was able to rule out additives: no breadcrumbs or crazy infusions, just turkey and chopped rosemary. Well, at least I know where to start.

Mustard Seed Cafe
1948 Hillhurst Ave.
Los Angeles
(323) 660-0670