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Buffalo Fire Department
Category: Restaurants Burgers Burgers [Edit]
1261 Cabrillo AveTorrance, CA 90501
Neighborhood: Torrance
(310) 320-2332
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 2 pm
Mon-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
106 reviews for Buffalo Fire Department
Review Highlights
"I love Chef Shafer and wish him much success."
(in 9 reviews)
"Great happy hour & great food."
(in 15 reviews)
"truffled, foie gras, kobe, whatever."
(in 4 reviews)
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106 reviews in English
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Review from Kevin B.
1/18/2012
The Japanese tourist, part 3.
If you haven't been following my little "series" here (lol), there was a group of guys here direct from Japan for a special project with my company. Now two weeks later, they're flying back to Japan tomorrow. Still wanting to be a good host, I suggest we all go to dinner, this time to the Buffalo Fire Dept since it's less then a 10 minute walk away. I arrive at their hotel and the 12 of us walk the 4 tenths of a mile to the restaurant.
THE FOOD: Beer and burgers all around! Chef/owner Michael Shafer (who also owns The Depot across the street) offers gourmet Angus beef burgers, plus other non beef, burger options. I tried to talk the guys into the "5 Alarm Burger"... (5 lbs of beef with all the fixin's in a single bun) but they quickly "extinguished " that idea. They all wanted their own burger or sandwich. As we were eating they were all like "Wow this burger is VERY good!" (I tried to be clever and put Japanese characters in there but I guess Yelp doesn't speak Japanese.... D'oh!)
THE SERVICE: We were a group of 12, but you could not tell from the service! Very attentive, they stayed on top of all of our requests and our drinks never made it to the bottom of the glass (or bottle)!
OVERALL: If you are in Torrance and want a gourmet Angus beef burger, or a good dinner in a fire house themes restaurant, check out BFD...... Buffalo Fire Department. -
Review from Jefferey T.
Torrance, CA
1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
We went on a Friday night around closing time, so I can understand that service will not be the best. Vacuuming while patrons are eating is probably not the best of ideas. My reasoning for the 1 star isn't for the service, but entirely for the cost of the food compared to the taste and quality. I ordered the Chefs Burger, which had froie gras, caramelized onions, a fried egg, medium rare burger on their home made buns. This came with breaded fries and a pickle spear.
FRIES - The fries were in my opinion frozen and tasted just like the curly fries from Arby's. If this is supposed to be a gourmet burger joint, I would expect fresh homemade fries. Major disappointment.
BURGER - The "Chef's" burger was $17. Yeah, with froie gras I would expect the high price. However, with all the other crap in the burger I could not even taste it. Also, there was so much stuff inside that the bun couldn't hold it all together. The bun itself was soft, perhaps a little too soft, as it all fell apart. The burger patty itself was big but wasn't very exciting. I would compare the patty to the Angus from McDonalds or the Six Dollar Burger from Carl's. Probably the best thing about the burger was the caramelized onions.
MENU / PLACE MAT / TABLE - Now this was a real treat. It was outdated with an advertisement for some event(s) dated until October 2011. It also contained a small caricature of the chef/owner, come on REALLY!!!! Advertisements for hats / t-shirts / beer glasses. And also the chef's special sauce, WHAT?!?!? Don't forget the advertisements on each table for the chef's special monthly cooking classes. AWESOME! And lastly, the "square" tables had those fold out things that make them round, if you know what I mean. Well the part on my side kept on falling down, no matter how many times I pushed it back up.
Been to his restaurant "Depot" which is conveniently located right across the street, which is pretty good. Would have expected much better from this place. I've always wanted to try this place since it opened. I can now say that I have, unfortunately I won't be coming back. -
Review from Sammy B.
We live in a time of our lives where food is not only meant to nourish us, but to push us into an exciting frenzy whenever we dine. We live in a time where we expect perfection; however, often times we miss how simple perfection can be. When you think of a great meal, it's easy to paint a picture of a perfectly cooked prime rib or intricate pasta. Yet, in Torrance, all you have to do is go to a cozy restaurant lined with fire red bricks and well-polished steel to find perfection in the most unassuming of dishes. The restaurant is Buffalo Fire Department, and perfection manifests itself in the form of an awesome burger.
DECO
Buffalo Fire Department sounds like an ambiguous name. In fact, if you didn't tell someone what it was, the imagination conceives a novelty shop or clothing store. Luckily, the name does justice to the design of the restaurant. The restaurant entrance is large and grand, with big wooden doors containing big glass windows pressed with "Fire Chief's Office". As you walk in, the walls are lined up with red bricks, and the feeling is both new, yet familiar. Like jumping back into the prohibition era, there is a feel of an old grand time inside. Framed pictures line one wall while the wood theme continues to their chairs and tables. The closest thing to modern you have inside are the flat screen TVs at the bar. Other than that, this place could have existed as is forty to fifty years ago.
SERVICE
Perfection wouldn't be possible without a good wait staff, and Buffalo Fire Department is no different. Aside from the occasional off days, the staff here is quite incredible. Ask them what they think is good and they'll list you a plethora of delectable morsels to choose from. Smiles are always worn on their faces (because you're not fully dressed without a smile), and they speak in a manner that is both polite and welcoming. This is how service should be.
FOOD
Without a doubt, this is where Buffalo Fire Department shines. Their entire menu feels like a list of award winning inventions from the Academy of Fat Assery. Have you ever seen the show Man vs. Food? If you have, Buffalo Fire Department would be right there with how exceptional their creations are. They have the usual items like fries, salads, and of course, buffalo wings, but they also create unique spins on traditional food. Take their crispy mac & cheese balls for example. These suckers are compressed macaroni and cheese balls loaded with creamy goodness near the size of tennis balls. Pair it with their BFD ranch dip, and you got some delicious balls in your mouth.
However, the real spotlight of this place is their culinary epiphanies in the form of burgers. They have some of the most creative burgers imaginable. Ever thought Huevos Rancheros would be awesome in burger form? They got that for you (Burger Rancheros). How about something with Asian spices? They got that too (Thai BBQ & Wasabi Sauce burger). How about wanting something so decadent that the only way to make it any richer would be to put foie gras on top? Yes my friends, they actually have a burger like this named the "Chef's Burger". As you can see, a burger is not just a burger at Buffalo Fire Department. A burger is just a base, a foundation, to create upwards to a sky that's infinite with possibilities. And if the sky's the limit, then their Zeppelin would be their amazing five pound burger named the 5-Alarm Burger. This colossal burger takes up an entire plate, and dares you to eat it with your dignity intact. With a hamburger patty thicker than both buns combined, this burger is definitely not for the weak of heart. With this monolith of a burger comes a challenge: finish this beast and the pound of fries with it under thirty minutes and you get fame, glory, and honor (along with a free meal). Many have tried, but few have triumphed. Will you be the next one?
PRICE
With a place so rich in variety and flavors, you don't have to be rich to eat here. The pricing is very fair, falling in between the price range of $8 - $13 for their burgers (which comes with fries and a pickle spear). For such measly monetary funding for such quality ingredients and construction, Buffalo Fire Department is incredibly gratuitous.
CONCLUSION
Through all the hub-bub and commotion of what great food should be, burgers often (and rightfully so) fall to the way side in this topic; however, with restaurants like Buffalo Fire Department existing, the discussion can no longer keep the burger out of the conversation. When ingenuity collides with culinary techniques, the byproduct is something that is both marvelous and delicious. With burgers being a dime a dozen, it is so easy to forget what a great burger should taste like. Buffalo Fire Department not only reminds the culinary world what a burger should be, but also proves how perfect a burger can aspire to. -
Review from Tree F.
Torrance, CA
2/6/2012
def a fan of the burgers at this place. deco is awesome as well.
Ive gone 2 years in a row for my birthday dinner here. Every single time the Chef/Owner Schaffer has come by and asked how everything was/conversed with us/etc. That is truly a lost art that restaurant owners/managers should ALWAYS do.
wasnt impressed with the waiter/waitress. we had a large party (about 25 people), and some of us asked to have separate checks. this was asked BEFORE we even ordered. the waitress made a huge deal out of it, and asked why wasnt this asked when i made the reservations for my bday party. Was i supposed to ask? The MGR came by (not schaffer), and said we can split it by table, but made a fuss about it. In the end, we got it a little more separated, but were NOT happy with the service there.
Keep in mind this was for my bday party, and they couldnt even get the service up to par.
we picked this place because the burgers are awesome, and the prices are decent. I definitely want to come back, and will, but i just hope that the service people really step up and enjoy their job. -
Review from Sue K.
Norwalk, CA
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Why hello burger of my dreams that no other burger will compare to and will leave me having wet dreams of its unconditional sexiness. Party was so juicy and hot and pink in the middle (Ooo!), lettuce and tomato were chilled, buns were most and flavorful, cheddar was melted awesomely, BBQ sauce and fried onions were delectable. It was perfect and the kicker was that I was in a group of 13 people for a work lunch.
I had to knock off a star because our drinks weren't getting refilled and when a server came to our table all of us started requesting beverages and he muttered, "I only GOT two hands." USE A FUCKING TRAY DICK-WAD. I believe my boss complained to Chef Shafer about this. -
Review from Frank D.
I hit this spot up while doing a little bar hopping in Downtown Torrance. The hostess at the front was doing all she could to avoid eye contact and stayed focused on her book as my friend and I walked in. We found our own way to the bar and grabbed a table. The bar is fairly small with a couple small tv's and assorted Buffalo Bills and Fireman decorations throughout the place. The waitress was more personable than the hostess but we had somewhat of a language barrier but it wasn't insurmountable. Some guy who we later realized was the manager strolled over to our table and snatched the happy hour menu without saying a word. No hello, no pardon me, no nada!!! I see where the hostess gets it from. They have a burger challenge here. I believe it's called the "5 alarm challenge". Something like eat the whole thing(5lb burger) in an hour and it's free. I love me a big burger but the lack of employee personality really takes away from the place. I don't need to be pampered but a little common courtesy goes a long way. With other friendlier options around I don't think I will be coming back anytime soon.
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Review from Rob C.
1/3/2012
have you ever had a thai bbq, wasabi burger? neither had i, so i HAD to try it. wife and i stumbled into this place after the japanese joint we wanted to try, shut down the entire restaurant for a private party. WEAK.
anyway, the thai bbq burger was phenomenal. intense, bold, lip smacking flavor. the sauce was sweet, tangy, salty, delish. burger patty was cooked just right. asked for medium and that's what i got. the buns are toasted w/ butter, too.
don't expect to count calories here. they don't list them on the menus. you'd probably feel too guilty eating these burgers if they provided that info, anyway.
the fries are your standard seasoned variety. nothing special.
wife had the buffalo chicken sammich. it come's breaded and deep fried. huge. pretty good. -
Review from Tardo M.
West Los Angeles, CA
1/11/2012
WEEKDAY LUNCH VISIT: After taking our drink order, the waiter disappeared for an unusually long time. I saw the manager walking around checking in on tables but he skipped over ours, or I would have asked him to flag our waiter down.
I got up to look for him but he was nowhere to be found. We were in a hurry so after leaving a few dollars, left. Food looked good, maybe when I have more time I will return. -
Review from Tess D.
Torrance, CA
12/28/2011
I LOVE the portabello bleu cheese burger - amazing. We've only been here twice... and the second time a huge cockroach was crawling on the wall. So although their burger is my favorite, we won't be going back for a while. Also good - the deep fried mac & cheese balls (appetizer).
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Review from Mickey R.
Venice, CA
1/12/2012
Tasty, TASTY burger, Wow!
I read the Yelp reviews before I headed over and wasn't quite sure what to think. The reviews are all over the map on this place. I wasn't expecting much when I got to Buffalo Fire Department.
First of all, I LOVED the layout of the restaurant. It suits all sorts of needs. There's an inside dining room for family types. There's a kickass bar for 'adults' with plenty of TVs for sports viewing or having a cocktail with your burger. And, there's a sizable outdoor patio for when the weather's awesome, which was today.
I went on a Thursday at lunchtime and it was obvious that Buffalo Fire Department is a popular location for local businessmen. Always a good sign when the locals flock to a place.
We sat outside on the patio. There was music playing; G n' R, Bob Seger, good bar music. Not too loud. Just right.
I ordered the basic cheeseburger (7 oz. Ground chuck, cheddar cheese, secret sauce (a spiffed up 1000 dressing) & "L.T.O": chopped up iceberg lettuce, tomato and thinly sliced onions. All burgers come with fries.
I was lucky enough to get a visit with the burly, pony-tailed, gregarious New Yorker chef. Chef Owner Michael Shafer happened to be working in between both his businesses when we were there. He owns The Depot restaurant across the street as well. So I shouted, "How's it goin', Chef?" as he passed. Chef Slater came over and I told him about my penchant for burgers & my blog. We talked burger shop for a few minutes, he said he hoped I enjoyed the burger or he'd have to take me out to the parking lot and beat me up. I informed the Chef I'm Mexican and that I fight dirty. Well, he pulled out a scary Chef's switchblade/knife and informed ME that he's from New York and he fights dirtier than any Mexican. I summed it all up with, "I guess I'm gonna have to like the burger then, huh?" He snapped his scary knife blade shut and walked across the street to probably scare customers at The Depot.
Our burgers came to the table. I liked the size of the burger. Not overly huge to make one feel grotesque after eating. And not too small so you feel ripped off.
$9 for the cheeseburger & deliciously crunchy fries. The fries are slightly thicker than shoestrings and coated so they're extra crunchy.
I don't know where I read that the burgers aren't that good here. Whoever wrote that doesn't have any idea what a good burger tastes like.
BFD's beef is a 'secret ground chuck' so there's more fat in the beef. More fat=more flavor. Such a fantastic tasting burger patty.
Then, the bun. Wow. Made in house. Fresh daily. It's a plain white bun that is grilled with butter, not oil, to a crunchy goodness. The bun totally stands out on its own. The bun makes all the difference with the burger.
I mowed through this burger. Tender, tasty...it wanted me to devour it.
The Chef came back when I was halfway through the burger and asked my opinion. I said there would be no need to pummel me in the parking lot. I asked him a few questions but he was hesitant to give any answers claiming that everything was a 'secret'; the beef mix, the bun, etc. I told him I liked how they opted for chopped lettuce over leafs, how the beef was incredibly tasty, how the buns were to die for. Chef Slater was happy to hear all of that and was genuinely thankful for the compliments. I told him I'd do up a Yelp review for his restaurant and here we are.
I will most definitely return, bring friends and let others know about this hidden gem in Torrance.
Oh, and one final thing. This Buffalo Fire Department restaurant has absolutely NOTHING to do with any real firemen. It all has to do with Chef Slater screaming "BFD" at his sisters as a child. Go into the restaurant and find out the story. And make Chef pull a knife on you. It's really the only way to have the proper BFD experience.
Be aware of their hours of operation. Don't get caught unawares. They're not open on Sunday and they have different hours during the week.
All in all, a delightful burger adventure in Torrance. I'm glad Gary Kresca recommended we meet here for lunch. -
Review from QWK S.
Torrance, CA
12/21/2011
Tried this place for dinner and liked it. If you want that deep fried - burger-mac n cheese- pizza - beer place for dinner, this place is good. Prices were ok a little high for my taste for a burger and beer, but the food was good, service was good, not to busy. Inside seemed clean and well kept. Staff was nice and helpful. The menu had some good variety and beer selection was interesting as well. They also had a kid menu with some good choices on it, but way opver priced on this side. $9 for a kids meal, really?. We also tried a few deserts and they were really good. Good local place for me..
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Review from Mariam P.
Redondo Beach, CA
1/25/2012
NO CORKAGE FEE if you bring a bottle of wine from Wine Styles (a family owned wine store in Torrance on the corner of PCH and Crenshaw). They mainly only have burgers which are spectacular. It's actually my favorite burger place EVER because the quality of the meat is good and very tasty. My favorite is the guacamole jalapeno cheddar burger. I usually get the house sauce on the side which is very similar to in and outs sauce. DONT BE CHEAP: tip your server appropriately if you do bring your own wine!
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Review from Michael F.
San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA
11/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
My wife and I stopped here for dinner recently.... The decor is pretty cool! A lot of fire department memorabilia. I ordered the Sloppy Burger.... Yup, just like it's name, it really it sloppy... The beef was really tastey, although I didn't think the guacamole did well combined with the chili.... It all tasted good separately, but I wasn't impressed with the combination.
My wife ordered the triple bacon triple cheese burger... Wow! That was very flavorful... The bacon was perfectly crisp, plenty of cheese and just all around delicious! -
Review from Rex B.
Long Beach, CA
9/11/2011
Hi there!
The Buffalo Fire Department is the second restaurant started by chef Michael Shafer, the same guy that opened The Depot (a popular restaurant across the street from the BFD). It is located where Aioli used to be - remember that place? One time Aioli's food gave everybody in my office food poisoning...
This restaurant is a more reasonably-priced alternative to The Depot, so it attracts a good lunch crowd, and there are oodles of businesses nearby with folks looking for somewhere good to eat.
It is an upscale burger place with a good bar and fancy sandwiches. It is the kind of place where it is easy to hang out, and chances are good that you will get to chat with chef Shafer.
And the food is very good, if not as fancy as the fare at The Depot. The Buffalo chicken is great (it better be), and the chili and french fries would make a grown man cry. But the highlight is the array of offbeat burgers (Thai BBQ with wasabi sauce), which are all made using a half pound of Angus beef ground chuck. Perhaps the most indulgent would be the Mac & Cheese and Burger Stack, which is the beef patty topped with a fried round of macaroni and cheese and droozled with ranch dressing. Yaw!
I've yet to find anything I don't like on the menu, and the service is always first rate. You should give it a try.
Happy Motoring! -
Review from Paul N.
Torrance, Los Angeles, CA
12/28/2011
Interesting sandwiches, nice decor, many options - but not very many healthy entree choices.
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Review from Rose R.
Redondo Beach, CA
11/20/2011
these burgers were uhmazing! although theyre a little pricey i would definitely go back
and the waitress we had was really friendly and funny
and the place itsself is cute -
Review from Jake W.
8/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here on a Friday for happy hour, so I can only comment on the drinks and atmosphere (didn't get any food).
I tried two of their beers (the IPA and I can't remember the name of the other). The IPA was a bit too sweet for my taste and the other was just okay. Considering they were only $4 for happy hour (actually a little more, they charged tax), it was an okay deal.
There's plenty of seating and they have a convenient underground parking lot, which is nice. -
Review from Maria B.
6/22/2011
Delicious HUGE sloppy burgers with a patty that is almost an inch thick, lots of crispy fries, and a pickle. This meal is huge! I suggest you share, unless you want to feed your love handles.
Their onion rings are extra thin & crispy... and very good.
The place is pretty nice, modern, and clean.
The price is a too expensive for lunch.. with burgers & fries ranging from $7 - $17... plus taxes and tip if you're eating in.
I'd say stay away from the ahi tuna. It was ok but the seared ahi tuna in my salad was a little hard to chew and somewhat flavorless. I wouldn't order it again. Stick to the burgers!
I'll come here on the company dime and when I'm not on a diet. -
Review from dreizehn a.
Los Angeles, CA
8/27/2011 1 photo
I don't have a chance to go much this region, and I wanted to try this place.
I think everything is average. I ordered double cheese burger. When I almost finished my dish, buns were became too soppy with oil. So I left some buns. :P -
Review from Laurie D.
Harbor City, CA
11/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Huge burgers, decent customer service, terrible french fries, and is not a burger place you would go to often. $53 for burgers w/o drinks is a lot of money and we didn't order any of the crazy priced burgers. They did cook the huge patty just how I like it med-rare. The chef is quite nice and personable but I can definitely say I have had much better burgers elsewhere and at a better price. This will may be my last time eating there because I wasn't imressed burger wise. If someone really wanted to go there then I will stick to the bar area and try the wings or something.
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Review from russell f.
Lancaster, PA
7/23/2011
Been to BFD once for a group dinner on 7/7/11. About fifteen of us in a separate dining room. The only downside was the room was loud. It's all tile and glass and once you get a group talking in a room like that it just echoes all over and can be a bit too much. It's a small nit to pick but when you go the expense of setting up a group dining room one should take these things into consideration.
Service was good, not awesome but it got better as the night wore on and in fact, towards the end I had to fend off people from taking my plate as I had not finished. All said, I don't think you go to a place like BFD for "service".
It seemed like they were in transition with their beer and wine list. More than a few things we ordered weren't carried any longer or out of stock. What was a tad more irritating was one of group ordered a specific glass of wine from the menu that she had enjoyed at another restaurant the night before. She was served the wine and when she tried it was completely different. As it turns out, a few minutes later upon questioning, the waitress said yes, they no longer carried that wine. It would have been nice to have been told that upfront that they made a substitution.
The food was uneven. Really uneven. I thought the appetizers we ordered were awesome. The mac and cheese balls are ridiculously good probably in direct proportion to how unhealthy they are (you don't go to BFD for health food). I thought the boneless wings were absolutely incredible. The comments from the rest of the group concurred.
But the big deal is the burgers right? Not so much. I tried to upgrade to Kobe beef. No luck, they were out of Kobe beef. My medium-rare burger was definitely medium well, at least. And at that, the cook had managed to make the burger dry and mostly taste free. If they use decent beef I couldn't taste it. Which is disappointing because this should be the one thing they never screw up. Whatever the price, that was a very average burger not prepared as I had requested. Again, polling the group, this wasn't unique within our group.
The desert menu is very limited but the items I tried were competently prepared.
The check was dealt with in a prompt manner.
For what was likely a $30 per person meal at a burger place it was, sadly, disappointing. There are too many good choices to go back again. It's a shame but it seems that they've betrayed their name, there really is no BFD at the Buffalo Fire Department. -
Review from S M.
Los Angeles, CA
8/26/2011
First off check out there hours, closed on sundays and then there closed from 2-5 the days there open so be prepared.
This is not a wing place, yes they have wings however the difference in spice is there isn't one it some sauce, more sauce or even more sauce however they let you know that upfront (if you ask). The buffalo fries are Great =) I definitely want to go back and try a burger since that's what they seem to be about.
However very nice atmosphere, good service and good food. They are associated with the Depot across the street and I really the food there too however that is more up-scale and this is the place to chill at and catch some music and watch a game. -
Review from Justin M.
Hermosa Beach, CA
7/7/2011
The burgers sound delicious on the menu, but the Chef's burger did not deliver. I could not taste the foie gras over the burger. The bun was wimpy; it fell apart under the weight of the burger and left me with a big ugly mess on my plate. The burger patty was fine. Worth $17? Not even close.
The fried onions, mac n cheese balls, and S'mores desert were all good. However, the sum of these things plus beer plus a burger for dinner = you leave the restaurant feeling like crap.
I'd give the place another shot because the burger with guac and jalapenos sounds good, but several people have posted that the jalapeno is served on the side instead of on the burger - that would piss me off, too.Comment from chef s. of Buffalo Fire Department 7/8/2011
Sorry you did not enjoy your meal next time tell us so we… More » -
Review from Robert N.
Torrance, CA
5/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh the BURGER!!! this is some good burgers. You know the kind that don't fit your mouth and if it does, you spill half of it on the plate? that kind of good. Ive been here several times and usually go for the mushroom Swiss. Always a favorite for me and never lets me down.
The good thing about this place is you can substitute beef for chicken. My wife cant go for the cow so they made the burger with the bird. Not the best in my perspective but I am a cow guy so its all good for me and all good for my wife! -
Review from Laurie H.
Long Beach, CA
3/31/2011
TACO TUESDAYS!!!
-You must sit in the bar to partake in Taco Tuesday. I believe it's the Happy Hour specials all night, but don't quote me on that.
-There is karaoke in the bar so it can get a little loud.
-They allow the kids/families from the restaurant to sing karaoke.
-You might see little blonde girls singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on stage, with their mothers rooting them on.
-They have very unique tacos for $1 each, a taco consists of ground beef, cheese and a dressing very similar to the In-n-out special sauce.
-Sliders are 3 for $5... they allow you to mix and match from their menu of three types of sliders. The ahi tuna one is my favorite! -
Review from Nels T.
Fremont, CA
1/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Let me start by saying, "Never trust a skinny chef." Keep that in mind when you ask yourself, "Is the food any good?"
The chef here did an extraordinary feat with hamburgers. For starters, he uses ground chuck. While everyone else out there is looking for sirloin, he uses chuck. Why is important? Any beef aficionado will tell you that it's in the fat and marbling. When you you get a ground sirloin, there's no marbling. Chuck does have it. So when it is ground up, the fat is ground up. And when cooking, it's this fat that adds flavor. When done right, you don't need cheese or mayo. Every burger here starts with ground chuck.
So I had the Max's cheeseburger - caramelized onions, fresh onions, sauce and extra cheese. Burger aficionados know this is the basic that you can compare from burger joint to burger joint. DEE-LISH!!!
There was also the Chef's Burger that intrigued me - caramelized onions, sauce, fried egg and foie gras! But I didn't order it because I like my foie gras plain and I thought it was overkill.
The friendly and attentive waitstaff tried to get me to take on the 5-alarm challenge. A 5-pound burger with everything. I would have to finish that all in 30 minutes and it's free. Not a chance that day. They pointed out he record hold was a 100 pound girl and she did it in under 11 minutes. Unlike her whimpy boyfriend who did it in 20-minutes. LOL.
The other important fact you probably need to know other than the burgers were that good is that "good" also comes in some really large portions! I also like the fries. These weren't the kind you get from Red Robin or something. They put some thought into them. They were seasoned well. And you can tell they were rolled in extra potato flour to give that extra crispness on the outside.
So back to my statement in the beginning of this review. Was the food any good? Well. I can see why the chef is as robust as he is. The answer is obvious. And when you try it out, you will think so too. -
Review from Connie M.
Walnut, CA
3/18/2011
This place is a wonderful place to go in Old Towne Torrance for HAPPY HOUR! Great ambiance (decorated in lots of fire department gear) and has tvs for the sports enthusiasts.
I went last Friday and it was pretty good. They have happy hour specials which is some deal on their martinis and something on the beers as well.
I first ordered some martini...but sadly i didn't like it and the waitress was super awesome brought it back to the bar after she noticed i didn't really drink any of it and told the bartender i like something sweeter...and then i got some REALLY DELICIOUS martini that tasted like CANDY!!!!!!!
They have a great deal on sliders too any 3 of their 3 different types of sliders for $5! And they have a crazy assortment of fries...with delicious toppings on them as well. SOOOOOOO yummy!
All in all a great place to go if you make it in time for happy hour. About their regular menu...not so sure. -
Review from Luke T.
Torrance, CA
3/1/2011
best burgers i've ever had.
BFD is the big time, great size portion, great beers on tap, and the service is very friendly and enjoyable.
The Burger Choices:
Mac N Cheese Grit, Avocado Bacon Cheese Burger, Onion Mushroom Burger, Everything on it to plain and simple. 5 stars
Appetizers & Drinks:
unique appetizers very delicious and fatty! tons of beer and hard alcohol
great choices on tap for even more taste!
I eat here once a month because I grave that delicious burger taste.
I would eat here more, but then id become a 500 pound burger. -
Review from Juliet S.
Torrance, CA
3/29/2011
My boyfriend just moved to a new place down the street. So we thought wed give this place a try. It was a MONDAY night and it was very empty. everyone was in the bar so we sat there.
the look and feel to it is really cool. the prices are a bit high as to why i put 4 stars. but We were not dissapointed. My boyfriend got a bbq cheeseburger and I got the jalepeno guacamole burger (best ive ever had!). Can you say huge!!! I only ate half and took home leftovers.
very nice staff and as i walked thru the door I noticed a sign saying" our outdoor patio is dog friendly" yess!!! in the future we can walk the dog down here and have a bite to eat! -
Review from Anna B.
Carson, CA
12/7/2010
If you want a big bougie (definition: http://www.urbandictio...) burger, this is the place to go. I've had the BFD Burger and Buffalo chicken with Blue Cheese & Fried Onions. It's basically a burger with piece of fried buffalo chicken stacked on the bun with blue cheese, fried onions, lettuce & tomato. It is AWESOME!!! I was able to eat this humongous sandwich as three meals! It was even more tasty the next couple of times because the buffalo sauce starts to meld with the chicken.
My group also ordered the Macaroni & Cheese Fritter and we shared this fried cheesey gooey yummy thing amongst 3 girls. You can also get the Mac & Cheese Burger stack, where they put the Fried Mac & Cheese Fritter on top of a meat patty. My friend got that and that looked yummy too! My other friend got the Blue Cheese & Portobello Burger. The portobello mushroom was gigantic on top of the meat patty and she said it was really tasty too.
We all had to bring half of our burgers and fries home.
The only negative thing is the price. The average is about $12/burger but if you spread the burger across two or three meals, then it's worth the cost. -
Review from Caley F.
Long Beach, CA
12/31/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Great happy hour & great food...
Doesn't get any better than that!
I've had 2 different burgers here so far - the mac&cheese stack & the BBQ bacon burger. Both were super good. And they cook the meat med-rare just how I like it. Keeps the patty juicy & tasty... I definitely recommend ordering it like that.
Happy hour has good prices on wings & fried mac&cheese balls. And the beer is cheap too. We did come when the bar was closed for a private party & they still let us have happy hour pricing in the main dining area. How nice of them! :)
If you're craving a giant, tasty burger... come here! -
Review from Dave S.
12/13/2010 1 photo
Located in a small mall complex with underground parking, the Buffalo, NY and Fire Department themed restaurant looks like it has good potential to be a solid eatery. I had a small chat with an employee and got some info about the naming of the restaurant. BFD also stands for Burgers, Fries and Drinks and something else.... rumor has it, the term BFD was used by the owner when he was growing up and his mother said don't talk like that to your sister and he just said it means Burgers, Fries and Drinks. I have been to Buffalo once and that sounds about right. Obviously, this place is a good place to watch the Bills.
The menu is typical bar food. Burgers, wings, salads, etc. There isn't a separate dinner menu. BFD is a sister restaurant of The Depot across the street, and the same executive chef does both places, so I'm guessing The Depot is the dinner spot and BFD is the bar/lunch spot.
I had the MAX burger. 1/2 lb patty with extra cheese and carmalized and fried onions. The burger was very good. A strong 4 star burger. Very juicy and with the Secret Sauce and Carmalized onions, this burger is a 2 napkin job. They use high quality napkins. The only draw back is they use shredded iceberg lettuce. I can't call it Gourmet with shredded lettuce. The fries are where they lose a star. Typical bar fries. Not fresh cut fries. I think these are frozen mashed potato type fries. -
Review from Michael O.
Redondo Beach, CA
9/26/2010
So at first the sole reason I came here was the $25 gift certificate I got off of http://restaurant.com (which I paid about $2 or $3 for during their clearance promo).
I went in with expectations for it to be on the level of Red Robin (and I am a fan of Red Robin - not trying to downplay their tasty burgers!). So I came here with my buddy and at first I was a little concerned since it was 7 or 8 pm and there was only 1 other party present. Hmmm...
Since I'm on a diet, I opted for a simple order, consisting of:
1. Deep-fried macaroni balls
2. Chili with onions & cheese
3. Roasted Pepper and Onion Mozzarella Burger
The macaroni balls were AWESOME, so tender, so cheesy, so crispy and delicious, especially with the tangy ranch they brought out (niiice). The chili was very hearty and righteously delicious, both on top of the macaroni balls and on the fries.
And the burger....hooooooly motown, that was super delicious. I wanted to write a poem after eating it. On a scale of 1-10 that burger is a definite 8.5 - everything about it just worked - so much love...so much awesomeness. My buddy got the Swiss, Onion, & Mushroom which was ALSO kickassariffic.
I shall be back for the Chef's Special...oh yes, I shall be back. -
Review from Doug W.
Updated - 8/20/2010
I'm back again with my lovely bride Patti to enjoy some adult beverages and chow.
However, let me preface my comments by going back to the days of yesteryear, the "day" so to speak.
Long ago at the corner of Camino Real and Torrance in Redondo Beach stood a tiny diner called the "Tumble Inn" operated by a lovely elderly lady named Mrs. Barr and her equally elderly niece Alice.
It had a couple outside tables and soda machine you had to slide the bottles out (always very cold!) She cooked all her sandwiches on a gas flat iron griddle, one of them was called the "Special", a cheese burger with all the trimmings with a ..... fried egg on top! Truly a "hangover remedy".
Zoom, back to the future, the country is in shambles, but I digress!
On the menu I spot a concoction that Mrs. Barr must have sent to the Chef from heaven!
It's called the "Burger Ranchero's" an 8 oz. Angus burger with salsa, guacamole, cheese, lettuce, tomato and .....a fried egg!
I had it medium rare and it was so damn good I said a Little prayer for Mrs. Barr!
Thanks again Chef, and good luck with your event Sunday!3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/23/2009
There I was on my last day of employment, thinking was 35 years long enough on the job? HELL YES!!!… Read more »
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Review from andrew s.
Lomita, CA
3/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I recently hit up this place for the second time. The first time I wasn't compelled to write anything.
I don't know if I really like the whole upscale burger thing. It's almost as if you're fighting a losing battle from the get-go.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good burger. The best burgers, however, are the ones that you find grilling on a griddle in that hole-in-the-wall burger joint you found on a food adventure that one time.
The beef is good and juicy, the ingredients fresh and crisp, and the service prompt and polite, but it's still a burger.
I try not to be too bougie when it comes to food, but I just can't get over it being a burger place.
This place is more expensive than a burger should be, but then again I haven't been to Umami yet.
Burgers are burgers. This place is a good burger for a not-so-good price.
Meh... -
Review from Stephanie B.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
11/17/2010
As a disciple of Le Chef, I am a huge fan of Buffalo Fire Department. It allows me to get a little of Chef's culinary magic for dinner for a lower price.
A much more casual environment than The Depot and slightly less expensive (but on the high end for burgers, fries and drinks), BFD's burgers do not disappoint. Oddly, my favorite "burger" is the garlic shrimp burger (it nearly brings a tear to my eye to think about it). The best item on the menu had been the corn dog, which was not a corn dog but sausage-cornbread nirvana. Unfortunately, too many people saw just a corn dog and did not order it, so it came off the menu. For a burger, the bleu cheese-portabello is delicious.
I love going to BFD for Monday Night Football. Happy hour is extended through the game, which includes delicious sliders and other treats. My favorite is the Macaroni and Cheese Fritters. I am one who used to drive to Fred 62 for Mac and Cheese balls - BFD's are better and are much closer to home!
The servers at BFD are fantastic, and the bartender is very friendly. They enhance the experience.
If you go to Fatburger for burgers and Outback for steak, you may think BFD is pricy. But, for my money, there are few burgers in Southern California that are better, and most of those cost more! -
Review from Jeanine B.
Glendale, CA
7/15/2010
A party of 7 that included 4 vegetarians at a burger restaurant?
Mmhmm. And both the carnivores and veggies left full and happy.
Not a lot of options for vegetarians outside of the burger menu and no vegetarian "garden burger" patty option either. However all burgers can be replaced with a portabello mushroom cap. Which is A-okay with me. And taaassttyyy.
I've tried 3 different burgers and inhaled them all. And I may have stole a bite or three from from my fellow veggies' burgers.
I'm actually very surprised at negative reviews. I've been here 3 times with large parties and not one person has ever been disappointed. In fact, everyone has been very, very satisfied.
The last time we went we got to watch a table make their way through the 5 pound burger. All we heard was "mmmmmm" and even with 4 people they still asked for boxes. That thing was huge!
Oh! They also carry iced tea vodka. Score!
All I have to say is rawrrrr good food. Yummy. -
Review from Enrique G.
Wilmington, CA
8/5/2011
I actually been here twice, and both time i have been blown away with the food. First time I had a chopped chicken salad and it was awesome the second time i had a cheeseburger and was blown away, service was great both times. If you want to try a really good burger at a really good price then this is the place for you.
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Review from Art H.
Torrance, CA
8/5/2011
Just got the burger with secret sauce. I always try the old school stuff my first go around - Cheeseburger with special sauce. The burger was huge and cooked well. I really wanted to like this place since its local and right down the street, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I mean, it was good and all but something was missing. That umph. Chutzpah. Maybe I'm using that wrong, but something wasn't there. I know I got something pretty plain, but it just failed to impress me. I have been meaning to go back to give it another go but just haven't had the desire to. I am making a point to do so and I hope I can up the rating. Look for an edit in the next few months.
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Review from TJ T.
Los Angeles, CA
6/25/2010
After reading all the reviews with the thought that I was going to give a 5 star pretty liberally (as I usually do, due to my low standards in fine dining and such), I'll take it down a notch. However, the food at this place satiated my appetite with its greasy, out of control burgers.
HOWEVER ....
I was preeeeeetttyyy irked that they ran out of A1 BBQ sauce, which I put on everything from rice to pasta, as well as a baby pool full of it if I'm feeling adventurous. It's a way of life. Deal with it.
Anyyyywayy.... burger was huge so I had that monster doggy-bagged. Great sweet potato fries. Excellent decor for the theme given to this restaurant. Great restaurant as I am new to the Torrance hood. A little too pricey, but I like to diversify my inexperienced taste buds so next time, I can better distinguish false meat from real meat. Which I sort of can, like McD's chicken nuggets. Not that that's a super important skill, but whatever.
I digress. If you're nearby, don't hesitate to eat this stuff, but choose your burger wisely...there are plenty.
