Seven Questions for Fukuburger Hollywood

Hollywood is a town of burger aficionados, and the options for sweet meat piled high with toppings and cushioned between a light-as-air bun are plentiful. By the end of the month Fukuburger, which specializes in Japanese-American fusion burgers, plans to open its doors and dangle even more meaty treats in front of our discerning taste buds. So, how can a new joint stand out on a block already crowded with burger menus? Co-founder and L.A. native Colin Fukunaga has four words of advice: Keep it simple, stupid.

Why Hollywood?

Though the Fukuburger truck has gained a cult following in Las Vegas, Fukunaga and new business partner Harry Morton (who owns and operates Pink Taco) have chosen Cahuenga Blvd. in Hollywood for their first permanent location.

“We’re very loyal to Las Vegas, we wanted to do a restaurant out there originally,” said Fukunaga. “I always wanted to open something in L.A. I was born here, I have a lot of roots here. My parents live here,” said Fukunaga. There are already plans for a second location in Little Tokyo, which is slated to open this winter, and talk of a Las Vegas location eventually.

Holding Their Own on a Block Full of Burgers

Though it has yet to open, Fukuburger’s flagship location is smack in the middle of a bunch of other burger restaurants- and Stout Burgers & Beers is just down the street, is at the end of the block, and Juicy Burger is just around the corner.  

“We’re not reinventing anything, but we like to bring fun,” said Fukunaga. “Anybody that wants to come in and not take life too seriously is welcome.”

But, Fukunaga and Morton are aware of the competition. Fukunaga said that their menu will be priced 20 percent less than other burgers in the neighborhood.

While their truck prices are a little over $5, in-house burgers will likely cost a little more- but Fukunaga hasn’t revealed how much more.

The Hollywood menu will likely be the same as the six options offered via the Vegas truck, which serve up a Fuku-Burger, Tamago Burger and Buta-Burger, plus three others. All of these are traditional American burgers with a Japanese twist: a fried egg, Miso-glazed applewood smoked bacon, pickled ginger, furikake seasoning and wasabi mayo, to name a few.

“One of my biggest inspirations is In-N-Out Burger,” said Fukunaga. “We're trying to keep it simple. Keep it simple, stupid,” said Fukunaga with a chuckle.

The Personality Behind the Burger

Though Fukunaga has spent the past couple years in Vegas, he is already settling back into L.A. life, even having a nighttime brush with the LAPD for his recent antics at a Chinatown concert.

Apparently taken by the music, Fukunaga decided to climb onto a roof, dance and rile up the crowd. The video was then posted on YouTube and linked via the FukuburgerLA twitter. The LAPD was reportedly not pleased.

“I saw an opportunity to climb- I’ve been climbing all my life, but no one got hurt- and the LAPD said ‘you’re not allowed back here again,’” said Fukunaga.

While some business owners might be embarrassed and would shy away from broadcasting the incident- let alone promote a video of it- these kind of antics go hand-in-hand with the casual, let's-hang-and-have-some-fun Fukuburger vibe.

Fukunaga's L.A. Upbringing

Fukunaga is no stranger to the restaurant business. He grew up watching his grandfather run a sandwich shop in L.A. When he was 10, his father’s secret service job relocated the family to the east coast, and Fukunaga spent the next 15 years experiencing extreme seasons.

Fukunaga then moved to Vegas, and now splits his time between there and L.A. “My heart is in L.A.,” said Fukunaga, who said his favorite childhood memory is his first Dodgers game.

When Will Fukuburger Open?

Fukuburger's grand opening was originally slated for the end of September, but has been pushed back to the end of October.

“We found out yesterday with the rain there are a couple leaks in the roof,” said Fukunaga. The roof will likely have to be re-tarred.

“We just want to complement the neighborhood. It’s eclectic and fun,” said Fukunaga.

When Fukuburger’s doors officially open, they’ll be at 1634 Cahuenga Blvd. in Hollywood.