Introduction
Marathon Burger is the smashburger diner that Nipsey Hussle's family opened at 7507 Melrose Ave in March 2025, in the space that once held the original Johnny Rockets. It sits on the Fairfax District stretch of Melrose Avenue, a short walk from the boutiques that made the street famous, and it has drawn a line out front since opening day.
The hook is a double wagyu smashburger pressed to order on a griddle you can watch from about a dozen counter stools. A large black-and-white portrait of Hussle hangs in the dining room, oldies play inside and out on the patio, and the crowd mixes neighborhood regulars with fans who drove in from out of state to eat here.
This guide covers the full Marathon Burger menu with prices from third-party listings, the daily hours, the phone number for takeout, what Google and Yelp reviewers keep praising, and answers to the questions first-time visitors ask most. It closes with directions and a map so you can plan the trip to Melrose.
General Information About Marathon Burger
Marathon Burger grew out of The Marathon Clothing, the lifestyle company that Nipsey Hussle, born Ermias Asghedom, built on Crenshaw Boulevard before his death in 2019. His brother Samiel "Blacc Sam" Asghedom runs the restaurant with restaurateur Casey Parker and the Hussle estate, and he worked the grill himself on opening weekend. The kitchen keeps its focus narrow: wagyu smashburgers, 100% organic Jidori chicken wings, a house-made vegan patty, and milkshakes built on Thrifty ice cream.
The room is a modern take on a classic diner, with counter seating that looks straight onto the open kitchen and a patio on Melrose for people-watching. You order at the counter, the space is wheelchair accessible, contactless payment is accepted, and directories list both street and validated parking. First-timers tend to pose for a photo in front of the Hussle portrait while they wait for their number.
Marathon Burger holds a 4.4 rating on Google from about 978 reviews, and Yelp shows more than 380 reviews and nearly 600 customer photos as of August 2026. Eater LA put it on its list of the best new burgers in Los Angeles within weeks of opening, and the Los Angeles Times profiled it as both a burger stand and a cultural landmark. Expect $15 for a burger, $20 for a combo, and roughly $20 to $30 per person once wings or a shake join the order.
- Address
- 7507 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
- Phone number
- (323) 452-0021
- Online ordering
- Pickup and delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats, Postmates and Grubhub. Takeout by phone at (323) 452-0021.
- Google rating
- 4.4 out of 5 from about 978 reviews
- Opening hours
-
- Monday11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Tuesday11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Wednesday11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Thursday11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Some directories list an earlier breakfast opening. Call ahead if you plan to arrive before 11 AM.
- Google Maps
- Open in Google Maps
- Services
- Dine-in, takeout, delivery, outdoor patio seating, wheelchair accessible, credit cards and contactless payment. No reservations.
- Price range
- $15 burgers, $20 combos, about $20 to $30 per person
- Parking
- Metered street parking on Melrose Ave and the side streets. Directories also list validated parking, so ask at the counter.
Marathon Burger Photos and Reviews
Guests come for the burger and mostly talk about the burger. Reviewers describe the bun as fresh and fluffy and the patties as seasoned just right, and one Yelp regular flatly called it the best burger on the west coast. The Infatuation singled out the OG Burger as substantial for a smashburger, with fresh toppings, house-made pickles and a soft, squishy toasted bun.
The fries have their own following. The shoestring cut carries a peppery house seasoning that several reviews mention by name, and the wings and shakes pull repeat orders, with the Thrifty ice cream shakes a nostalgic favorite for anyone who grew up in Southern California. The griddled Fresno peppers on the Marathon Burger come up again and again as the detail that sets it apart from other smashburgers in the city.
Service earns warm marks, with reviewers naming counter staff and thanking a crew that keeps the energy up through the rush; even the clean bathrooms get a mention. The setting is a big part of the appeal, from the Hussle portrait to the open grill, and a double-patty combo with fries and a drink sends most people out full for $20.
What guests are saying
"Best burger on the west coast! Very clean bathrooms. Q and everyone there were so generous and fun..."
"Excellent service, great food and beautiful people 5 stars up !!!!"
Frequently Asked Questions
First-time visitors tend to want the same practical details settled before they head to Melrose: what to order, when the doors open, whether a pickup order will save them the line, and what a meal will cost. The answers below pull from the restaurant's listings, press coverage and recent reviews.
What is Marathon Burger known for?
What are the hours at Marathon Burger?
Does Marathon Burger offer delivery and takeout?
Are there vegetarian options?
How much does a meal cost?
Does the restaurant take reservations?
When is the best time to visit?
Location and Directions
Marathon Burger sits on the 7500 block of Melrose Avenue between La Brea Avenue and Fairfax Avenue, in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles. That puts it minutes from West Hollywood, Beverly Grove, Hancock Park and Hollywood, and an easy stop for anyone spending the afternoon at the Melrose boutiques or the Fairfax vintage shops. Metered street parking lines Melrose and the nearby side streets.