Mom's Burgers - Compton

Last weekend, I decided to scope out the place in advance for a small foodie event I wanted to host, which I called my first “Food in the Hood” event of the year. There were a few people ahead of me waiting for their orders. When I asked for a menu, I was told they only had paper menus, and the server directed me to the side of the building. There, I found a handwritten menu listing just four items: Tacos, a Veggie Burger, a Speckkäse Burger, and something else I can’t recall. They also serve fries, but honestly, I wouldn’t order anything but the beef burger at a place specializing in burgers. So I ordered the bacon cheeseburger. It took a few minutes for my order to be prepared, as everything is made to order. Thankfully, I had brought along a newspaper to read while I waited. When my meal arrived, I inspected the burger to ensure it had everything I ordered—lettuce, tomatoes, and ketchup. I noticed it also came with onions, mustard, and additional toppings if you wanted them. Upon taking my first bite, I must clarify that I’m not a huge burger fan. I do eat burgers occasionally, but I don’t often crave them. I think In-N-Out is decent, and I enjoy gourmet burgers offered at certain restaurants. So, I have to say this burger was better than your typical In-N-Out offering. It had a great flavor, filled me up just right, and best of all, it didn’t leave me feeling greasy. I might be mistaken, but I believe the patties are 1/4 pound, not 1/2 pound. The burger and a soda cost around $6. I did notice that the outdoor seating was quite limited—only about six bar stools and two tables that seat four each—so it wouldn’t be ideal for large groups. Fast forward to yesterday, when I held my actual “Food in the Hood” event. I was grateful that there weren’t many attendees because I managed to save two tables, but one table was in full sun with no shade. Most of us opted for the shaded table or sat on bar stools. The majority of our group ordered the Chronic Burger, which is basically their bacon cheeseburger topped with a fried egg. One person in our group went for the Double Chronic, which includes two beef patties. Everyone in the group enjoyed their burgers, and it was fun to watch the women take bites and savor the experience. On average, it took about 7 to 10 minutes for everyone to receive their orders, so I encouraged them to order right away to avoid delays. Overall, we found the burgers to be quite good—not necessarily the best we’ve ever tasted, but for the price of a Chronic Burger (around $5), it’s a solid deal, especially if you’re in the area. One person mentioned wishing the burgers had more meat—her husband thought the Double Chronic wasn’t filling enough. I’d probably eat more burgers if there were a place like Moms in my neighborhood. A few folks ordered fries, but we found them to be mediocre. They smelled better than they tasted. The service was mostly attentive; they only mixed up my order once—I received an extra order of fries that I didn’t ask for, but they didn’t blame me, either. There are a couple of things I wish Moms would offer: 1) Milkshakes, as I usually crave them when eating burgers, and 2) better consistency in fulfilling orders. They have separate windows for ordering and picking up, and the servers don’t always help you from the right window. On a positive note, the place has plenty of parking. So if you love burgers and find yourself in this part of the city, give Moms a try. Just a quick tip: Alondra can be a bit confusing, as the restaurant is located on Alondra between Wilmington and Alameda, with Oleander being the next cross street.

Every burger is made fresh to order, which is a positive aspect, but be prepared for a wait, especially during busy times. The menu is limited to just four items, but you should definitely choose the Speck Cheeseburger. If you order the "Chronic," they'll add a fried egg on top, which pairs wonderfully with the cheeseburger. I do wish it were slightly larger. My husband opted for a double chronic, but it seemed like they used the same amount of meat, just split into two patties. The fries had a great aroma, but they didn't quite live up to expectations.

Mom is definitely a burger joint, straightforward and to the point. They only serve burgers, fries, and soda, and can accommodate about 8 to 10 people at a time—all sitting outside. There was plenty of parking available on both sides of the street. The food is cooked to order, meaning no heat lamps, which does take some time, so again, patience is key (this was the theme of my day). Let me tell you, the burgers are HUGE! I even ordered the smaller size and was still ready to eat. It wasn’t the absolute best burger I've ever had, but it was decent. If I found myself in this area and was really hungry with no other options, I would consider coming back. The service was okay; the guy who took my order had a bit of a gruff demeanor but was actually quite friendly. I did wish they offered milkshakes to go with my burger and fries, but I guess you can only hope for that!