A good patty melt is a simple promise kept: a griddled beef patty, melted cheese, and soft onions pressed between two slices of grilled rye. Some places cut corners and swap in plain white bread or a burger bun, but the diners on this list still do it the right way.
From late-night train cars in San Francisco to a Palm Springs institution with a koi pond, these nine California spots keep the rye grilled and the cheese gooey. If you love a proper melt, this is your road map.
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1. Cassell’s Hamburgers, Los Angeles, CA
Set inside the historic Hotel Normandie in Koreatown, this counter has built a reputation on doing the basics better than almost anyone. The star is the seven-ounce Cassell’s Classic patty melt, made with a house-ground beef patty, Swiss cheese, and grilled onions on toasted rye…