This L.A. burger was just named the second-best burger in America by Time Out—here’s what beat it

Los Angeles has no shortage of burger opinions, starting with In-N-Out. But from smash burgers to foie gras-topped burgers, Angelenos have a huge array of options. Now Time Out has narrowed down the must-trys for us to just one, and it's more than just a burger.

In our definitive national ranking of the best burgers, the Big Mec at Petit Trois came within a single spot of taking the crown, trailing only the legendary double cheeseburger at Chicago's Au Cheval.

Created by chef Ludo Lefebvre, the Big Mec is about as far from fast food as a burger can get. The French-inspired creation layers two prime beef patties prepared bifteck haché style with melted American cheese, deeply caramelized onions, garlic aioli and a generous pour of foie gras-infused Bordelaise on a toasted brioche bun. Time Out describes it as "over-the-top" and "decadent," and it's really best tackled with a fork and knife.

Even better, the best burger in L.A. is offered at two locations: Petit Trois L'Original in Hollywood and Le Valley in Sherman Oaks. 

Chicago's Au Cheval claimed the No. 1 spot with its iconic double cheeseburger, a longtime favorite built around thin smashed patties, dijonnaise and pickles, with an optional addition of thick-cut peppered bacon that Time Out insists isn't really optional at all. Check out the full rankings below, including offerings in Boston, Houston and Miami.

Time Out's top 20 best burgers in the U.S.

1. Double Cheeseburger at Au Cheval
2. Big Mec at Petite Trois, Los Angeles
3. Jucy Lucy at Matt's Bar, Minneapolis
4. Red Hook Tavern Burger at Red Hook Tavern, Brooklyn
5. Dyer's Burger at Dyer's Burger, Memphis
6. L&L Burger at LeRoy and Lewis BBQ, Austin
7. Fried Onion Burger at Hamburger America, New York
8. Da Kids Kewpie Burger at Familyfriend, Seattle
9. Neptune Burger at Neptune Oyster, Boston
10. Tostada Burger at Chris Madrid's, San Antonio
11. The Big Deux at Deux Luxe, New York
12. Wolf Burger at Little Bad Wolf, Chicago
13. The Maillards at Maillards Smash Burgers, San Francisco
14. The Cowy Burger at Cowy Burger, Miami
15. OG Tavern Burger at Tuckaway Tavern and Butchery, Raymond, NH
16. Bao Burger at Xiao Bao, Nashville
17. L'Americain at Le Burger 4304, Minneapolis
18. The Classic at NFA Burger, Dunwoody, GA
19. Boo's OG at Boo's Burgers, Houston
20. The Burgerly at The Burgerly, New Hope, PA