Actor Paul Newman started Hampton's more than 20 years ago. This popular hamburger restaurant is only a few blocks away from the Chinese Theatre, and not far from the Paramount and Warner-Hollywood studios. As a result, it attracts a high number of celebs, writers, agents, producers, and studio hands.

 It seems that Paul Newman and his friend were grilling burgers in the back yard one day, when the two joked that their burgers were better than what you could buy in most restaurants, and that maybe they should open a restaurant of their own and start selling them. The friend then mentioned that he had just inherited a building on Highland, and didn't know what to do with it. The result was Hampton's, where members of the screen actors guild (SAG) are offered discounts (and agents pay extra!)

Recently, the restaurant changed hands, but regardless of who owns it, everyone agrees that Hampton's serves what may be the best gourmet burgers in town - and the most unusual.

Besides the traditional combinations of cheese, lettuce & tomato, Hampton's eccentric menu includes burgers with a choice of 34 different toppings, including such unusual options as caviar, peanut butter, sour plum jam, pepper sauce, broccoli, etc. And in addition to regular hamburger, you can choose ostrich, venison, buffalo, beefalo, salmon, turkey, veggie, fish, chicken breast, or even gator! Over 400 hamburger variations in all. And you can even get a glass of wine to go with your rare burger.

As you might expect, Hampton's is a bit more pricey than most hamburger places; burgers at this full-service restaurant will cost you about $6.95, and for dinner for two will set you back about $28.  They are open seven days a week from 11:30 AM to 10 PM (an hour later on Fridays and Saturdays).

Getting there: For the Hollywood location, from Hollywood & Vine, head west on Hollywood Boulevard (about three quarters of a mile) to Highland Avenue. Turn left (south) on Highland and go about one half mile south, to between Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue. Hampton's will be on your left (east) side.