Sandwich Of The Week: 25 Degrees' Number One Burger

Nothing is better than being able to eat a burger at midnight, or 3:00 a.m, or even 5 a.m. for that matter (we all have those nights). But why settle for the rubbery 24-hour diner patty when you can have juicy gourmet beef that drips all over your face? 8 years ago, restaurateur Tim Goodell had this wonderful idea and decided to open a 24-hour gourmet burger joint in Hollywood so that everyone could have an upgraded late night dining experience.

Since its opening, 25 degrees has also expanded to Huntington Beach and Chicago, but the Tinseltown location is still the only location that's open 24/7. The menu consists of a selection of other sandwiches, hotdogs, a fried egg sandwich, a salad selection, and five different milkshakes. But let's be real, the instant you set your eyes on the menu's first item, the Number One burger, you're going to automatically be sold. And here's why.

This burger has everything you need packed between the two puffy, toasted brioche bun rounds. A big, juicy slab of beef (recommended medium-rare for full juice effect) is the centerpiece with an ounce of both buttery Crescenza cheese and crumbled Gorgonzola heaped on top, then caramelized onions, bacon, arugula, and Thousand Island dressing for the final touch.  

The variety of flavorful ingredients in this burger makes it one of the most savory sandwiches around. The beef, sourced from Vintage Natural, comes from a "pure, single breed of cattle" to give the highest level of tenderness. After being grilled on a stove, the sizzling burger melts the cheeses into a buttery and creamy, yet strong and fragrant blend. The crispy bacon adds smokiness, the sweet caramelized onions melt in your mouth and compliment the buttery Crescenza, and the arugula is peppery and aromatic. And don't even think about reaching for the ketchup bottle because the zesty Thousand Island dressing is all you need to tie it together.

Take one bite of this edible invention, and you won't stop eating (despite the amount of melted cheese and juices that will have dripped on your face). It's enough to make any burger lover swoon.

Skyler Bouchard is a junior writer for the Daily Meal. Follow her on twitter at @skylerbouchard.

Click here for other featured sandwiches or check out the 2012 Year in Sandwiches and the Sandwich of the Week Slideshow. Know a sandwich that should be featured? Email The Daily Meal or comment below. Better yet, become a contributor and write up your favorite today!