Photograph: Jesse Hsu for Time OutLos 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. Double Cheeseburger at Au Cheval Big Mec at Petite Trois, Los Angeles Jucy Lucy at Matt's Bar, Minneapolis Red Hook Tavern Burger at Red Hook Tavern, Brooklyn Dyer's Burger at Dyer's Burger, Memphis LL Burger at LeRoy and Lewis BBQ, Austin Fried Onion Burger at Hamburger America, New York Da Kids Kewpie Burger at Familyfriend, Seattle Neptune Burger at Neptune Oyster, Boston Tostada Burger at Chris Madrid's, San Antonio The Big Deux at Deux Luxe, New York Wolf Burger at Little Bad Wolf, Chicago The Maillards at Maillards Smash Burgers, San Francisco The Cowy Burger at Cowy Burger, Miami OG Tavern Burger at Tuckaway Tavern and Butchery, Raymond, NH Bao Burger at Xiao Bao, Nashville L'Americain at Le Burger 4304, Minneapolis The Classic at NFA Burger, Dunwoody, GA Boo's OG at Boo's Burgers, Houston The Burgerly at The Burgerly, New Hope, PA ...read more read less