Plan Check on Sawtelle: Decent Burger with "Ketchup Leather" and Soso Fries

I had a lot of good dishes at Plan Check, but I'm mostly reviewing the burger -- because that's what I mostly care about. The Plan Check Burger was a thumbs up.

It was overcooked the first time around so had to send it back but the second time around, the burger was cooked just medium rare. It came with "Americanized dashi cheese" although in the hodge podge of the works, I couldn't tell it apart. I did, however, notice the interesting texture of the "ketchup leather" which was essentially ketchup dehydrated into a thin sheet and used here almost as a slice of cheese. The schmaltz onions were good but again, I couldn't taste the rendered fat. I liked the pickles that weren't too salty or briny. The bun was fresh, warm and held up to the meaty burger. The patty was flavorful enough and the consistency of the ground meat was above average but not quite right.

Overall above average but still no contest to Houston's or even Pono Burger. One other disappointment was that the fries weren't all that. They were served hot but not the super crispy and double fried fries I'd expect at a place like this. They were more like burger shack or diner fries and not in a good way. Passable but the fries game should be upped.

The fried chicken was also very crispy and moist. The massive donut dessert was just ok. Service was good despite it being extremely busy. The stool seats weren't as comfortable but they don't have tables for large parties so I probably wouldn't go in a large group if I were to return.