Our Story
Born on a Griddle in Hollywood
March 2020. A pandemic. A three-foot griddle. And a burger that changed everything.
From Fine Dining to Smash Burgers
For The Win was born in March 2020, at the corner of Franklin and Argyle in Hollywood — inside a space that used to be Papilles Bistro, a 30-seat French restaurant that had earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction.
Papilles was the creation of chef and restaurateur Santos Uy, who had spent over a decade building some of LA's most beloved independent spots.
When COVID shut down indoor dining, Santos wheeled a three-foot griddle outside and started smashing burgers.
The Obsession
He'd always been obsessed with the craft — testing countless beef blends, buns, sauces, and techniques until he landed on a combination that was deceptively simple but impossibly satisfying.
Delicious beef, smashed thin on the griddle for crispy, lacy edges. Grilled onions pressed into the patty. House-made fry sauce. Pickles. And a toasted potato bun.
What started as a pivot to survive became a phenomenon.
Simple Food, Done Right
Today, For The Win has grown to 13 locations across Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas, with more on the way. The menu is still intentionally tight — because the philosophy has never changed: simple food, done right, no shortcuts.
Every burger is still made the same way it was on that first day outside on Franklin Avenue — smashed by hand, cooked to order, one at a time.
Want For The Win in Your Neighborhood?
We're always growing. Reach out and let us know where you'd like to see us next.