Juicy Lucy, the burger spot from chef Paul Shoemaker, is officially open to the public today after a week of soft-opening service. Shoemaker, who recently closed his Malibu restaurant Savory, hopes the popularity of the burger on Savory's menu will translate to a successful burger-centric business model that can eventually become a chain of Juicy Lucys.

The Juicy Lucy, a burger with cheese inside the patty rather than on top, originated in Minneapolis in the 1950s. Shoemaker uses a combination of Swiss, American and brie that's nitrogen-infused, and cooks the burgers in vapor ovens. He's also offering salmon burgers, turkey burgers, shakes, aguas frescas and fries, which you can get plain or covered with cheese and Sriracha.

The restaurant is in TASTE, the high-end food court in the new FIGat7th development downtown (where the new downtown Target is located).

Juicy Lucy: 735 S. Figueroa St., #120, dwntwn.; (213) 683-1030, www.thejuicylucy.com

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