One of my favorite challenges as a parent is to integrate my three-and-half-year-old’s needs and wants with my personal needs and wants, wherever and whenever possible.

This past weekend, June desired beachside fun and sun, while I craved a really good burger, so we headed to Santa Monica, where all could be found in abundance.

After spending the morning at the original Muscle Beach and then at Pacific Park, lunch was in order at HiHo Cheeseburger.  Opened last summer by a few folks also behind Sugarfish, HiHo serves grass-fed Wagyu beef cheeseburgers that have been garnering the heartiest of raves. Needless to say, expectations were primed sky-high.

The Astronomer and I both ordered the Double HiHo Cheeseburger made with 1/3 pound of  house-ground, mustard-grilled beef ($6.95). The fixings included American cheese, ketchup, onion jam, lettuce, and house-made pickles, all on a house-baked bun.

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