at this point they're all more or less within a few percentage points of one another (obviously, not including McD's, BK, etc.).
The one thing that I'm universally disappointed by in all these burgers is the bun. They're almost always the same out of a plastic bag, no bite to them bun.
Whataburger sucks. In N Out is much much better. Whataburgers are more dry and have a lot less flavor. It is much more "Fast foody" than In N Out if that makes sense (yes I know In N Out is fast food).
RE: Honestly, I'm tired of the fast food burger craze
The one thing that I'm universally disappointed by in all these burgers is the bun. They're almost always the same out of a plastic bag, no bite to them bun.
This is most likely why In N Out rates higher than others in many instances. People cannot pinpoint exactly WHY they like theirs better but some of it has to do with the bun. It may be that same bun coming from the plastic bag as you point out. BUT, they toast it on the flat grill and add that additional layer of flavor and texture.
In food, the small details that seem insignificant often are the difference between avg and very good
Not all that impressed. But I'll make an effort to try In and Out and Shake Shack this year, just for comparison.
If I'm in the mood for a burger, I'd rather go to a local bar. Really not a fast food guy.
between Shake Shack and 5 Guys. Whatever, they're both pretty damn good. I will say though, I ended up at a burger king a few months ago and ordered a whopper for the first time in well over 10 years and, maybe it was nostalgia getting the better of me, but it was delicious.
In-n-out has the best burger, and it's not close. 5 guys always comes out a mess and I dont get beyond lettuce tomato and onion. Whoever said supply chain and assny line for in-n-out was dead on.
Fries are a toss up. Animal style at in-n-out vs cajun fries at 5 guys is a close call.
I like to ponder which one has the worst burger. Currently I have Jack in the Box at the top of that list. Their burgers taste like chopped up cardboard.
It wasn't always that way, but yeah, the last two Jack in the Box burgers I had were moistureless and overcooked abominations.
Of the chains, I think Five Guy's tops In n Out hands down.
I think 5 guys is defined as fast-casual. Basically the same thing chipotle falls under. If we're going just fast food, it's in-n-out.
Fast casual there's one new burger chain opening every week in CA it seems like.
Also, if we're going best burger, I'm nominating the now defunct Anthony Wayne Grill on hwy 46 in Jersey. Closed down a few years back, but best flame grilled burgers and dogs I can remember.
Gourmet burgers at sit-down restaurants are in vogue...
in Charlottesville we have Citizen Burger (excellent), Zinburger (chain - decent) and now Burger Bach (had a bad experience but probably warrants a second chance).
Of the fast casuals 5 Guys is probably the best I've had, but I've never had most of the other heavy hitters because of geography.
whatsoever. It is slightly better than McDonald's for burgers (which I love at times...not a burger snob) and the fries are horrible. It's not even in the top 5 chain or "chainish" places around here. My non-california friends are always talking about it, like it's the mecca of hamburgers.
My favorite place around here are the Super Duper Burgers. Not sure how many there are but there are several in SF and at least one up here in Marin in Mill Valley. They blow In N Out out of the water.
And there's a good local place in Los Gatos (Burgers on main). But for a burger from In-n-Out thats 90-95% comparable at half the price, why wouldn't I go there? Most burger places I've eaten at In-n-Out is either better, as good as, or damn close in terms of quality but at a price you cant touch. Comparing apples to apples in terms of good old 'Murica ground beef.
Other thing people are forgetting is consistency. One good trip doesnt mean the next time is the same result. There are no guarantees in life but a good-to-great burger from In-n-Out is pretty close.
to revisit my In N Out skepticism. I had one last night in Alameda that was stellar, ordered thusly: Animal Style (which I'd done several times before) but without tomatoes and lettuce.
I've found that removing the veggies helps to eliminate the mushy texture, and the pickles provide a bit of a crisp.
to revisit my In N Out skepticism. I had one last night in Alameda that was stellar, ordered thusly: Animal Style (which I'd done several times before) but without tomatoes and lettuce.
I've found that removing the veggies helps to eliminate the mushy texture, and the pickles provide a bit of a crisp.
SC - the veggies are cut fresh, which unfortunately = moisture.
I go with the tomato (which is the big culprit), and skip lettuce.
To say who makes the best burger because nobody is consistently perfect. They left out Five Guys which is inexplicable to me since I imagine they have more stores than the others (maybe all of them pt together). I never liked Five Guys when they were a local chain here in the DC area, but whoever franchised them really did an incredible job and now I think they're pretty consistently awesome. The three they rated are awesome too (like In and Out Five Guys fresh hand cut into the fryer fries are phenomenal).
My favorite of the now insane number of good burger chains is Smashburger but there are so many great ones now. And while I haven't done it in ages since they closed their Tysons location, the Morton's burger (lunch only) rated the best to me and back when I ate them regularly they were $10 - one of the best bargains of anything in any restaurant IMHO.
LOL, come on man, you're putting lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup, etc. on it. Maybe bacon or jalapenos or other toppings. Are you really worried about it being over-cooked?
Agree 100%. Culvers is great. Along with roadside roasted chilis, Culvers is one of the few things I miss from the few years I spent in Colorado.
The one thing that I'm universally disappointed by in all these burgers is the bun. They're almost always the same out of a plastic bag, no bite to them bun.
Five Guys was the best. I'm usually a Shake Shack guy too. Smash is solid but a clear 3rd.
Whataburger sucks. In N Out is much much better. Whataburgers are more dry and have a lot less flavor. It is much more "Fast foody" than In N Out if that makes sense (yes I know In N Out is fast food).
The one thing that I'm universally disappointed by in all these burgers is the bun. They're almost always the same out of a plastic bag, no bite to them bun.
This is most likely why In N Out rates higher than others in many instances. People cannot pinpoint exactly WHY they like theirs better but some of it has to do with the bun. It may be that same bun coming from the plastic bag as you point out. BUT, they toast it on the flat grill and add that additional layer of flavor and texture.
In food, the small details that seem insignificant often are the difference between avg and very good
If I'm in the mood for a burger, I'd rather go to a local bar. Really not a fast food guy.
You're talking about a 6 buck combo from a nearly 70 year-old chain.
They also do legit work in their community, pay people a living wage, have amazing customer service and kick-butt operations.
Go find the longest line you can at one, and be shocked you have your food in 15 mins.
They switched to frozen not too long ago, and they absolutely suck.
Yeah and it's not cheap so I can't blame you for that lol
THIS^^^
Plus, you get to eat it in a dining room that hasn't been changed (down to a coat of paint) since 1918. They have the dank down pat.
Fries are a toss up. Animal style at in-n-out vs cajun fries at 5 guys is a close call.
big difference.
big difference.
I thought you can't get it cooked to order they always told me it has to be done med well
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but remember in and out is fast food, 5 Guys is cooked to order.
big difference.
I thought you can't get it cooked to order they always told me it has to be done med well
you're right maybe a better way to say it is not cooked to order, but cooked when ordered, so less fast food-ish.
It wasn't always that way, but yeah, the last two Jack in the Box burgers I had were moistureless and overcooked abominations.
Of the chains, I think Five Guy's tops In n Out hands down.
Quote:
In comment 13334922 pjcas18 said:
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but remember in and out is fast food, 5 Guys is cooked to order.
big difference.
I thought you can't get it cooked to order they always told me it has to be done med well
you're right maybe a better way to say it is not cooked to order, but cooked when ordered, so less fast food-ish.
Agreed, yeah the fact they only cook to med/well is why I stay away from 5 Guys
Fast casual there's one new burger chain opening every week in CA it seems like.
Also, if we're going best burger, I'm nominating the now defunct Anthony Wayne Grill on hwy 46 in Jersey. Closed down a few years back, but best flame grilled burgers and dogs I can remember.
Of the fast casuals 5 Guys is probably the best I've had, but I've never had most of the other heavy hitters because of geography.
My favorite place around here are the Super Duper Burgers. Not sure how many there are but there are several in SF and at least one up here in Marin in Mill Valley. They blow In N Out out of the water.
In-N-Out absolutely out-classes the traditional drive-thru competition at every level.
There are better burgers and fry joints for sure - I would include Super Duper to that list.
But keep in mind In-N-Out is somewhere between 40-50% cheaper out the door.
Glad to see some other super duper love !
I actually live right near M&G (and pick up from there at least once a week), which is pretty good, but I prefer SD.
Other thing people are forgetting is consistency. One good trip doesnt mean the next time is the same result. There are no guarantees in life but a good-to-great burger from In-n-Out is pretty close.
My office when I worked in SF was on Market/Montgomery and Super Duper was a many times a week journey.
Also, the jars of pickles are a major plus.
I've found that removing the veggies helps to eliminate the mushy texture, and the pickles provide a bit of a crisp.
Yes, Mitch has got it right.
I tried this right before the holidays. It was great...
I've found that removing the veggies helps to eliminate the mushy texture, and the pickles provide a bit of a crisp.
SC - the veggies are cut fresh, which unfortunately = moisture.
I go with the tomato (which is the big culprit), and skip lettuce.
Decent, burger was a little undercooked which some people might really enjoy, but I prefer burgers medium well.
if it was a steak that's one thing, but not a burger...
should have expected an undercooked burger from a place that also has sushi.
Looks good, not far from my NYC office. Thanks, I'll give it a shot.
My favorite of the now insane number of good burger chains is Smashburger but there are so many great ones now. And while I haven't done it in ages since they closed their Tysons location, the Morton's burger (lunch only) rated the best to me and back when I ate them regularly they were $10 - one of the best bargains of anything in any restaurant IMHO.
but I prefer burgers medium well.
Masochist.
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but I prefer burgers medium well.
Masochist.
LOL, come on man, you're putting lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup, etc. on it. Maybe bacon or jalapenos or other toppings. Are you really worried about it being over-cooked?