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.
The key to In-N-Out fries is they have to be eaten immediately after they are served. Forget about getting their fries at a drive through and not starting to eat them until 10 or 15 min later. They are made super fresh and are on the thin side. When they cool off, which is quickly, the taste falls off quickly IMHO.
Personally, I like a thicker style of french fries, so I wouldn't put their fries at #1 or even above average, but fresh IMHO, they are not terrible.
I'm a fan of shake shack. I feel its almost underrated now since people get put off by their lines and automatically go against the grain, but they put out a good product and I like their style of fries. I'm not really a milk shake person so I couldn't tell you if those are good or not.
I did have 5-guys (the original in Arlington, VA) - i used to walk there when I lived in VA it was great.
I had one of the 5-guys chain location in MA and I felt like I had to take a shower after eating there. the burger was fine, expensive, but fine, but the fries were so greasy I felt like I had a film of grease over my entire body. I got a burger and fries to go for one of my kids and the entire brown paper bag they put them in was see through with grease stains after the 8 minute drive home.
Reminded me of the Simpsons episode with Dr. Nick Riveria when Homer was trying to gain weight to go on disability , Dr Nick said rub the food on some paper and if the paper turns clear it's "your window to weight gain"
In-and-Out is king for taste and business reasons.
The fries are really easy to get wrong. The key is they let you salt to taste - they put basically no salt on the fries. There is salt at the concession or ask at the drive thru.
The potatoes are also fresh and lightly fried. This will cause some starchiness when they cool. Eat them hot and salted to taste. If not go animal style. Easy.
Also note a combo is going to cost you about 6 bucks, which is the cost of a burger at 5 Guys.
In-and-Out has their supply chain down perfectly and has sourced fresh food from the beginning, so getting real veggies and meat isn't a craze to them, and doesn't cost a ton.
that's a clutch move. So many places over salt their fries when I can just add it on if I want it (I generally balk at salty food). I realize salting right after they fry is most ideal, but if it isn't the right amount for X person's taste, its ruined.
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.
Personally, I like a thicker style of french fries, so I wouldn't put their fries at #1 or even above average, but fresh IMHO, they are not terrible.
Just remember... A better brand of beef makes a butter burger better.
Culver's and Steak & Shake.
I'm a fan of shake shack. I feel its almost underrated now since people get put off by their lines and automatically go against the grain, but they put out a good product and I like their style of fries. I'm not really a milk shake person so I couldn't tell you if those are good or not.
I had never heard of them, however my buddy just opened one up in Charlotte.
I had one of the 5-guys chain location in MA and I felt like I had to take a shower after eating there. the burger was fine, expensive, but fine, but the fries were so greasy I felt like I had a film of grease over my entire body. I got a burger and fries to go for one of my kids and the entire brown paper bag they put them in was see through with grease stains after the 8 minute drive home.
Reminded me of the Simpsons episode with Dr. Nick Riveria when Homer was trying to gain weight to go on disability , Dr Nick said rub the food on some paper and if the paper turns clear it's "your window to weight gain"
The fries are really easy to get wrong. The key is they let you salt to taste - they put basically no salt on the fries. There is salt at the concession or ask at the drive thru.
The potatoes are also fresh and lightly fried. This will cause some starchiness when they cool. Eat them hot and salted to taste. If not go animal style. Easy.
Also note a combo is going to cost you about 6 bucks, which is the cost of a burger at 5 Guys.
In-and-Out has their supply chain down perfectly and has sourced fresh food from the beginning, so getting real veggies and meat isn't a craze to them, and doesn't cost a ton.
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:
Quote:
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.