Reviving burger wars...

[RyanShort1]

So I had occasion to eat at (gasp) McDonalds on Saturday while out looking at the new plane and the burger actually was pretty good. That made me think I should try some other burgers again and I ate at In-and-Out last night. I seriously don't get the hype. The McDonalds burger on Saturday was better, seriously. Also, Fudruckers and Whataburger beat both, for me, by miles!

 

[eman1200]

I've only eaten at one In-and-out (in LA) and was entirely underwhelmed. the experience was fun....u know....waiting in a long line, getting to order a burger n fries under some weird name.....only to be completely let down after all the hype.

do u have 5 Guys burgers near u? I'd have one of those over In n out any day. sorry @Sac Arrow

 

[Challenged]

For chains, I'm partial to FatBurger over In-N-Out.

 

[GaryM]

Most of the chains listed thus far don't have locations anywhere near me, but I am a big fan of Five Guys. We recently got a HabitBurger nearby, and they are pretty good as well.

 

[cgrab]

We just got a Freddy's in our area and it is real good as are the fries. They pound their burgers flat and the edges come out crispy.

 

[Sac Arrow]

I've only eaten at one In-and-out (in LA) and was entirely underwhelmed. the experience was fun....u know....waiting in a long line, getting to order a burger n fries under some weird name.....only to be completely let down after all the hype.

do u have 5 Guys burgers near u? I'd have one of those over In n out any day. sorry @Sac Arrow

Yes, and 5 Guys was a total fail. Way overpriced. Packed to go even if you're eating there. Packet condiments. Underwhelming burger. I think I gave them a 1 on Yelp.

For me, Inn n Out is a good solid choice, except there is only one thing I can order there - lettuce wrapped burgers. The burgers are tiny but two lettuce wrapped double doubles gets the job done.

So I had occasion to eat at (gasp) McDonalds on Saturday while out looking at the new plane and the burger actually was pretty good. That made me think I should try some other burgers again and I ate at In-and-Out last night. I seriously don't get the hype. The McDonalds burger on Saturday was better, seriously. Also, Fudruckers and Whataburger beat both, for me, by miles!

Nothing wrong with McD's. If I'm actually going to eat a bun, it's either that or BK (I like BK better) but Double Quarter Pounders are like yummy and I can eat those all day long.

I haven't been to Fuddruckers in like years as our local one shut down, but I don't remember it being all that. I mean, yeah, you can cram all the toppings you want on your burger, but you can only stuff so much plus the good stuff you have to pay extra for anyway.

The very best restaurant burger I've ever had was from a mini chain called Peppermill. Yes - branched off of the Peppermill casino in Reno. They had a single patty, one pound bacon cheeseburger that with everything on it, weighed more like two pounds. In fact, if you ate the whole thing plus the fries, you get a free dessert.

 

[IK04]

Fudruckers makes a pretty damn good burger.

McDonald's strength is their ability to make exactly the same burger anywhere.

Five Guys is tasty, but overpriced and In 'N Out has reduced the size of their burgers to a laughable teeny puck. They were awesome in the '70s.

Whataburger makes the biggest burgers for the money and they have killer onion rings.

That's my summary of 60 years of eating burgers.

 

[Daleandee]

Most of the chains listed thus far don't have locations anywhere near me, but I am a big fan of Five Guys.

I don't eat nearly as much fast food as I used to but I'll do a Five Guys burger once in a while!

On a somber note: I've worked in areas that include the food service industry for a number of years and when you go behind the wall between the kitchen and the dining room you learn things that will make you stop eating at some of those places. When you see gross sanitation concerns, structural issues, evidence of pests, poor housekeeping, etc. it might stun you a little.

But then again, what you don't know may not hurt you. Over the years I've become quite cautious about what I put in my body and where it comes from.

 

[Cluemeister]

I gained 5 pounds just driving by a Five Guys yesterday.

 

[kayoh190]

do u have 5 Guys burgers near u? I'd have one of those over In n out any day. sorry @Sac Arrow

Five Guys is definitely better, but it's also twice the money. I feel like it competes more with a place like Fudruckers.

 

[Sac Arrow]

Sigh.

 

[Zeldman]

Fuddrucker's...... love the spicy chicken. Nearest one is around 130 miles away so I don't get there often.

 

[CharlieD3]

Fuddruckers fudruckered our family's order sooo bad... I won't go back.

Five guy's... Five pounds of fries.... So what?

Crystal... WTH? A dinner roll wiped on pink slime, with cheeze... Can't be real. Yuk I've heard it's like White Castle... So won't go there either.

Aubrey's East TN chain. A burger cooked to your liking. Good. Expected from an eat in restaurant.

Mc D's double quarter pounder... With cheese... Good if it's fresh (they're all sposed to be)

Wendy's Son of baconator... Not the full baconator (which is too much, imo) very good, well balanced burger.

BK Double beef whopper with cheeze no pickle, light ketchup... Was my go to for long time... But not freshly flame broiled any more.

Chances R in Chicago in old town used to be a fave... Think they're long gone now.

Arby's Greek gyros is pretty good... Chiggy's in Chicago metro area was the bomb for a gyro... But they gone now, too.

 

[Bill]

Five Guys: Love them, it's not just the burger, but ordering it all the way. Without the grilled mushrooms and onions, it's just meh. With, it's heaven. Five Guys fries are KILLER

In-n-Out: A treat for me when I visit Cali, I just love me a double double animal style. Fries are just ok though.

Hardees: The original thick burger all the way isn't a bad fast food burger at all. Not as good as FG or IIO, but still miles better than the rest of the fast food stuff

If I can't find one of these, then I'm looking for Wendys for a spicy chicken sandwich, although the breasts there have gone downhill.

 

[eman1200]

Fuddruckers fudruckered our family's order sooo bad... I won't go back.

Five guy's... Five pounds of fries.... So what?

Crystal... WTH? A dinner roll wiped on pink slime, with cheeze... Can't be real. Yuk I've heard it's like White Castle... So won't go there either.

Aubrey's East TN chain. A burger cooked to your liking. Good. Expected from an eat in restaurant.

Mc D's double quarter pounder... With cheese... Good if it's fresh (they're all sposed to be)

Wendy's Son of baconator... Not the full baconator (which is too much, imo) very good, well balanced burger.

BK Double beef whopper with cheeze no pickle, light ketchup... Was my go to for long time... But not freshly flame broiled any more.

Chances R in Chicago in old town used to be a fave... Think they're long gone now.

Arby's Greek gyros is pretty good... Chiggy's in Chicago metro area was the bomb for a gyro... But they gone now, too.

bacon king @ burger king...........yum.

 

[Bob Noel]

I have to put this thead on ignore... hungry hungry hungry....

 

[JOhnH]

I"d really much rather go to the grocery store and buy about a pound of good fresh sirloin. I can take a little of it and make a burger for my wife and the rest for my burger. Throw them on the grill for about 2 minutes per side, toast a couple pieces of rye bread on the grill, top it with a little salt and pepper and some good hot pepper cheese and enjoy a gourmet meal with a glass of whatever I want from my personal stock.

 

[Bill]

I"d really much rather go to the grocery store and buy about a pound of good fresh sirloin. I can take a little of it and make a burger for my wife and the rest for my burger. Throw them on the grill for about 2 minutes per side, toast a couple pieces of rye bread on the grill, top it with a little salt and pepper and some good hot pepper cheese and enjoy a gourmet meal with a glass of whatever I want from my personal stock.

Of course a home made burger is best. Me? 1/2 pound ground round, I find the sirloin too lean and dry for a good burger. I aim for something like 85/15. And yes, toast that bun!

 

[RyanShort1]

I"d really much rather go to the grocery store and buy about a pound of good fresh sirloin. I can take a little of it and make a burger for my wife and the rest for my burger. Throw them on the grill for about 2 minutes per side, toast a couple pieces of rye bread on the grill, top it with a little salt and pepper and some good hot pepper cheese and enjoy a gourmet meal with a glass of whatever I want from my personal stock.

That's all fine and good, but when you're travelling light in a Luscombe on the way home, it's hard to do!!!

 

[JOhnH]

Of course a home made burger is best. Me? 1/2 pound ground round, I find the sirloin too lean and dry for a good burger. I aim for something like 85/15. And yes, toast that bun!

It is on the lean side, but that's why I only cook it 2-21/2 minutes per side. Still juicy and a lot of flavor and I like the denser texture.

That's all fine and good, but when you're travelling light in a Luscombe on the way home, it's hard to do!!!

Yeah, there is that. But when I'm traveling I am with my wife, and she will not eat in fast food places.

 

[Southpaw]

On a somber note: I've worked in areas that include the food service industry for a number of years and when you go behind the wall between the kitchen and the dining room you learn things that will make you stop eating at some of those places. When you see gross sanitation concerns, structural issues, evidence of pests, poor housekeeping, etc. it might stun you a little.

Back in 1973 my wife and I took part in a "Comparitive Education " College course . Purpose was to compare elementary systems in Holland and England . Also toured the tourist spots in Holland Belguim France and England . It was a 2 week tour for 3 college credits . Cost was $350 each which included air fare over and back from Calgary ,Alberta. The price also included lodging ,2 meals a day , ground transportation . Long story short , the accomadations were youth hostels. The meals not so good.
So while in a fleabag hostel in France we decided to "eat out" at a nice resturant. The couple we were with were both college professors from the U of M . He a PH.D. Of environmental studies , she a home economics teacher. We started out at 4pm looking for a place to eat . Each place we stopped the PH.D. 'S Wife had to check the kitchen before we could order. She would excuse her self to go to the restroom and do a sneak review of kitchen and food prep areas. We would order a glass of wine while she did her recconnoitering . Nope can't eat here, dog in the kitchen , so off we go to the next place . Order the wine , PH.D. Wife off to the kitchen , nope can't here, unsanitary conditions , off to the next . All the while we observed many happy diners chowing down with gusto.
Finally after 4 stops and as many bottles of pre dinner wine, my wife said I'm eating here!
She is not one to usually be so forthright but she was Hungry !
The 3 of us enjoyed a great meal while the Dr.s wife drank a bottled water.

 

[wayne]

I like Five Guys. It's not a big burger, but I like it. I get the single patty with bacon. Love bacon. At our new place the distance from us is measure in yards not miles, so that helps.

We also like Grub Burger. It's a much bigger burger than Five Guys, but a bit messy. Fewer fries and sometimes they don't come out hot. I like my fries hot.

I used to like Fuddruckers, but they added too much to the menu and that seemed to slow down their cooking. I used to live and work across the street from one and went there often; before the menu exploded.

 

[Half Fast]

Of course a home made burger is best. Me? 1/2 pound ground round, I find the sirloin too lean and dry for a good burger. I aim for something like 85/15. And yes, toast that bun!

Well, that's a good start. But then ya gotta cook it over charcoal, add the BBQ sauce, bacon, cheddar, top it with a fried onion ring and a dollop of slaw, and slap some mayo on the bun. Call 911 as you take the first bite, and they should arrive by the time the heart attack hits. Just in case they're late, be sure someone nearby knows CPR.

But it's worth it.

 

[Larry in TN]

I like the Whiskey River burger at Red robin. I like the combination of the mayo, bbq sauce, and crispy onion strings.

 

[Zeldman]

So.... how about those reports stating that healthy meatless burgers are NOT as good for you after all.....

 

[eman1200]

I like the Whiskey River burger at Red robin. I like the combination of the mayo, bbq sauce, and crispy onion strings.

it's been years since I've been to red robin but I do remember their burgers being pretty good. but I also recall they have tasty steak fries, which I am a big fan of.

 

[GaryM]

So.... how about those reports stating that healthy meatless burgers are NOT as good for you after all.....

I was suspicious of those right from the start...

 

[asicer]

But then ya gotta cook it over charcoal, add the BBQ sauce, bacon, cheddar, top it with a fried onion ring and a dollop of slaw, and slap some mayo on the bun.

Negative. Gotta cook it on a hot griddle frying in a bit of its own grease until you get a crispy crust and a slightly pink interior.

 

[Half Fast]

Negative. Gotta cook it on a hot griddle frying in a bit of its own grease until you get a crispy crust and a slightly pink interior.

Well, sure, if it’s raining and I can’t light the charcoal, I guess that’d be okay, only make it a cast iron skillet instead of a griddle.

 

[JOhnH]

Negative. Gotta cook it on a hot griddle frying in a bit of its own grease until you get a crispy crust and a slightly pink interior.

Ok Boomer.

 

[schmookeeg]

Five Guys' BLT and Grilled Cheese are both surprisingly good. I'm meh on their burgers and fries.

 

[bflynn]

They recently opened Culver's near us. I like the burgers, definitely better than Wendy's and especially McDonalds or White Castle.

Five Guys is in a different league. Saying you don't like them because they're overpriced is like saying that you prefer Texas Roadhouse to someplace like Murray's or St. Elmos. Sure they're expensive and the food is higher quality and better tasting. Maybe Five Guys is past the prime but still a lot better than most other places out there. To be fair, I tend to only eat at Five Guys when someone else is paying. But same for the Mortons and Harry's.

Burgers are a continuum. Not sure who I'd put at the bottom, but near the top I do place Five Guys and BurgerFi, plus our local chain, Char-Grill. Somewhere in the middle is Shake Shack / Cook-Out / maybe Carl's (Hardees). Burger King and McDonalds, places that preserved price over quality are way at the bottom. Not quite as low, but I'm not a fan of In-N-Out...to me, they're McDonalds with fresh lettuce and tomato. My son was equally unimpressed.

 

[Llk]

Meh- at any price five guys is genuinely overrated. The burgers are alright but nowhere near raving about.

Inn-n-out is an exercise in freshness and consistency. The best out there? Not by a very long shot, but one location tastes the same as another and if your palate agrees, then inn-n-out hits it out of the park...for a fast food joint.

Why?

Someone reverse engineered it- many have - but apparently part of the magic is a whopping 40% fat content beef chuck patty- Wowzers!


https://aht.seriouseats.com/2010/07...e-an-in-n-out-double-double-animal-style.html

But if you reaaaaaally want to have an over the top burger and make sure the calories are worth the taste, at a chain (and not a fast food chain), yoink yourself a slater’s 50/50 50% bacon and 50% beef burger. Baaaaacon!!!!!

And there’s even a weird burger for that weird child of yours that you’re too embarrassed to claim when you go out: the Peanut Butter and Jelly slater’s burger. I’m saying, from a friend, that the mixture actually works. True, you might get some peanut butter stuck in the roof of your mouth while you eat, but yes, people sell these by the truckload.

I just don’t understand how people eat a burger without the requisite avocado, bacon and cheese....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[asicer]

Ok Boomer.

Actually, I was thinking about Kenji's "ultra smash".
https://www.seriouseats.com/2014/03/the-food-lab-maximize-flavor-by-ultra-smashin.html

 

[NealRomeoGolf]

Whataburger Jalapeño and Cheese burger with a large chocolate shake please.

One of the few things I miss about Texas.

 

[nauga]

In-n-out: Overall my favorite, but it's not for everyone. I also like their grilled cheese as much as their burgers, which makes food-shamers cringe.
Steak&Shake: An acceptable substitute for In-n-out in the midwest. Tastes better at 2am.
Tommyburger: Probably 3rd. Chili burgers for breakfast. Death by noon.
5 Guys: Lots of options, soggy buns.
Freddy's: I had my first Freddy's 'steak'burger last week. Coincidentally, I also had my last Freddy's 'steak'burger last weekend. Decent chicken sandwich tho.

My inlaws used to live around the corner from the original 5 Guys. I liked it back then but something changed in the expansion. If I want a burger with a lot of crap on it I'm going someplace local, not a chain. The Standing Room, in Redondo Beach, was the winner for a long time. Still looking for a surrogate around here.

...and WTF is a butterburger?

Nauga,
with the occasional beetroot

 

[eman1200]

Meh- at any price five guys is genuinely overrated. The burgers are alright but nowhere near raving about.

Inn-n-out is an exercise in freshness and consistency. The best out there? Not by a very long shot, but one location tastes the same as another and if your palate agrees, then inn-n-out hits it out of the park...for a fast food joint.

Why?

Someone reverse engineered it- many have - but apparently part of the magic is a whopping 40% fat content beef chuck patty- Wowzers!


https://aht.seriouseats.com/2010/07...e-an-in-n-out-double-double-animal-style.html

But if you reaaaaaally want to have an over the top burger and make sure the calories are worth the taste, at a chain (and not a fast food chain), yoink yourself a slater’s 50/50 50% bacon and 50% beef burger. Baaaaacon!!!!!

And there’s even a weird burger for that weird child of yours that you’re too embarrassed to claim when you go out: the Peanut Butter and Jelly slater’s burger. I’m saying, from a friend, that the mixture actually works. True, you might get some peanut butter stuck in the roof of your mouth while you eat, but yes, people sell these by the truckload.

I just don’t understand how people eat a burger without the requisite avocado, bacon and cheese....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

are u from or do u live in California?

 

[Ravioli]

I'd pick In-n-Out over 5 guys for two reasons. I don't need/like all the toppings (mushroom, relish, jalapeno, etc) and they don't peel their potatoes for the fries.

I would like to see Tommy's out here, but I get to SoCal often enough to get my fix.

 

[NealRomeoGolf]

...and WTF is a butterburger?

Realizing that may have been rhetorical....

It's a Wisconsin thing. They put butter on their burgers. They like dairy.

 

[schmookeeg]

I am disappointed not to see any smoke shacks from shake shack in the above lists. Possibly the prices are off-putting there, they make five guys look like discount hobo food.