All the comments about the fries are spot on, but we do really like the burgers especially using the "secret menu" options to order. We order them "animal style" with raw onions (default is grilled). No fires or drinks, as we drive a few hundred yards towards home, go through McDonalds and get fries. Best of both worlds! Takes 15 minutes through both drive-throughs and then home (another 1/4 mile). 1st world problem solved!
-
-
I eat burgers often when we are out and about. I don’t remember ever seeing an IN-N-OUT. My favorites are, Chili’s old timer burger and fries, What a Burger double with fries, Burger King Texas double whopper with fries. I love cheese but don’t want it on my burger. Other wise I want lettuce, tomato, pickles, and raw onion with mustard.Comment
-
I am guessing for in-and-out, it’s a nostalgia thing. And yes, the fries are the worst. If BF absolutely, positively has to get his double double on, I will go. No onions, because they make everything taste burnt. Fries well done only make them crunchier crappy fries. All the “sauce” in the world can’t save them. I’d rather have a can of Pic-Nik.
and a chocolate shake.
growing up it was either Burger King or Wendy’s. As for local (Chicago) portillos. Now that I can get that here, so I’m good. And the fries rock! The local diner/char-broiler will also do in a pinch. We also have 5 Guys and The Habit. I agree with topping overload feelings.
I will stand by and fight with au4stree on that mountain!Comment
-
I remember BK in the ‘70s. We would drive 45 minutes from the South Hills of Allegheny County to North Versailles (after getting a good case of munch) to get those huge cheeseburgers that stuck out from the buns; gotta get the add-on pack of relish, the burgers came with everything but!
Now BK sucks. I could walk to BK from my house, I drive past it several times a day (if I go out that day). Nope.
The closest we have to a quality fast food burger is Five Guys. It’s… okay. The fries are… plentiful? I guess that’s the best way to say that you certainly get enough of something that is an afterthought. I do like being able to order a cheeseburger with LTMO and 3x jalapeños. But the burgers themselves are just burgers, not worth… just a sec, I’m going to look it up… NINE FREAKIN’ DOLLARS AND THIRTY NINE CENTS EACH!!!! Holy heck. Add $5.79 for fries, $3.09 for a small soda, and (switch to calculator app for a sec) that’s $18.27! Add $1.10 for Billy Penn’s share and you’re barely getting change for a sawbuck! No, thanks.Comment
-
The first time I ate at a 5 Guys I was shocked at how much french fries they give you! It is a total waste unless you get an order for 4 people. I had to just throw away probably 3/4 of what I got. -
That’s crazy! I know I’m old but I remember this. In 1968 at the Dairy Lane across the street from our high school you could get a full sized burger for 25 cents, an order of fries for 15 cents and a coke for 10 cents. That is 50 cents for lunch. Times have changed. I remember mom getting a new Chevy Impala SS fast back in 1968 for $3,800. I also remember I was building barbed wire fence for a neighbor for $1.00 an hour.
-
-
We have a Carl’s Jr, BK, Wendy’s, McDonalds, 5 Guys, Culver’s, In-N-Out, Smashburger, Goodtimes, and Whattaburher is coming. This doesn’t include the scattering of smaller independent places. They all taste the same to me: good… enough. I don’t seem to have the ability to tell a difference. They all fail somehow at different times be it bun, patty, cheese, toppings, condiments or sides. I keep trying to see if I get lucky and order during the time the A-Shift is working. I haven’t found me a “great” burger besides the one I make for myself. It likely doesn’t really taste different; it’s just mine. Which is what I’m guessing some of those business models are based on?Comment
-
Mosca I remember when the BK located near my college campus. There were two choices, a Wopper or a Whaler (Which at the time was lots better than McDonald’s fish sandwich), fries and a drink. I remember that they based the number of burgers they cooked on their statics of sales. The flame charred burgers were on conveyer belt. People ate at predictable times so they could predict how much of what to prepare. Fast food was fast. I think it tasted better, too. McDonald’s fries were the best, because they were fried in beef fat.Comment
-
Ditto on the in and out mid burger and fries. The price is the reason and it’s not a good reason since the wait line is way too long.
we typically go to Culver’s or Habit if we’re getting a burger. Sometimes we’ll go to 5 guys and split fries. Smashburger near us used to be good but fell off recently then closed.Comment
-
Is 5 guys the one that is red and white (much like in and out) and has peanuts everywhere? Like, cases of peanuts to define the ordering queue? One of my dear friends won’t even set foot in one because of the kids peanut allergy.Comment
-
IMO.....Pretty difficult to beat What-A-Burger in burgers or breakfast sandwiches.Comment
-
Well, this Californian has something to say about In-n-Out.
Ready?
They are quite possibly THE most overrated restaurant in America.
Their bland fries have never been close to a salt shaker, let alone had one used on them. And the burgers are mediocre at best. I never have understood the hype. Perhaps it’s a nostalgia thing? But that doesn’t really explain why younger people would go…except that it’s cheap. But cheap certainly doesn’t mean good. And the lines are crazy. O_o My time is worth more than that. And …the patties are ridiculously thin…I’m not convinced they don’t come off some sort of meat printer. LOL
My Mum wanted to stop by one day when we were out…I said that I would rather not. “There’s no meat.” She advised that I get a “double double.” I told her that I thought it was stupid to order a DOUBLE just to get the equivalent of a single patty at most places. I took her to lunch elsewhere instead. They’re not “terrible” but I certainly wouldn’t wait in their lines for the experience.
We have much better choices. That said, I rarely eat fast food burgers…because most of them leave me wanting. 5 Guys make a decent burger…and their fries are good. But one order of fries is usually enough to two. Still, if I want a burger…I’ll just fire up the grill or griddle.Comment
-
surfdog Crazy lines? Wow, what’s wrong with those people? 😂 I went there at 11:30 am and there were maybe 6 people in the whole place and NO line, I walked straight up to the counter and ordered. When I left about 20 minutes later there was still maybe 6 customers there.Last edited by Panhead John; January 20, 2025, 02:07 PM. -
GolfGeezer fat burger is still around. At least one location. We drive past one in Buena Park on the way to portillos. -
SheilaAnn Wow, learn something everyday! Looks like there are a number of Fatburger franchises still operating. One in Long Beach on Cherry, another in Escondido - about 30 of them throughout SoCal.
-
-
Whataburger made a glorious but brief appearance in Central Florida about 10 years ago. Then they pulled up shop and disappeared leaving only one store in south Jacksonville and a smattering in the panhandle. I believe I read that they tried to expand too far too fast and had to pull back. I miss them. We did get a 5 Guys but it's a ghost town.Comment
-
It’s funny how certain communities will either embrace a new (to them) concept or not. Coming from the corporate restaurant world, it also has to do with management and the disconnect that is created by distance and that includes being at the mercy of local suppliers. -
We have a bunch of burger places in Kernersville. Got a Five Guys about a year or two ago. It isn't ever busy. Just too expensive when there are so many other options within close proximity.
-
-
I don't get it either. There is one in Keizer, OR just off of I5, a little over 35 miles away from us.
It is always packed with lines of cars waiting for the drive-through.
We drive past it.
We refer to it as Flippit Burger, (?).
Comment
-
We live near two In-n-Outs and never go to them. But we often stop at them when driving between Southern and Northern California. They have the best bathrooms, the places are very clean and the service is quick. Oh the food? Protein burger (on lettice) is pretty good. Agree that the fires are not close to McDonalds, but they are passable.Comment
-
It’s all about where you grew up. As a SoCal native In-N-Out has been a part of life as long as I can remember.
Yes, their fries suck…but can be improved by ordering them well done for more crunch. You can also get them animal style, which adds melted cheese, spread, and grilled onions on top.
And your double double isn’t complete without making it animal style too…adds grilled onions, fried mustard on the patty, extra sauce, and pickles. My double double also has extra fried mustard, chopped chilis, and whole raw onion (in addition to the grilled onions that come with animal style).
Beats whataburger every day of the week for this California boy.
This story always seems to be exactly 180° different for Texas natives.
Glad we have both! (As well as all the other great regional chains!)Comment
-
Santamarina we don’t got what a-burger. Or am I missing something? -
You’re on track…we don’t have them here. But I’ve had them in other states. -
I’ve seen several comments about the fries can be improved by ordering them well done or extra frying time…if it improves them, why don’t they just do it that way all the time? There’s way too many people I’ve seen, not just here, who hate the fries. I just don’t understand why they’re so popular, having crappy fries like those are. That’s half your meal when you go out for a burger.
-
-
I am as equally confused with the reference to "In-N-Out Burger" as I am to '"new car purchase". What's your secret to these astounding successes in life, PJ?
Side note: obviously I've never been to that burger chain but when I finally tried a Five Guys that everyone on earth raves about I was equally as unimpressed with them as you are here. I honestly think Wendy's is far better.Comment
-
Huskee I judge not those who patronize. It was a goto for me when I worked. Quick McDonald's lunch. My wife and I were Wendy's regulars. I/we decided there are better options. Local restaurants who have pick up and delivery and cook your own. Surpasses any fast food burger IMO. As a famous pair once said "Cheeseburger Cheeseburger Cheeseburger ".
-
Comment