In-N-Out Burger - Best Chain Fast Food Burger Joint?

[3CT_Paddler]

So I saw this article about In-N-Out Burger... http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/co ... 288029.htm and I thought I would ask if anyone had a better fast food burger joint? They kind of remind me of Chik-Fil-A in that they are typically well managed and have great, clean affordable food. When I was in Reno for a couple months I was always amazed at the constant long line outside this place. Apparently managers usually make over $100k and typical workers make $10/hr... . But it shows in how well run they are and I guess they can still make a profit after all of that. I just wish they had a couple of those in the South

[Ricola]

To me their burger patties seem small and dry. Have to have a double patty just to seem like a real burger. I prefer the Carl's Jr Famous Star for a classic burger experience. But agree their business is well run and has an almost cult following.

[Dude2]

Does anybody know if In-n-Out Burger on the West coast is the same as Five Guys on the East coast? The decor inside them both seems similar, as well as, the food offerings.

I have to say that they are both good, regardless, but that red meat will certainly kill you. I say stick with Chick-Fil-A.

[mtl325]

5 guys is my favorite greasy burger. In-n-Out is my favorite non-greasy burger. Two very different animals and impossible to compare.

[chaz]

I like In-n-Out Burger for a fast good burger.

[RJSachs]

My entire self-worth is based on my disdain for fast food, thus I cannot pass up any opportunity to threadcrap. Darn, I wish I had something else going on in my life.

I thought so.

[gravlax]

double double animal style.

[DSInvestor]

double double animal style.

double double animal style with hot peppers.

[JMacDonald]

Hi,
IN-N-OUT is very popular around here. I was at one recently late at night during the week, and place was crowded. Here is another hamburger joint that is also popular: http://www.originaltommys.com/

[Adrian Nenu]

I am not sure that any of the so called fast food hamburgers qualify as real food. Maybe in emergencies.

Invest in one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Manufacturi ... B00002N5ZD

Then go buy some ground chuck from a grocery store or butcher shop. Some will grind it for you while you wait. Use the time to buy whatever you want to add to your burgers.

Get the grill nice & hot (takes about 30-45 minutes), throw some of your favorite wet woodchips (oak, orange, mesquite, etc) on the charcoal for taste and place the burgers:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noshoes/2992816969/

This should be the result if you do your part:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26777958@N05/3070041561/

Works well with steaks and pork chops too:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noshoes/29 ... otostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noshoes/29 ... otostream/

Adrian
anenu@tampabay.rr.com

[chaz]

I am not sure that any of the so called fast food hamburgers qualify as real food. Maybe in emergencies.

Invest in one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Manufacturi ... B00002N5ZD

Then go buy some ground chuck from a grocery store or butcher shop. Some will grind it for you while you wait. Use the time to buy whatever you want to add to your burgers.

Get the grill nice & hot (takes about 30-45 minutes), throw some of your favorite wet woodchips (oak, orange, mesquite, etc) on the charcoal for taste and place the burgers:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noshoes/2992816969/

This should be the result if you do your part:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26777958@N05/3070041561/

Works well with steaks and pork chops too:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noshoes/29 ... otostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noshoes/29 ... otostream/

Adrian
anenu@tampabay.rr.com

I'm impressed with your talent as a chef.

[3CT_Paddler]

I am not sure that any of the so called fast food hamburgers qualify as real food. Maybe in emergencies.

Get the grill nice & hot (takes about 30-45 minutes)

Nice suggestion, but you lost me at 30-45 minutes I don't eat fast food very much (once a week maybe) but their burgers are better than most. Five Guys is pretty good, but I don't really think about it is fast food (the local one does not have a drive thru). I do love to grill a good burger from time to time, but sometimes if I am on the go fast food is the only option.

[BigFoot48]

We finally got an In-n-Out in Tucson. I have all their locations in my GPS for when we're traveling. Low prices and fresh fries!

[simplesimon]

I go to In 'n Out occasionally. I refuse to eat McDonald's (about 6 years and counting). Fuddruckers and Fatburger are pretty similar but there aren't any Fatburgers in Northern California.

[sscritic]

I am not sure that any of the so called fast food hamburgers qualify as real food. Maybe in emergencies.

Invest in one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Manufacturi ... B00002N5ZD

Then go buy some ground chuck from a grocery store or butcher shop. Some will grind it for you while you wait. Use the time to buy whatever you want to add to your burgers.

Get the grill nice & hot (takes about 30-45 minutes), throw some of your favorite wet woodchips (oak, orange, mesquite, etc) on the charcoal for taste and place the burgers:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noshoes/2992816969/

This should be the result if you do your part:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26777958@N05/3070041561/

Works well with steaks and pork chops too:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noshoes/29 ... otostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noshoes/29 ... otostream/

Adrian
anenu@tampabay.rr.com

In that amount of time, you could have changed your oil twice.

[kcyahoo]

Put a medium t-bone steak on a plate/paper towel, cover with paper towel, put in microwave oven for 3 minutes, eat.

[kpanghmc]

Their burgers may be great, but their fries are absolutely horrible. I know that there are some who swear by them, but for me, they taste awful.

[curly lambeau]

In-N-Out is not the same as 5 Guys.

I don't know who is the "best", but Fatburger and Culver's are also very good.

All of these places make their food to order.

[DA]

Yep, In-N-Out gets my vote for best fast food burger joint. I treat myself whenever I'm in Nevada, Calfornia or Arizona, which isn't often enough.

It's a great burger, and the young folks behind the counter are alert, courteous and professional, as opposed to the mouth breathers at McDonalds.

Double Double
Extra Toast
Add Grilled Onions
Fries well done

YUM!

[gkaplan]

White Castle

[lippy]

+1 Culver's

[Tall Grass]

These days I believe Freddy's Custard and Steak Burgers and Winstead's (Kansas City) are probably my favorite "fast-food" burger places. Great seasoned "skinny" fries from both...

When I used to live in Oklahoma in the 70's, I thought What-A-Burger's were pretty darn good as well; and the friendliest help I ever came across.

I cannot take the typical "ambiance" at McDonald's anymore, I remember when they had excellent employees back in the 60's, and fresh cut fries everyday!

But normally, if I want a great burger I make it myself, or go to one of the several great independent burger places here in Wichita, including The Oasis Lounge (previously featured in both "Playboy" and "The Wall Street Journal" as one of the best hamburgers in America), Ty's Diner (don't be in a hurry, great monster-size hand-cut fries), and The Annex Lounge (no fries...only chips).

I admit to never having eaten at an In 'N Out, so no clue...

[SoonerSunDevil]

In-N-Out Burger is the most overrated burger joint ever. Super small patties, fries with little to no seasoning, and the so-called "animal style" fries have enough junk on them to cause an elephant to get heartburn.

Whataburger blows away In-N-Out Burger for the best fast-food chain burger. It's not even close.

[stratton]

If you're in the Seattle area Kidd Valley and Burgermaster.

Paul

[bluto]

Put a medium t-bone steak on a plate/paper towel, cover with paper towel, put in microwave oven for 3 minutes, eat.

Oh, you poor thing...

[murfields]

We have tried many Hamburger fast food in Arizona and California and our home cooked self ground sirloin hamburger is our preferred choice. On our shopping trips to Costco "In and Out" is a good choice with triple layers of tomatoes and no onion when requested for $5.00 and you can't beat it for a fast food delivery. The best hamburger in all of Phoenix is Huston; with a house salad and a coke that cost $22 for one; $12 for their 1/2 lb specialty ground sirloin hamburger. That's when you know that "In and Out" burger is a bargain. At Culver's last night for our first time their butter burger was different but not worth nearly twice the amount. No next time is scheduled.

Murfield

[fishndoc]

5 guys is my favorite greasy burger. In-n-Out is my favorite non-greasy burger. Two very different animals and impossible to compare.

A NON-GREASY hamburger???? Sacreligous.

Seriously Paddler, it's not a chain, but if you are a burger lover, next time you are in Atlanta, try Ann's Snack Bar on Memorial Drive - it was voted the best Hamburger in the US by Wallstreet Journal (don't ask me what they know about burgers).

Here is a description of her most ordered offering:
"try Ann Price’s Ghetto Burger. Each burger has two beef patties that can be topped with anything form bacon, chili, cheese or slaw (slaw-topped burgers are called “Hood Burgers”)"

Wayne

[Allan]

Whataburger blows away In-N-Out Burger for the best fast-food chain burger. It's not even close.

I totally agree. For being "fast-food" Whataburger is pretty darn good.

Allan

[steve88]

So I saw this article about In-N-Out Burger... http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/co ... 288029.htm and I thought I would ask if anyone had a better fast food burger joint? They kind of remind me of Chik-Fil-A in that they are typically well managed and have great, clean affordable food. When I was in Reno for a couple months I was always amazed at the constant long line outside this place. Apparently managers usually make over $100k and typical workers make $10/hr... . But it shows in how well run they are and I guess they can still make a profit after all of that. I just wish they had a couple of those in the South

which place the mgr makes the 100k? chik fila or in n out

[sscritic]

So I saw this article about In-N-Out Burger... http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/co ... 288029.htm and I thought I would ask if anyone had a better fast food burger joint? They kind of remind me of Chik-Fil-A in that they are typically well managed and have great, clean affordable food. When I was in Reno for a couple months I was always amazed at the constant long line outside this place. Apparently managers usually make over $100k and typical workers make $10/hr... . But it shows in how well run they are and I guess they can still make a profit after all of that. I just wish they had a couple of those in the South

which place the mgr makes the 100k? chik fila or in n out

Too hard to click on a link and spend two minutes reading? It must have taken you almost as long to quote the previous post, write your post, and click on submit. Of course, you saved time by not bothering to preview what you wrote.

[steve88]

So I saw this article about In-N-Out Burger... http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/co ... 288029.htm and I thought I would ask if anyone had a better fast food burger joint? They kind of remind me of Chik-Fil-A in that they are typically well managed and have great, clean affordable food. When I was in Reno for a couple months I was always amazed at the constant long line outside this place. Apparently managers usually make over $100k and typical workers make $10/hr... . But it shows in how well run they are and I guess they can still make a profit after all of that. I just wish they had a couple of those in the South

which place the mgr makes the 100k? chik fila or in n out

Too hard to click on a link and spend two minutes reading? It must have taken you almost as long to quote the previous post, write your post, and click on submit. Of course, you saved time by not bothering to preview what you wrote.

thanks, I didn't know it was on the link.

[Christine_NM]

Pity on you all, you don't have Blake's Lotaburger. There are 76 in NM and it's better by far than the nationals. Fresh juicy burger, fresh lettuce, tomato, etc. etc. Never cooked and wrapped before you order it.

If you find yourself in NM, give it a try. You may never leave.

[SP-diceman]

I think age has a lot to do with your burger tastes.

When I was in my late teens.
Every time I went into Burger King I ordered two Whoppers and sides.
Every time I went into McDonalds I ordered two Big Macs and sides.

Now all the last times I've been in there. I've ordered
the grilled chicken sandwiches and salads.

When you get older you start worrying about what goes inside you.

(the 30 days movie didn't help either)

Thanks
SP-diceman

[twacapt]

I first ate a hamburger at Winsteads on the Plaza in Kansas City in 1960. They're still the greatest. However, since they are some 300 miles away, I'll vote for Culvers.

I get a kick out of these people who think the rest of us should never, ever eat any red meat. My father and mother never went a day in their life but what they had a meal with beef or pork. My Dad lived to be 98 and Mom to 97.

[Gekko]

i rarely eat them but my favorite burger is the Chili's Bacon Cheeseburger with Fries.

[Jake46]

I loved Whataburger when I lived in Texas. Fresh and cooked to order. Moved to Colorado and miss it terribly. Five Guys and Smashburger are the best here.

[heyyou]

capt,
As posted in a different thread, if they hadn't eaten all that red meat, they might have lived ten years longer.

[Pacific]

#1 Club La Booche (or just "Booches") -- Columbia, MO

#2 Steak 'n Shake and Winstead's -- midwest and southeast

#3 In-n-Out Burger -- west

[White Coat Investor]

So I saw this article about In-N-Out Burger... http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/co ... 288029.htm and I thought I would ask if anyone had a better fast food burger joint? They kind of remind me of Chik-Fil-A in that they are typically well managed and have great, clean affordable food. When I was in Reno for a couple months I was always amazed at the constant long line outside this place. Apparently managers usually make over $100k and typical workers make $10/hr... . But it shows in how well run they are and I guess they can still make a profit after all of that. I just wish they had a couple of those in the South

You had to read about In N Out in Businessweek?

[cgold]

In N Out Burger is great but my favorite from my SoCal days was Fat Burger. Just saying the name makes me salivate. Mmmm....

[steve88]

In N Out Burger is great but my favorite from my SoCal days was Fat Burger. Just saying the name makes me salivate. Mmmm....

fatburger just filed for bankruptcy

[bluto]

The only local alternative to DIY is MosBurger, which is a pathetic little piece of near-beef, or McDonalds.

Neither one is going to help me now that I've read this thread (twice) and am REALLY jonesing for a great burger. Damn you, Boglegeads!!

[sscritic]

fatburger just filed for bankruptcy

Not quite.

Two subsidiaries of California burger joint Fatburger Corp. slid into bankruptcy this week, seeking a way to break leases at unprofitable stores.

Fatburger Restaurants of California Inc. and Fatburger Restaurants of Nevada Inc., both filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San Fernando, Calif. The companies operate 32 locations in those states.

The parent company, which also has 90 franchised restaurants in 14 states and three foreign countries, is not part of the bankruptcy filing.

[epicink]

In-and-out is good, but Dick's in Seattle is just as good -- and dare I say better??

[Milo]

Best fast food burger I've ever had: Culver's Double Butterburger w/cheese served with crinkle cut fries.

Man, that picture of the Chili's burger made me hungry.

[p14175]

X2 on Carl's Jr. I really like the bacon quacamole burger.

There's a local place called Giant Hamburgers (Mesa, Az) which is also at the top of my list.

[J-e-L-L-o]

Whataburger blows away In-N-Out Burger for the best fast-food chain burger. It's not even close.

I totally agree. For being "fast-food" Whataburger is pretty darn good.

Allan

I agree..but as far as taste I think its a toss-up. I cant remember the tastes when I go home to florida. I hattttteeeee waiting at in and out and typically go somewhere else when the line is long. But it is good and hits the spot.

Fatburger is the bomb too in So-Cal. Ice Cube even talks bout in his song "Today was a good day"

[3CT_Paddler]

5 guys is my favorite greasy burger. In-n-Out is my favorite non-greasy burger. Two very different animals and impossible to compare.

A NON-GREASY hamburger???? Sacreligous.

Seriously Paddler, it's not a chain, but if you are a burger lover, next time you are in Atlanta, try Ann's Snack Bar on Memorial Drive - it was voted the best Hamburger in the US by Wallstreet Journal (don't ask me what they know about burgers).

Here is a description of her most ordered offering:
"try Ann Price’s Ghetto Burger. Each burger has two beef patties that can be topped with anything form bacon, chili, cheese or slaw (slaw-topped burgers are called “Hood Burgers”)"

Wayne

Thanks Wayne! I wil have to check that out some time.

[harland]

5 guys is my favorite greasy burger. In-n-Out is my favorite non-greasy burger. Two very different animals and impossible to compare.

I cast my vote for Five Guys. I've eaten at an In-N-Out too, but I think Five Guys has them beat.

[stratton]

In-and-out is good, but Dick's in Seattle is just as good -- and dare I say better??

Dicks is a local institution, but I haven't been there since there are none near me. Maybe I should do a "report."

There's a couple Fatburgers around here I forgot about. I've eaten at them a couple of times and they were pretty decent. The one I keep going back to is Kidd Valley. Love the deap-fried mushrooms.

Paul