Posted on 07/05/2012 2:02:47 PM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie
That was a good question, but I didn’t have an answer. I could only shrug. I grew up on Whataburgers so I could authoritatively rule them great but Five Guys better. Ditto for Sonic, despite its unstoppable cherry limeade. We all have our local haunts that can’t be topped. Around Austin, that’s Mighty Fine. Up in Baltimore, Burger Bros. is amazing and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Every town has its own best burger. But among the big chains that inspire fanatic loyalty, which is the best?
Overall Taste. Let me note for the record that both In-N-Out and Five Guys offer exceptionally great burgers and both deserve their cult status. Having tasted both, I understand the fierce loyalty that both inspire. In-N-Out is a fine homestyle burger that can be augmented with sauces and veggies and stacked a zillion ways to make it your burger. Five Guys can bring the heat or whatever taste suits you. In-N-Out is the cleaner burger and its wrap makes it the obvious choice if you’re eating on the go. But Five Guys brings a burger that is juicy to the extreme, so much so that you need half a dozen napkins at hand just to keep yourself clean as you bite through it. I prefer the juicier approach, so for me, the east coast approach is the way to go and Five Guys wins on taste. Its burger is simply juicer and tastier than In-N-Out.
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
I call shenanigans because there was no mention of In-N-Out 'Animal Style' insider options.
As a midwesterner who has sampled In-N-Out in Arizona, I’m thinking it’s like Coors beer was in the early 70s.
Since it wasn’t available here, it had cult status.
Once it went retail, it was just another beer on the shelves.
Have only eaten In & Out burgers, so can’t compare but sure wish we had them in the Midwest, then MC Ds customers would know what a real fried burger is supposed to taste like. Also love their fresh cut fries.
In Houston, go to Beck’s Prime and order it medium rare. The only thing that will make you happier is oblablah losing all 57 states...
Five Guys blows (and is VERY expensive). In-N-Out is excellent, probably my overall favorite, but Whataburger is very good as well. WB still sells excellent fried pies, unlike those inedible baked frisbees they try to pawn off on you at McD’s.
In Austin I’ve always thought ShortStop has the best ‘commercial’ burgers. Especially if you’re thinking $3 for a burger rather than $6-7.
Having eaten at both, I vote for Five Guys. They give a much tastier burger.
Five Guys is one of the worst burgers I have ever had. And Sonic is a very close second for worst burgers. I realize this is a very subjective subject, just my two cents worth.
I just finished an in n out. They built a 5 guys in town about 2 years ago. I have been to it maybe 4 time and one in arizona. 5 guys is a decent burger, but in terms of value, I think In n out takes it. Every time I have gone to 5 guys I have had to look at my receipt to see “why was it so expensive ??? “ that has happened every time. For example I just got 2 2x2s , 1 3x3, 1 4x4 2 fries and 2 large jumbo drinks at in n out for about 22 bucks. I know that if I bought the same at 5 guys it would be pushing over 30. I do not think the burger at 5 guys is as satisfying of a burger as an in n out...
When I do In & Out it is always on a road trip. (We don’t have one locally.) I like it because it is not so juicy. Nothing like driving and having burger juices all over your blouse.
I disagree. In-N-Out burgers are consistently outstanding with every burger I’ve ever had served fresh and hot with the toasted side of the bun (facing the burger patty) still crunchy when I bite into it. Their fries are also outstanding.
Granted, there’s a lot of artisan burgers I’ve had that are better (and some not) but as far as a chain goes, In-N-Out is the best I’ve ever had.
From the comments on this thread, my conclusion is taste is in the mouth of the beholder.....
The absolutely very best Burgers in the Philly, South Jersey and Allentown Area are at P.J. Whelihans! and their Wings are to die for! Just a great chain owned and run by a great man and Chef, Bob Platzer! I have no financial interest in P.J. Whelihans, but just have invested in a mountain of their Burgers, Wings and a few of their 50 something Beers on tap!
Five Guys rocks. Great tasting burgers, fries with Old Bay. Off my diet these days, unfortunately
Never seen an In-N-Out, so I can’t compare it with Five Guys, at which I’ve eaten several times. Delicious, but “juicy” translates to greasy if it cools off a bit.
I confess I have not eaten an Eastern burger, that being said I give the palm to In-and-Out. In addition, their personnel gives one confidence that they have not spit in your food!
Oh, for the joy of the old Bun ‘n Burger - a New York City staple in the 70s and 80s...
More research, by me, is needed. Much more.
Yep! I am a Burger Specialist, and every time I have tried to consume a 5 Guys Burger, I literally almost drowned in grease! and it’s just a slocky place with help that treats everyone like a pile of horse manure. They make Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi look like Mr. Nice! Just my opinion!
I miss In-N-Out.
I miss Fuddruckers.
I miss Whattaburger.
These days if I want a good burger, I have to fire up the grill.
Home made burger buns. Red Robin seasoning...
NOMS!
I’m concerned about size also with 3 5 Guy’s coming to our market. I’ll give them one, maybe 2 chances.
Agreed. Five Guys is TERRIBLE! Just a big glob of fat.
I like whataburger far better than Five Guys. In ‘n out is tremendous.
Don’t have I&O here in Ga. Had a 5g for lunch.
A good burger but pricy very pricy.
The best I ever had was Seven Steers but
they are no more.
Fudruckers. There is NOT a better hamburger - unless I make it.
And I use seasonings that some might not appreciate.
The cook was a 70-year-old man who recently had both hips replaced. He was standing at the grill over his walker. He ran a smoked barbecue joint out of a metal building for the last 25 years. I asked him what his secret was and he said "1/2 lb. apiece. Grill them fast to medium rare, flipping them once. Don't put anything on or in them until they get to the table and take big bites."
I ate 3 of them.
Beef was fresh generic 85% lean.
She eats that with a knife and a fork? No class. No wonder her ankles look like hams.
She probably has the new At Home Do It Yourself Liposuction Master.
Coors tasted great at the Brewery in the 70’s, and it was free.
Fudruckers is horrible and way overpriced.
Would rather eat two BK double cheeseburgers, for a total of $2.98.
Fudruckers is horrible and way overpriced.
Would rather eat two BK double cheeseburgers, for a total of $2.98.
Never had 5 guys so can’t comment. I love Whataburger for a fast food burger, for a more expensive and less fast I absolutely think “Smashburger” is the best I’ve ever had but they are pretty rare in our area.
My son's favorite burgers come from a chain in the Rochester, NY area...Bill Gray's. Their hotdogs, both red and white are excellent too. We only get them when we're back that way. In my opinion, I can make a better tasting burger at home than what I got from Five Guys. Won't be going back there.
Last time -- I think it was last time -- I was in Las Cruces (NM) I had one.
There's also a Blake's Lottabuger which has excellent beef and a burger topped w/ delicious green chile.
No In-N-Out here in the south but I LOVE their burgers when I’m out west.
Five Guys can can be tough sometimes. But they do give you half of Idaho when you order a small fry!
My wife and I loved Ike’s Korner Grill in Spartanburg, SC.
Yes, it costs too much. But you can’t get a medium rare burger at BK - though the charbroiling is nice...
I’d say the best chains here and internationally:
1. In and Out
2. Tommy’s Burger
3. Mos Burger
4. Whataburger
5. Umami Burger
But 5 Guys used peanut oil for it’s fries not that sh*tty canola oil.
Fuddrucker’s is hard to beeat. Unfortunately, they’re almost gone from California—the only one I know of is in Buena Park.
In’N Out 3x3 with pickles and well done fries FTW!!! :-d)
+1 for Beck’s Prime in Houston. Might be the best burger ever. Spendy, though. In-n-Out was good, now just okay. Love me some 5 Guys (all the way), but they do tend to messy. Best fries IMO. Steakburger from Freddy’s is pretty good, also, but their fries are not the best. My all time favorite: Del Taco’s Double Del Cheeseburger....I know, I know....
Your mileage may vary.
Agreed, I enjoy burgers from all the major chains, and think they are all very good, but there was nothing like Fudruckers. Unfortunately, they seem to have closed down, at least here in southern florida.
42 posts as I post this, and not a single mention of Red Robin. Disappointing.
We recently had In-N-Out’s come to the DFW area, and after waiting in a long line ordered an animal style burger. It wasn’t bad, but I felt cheated because it certainly didn’t live up to the hype.
Ate at a 5 guys in Flagstaff recently, and again, it was a decent burger that didn’t live up to the hype.
I’ve never seen a Whataburger or a 5 Guys. My daughter and I don’t get fast food often, but we do argue whether to get Sonic or In-And-Out. I love I-A-O’s protein style, lettuce wrapped burger (and knowing about their secret menu.) We discovered Sonic on a road trip. We loved the flavor, and a Jr. Delux for $1 is perfect for me. Sadly, I’ve found there is quite a bit of variation between stores as to quality. My local Sonic never seems to be able to serve an at least semi warm burger. It’s very disappointing. The one we used to be near we could barely ignore the temptation to pull in when we passed it.
In B’ham there’s a burger joint called Hamburger Heaven. There are a couple here and I know they franchaised for a time but I’ve never seen them anywhere else. Great burgers, shakes and fries.
As far as Five Guys I’ve been a couple of times. Liked them but I about stroked out at the cost. There “default” order to a cheeseburger and fries is apparently enough fries to feed the 1st battalion. You have to ask for a half order or some such and that’s like 2 dollars less.
What do ya’ll think about Johnny Rockets?
Fast food burgers? Yuck. Personally, I can’t tell them apart. They’re all bad.
You could always go to a five-star restaurant and order a burger. You’d be sure to get something that would knock your socks off. But ordering a burger at a five-star restaurant is a waste of a good night out. Who would do it when you can order other things on the menu that are ten times better than any burger, no matter how well it’s made?
No, homemade is the best way to go when it comes to burgers, imo. Just Google “award winning hamburger recipes” and use the best, freshest ingredients money can buy and your burger cravings will be satisfied.
I am Pavlov's dog.
Five Guys is good, but very expensive for what you get. OTOH, their regular order of fries is enough for two.
In-N-Out has been great every time I’ve had it, and NOBODY can beat their french fries! I occasionally sample items off the “secret” menu, which is possibly the worst-kept secret in the restaurant biz.
“42 posts as I post this, and not a single mention of Red Robin. Disappointing.”
After seeing their commercials, I had no desire to try them. Their burgers look bigger than what I could possibly eat, expensive, and I could probably make one at home I’d like better.
I might have to give Smashburger a try as we have a knew one. I didn’t realize it was a chain. I’ve heard good things about it before about being a really good burger.
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