Posted on 04/20/2021 12:53:19 PM PDT by mylife
Takeout contributor Danny Palumbo recently wrote about how the fries at beloved West coast burger chain In-N-Out are very bad. Those are his words, not mine. These are now my words, not his: The fries at In-N-Out are bad. I still eat them, though, usually animal-style (mostly out of novelty, and yes, I know, I know, the fries get weird when the cheese starts cooling off, but I’m well aware of what I’m getting into).
I get the obsession with In-N-Out. The burgers are awesome, and I love my Double-Doubles, animal-style. If I’m in an area that has an In-N-Out, I’ll stop bye, It’s a solid place. But there are great burger places a lot closer to home, too, and I started to wonder: does the Midwest have a spiritual analogue to In-N-Out, something we can only get here, and which is special to us in the same way as Californians embrace In-N-Out? After doing some soul-searching I came to a conclusion. The answer is yes: We’ve got Culver’s.
Now, people often feel the need to compare In-N-Out with Shake Shack. This seems like an unnecessary, played-out, coastal ego war. Shake Shack is great too, but it’s brutally expensive. At the location nearest to me, a double Shackburger, fries, and shake, plus tax, costs around $20. Bye!
By the numbers, Culver’s has the bigger spread, by a long shot. In-N-Out currently has 358 locations in 7 states. Culver’s website indicates 796 locations (as of April 2021) in 25 states, The two states with the most Culver’s locations by far are Wisconsin (where it was founded) with 142 outlets and Illinois with 122. There are four lucky states that get to enjoy both In-N-Out and Culver’s: Utah, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado, for those who want to do a side-by-side comparison.
(Excerpt) Read more at thetakeout.com ...
I was in Dallas a couple years ago and tried In-n-Out for the first time. I don’t see the hubbub.
I had Culver’s a few weeks ago. They put a new one in down town. I think that’s the place they use the thin patties. Had a double with cheese. Was ok. Wendy’s is cheaper and about as good.
Funny how subjective burgers are. Havent been to Culver’s in over 10 years since I moved away from the midwest to TX. They were the best back then with cheddar butterburgers and crinkle cut fries. In n out sucks, both burgers and fries. Shake Shack is probably the best and I dont care about cost since I dont eat them every day.
Love Culver’s! We live about 4 blocks from one. I now make my burgers with the butter buns too. lol
Their cheese curds are wonderful. I prefer them over fries. The shakes are to die for and you can buy pints of the custard to take home. It is a place for much more than burgers, although, I do love a fresh butterburger. If I am ill, I want their soup. :)
My son’s first job was there when he was 14. He is still grateful for that opportunity!
I think I went to an In and Out Burger at some point. Much like any other chain.
limp oily fries suck.
Two different kinds of operations. In ‘n’ Out has a limited menu, aggressively priced, including fresh fries, good quality patties (though small, by design, you have to get at LEAST a double).
Culver’s has a full menu (chicken, fish, salads, veggie sides), charges more, and has superior frozen desserts (custard based).
Both have superior, efficient staffs in my experience. In ‘n Out is faster, but Culver’s is faster than others in its bracket (e.g. Steak ‘n Shake, Freddies)
I worked in the Bay Area all 2016 into early 2017. I lived near the Nations in Hayward. I liked the burgers but the pies were my favorite. Delicious!
Interesting.
Every time I get the crispy chicken sandwich at Culvers it’s very good.
Hands down best fast food chicken sandwich.
Usually their burgers are very good if they are seared right but once in awhile they are just blah.
I finally went there on rampart a couple years ago
Not impressed. Tomboy’s in the South Nay is much better for chili burgers.
I like Five Guys burgers, but hate how loud and noisy it is inside. I don’t like all this rock and roll. They play it too darn loud.
I have never been to Culvers. The appeal of In-N-out, at least to me, is that the burger arrives hot off the grill and the lettuce/tomato/onion is still chilled. So it feels/tastes fresh compared to the other brands (BK/McD/etc) where the burger and fixings may have been setting on a hot shelf for up to 5 or 10 minutes before you get it. Also, the In-N-Out burgers are not pricey.
But to be honest, where I am at now, they just introduced In-N-Out in the last year or so and they are almost always packed. No burger is worth sitting in the car line for an hour.
I look forward to eating at Nation's when I'm in the Bay Area.
Oh no there are many things to fix with fries. For one thing there are many different types of potatoes each with their own flavor. Peel vs don’t (I generally prefer don’t). And different oils.
Big fan of In-N-Out...Always at least once whenever in Las Vegas or West Coast...Waiting for a new Colorado location near me...
Current favorite is Freddy’s Steakburger...
Wow! - i haven't heard of Tommys for long long time. Super good. The one out near Van Nuys airport was very close to magic at the Beverly location.
No In and Outs in Florida so its Culver's or nothing. Regrettable fries.
The only thing better than peanut oil is duck fat!
5 Guys is OK, but a meal for two costs $87.50.
That's my complaint about a lot of eating places these days. Young people must like to eat to the tune of deafeningly loud music, but I prefer a restaurant where I can converse with my tablemates without having to shout.
>> Whataburger<<
Go there if you want paper thin tasteless patties that they “fix” by slathering tons of junk on top. And what they call “Texas Toast” is just slightly toasted Wonder Bread.
Worst burgers ever.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.