Poll

Best burger & fries?

This poll has expired. Voting is no longer possible.
50 votes were received.

5 Guys	11		22%
In-N-Out	23		46%
other	16		32%

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Being an east-coaster I have frequented 5 Guys for their excellent burgers and fries. Upon visiting the western United States this weekend I had the opportunity to try the highly touted In-N-Out Burger establishment for the first time. Suffice it to say it will be the last not only since I returned home to the east coast but also because I found the food to be highly disappointing.

I should not assume this to be the case with all the restaurants in their chain, but the one I visited in Las Vegas was serving fries that tasted like they had been made yesterday, fried, left out all night, re-fried the next day and then left out to cool before serving. The milkshake was good, not the best I've ever had but something you just cannot get at a 5 Guys. The burger itself: a "double double" with onion, was simply uninspired. Not very juicy or particularly flavorful, but not unappetizing or especially disagreeable at the same time. I had high hopes for the meal, I really tried to like it, I was even pretty hungry and am generally easily satisfied but I will not be returning to In-N-Out anytime soon.

For those who have been to both 5 Guys and In-N-Out, which did you feel was the better meal?

I know there are some big fans of In-N-Out on the forum, so let's hear it. I am willing to accept this as an isolated incident, but the tarnish is already formed.

Had both, impressed by neither, but 5 guys sucked more.

Not a huge fan of fast food burgers to begin with, but I generally find In-N-Out to be better than most. Especially the fries- every time I've been there they've been absolutely fresh- fresh cut, fresh washed, fresh cooked.

I'm from the east (many years ago) but am unfamiliar with 5 Guys.

I've eaten at both many times. After 5 Guys I feel kinda ill - probably too many fries. I also feel like I need a shower. I usually leave 5 Guys thinking "I can't ever eat here again". I leave In n Out wanting to return ASAP.

Whataburger.

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troywellbuilt
I've eaten at both many times. After 5 Guys I feel kinda ill - probably too many fries. I also feel like I need a shower. I usually leave 5 Guys thinking "I can't ever eat here again". I leave In n Out wanting to return ASAP.

That's funny. I've been feeling like I need to return to 5 Guys ASAP to cleanse my palette.

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mikebw

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troywellbuilt
I've eaten at both many times. After 5 Guys I feel kinda ill - probably too many fries. I also feel like I need a shower. I usually leave 5 Guys thinking "I can't ever eat here again". I leave In n Out wanting to return ASAP.

That's funny. I've been feeling like I need to return to 5 Guys ASAP to cleanse my palette.

To each his own.

The fries at INO can be hit-or-miss.

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It is what it is.

no In and Out here.
5 guys opened about a year and a half ago.
Burger is OK. I don't like the dark brown burnt fries in peanut oil at all.
This one is the only one I've been to, so if they are doing a lousy job compared to the others that's what my experience is based on.
There are better non-chain burger joints around.
Best one is in my kitchen.
You won't get fries, hot dogs or soda pop, though.
On a good day you might get fresh squeeezed lemonaid though.
Invitation only.

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The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is the knowledge of one's own ignorance. -Benjamin Franklin
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/30/2011 04:57PM by billb.

I wouldn't rate the Las Vegas In'N'Out at the top of their game. The local one is better by far.

Dreck, for emergency only.

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A man who is of "sound mind" is one who keeps the inner madman under lock and key.
(Paul Valery)

Steak & Shake for fast and cheap

Burgerville

My favorite is Carl's Junior Western Cheese Burger. A great burger and the fries are the best.

Don't eat burgers, but McDonald's has the best fries. 5 Guys fries are good, if you like the seasoning. Haven't eaten at In and Out.

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)

Burger Time. Not sure how local it is. Ours closed a year or two ago. I'm pretty sure there's still one open about 90 minutes to the north.

There's nothing like burgers grilled at home, and home made fries.

best burgers are the ones I grill

Hardee's Thickburger and Little Thickburger kicks all fast food
burgers butts around here. Five Guys lasted about 2 years here
and closed up. McDonalds doesn't have a good burger period.
Wendy's has improved their burgers lately. As far as fries if McD's
fries are fresh they're good. I grilled 6 - 1/3lbs Angus burgers last
night on the Weber, they were goooooooood! Invited our renters
down for supper.

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Grateful11

I had a burger at a place called Rotiers in Nashville. It was probably the best burger I've ever had. Thick, juicy, tasty and served on french bread with a side of fried pickles. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Apparently it was one of the places that inspired Jimmy Buffett's Cheeseburger in Paradise. It was fast food but not a chain.

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Shake Shack! Yum! I read they'll be opening a new location in Grand Central Terminal near the new Apple Store. That's almost as good a pairing as the Apple Store and Lego Store right next door to each other in the Glendale Galleria.

Have both 5 guys & In-N-Out here. Without doubt 5 guys has better fries. While fresh, I've never been a fan of In-N-Outs fries.

On the other hand, In-N-Outs burgers are much better than 5 guys, IMHO. Maybe the 5 guys burger was just too huge that I felt sick after it.

Also, value wise, you can get a meal for $5-7 at In-N-Out, at 5 guys you're typically spending $10.

5 Guys burgers are OK, but the fries can't be beat IMHO.

Whataburger does have good burgers if you keep it simple. Their promotional burgers are usually overly complicated and an abomination. They do not have good fries.

I've never been very impressed with Carl's Jr./Hardees.

WAY back in the day, Wendy's was pretty decent. Anyone remember the Dave's Deluxe? Yum! Their fries are better now, but are still hit and miss.

I've never been to In-N-Out.

Some of the best burgers I've had were at a hole in the wall joint in College Station that later sort of became a local chain, if you count two locations, called Koppe Bridge. They got their meat daily from a local old school meat market. They also had some of the best chicken fried steak anywhere.

Also, in Dallas there is a local chain called Goff's that used to be very good, but the owner, who used to work at one of the locations was notoriously rude to his patrons. He would frequently scare off first time customers. The regulars recognized it was part of the show, but still avoided making eye contact with him. Not sure if he is there anymore. Don't recall the fries.

Burger Street in Dallas is also very good. The meat is excellent, but so are the veggies on it. Fries are OK, nothing special.

Mighty Fine in Austin should be stop for you if you're in town. Great burgers and fries.

I haven't come across any amazing burgers in Raleigh, yet. I'm sure they are here, just haven't found them.

Carl's Jr.'s sirloin steak burger with onion rings. It's seasonal, so you may not find it.

Their other burgers are a bit above par and definitely worth trying when you're out West, but the memory of a good sirloin steak burger will follow you forever.

Too bad you missed it.

...

On the East coast, Hardee's has the same trade-dress and a similar menu -- and it's owned by the same parent company as Carl's Jr., -- but the quality of their meat is not as good. Don't let anyone talk you into going to Hardee's on the (false) premise that it's as good as Carl's Jr.

...

Another one to try out West is Jack in the Box. Not for their food, although their curly fries are pretty good. Just for one of those Jack antenna-toppers.



They make good souvenirs. Nobody from the East coast seems to know what they are, so when they see it you can use it to launch into stories from your trip.

1. Red Mill Burgers, Seattle

2. Zeke's Drive-In, Gold Bar, WA (on the way back to the city from Steven's Pass - particularly good when you are cold, wet and starving from a day on the mountain)

3. The Beacon Drive-In, Spartanburg, SC (a legend)

There is a burger place on Interstate 5 just outside of Paul's hometown of Eureka that serves the best burger I've EVER had. Don't remember the name of it, but I seem to remember that it had a placard at the side of the road that had a big Indian chief's head on it.

Any idea what I'm talking about, Paul?

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It is what it is.

Fatburger with an egg. Their chocolate shakes are killer as well!

Meatty Meat Burger LA

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A man who is of "sound mind" is one who keeps the inner madman under lock and key.
(Paul Valery)

White Castle burgers and McDonalds fries.
Dee-lishee-osa!!

Also LA, Teriyaki Oki Dog Burger

Hangover special

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A man who is of "sound mind" is one who keeps the inner madman under lock and key.
(Paul Valery)

I like 5 Guys.
Another fav is Johnny Rockets.

Dave

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Welcome to Dave's BBQ!

Many have eaten here....

Few have died

So many diametrically opposed tastes!

Chalk me up to 5 Guys being much better than In-N-Out: their burger was ok and I disliked the fries.

One thing I like about 5 Guys is the lack of a "secret" menu to memorize. It's all right up their in front of you; just say what you want.

But without any doubt, the BEST fast food burger is Blake's Lotaburger which is a New Mexico chain. I don't think it's anywhere else. Their green chile cheeseburgers are the greatest and so are their fries.

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I've been to both.. 5 guys in Kent, Ohio, and In-n-Out in Oceanside, CA. I preferred the In-n-Out in Oceanside for both the taste, and the fact that I was in freaking Oceanside !

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Uncle Wig

That burger looks suspiciously like an INO Double-Double.

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It is what it is.

Elevation Burger. Grass-fed all the way, baby!

"Best" and "fast food" are oxymorons. My kids have dragged me to in 'n' out a bunch of times and K have yet to be impressed. The best burgers around here are the small Barney's Gourmet Burgers chain...20 times better than INO and infinitely better than the other corporate chains. How could it be any other way?...the national corporate chains all have the same M.O...keep costs low (= cheap ingredients and unskilled labor).

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

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decocritter
Steak & Shake for fast and cheap

Patty melt & fries + milk shake, a rare indulgence.

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Comedy Central: Best news channel that isn't a news channel.

Fox News: Best comedy channel that isn't a comedy channel.

Now if we're talking local burger joints, here's a good one:

Uncle Buck's Pub & Grub

[www.urbanspoon.com]

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Grateful11

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davester
"Best" and "fast food" are oxymorons. My kids have dragged me to in 'n' out a bunch of times and K have yet to be impressed. The best burgers around here are the small Barney's Gourmet Burgers chain...20 times better than INO and infinitely better than the other corporate chains. How could it be any other way?...the national corporate chains all have the same M.O...keep costs low (= cheap ingredients and unskilled labor).

Dave,

Read This article about 5 Guys and you'll see that your statement does not hold true in all cases. We're not dealing with McDonald's here. To me, "gourmet burger" is something of an oxymoron!

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My measure is if they don't serve you a beer while you're waiting then why bother?

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The Apple Pan in W. LA!!!

Haven't been in years though.

[www.yelp.com]

I love the burger at In & Out, but don't like the fries (I just buy two singles and skip the fries). 5 Guys is good, but the fries are way overpriced and a bit odd.

Since the vote is for best burger & fries, I can't give either the vote.

For both I will go with Carl's Jr. Good fries & great burgers.

5 Guys fries are unique to be sure. I prefer the seasoned ones. I also enjoy the number of optional toppings they offer. One time I was so hungry I ordered a grilled cheese and put it inside the burger!

Nobody else has mentioned Chee-Burger Chee-Burger, which I decided to get dinner from this evening. Pretty good, better than INO- IMO. Hundreds of drink and shake options, not to mention the 20oz delirious burger.

We've liked Canyons Burger Company on a few occasions when near one. Kind of spread out.
[canyonsburgercompany.com]

They've got sweet potato fries as well as regular fries. Really good burger with blue cheese.


But my all time favorite is a real greasy spoon: Bud's Broiler in New Orleans.
[www.budsbroiler.com]
I'll take a #2 (BBQ sauce) with cheese (grated cheddar) and onions. Never found another BBQ sauce on a burger I like as much as theirs.

Johnny Rocket's is a family favorite too, but it's not really "fast food".


- Winston

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Be seeing you.

In & Out has chili/cheese fries that they don't bother listing on the menu, I don't eat any fast food but the kid swears by them.

Tried the 5 guys for first time last week. Wasn't memorable. Fries ok. Best local joint burger ever: Booch's in Columbia, Mo. Has been open, continuously, 100+ years. You don't mess with success.

Best ff burger: Hardee's is pretty good lately. Haven't had McD's or Wendy's in years. I eat fast food maybe once every 5 or 6 months.

Not really impressed with either one. they are both ok but there are a lot
of local places the are just as good or better.
I try to support my local businesses.

b.good, local Boston mini-chain

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Hurts like a bastid...

2nd on Whataburger!

Also Burger Time Express!

The good ones are usually a local single location, or maybe several locations. Another vote for Red Mill in Seattle. Kidd Valley is pretty good for a small chain.

Nothing beats a big dripping handful from Dick's on the way home from the bar.

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RgrF
In & Out has chili/cheese fries that they don't bother listing on the menu, I don't eat any fast food but the kid swears by them.

They dont have chili at In-n-Out. Those are 'animal style' fries. Tommy's Burgers (Los Angeles based) are the ones with the chili.

I dont care for In-n-Out fries either -- I usually order them well done. And my burger always has to be Animal Style. We have a 5 guys here, it was OK, but I didnt find it any better than In-n-Out, just different. Both good. I had a much harder time with the price. double In-n-out, but not a burger that taste double better.

like anywhere -- there are always great holes in the wall that serve 10X better burgers.

for us, one of the best is squeeze inn: [www.youtube.com]

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.