Regional (or Once-Regional) Burger Chains
Full disclosure: I've been to In-N-Out Burger fewer than 10 times in my life (most recently in January), I get a burger from Culver's about once every two weeks, and yesterday was my first ever visit to a Five Guys.
That said, I rank them as follows...
Burgers:
1. In-N-Out Burger (double-double w/lettuce, tomato, ketchup) ≥
2. Culver's (butter burger w/cheese, lettuce, tomato, ketchup) >
3. Five Guys (little cheeseburger w/lettuce, tomato, ketchup)
Fries:
1. In-N-Out Burger >
2. Five Guys (not cajun, maybe my mistake?) >
3. Culver's
I'd need to do a side-by-side comparison on burgers from In-N-Out vs. Culver's to truly rank them because my memories of the double-double are so good, but the Culver's cheeseburger never disappoints.
How would you rank theseor other regional burger chains you've visited?
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17 Comments:
I love Cook Out in NC. That was damn good burgers from a chain. They have 62 restaurants and great shakes made to order.
When we are in NC thats where we go.
JerzeeTomato at 10:16AM on 08/13/09
Steak n Shake is always good -- I love their crispy thin-cut fries. And the shakes are fantastic.
gbania at 10:27AM on 08/13/09
I don't care for the fries at Steak n Shake, but I get one of their a double cheese burgers and a bowl of chili at least once a week.
tusti at 12:19PM on 08/13/09
Not a fan of the fries at In-N-Out. I like mine double fried for the crunchiness.
AnnieNT at 1:59PM on 08/13/09
I will be accused of being a shill for them, but Schoop's in the Chicago suburbs makes the best burgers I've ever had...diner-style, fresh-formed patties cooked on an ancient griddle. Share a basket of fries.
After that, Five Guys, then In-N-Out. Steak n Shake gets an honourable mention.
NotAmerican at 2:19PM on 08/13/09
I will forever rate Five Guys as amazingly superior to In-n-Out, partially because I prefer the food outright, and partially because nothing annoys me more than the unbelievable difference between the hype and the actual, mediocre, greasy product.
joyyy at 3:31PM on 08/13/09
I cringe to think I'm complimenting fast food, but Whataburger has the best onion rings! I get some every year when I go see family in Dallas for Christmas.
alosha7777 at 3:50PM on 08/13/09
Whataburger is my guilty pleasure: #1 with a Coke.
ocarol at 5:00PM on 08/13/09
I second Cookout. Awesome burgers. Awesome shakes. I was so happy when my college town got one.
pbisNOTmyname at 5:52PM on 08/13/09
I have eaten at two different FIve Guys recently. The burgers are passable, although pretty generic, especially the bun. The fries are terrible, both plain and Cajun, inferior even to McDonald's fries, IMO.
salpico at 6:42PM on 08/13/09
I love Five Guy's fries (but I also grew up by the ocean so boardwalk fries are the only kind for me).
I've never had In and Out, but I did like Steak n Shake the one time I tried it. While I don't like burgers or fries at Sonic, I will forever love them just for the vast number of beverages.
gingercookiewithlime at 7:16PM on 08/13/09
Whataburger. No other will do.
Sonic, but only for cherry limeade and a foot long Corny dog.
FoodieSearching at 7:20PM on 08/13/09
MILO's
Birmingham, AL
I think there are only a half dozen or so locations.
Regular cheeseburger with onions and their (god help me) special sauce!
Pavlov at 9:38AM on 08/14/09
Billy Goat-- try the double cheezboiger, it's the best.
MarvinDog at 9:54AM on 08/14/09
Dammit Pav! You just HAD to remind me, didn't you?
arm1970 at 1:46PM on 08/14/09
Five Guys is by far the best burger out there. Great toppings, excellent patty/patties, and the fries...oh, don't get me started on the fries with malt vinegar!
alexandrapace at 1:11AM on 08/18/09
UBurger. Best fries, and really delicious burgers (I've never tried their chicken sandwiches, but I hear that they're good, too). They operate with basically the same principles as In-N-Out: Nothing frozen, fresh french fries, fresh toppings, they grind their hamburger meat fresh daily, etc.
Junie at 9:58AM on 08/18/09