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"The wait should have nothing to do with anything." Actually, it should make the burger taste better. The longer you have to wait, the hungrier you get. I guess there is a tipping point when you become so sick of the wait that you're ready to go off on anyone or anything, but if the burger is really that good it "should" be an epiphany. Maybe people should bring snacks to eat while they're waiting.

I've never had Shake Shack, but I've had In-N-Out. If they are remotely close to each other there's no way I'd wait in a line for either. Silly people.

Ok, I had a few beers before writing my last post. I just finished reading it, and I would like to correct/elaborate.

I do understand why everyone hates McD's, and I believe it's primarily due to the inability to admit liking them. Again, they're #1 and it's never cool to actually like #1. In and Out burgers are nothing but a fresh "Big Macs". I say "Meh" to them, and their fries are lousy.

This one will probably get me banned from commenting, but here goes. In fact, most of these places are owned by foreigner's (or recent transplants) who cut corners anywhere they can, either by skimping on product, or running a skeleton crew. Unfortunately, most establishments employ people who ruin the product.They could care less about the quality of preparation. You can complain by calling the 1-800 number, but it doesn't mean shit to them. That's the reality of the local fast-food joints you visit (unless you live in Bumfuck, KS). The truth hurts, but unless you've been a franchisee of a major fast-food joint you don't have room to comment, STFU. Truth to power mother-f'ers! Oh yeah, I love burgers.

I love McDonald's. I don't quite understand where all the disrespect comes from, other than the fact that everyone hates a winner. I fully understand as a Subway franchisee and the disrepect I hear from some of my customers, yet, they keep a coming in. McDonald's has a special taste that reminds you of the good part of your childhood. When I was a kid we were only allowed the regular burger. When chicken McNuggets came out I said "Pish Posh", not literally, but I couldn't imagine them tasting good. Oh how wrong I was. McDonald's magic is their ability to create a taste all their own, and don't even bother with the negative comments about their "taste". Numbers don't lie and there's a reason they're #1. They create flavors we all can relate to, and every one in awhile, crave.

I also agree with ALRUI that most establishments (whatever chain) are abysmally ran (out here in San Bernardino anyway). Believe it or not, I don't think In and Out is "all that". Frankly it's a little baffling. What are they famous for, an extremely simplified menu, a 50's atmosphere, non-frozen ingredients, and overrated burgers and fries.

I like Jack in the Box, and Carl's, but I can't find a good establishment in my area. I know full well how hard it is to find good help, but really, most of the employees that work at these establishments (including the management) are loathsome people who have no concept of serving a quality product, let alone providing good customer service.

Burger King and Carl's taste too much like grease smoke, and the funniest thing of all to me is the love for Wendy's. I've been all around this country and the world, and Wendy's sucks ass period. Great concept, but horrible execution. I've tried all their burgers. Hell, I've wanted to like them, but I've never, and I mean never, had a decent burger at Wendy's. I guarantee if there were a blind taste test, they would lose.

Back to my original premise, McDonald's is #1 because of what they serve, food that people actually enjoy. Mock it all you want, but there's that new one just outside the Louvre. I love gourmet burgers, sliders, and fast-food burgers. I love burgers.

P.S. Islands is a great premium burger chain out here, and Red Robin blows!!! Sorry for the rant, but I had to get it off my chest.

Good observation about Subway. I am a Subway franchise and I would add that apparently they copied the "veggies on the bottom" concept as well. Frankly, I think it goes against the natural order of things, but apparently it works for Danny's and Subway.

When I make a sandwich for myself at my store I put the meat on the bottom first and the veggies on top (blasphemy in Subway's eyes). There is no way that putting the veggies on the bottom of the sandwich is better, unless you don't want to taste the meat. Try it yourself, you'll see, if you like the taste of meat, the burger needs to be on the bottom. Carl's Jr./Hardees has it backwards too.

I've had a love affair with all condiments for a long time. It's incredible to read some people bashing one over the other. What did most of us grow up eating on a hamburger? Ketchup. McD's uses ketchup. Most people grew up with burgers from McD's, and most people like it on their fries, so what's with all this "We hate ketchup" sentiment?

Mayo does add lubrication to a burger, but taste as well in my opinion. According to Jacques Pepin, we Americans make the best commercial mayo (Hellman's). Mayo has an advantage of providing a luxurious texture that marries perfectly with ketchup or mustard. It's not greasy either. If you don't like ketchup or mayo, I'm starting to think you're not an American.

The mustard only crowd needs to back off. Mustard does not enhance meat, it tastes like mustard. If that's the dominant flavor you prefer, go for it, but don't lecture.

The no condiment group is the most puzzling to me of all. Sorry, but if you're so snobbish that ketchup, mustard, and mayo do not grace your pantry, you might need therapy. You were probably browbeaten by your parents and not allowed to play with the other kids. I'm kidding. If you love going naked all the time, that's cool too, just pass the ketchup please.

I missed the vote, but it would probably be ketchup, mayo a close second.

This would be wonderful if others start copying it. The only thing I don't care for is the purified oxygen and CO2 treatment. Trader Joes does it to their fresh meat products and I can tell you, it's kept artificially red by the gases. It's great that it extends the shelf life, I guess...

F-Berkeley. The burger doesn't look very good at all. On that note, I am tired of the fancy burger reviews. The rarest thing of all must be the $7+ burger that's actually worth it. I guess they are necessary on some level, but rather than focus on making a sandwich taste good, they usually just throw a bunch of gourmet ingredients together. Give me a simple burger any day over all of this grass fed, organic, free range whooey. And you "know" where you can shove that arugula. Go away Bobby Flay, enough with the chipotle sauce already.

Actually, I'm starting to think it has more to do with having great buns. If you have great buns you're almost there. I love this site.

Cincinnati chili is great. I don't know how well it goes on a burger since it would be the dominant taste, but Skyline is good stuff. I wish that burger was a little more conventional, it looks pretty cool otherwise.

"So, I grew up with my dad calling them Jack in the Yuck- we weren't allowed to eat there. The 1993 e. coli outbreak just sealed the deal."
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I always though it was Jack in the Crack.

I agree with most people that the burgers aren't that great. I think they try, but mostly fail. The sirloin burger is just OK, just like the McD's Angus Burger or Carls Jr $6 burger. The buns and toppings are better on these burgers, but the patties are horrible.

Concerning "Red Robin" I meant to say from frozen "steak cut" fries. They were lame.

The service was quick, but our server never asked us how our food was. I think should could tell that I wasn't happy, but she didn't bother to ask, and I didn't feel like making a scene. Don't get me wrong, I will complain if I feel they could do something about it, but I didn't think they could really fix the burger without making a new one, and I just won't waste food. I can't do it. I believe they don't really cook to order. They probably have bins for well done, medium, medium rare, etc... It begs the question, why ask if you don't really cook to order?

My wife had what is essentially a french dip sandwich on a tough "ciabatta like baguette". She wasn't impressed with it.

My brother-in-law actually enjoyed his blackened burger. It's a cajun style burger, but he likes his food burnt so it suited him.

We all agreed that the fries, and presentation sucked. There's no way I'll give them a second chance. The burger was awful!

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I never got to eat at a Ruby's Diner, but I've always wanted to (I walked around them a few times). After the review of Ruby's I think I'll skip it and try some of the more iconic burger joints in the LA area.

The people that are worried about global warming happen to be vegans by and large. Now they want to take my hamburger! I'm so sick of Gore and all of his supporters.

They'll get my burger, out of my cold dead hand!!!!!!!

I wish BK would spend a little more time on food quality and customer service, and less time on the creepy "King" and bizzare marketing (The "Whopper Virgins" commercials weren't bad, but we they didn't need to use other cultures to compare burgers, how about Americans comparing.).

A good Whopper can be really good, but I haven't had one in the last half dozen times I stopped at a BK over the years. I can't seem to get a freshly cooked patty. They're always cooking them to death and in advance and they'r dry as can be. I don't think I should have to ask for a "fresh" burger either. Unfortunately, I think BK has the worst customer service of any chain, and I'm talking about across the country. I'm sure there are some well run establishments somewhere, but I haven't found any.

Mom always cooked round steak (big family - no money). As a bachelor (still no money) top sirloin was pretty darn good, I still enjoy the flavor (only if I cook it). Now I'm married and doing pretty well. I can afford any steak I choose and I have to say ribeye (or Delmonico as mom would say) is my favorite.