58 replies to this topic

[mweb08]

I saw a bit of a game thread (of a game I was at) after the fact that brought up my SoCal Trip and led to some In-N-Out talk, where I ate a couple of times during my time out there. 

 

So In-N-Out vs Five Guys vs FatBurger vs whatever else?

 

Best burgers at non fast food places?

[Mashed Potatoes]

Fuddruckers is my fave.

[Tucker Blair]

Abbey Burger!  (at least in customization)

[NewMarketSean]

The burgers at Frog Bar in Ocean City are amazing. Great view, too.

 

I still think Five Guys is the best for fast food burgers. Better than In-N-Out and Fatburger.

 

I didn't eat there, but while we were in Jacksonville a few years ago, they had one at Whataburger. Looked gross and they said it was.

[Mackus]

I'll take In 'N Out over any other fast burger.  I do think their fries suck, though.  Five Guys fries blow theirs out of the water.  Can't beat fresh cut and fried properly (twice).  What's astonishing is In 'N Out doesn't even do frozen fries better than most other places that do frozen (like McDonald's).

 

For other places, I really enjoy Abbey Bistro Burger, but it's pretty expensive.  I've only been to BGR once, but it was fantastic.

[mweb08]

I actually like In-N-Out the best for fast food burgers. Mackus, did you say you'd take their burgers over any burgers, fast food or not in the game thread? 

 

I actually like their fries, but agree that Five Guys are better, especially with vinegar.

 

The Counter is probably my favorite burger place. Great beef cooked right and also some superb cheese, toppings, and sauce to choose from. 

[McNulty]

Whataburger double double kills all other challengers.

[Mackus]

Maybe, I don't remember. 

 

I've only been out West a couple times, so it's always a treat for me.  May sway my opinion a bit.  I never book a plane ticket without getting excited about getting to have some In 'N Out.  I never feel that way about any other burgers that I can get locally, even if they are similarly good, or perhaps even decidedly better/fancier.

[mweb08]

Maybe, I don't remember. 

 

I've only been out West a couple times, so it's always a treat for me.  May sway my opinion a bit.  I never book a plane ticket without getting excited about getting to have some In 'N Out.  I never feel that way about any other burgers that I can get locally, even if they are similarly good, or perhaps even decidedly better/fancier.

 

I recall reading that, but could be mistaken. I get excited about In-N-Out too, but I don't think it's close to as good as a some of the top burgers at actual sit down restaurants. The patties themselves are the main reason for this imo since I like burgers medium rare and maybe even closer to rare. Fast food burgers are all well done and are mostly very thin patties; thus, the taste of the actual burger is lacking in comparison to a bigger juicy patty that can be cooked to order.

[NewMarketSean]

Hard Times has really good burgers.

[Mackus]

I recall reading that, but could be mistaken. I get excited about In-N-Out too, but I don't think it's close to as good as a some of the top burgers at actual sit down restaurants. The patties themselves are the main reason for this imo since I like burgers medium rare and maybe even closer to rare. Fast food burgers are all well done and are mostly very thin patties; thus, the taste of the actual burger is lacking in comparison to a bigger juicy patty that can be cooked to order.

 

I've got similar tastes in terms of the doneness of my burgers.  However, if you've got high quality fresh meat like In 'N Out does, and you do it really thin over a flat iron, then you get that crust on the outside of the patty that can be tougher to get on a mid-rare, thicker burger.  Basically you can cook it at higher temps to get that great crust since the overall cooking time is much shorter and you won't burn the outside.

 

Thin burgers are for the crunch and texture of the outside.  Thick burgers are better for the juicyness and flavor of the meat on the inside.  Both have their places.

[You Play to Win the Game]

The only "fast food" type I've seen mentioned here that I've eaten are Fuddruckers and Five Guys. It's Five Guys for me, definitely. I'm anxious to try In-N-Out when I head out west later this summer.

 

As far as restaurants go, I do enjoy Hard Times burgers as NMS alluded to.

 

That said, the deep fried "Heart Attack Burger" from Mother's in Fed Hill takes it for me... I mean just look at this description:

 

Beer battered burger stuffed with cheddar cheese, then deep fried and served with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and chipotle mayo.

 

BTW, I seriously didn't feel all that great for about 20-25 minutse after eating one!

[DJ MC]

Gino's is really good now that they're back.

[Mike in STL]

Looneys in Canton Square. 5 dollar burger on Mondays. Load mine up with bbq, grilled onion and pepper, pepperjack chz. And its a 10oz patty. Delicious.

[Adam Wolff]

I'll take this one...

 

[Don Quixote]

The only fast food/quick service burgers mentioned that I've had are from Five Guys. The past couple times I've been there (different locations), I've been disappointed. Their prices have skyrocketed, while the burgers and fries have been drier. Very underwhelming for the price - used to be a decent value.

 

The week following my visit to the Odenton Five Guys, I went to the Dairy Queen across the street and got a better burger. Same with Sonic the following week. Pretty sure some Five Guys locations aren't doing the usual process justice; at the same time I wonder if they're starting to cut corners at large. If the rest of you are still having decent experiences with them, I guess I'll take your word for it.

 

When I was in Vegas a few years back I didn't get to go to In-N-Out Burger - was pretty pissed about that.

[KRL224]

As far as fast-food burgers go, I haven't had one from In-N-Out, but I have found the burgers at Shake Shack up in NYC to be better than Five Guys IMO.

 

For restaurant burgers, my go to is Hamilton Tavern.  The Crosstown Burger, medium-rare, with a friend egg and bacon is just magical.

[Russ]

The only fast food/quick service burgers mentioned that I've had are from Five Guys. The past couple times I've been there (different locations), I've been disappointed. Their prices have skyrocketed, while the burgers and fries have been drier. Very underwhelming for the price - used to be a decent value. The week following my visit to the Odenton Five Guys, I went to the Dairy Queen across the street and got a better burger. Same with Sonic the following week. Pretty sure some Five Guys locations aren't doing the usual process justice; at the same time I wonder if they're starting to cut corners at large. If the rest of you are still having decent experiences with them, I guess I'll take your word for it. When I was in Vegas a few years back I didn't get to go to In-N-Out Burger - was pretty pissed about that.

Yeah I used to work at that DQ when I was a kid.

[BSLChrisWorthington]

As far as fast-food burgers go, I haven't had one from In-N-Out, but I have found the burgers at Shake Shack up in NYC to be better than Five Guys IMO.

 

For restaurant burgers, my go to is Hamilton Tavern.  The Crosstown Burger, medium-rare, with a friend egg and bacon is just magical.

This is the best burger in Baltimore.

 

Honorable mentions: the Hangover Burger at Golden West and the Smoke Burger at Alewife.

[BSLMattJergensen]

I'd go with Hamilton Tavern's burger too. Bacon and Fried Egg a must.