Is In-N-Out Burger that good?

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by Catman

Hoboken is getting a Five Guys by next month.

Originally Posted by Flying Buccaneer

In the Tampa Bay area, we have Five Guys

Wow, that's some quick expansion! I thought only a few years it was restricted to DC and environs. Looking at their website it appears they now have locations in CA and OR!

[DCBob]

Originally Posted by Fraser

Wow, that's some quick expansion! I thought only a few years it was restricted to DC and environs. Looking at their website it appears they now have locations in CA and OR!

Eek! - Correct! I NEVER eat at FIVE GUYS anymore and I live AND work within walking distance of their stores. The quality WAS fine FIVE YEARS ago, but now I find their burgers to be greasy and tasteless hockey pucks with the grease soaking into the stale buns so much they are soggy and drippy, too. If you don't believe me, try them at the DCA and IAD locations and you will find out for yourself.

[Non-NonRev]

Originally Posted by braslvr

I guess, but there are a few of us who prefer a SoCal style thin patty 'fast-food' hamburger over any other type. Even grilling at home, long ago I quit the 'hand formed monster patty' in favor of thin 80% 1/4 pound pre-formed patties. 2 or 3 of the thin trumps one thick every time.

I recently went over to Le Tub, the place in Hollywood, Florida (south of FLL) that is on many "10 best burgers in the U.S." lists. I had their featured 13-oz sirloin brger, and while it was great (very high quality beef), the large burgers are a different taste sensory/textural experience. It was also $24 bucks with tax/tip (including the (good) fries - Diet coke was $3 per can). In-and-Out, besides its other attributes, also provides great value for the dollar spent.

[troyb]

Originally Posted by Catman

Hoboken is getting a Five Guys by next month. I may stop in and give them a try - either the burger or the Hot Dog.

And I am a major fan of Chick Fil A. I have to go to a central Jersey Mall or Texas to get it but they make great chicken sandwiches (Ok, more off topic.)

There's a Five Guys in NYC, somewhere around 50th and 5th - and it's freakin delicious. The only problem is the NYC law mandating a calorie count next to each menu item. It's kind of hard to enjoy your burger when you know its 700 calories.

As for Chic Fil A, head out to the Paramus Park Mall in Paramus. It's the only CFA that I've come across in NJ. They're a bit more plentiful across the border in PA and of course in the south. I've been known to route through ATL to swing by for some nuggets.

OK, can we let this thread die now. Everytime it pops up I'm tempted to go out and do some major damage at any fast food place I can.

[gre]

In the spirit of open-mindedness I tried a relatively new 5 Guys in Falls Church VA (Gallows Rd) yesterday for lunch. It was my 4th trip to a 5 Guys.

The burger was decent for the fat hand formed variety (I prefer the thin CA variety), but as with each of my other trips, I again got a mashed down bun. What's the deal with that?

One major differernce is the ambiance - none of the 5 Guys I've tried had any, indeed, the IAD 5 Guys was probably the nicest.

While some might not consider an In-N-Out to actually have much ambiance either, I like both the retro style (unis on the employees and paper wrapped burgers), and the overall energy (not cosmic, more like the employees running around actually working hard and efficiently) that I feel at the restaurants.

[sefrischling]

OK, as for In-N-Out

My wife : Yes
Me : No

[Catman]

There is another Five Guys on Bleecker Street off 7th Avenue across from (off topic) a great Pizza place... Bleecker Street Pizza.

I'll go when Guys opens in Hoboken and write a brief report.

Good points about In and Out's atmosphere... and have you noticed the restaurants from dining area to restrooms are CLEAN! I've been to too many fast food places that are icky and worst (names withheld.)

Off topic Chick FilA's also in NJ at:

*Woodbridge Center by Fortunoff (for wedding and house warming gifts)
*Menlo Park Mall near Nordstroms.

[stupidhead]

There's also another one (Five Guys) on Laguardia between W Houston and Bleeker. But it could be infested with NYU students as they give discounts to them. Actually most businesses in the NYU area give discounts to NYU students. Standard number is 10% although I've seen 15-20% pretty often. All I have to do is show my NYUCard. As far as Chick FilA goes there's one in Manhattan-11 University Place. But it's in a university cafeteria and frequent visits are probably not recommended.

Um so is BLT Burger that good? Why is it so ....ing expensive?

Other good burger places in Manhattan-Goodburger, Blue 9 (somewhere on 3rd ave, I think-they're decent)

I might write something up if I ever find time to go to Pomme Frites (E 7th and 2nd).

[JerseyVics]

Originally Posted by Non-NonRev

I recently went over to Le Tub, the place in Hollywood, Florida (south of FLL) that is on many "10 best burgers in the U.S." lists. I had their featured 13-oz sirloin brger, and while it was great (very high quality beef), the large burgers are a different taste sensory/textural experience. It was also $24 bucks with tax/tip (including the (good) fries - Diet coke was $3 per can). In-and-Out, besides its other attributes, also provides great value for the dollar spent.

I really enjoyed my visit to Le Tub last year... you should also mention this is a cash only operation. And its really not a fast food place, you had to wait for a while for your burger to come out.


For anyone in the Northern Jersey area looking for a decent burger similar to that served at Le Tub (higher quality, more expensive) check out Cubby's BBQ on River Street in Hackensack. Its not as expensive as Le Tub ($11 for a platter of a 1/2 burger take your pick from Bacon Burger to Cheddar to Swiss, etc. served with two styles of fries, lettuce, tomato, onions, cole slaw and I would highly recommend getting their delicious BBQ sauce on the side!) but to me its even better tasting burger, especially on a garlic roasted bun.


As for the In-and-Out the first time I tried it in Simi Valley, CA I was frankly unimpressed... but back than I hadn't eaten fast food for about a year so I guess that was to be expected.... A few days later during my long drive from Tijuana to Tuscon, I stopped at the Yuma In-and-Out to place an order for some double doubles on the run... and the person taking my order offered an open box so I could eat while driving.... How brilliant!?! lol (and unsafe?)


--Russ

[troyb]

Originally Posted by stupidhead

As far as Chick FilA goes there's one in Manhattan-11 University Place. But it's in a university cafeteria and frequent visits are probably not recommended.

Wait a second, there's a CFA in NYC? Can anyone go to the cafeteria? They put one in my university's student center after I graduated, but anyone was able to go through there. Is this one the same?

I swear I will be there this weekend if so.

[stupidhead]

Originally Posted by troyb

Wait a second, there's a CFA in NYC? Can anyone go to the cafeteria? They put one in my university's student center after I graduated, but anyone was able to go through there. Is this one the same?

I swear I will be there this weekend if so.

If you went to NYU, then yes, evidently (but this is a residence hall btw). I suggest you avoid lunch hours like the plague (actually any meal times), and pay cash-if you pay with a credit card and go between noon and 2 o'clock (peak lunch time) you'll spend 3 hours getting your chicken sandwich. I think they're open at 11 and close at 8 ish? And as far as I know, they don't check ID for the food court so yes, anyone can go. Just pay cash.

The address might be 9 University Place, I'm not exactly sure. Just look for a big red building between Waverly and 8th on University. And not the one that says "Maison Française".

[beckoa]

Originally Posted by skye1

I think part of what "used" to make them great is that you could ONLY get them via drive thru, and only in Southern California...so, they had this "Southern California" niche thing going for them. Then, they broke out of SoCal & broke out of "drive thru only"...so, they've lost the "you can only get them in this one area" unique-ness, for sure.

And, in losing that, they've lost a bit of the "niche" of people who grew up in So Cal & have since moved out of So Cal, since if you've moved to an area that has them now, you're in luck.

As far as fast food burgers go, they're at or near the top of a list: I'd say they just seem to taste a lot more fresh/"fresh-er" than your average fast food burger. The service at In & Out is always really good, always smiles on everyone's faces, always really friendly.

If one has a layover at LAX for an hour or more, the In & Out there (avail. via red Parking Spot shuttle) is def. worth a trip. Would I fly to LAX just to taste one? No.

I'll have to remember that... last layover I had in LAX... we took the public transportation system northeast of Pasadena, and walked from a rail stop 10 minutes to find one... and it was worth it!

Originally Posted by drummingcraig

I had never had In-N-Out until about two years ago, and I must say that I was impressed. Tasty burgers and I like the fries although many seem to love 'em or hate 'em. The shakes are also pretty good.

I do enjoy their vanilla shakes!

Originally Posted by drummingcraig

Here in FL we've recently been blessed with a franchise known as Five Guys Burgers and Fries from the D.C. area. Its not exactly fast food as there is no drive-thru and the two we have here are located in strip malls. That aside, they have burgers and fries that rival In-N-Out IMO. My fiance' is hopelessly addicted.

Craig

Mmm... great fries, burgers and the toppings... hit the one in Fairfax- it was divine!

Originally Posted by Fly_from_BNA

They are OK, but would prefer a White Castle burger in a heartbeat!

White Castle is good... Especially after watching Harold & Kumar but would prefer In-N-Out... takes too many to fill me up and their kinda sticky...

Originally Posted by brendamc

Only fast food burger I'll eat - price is right, they're fresh, and the double double animal style is awesome - even protein style wrapped in letturce & no bun is really good... and just a bit healthier Fries are nasty unless ordered well-done & salt added.

Animal Style is the way to go with burger & fries... I usually try for a 4x4 animal style when my stomach allows-

Originally Posted by kaukau

Anyway, one trip last year we took a cab from LAS/McCarran to our casino/hotel via the In 'N Out on Industrial and Tropicana, and picked up a sack of Double Double Animal Styles.......bought the cab driver one too.......Enh. The anticipation was better than the reward.

Sounds like it was a fun expedition though... and the cab driver was probably surprised too

Originally Posted by kaukau

Have yet to try a Fatburger. Ther's one at Red Rock in the fast food court, but last time we were there we passed on Fatburger to try a Capriotti's Sandwich Shop hot pastrami sub.......quite tasty. But I do want to try a Fatburger, next time.

For the record, my favorite fast food burgers are made at Ono Char Burger burger stand in Anahola, Kaua'i, makai of the highway between Lihue and Hanalei. The next time you're on Kaua'i, you know where to get an ono burger.

Was there for 3 weeks and ate there only twice- but i'll be back! (Local Boy ~ onolicous! )

Originally Posted by DCBob

If you have ever watched the fries being made at each restaurant, they peel and cut whole potatoes right before the are put into the oil for frying. I'm not sure how they could be any fresher than that.

Definitely am impressed at how fresh they are

Originally Posted by DCBob

You must be kidding! I live within a mile of two different Five Guys free-standing stores in Washington, DC (one on Connecticut Avenue & the other on H Street NW). There is also one in Reagan National Airport (airside in Terminal C - US Airways). I've tried to like them, but the fries are nothing short of liquid grease with slivers of potatoes thrown in for decoration. Yecch... The burgers are also greasy and nothing special. Neither the Five Guys burgers nor their fries hold a candle to In-N-Out Burger, unless you are a grease gourmet.

Both are good in their own ways... really liked the fries at Five Guys though!

Originally Posted by drummingcraig

Well, maybe things are different at the ones I've been to here in FL since they're relatively new (only open roughly 12 months or so I believe), but I certainly don't find their fries as greasy as you describe. They are thicker cut than the I&O fries which gives them more grease surface area and a tendency to be softer.

Burger-wise I definitely don't find them to be overly greasy in comparison to most other fast food burgers (I&O included). Of course I also get mine smothered in hot sauce and all the trimmings so it may cover it a bit.

Craig

The hot sauce (not to mention the other toppings) was great!

Originally Posted by obscure2k

I think it depends on your circumstances. There is an In-N-Out Burger at the far end of the Costco parking lot where I occasionally shop. Post-Costco, the In-N-Out burger is good; not great and is an alternative to the gross Costco hot dog.
OTOH, arriving at LAX after a Chinese Banquet (the night before), the In-N-Out Burger was sublime, perfect, nothing could have been more delicious. I have had similar experiences arriving from other continents. First stop: In-N-Out at LAX.

Are there any other Costco's that have an In-N-Out in the lot? I was at one in Cali that had this... OTOH it may have been in the SFO area... can't recall now...

As per the Costco Hotdog... I practically live on those some days- well... the polish sausage- load it up with sauerkraut, onions, relish & deli mustard... and several refills of Diet Coke~

[JerseyVics]

Originally Posted by beckoa

I'll have to remember that... last layover I had in LAX... we took the public transportation system northeast of Pasadena, and walked from a rail stop 10 minutes to find one... and it was worth it!

I'm sure I'll see a ton of them between Bob Hope Airport and Burbank and LAX on my next trip, but I really want to walk to the one closest to LAX and eat there.


Or better yet, order a double double to go... can you bring food thru security? If so it would be pretty funny to stuff my face aboard a Virgin America fligth while everyone else is ordering their miniature gourmet airline food.


Hhmmmmmm....

--Russ

[cblaisd]

Originally Posted by JerseyVics

...but I really want to walk to the one closest to LAX and eat there.

You don't even have to walk. Take the Parking Spot (Sepulveda) shuttle. The In-N-Out is 50 feet away; there's even a special door from the parking garage

I did this yesterday; left the airport at 11:55 a.m. and was back at 12:35 p.m.

[Non-NonRev]

If you are returning a rental car to FLL and have sufficient time, the Five Guys in the Harbor Shops is only a very short way away. From the corner of S. Federal Highway and 17th Street Causeway, head west and turn right at the second light (the Embassy Suites will be on the right side of the street. Make a full left at the shopping center's traffic circle to reach the Five Guys.

Once you have eaten, go back out to 17th Steeet Causeway and fill the rental car gas tank at the Chevron station on 17th Steet one block before you reach Federal Highway - the prices are usually pretty good. From there, its just over a mile south on Federal to the FLL Rental Car Facility.