Chowhound - ranking the fast food cheeseburgers
Oct 22, 2017, 8:06 am
#31
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A Krystal is just plain nasty. If you don't believe me, order one without mustard.
I have seen one recently. I think the burger is average but appreciate any place with a condiments bar where I can dress it my way.
I don't see Red Robin on the list. Because the menu is less than 50% hamburgers perhaps? I give them extra points for having a full bar anywhere I've visited. That means my grandson and I can both get what we want.
I have seen one recently. I think the burger is average but appreciate any place with a condiments bar where I can dress it my way.
I don't see Red Robin on the list. Because the menu is less than 50% hamburgers perhaps? I give them extra points for having a full bar anywhere I've visited. That means my grandson and I can both get what we want.
Oct 22, 2017, 9:25 am
#32
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Oct 22, 2017, 10:58 am
#33
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These lists make me laugh and they are completely silly. It's COMPLETELY subjective. One who likes a McD's burger may hate in and out and the next guy may be the opposite.
I don't even know why these lists are posted but it's probably to for ad revenue. By clicking the link on facebook to leave a comment. By getting everyone riled up it only helps the poster of the OP.
I don't even know why these lists are posted but it's probably to for ad revenue. By clicking the link on facebook to leave a comment. By getting everyone riled up it only helps the poster of the OP.
Oct 22, 2017, 11:22 pm
#34
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I tend to divide the burger universe by price. There are the over $5 burgers and the under $5 burgers. Its hard to decide if a $10 burger is really twice as good as a $4 burger.
If I'm in a hurry a Burger King drive through is quicker than Five Guys. The biggest issue with the drive thru places is freshness. A Basic double cheeseburger at a BK that is crowded and busy is pretty good because it's hot off the grill and it costs $2. I think it's much better than a Whopper. But all if them drop quickly once they've been sitting for 5 minutes or more.
If I'm in a hurry a Burger King drive through is quicker than Five Guys. The biggest issue with the drive thru places is freshness. A Basic double cheeseburger at a BK that is crowded and busy is pretty good because it's hot off the grill and it costs $2. I think it's much better than a Whopper. But all if them drop quickly once they've been sitting for 5 minutes or more.
Oct 23, 2017, 7:30 am
#35
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If I'm in a hurry a Burger King drive through is quicker than Five Guys. The biggest issue with the drive thru places is freshness. A Basic double cheeseburger at a BK that is crowded and busy is pretty good because it's hot off the grill and it costs $2. I think it's much better than a Whopper. But all if them drop quickly once they've been sitting for 5 minutes or more.
In any case, I agree with your classification. Places like Five Guys are on the high end, Wendy's on the low end, and then a whole bunch that you could make an argument for either class, such as Whataburger.
Oct 23, 2017, 11:03 am
#36
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I grew up with Burgerville and whatever they are now contains not a single cell of anything recognizable of the original. Last time I stopped by the one in my childhood hometown for a swiss and mushroom burger was waste of time and money. I'd rather put up with the brain rattling music at local chain Little Big Burger for the same thing + the damn best truffle shoestrings for the same price.
Oct 23, 2017, 11:49 am
#38
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Any list that has Burger King at #6 can't be taken seriously... let alone one with McDonald's over Culvers.
Oct 23, 2017, 12:20 pm
#39
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Oct 23, 2017, 12:53 pm
#40
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No mention of Cookout or Backyard Burgers. Cookout has a few dozen outlets in 10 Southeastern states, including one in Morristown TN where my youngest son lives. Pretty nice chain, somewhere on the cusp of $5 and you get a lot for that. Good fries. Awesome shakes. BYB is smaller, maybe a couple dozen over 9 states in the Midwest and Southeast. They're more quick service and inexpensive but good IMO. We have one at the beach and now that I'm thinking about it, maybe that's where tonight's dinner is coming from. ^
Oct 23, 2017, 1:05 pm
#41
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I just discovered a new burger joint in Santa Monica called HiHo Cheeseburger. While it's not a chain (yet) it is definitely one, if not the best burgers I've ever had. It's 100% better than In-N-Out.
Oct 23, 2017, 1:15 pm
#42
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No mention of Cookout or Backyard Burgers. Cookout has a few dozen outlets in 10 Southeastern states, including one in Morristown TN where my youngest son lives. Pretty nice chain, somewhere on the cusp of $5 and you get a lot for that. Good fries. Awesome shakes. BYB is smaller, maybe a couple dozen over 9 states in the Midwest and Southeast. They're more quick service and inexpensive but good IMO. We have one at the beach and now that I'm thinking about it, maybe that's where tonight's dinner is coming from. ^
Oct 23, 2017, 1:42 pm
#43
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It's more than how long it's been sitting under the heat lamp. Many of the "under $5" places use frozen beef, while at least some of the "over $5" use never-frozen beef. I'm sure there are other quality differences that contribute to the taste.
In any case, I agree with your classification. Places like Five Guys are on the high end, Wendy's on the low end, and then a whole bunch that you could make an argument for either class, such as Whataburger.
In any case, I agree with your classification. Places like Five Guys are on the high end, Wendy's on the low end, and then a whole bunch that you could make an argument for either class, such as Whataburger.
If nothing else, I would look to geography, demography and market penetration to categorize burger joints.
In markets where they compete, how densely populated are certain chains?
In what type of locations do you see their stores? Are there large numbers of outlets in poorer neighborhoods or just off freeway interchanges? Or do the outlets concentrate in and around more upscale suburban retail centers?
No burger restaurant with the ubiquity and real estate siting preferences of Whataburger can be categorized as anything other than a low-end high-volume mass market fast food joint.
Oct 23, 2017, 3:28 pm
#44
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I'm fine with that categorization. Point is there are two lists mixed into one. Whataburger is near the top of the cheap list if that's where you put it.
Oct 23, 2017, 3:32 pm
#45
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I was shocked at how few stores showed up on their website map, maybe 30. I visited BYB the first time in the late 80's in Knoxville. I would have expected a hundred or more by now. SO what you're saying rings true. I'm glad we have one in PCB. I need to get over there and help keep them open.