Not really, no. Im sure you can come up with an example or two to the contrary, but my overall impression is that re-posters on here are either; a.) returning serve from the sort of post you just made out of the blue, or b.) are somehow relating a nuance of the place or specific recent experience.

Perhaps LAX/LAS strategies are the only praise-pieces that get repeated over & over and mostly from new posters who didnt feel like searching a zillion page thread.

While we are here...please direct me to your favorite Chicago burger. Im relatively new in town and havent found one that would break my Top 3-5 in NYC. Thanks! : )

I live down the street from one. I go there maybe once a month and I love hamburgers. There are plenty of better hamburgers out there.

What is your top 3-5 in NYC? A family member had the burger at DB Bistro a few weeks back and it looked awfully delicious.

+1

I really like In-N-Out for what it is: one of, if not the best fast food burger joint out there.

Their burgers are simply not comparable to say a 1/2 pound freshly ground and seasoned beef patty grilled over charcoal, served on a homemade bun with a few strips of applewood bacon and a small mound of maytag blue.

Now I'm hungry :p

That's the thing. They're not comparable because they are two completely different things, same in name only. Just like trying to compare tacos from Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, and a real Mexican joint in San Diego. Personally, I would take In-N-Out anytime over the burger you described. I grill burgers at home all the time, and they're real good, but nothing like yours.

Here's the deal. Any child can make a burger as good as an In-n-Out
burger. Five Guys too (I mildly prefer In-n-Out). It's all a question of time and place,
though. When I'm on a 3-hour layover at LAX, can I get a decent lunch, the answer
is no - unless I do the In-n-Out trick.

YES.

And I luurve the fact that they're practically right outside of all the major CA airports (SFO, OAK, LAX). It's easier to get picked up from the airport when I&O is used as a bribe...

I've been to Goodburger and can second that the burgers are pretty good. Though, can the price be attributed to the cost of doing business in Manhattan?

I also like the secret burger place in the Parker Meridian; when I went there last, the burgers were about $6-7 and was very good. Didn't like the wait though...

You're missing the point entirely, no one is making In 'N Out to be some kind of mom and pop burger joint, everyone acknowledges it's a fast food burger chain. You can't compare that to a homemade or specialty type shop. Down here, Hodad's and Rocky's are two great local places, better than In 'N Out of course but different too. Unfortunately Hodad's is now overrun with idiotic tourists so it's tough for locals to get down there, fame has it's price.

Recently I saw a docu-thingy
 

on da toob about In-N -Out. I was impresssed.
So today I had the last (of a series of 5 spread out over as many months I'd guess) INO burger.
Unfortunately it was the least impressive of the lot. The patty was tinier than I recall, even from the store where I usually shopped, and it certainly was NOT cooked to my stated specifications. The bun looked artificially colored (read: unlikey and unappetizing) and the requested catsup and mustard were hardly in evidence. Neither was I asked if I wanted (additional) packets when I was handed my order.
I ate in the restaurant, did not use the drive-thru, did not order fries nor cheese. The lettuce was crispy, and the tomato slice generous, if bland.
On the few occasions I've Mickey D'd, there was typically a HUGE discrepancy between the appearance of the actual and the advertised. The above disparity was a first for me at INO. I doubt I'll be rushing back at any time soon...>blech<

Interesting little article in the Los Angeles Times today:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...4024099.column

no doubts about this, it may be a large reason why many consumers go to fast food that they are aware of, I know I do, but am always hoping to find a blurb about where else to go instead of the "usual" fast food.
Those that have met me and know me, understand that I'm not infatuated with myself.
Was not a rant, too bad you feel that way (& would be curious where else you think I've ranted, send me a pm) I don't expect my comments to have a bearing on one's enjoyment of INO. Simply stating my belief(s).
What are you expecting? Seriously, that is exactly what this and many other boards are about. I post what I think is good, you post what you think is good, you post that you've had this experience, etc etc etc, and hopefully the world becomes a better place or at least a place where one maximizes their enjoyment of it.
Eat too many burgers and welcome feedback about the content in my posts.
Great and life goes on.
Try searching the Chicago Forum for "burger", you'll find plenty of posts with great suggestions including what I feel is one of the best. BTW, I hope you have posted comments about your top burger places in the NYC forum !!@:-)@:-)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/new-y...ive-steak.html

Page 6 is where I am most firm abot my favorite choices...though the thread is really about quality burger & steak/$....which is different than a discussion about the numerator alone.

Short answer to the question posed at the top of this thread is No. IMO the In-N-Out burger is just another fast food slider.

Less that three weeks until I get to have another one.

It's hard waiting for such a sacred experience.