Very, very occasionally, I will want to grab something late at night when nothing else but McDonald's is open. The choice in these cases is between going hungry and getting something from McDonald's to at least satisfy the hunger pangs. Invariably, I'm tempted by the Quarter Pounder, thinking that the thicker patty will be more substantive and satisfying than the Big Mac's thinner patties and extra carbs...and invariably, I am shocked at how bad they taste--and worse--how completely unsatisfying they are. They actually leave me feeling worse off than if I'd just have gone hungry.

All I can fathom is that the general populace is taste-blind. When traveling, I of course make it a point to seek out the best food (usually something special and unique to the area, if not something the city/region is famous for), and quite often, I encounter something that is the perfect trifecta of delicious, quick, and cheap.

And yet there is always a McDonald's or other fast-food restaurant across the street and there is always a line at said fast-food restaurant. It simply doesn't make sense--much like I'm left scratching my head at why there are so many people filling up at the Chevron across the street when there's a perfectly good Shell directly across the street that's 5, 10, or even 20 cents per gallon cheaper (yes! I've seen a 20-cent differential with people in line to pay ridiculous gobs of money more just because it's apparently on the correct side of the street for them)....

In-N-Out obviously knows this is a problem, and tries to do things to expedite the line -- like dispatch mobile order takers to the drive-through line. But, at the end of the day, I guess they don't know how to maintain quality AND speed up the service. I'm guessing the only way would be to open up even more In-N-Outs and disperse the crowds!

If I lived in California, I'm sure I'd also opt for other chains sometimes due to speed. For me, not living in an In-N-Out town, the option to grab one of their burgers is still special. If they were down the street from my home or office, I'd take them for granted and sometimes be less willing to commit the time necessary to visit. This is, after all, supposed to be quick-service food!

Undoubtedly some customers are just lazy and head to McDonalds. But McDonalds does do some things very well and, particularly abroad, their product is more unique -- and sometimes speedier -- than the local fare. It can even taste better: like my son insists McDonald's Canadian burgers are better than the American ones.

I know when I travel overseas, there are some places where McDonalds can be quite useful. Like Japan: better stores, good value and a taste of home. Russia: hard to find edible quick-service food. Australia: significantly cheaper than most alternatives for equal quality/tastiness. Hawaii: only burgers that don't cost a fortune.

Of course, in each instance, I'd choose an In-N-Out if one existed! But first they have to get east of the Mississippi before conquering the world.

The people that order McD burgers over In-n-Out probably prefer that 'taste'. McD's burgers don't necessarily taste like burgers to me; it's almost hard to describe the taste, other than salty.

I'll usually choose McD's over In'n'Out, but not for the burgers -- if I want a burger, In'n'Out is an easy better choice (although these days I generally skip fast food burgers and go for diner.) The basic dollar-menu thin patty single burgers and McDouble at McD's are OK and nicely cheap; the "premium" burgers are never worth it.

OTOH, they have a much broader menu than In'n'Out, and the breakfast are better than most of the cheaper local diners (let alone Denny's) whereas In'n'Out is a one trick pony and ultimately still fast food.

It is a little surprising to me that In-N-Out has stuck with only hamburgers. You'd think they might offer a "burger" with another type of meat -- like chicken. But, obviously, their burger-only strategy "works" for them, so I guess they feel no need to change it.

From a business perspective, I think it's very smart that In-N-Out doesn't do promotions -- the price is the price, and there's no way to game the system. As you observe, the McDonalds menu is gameable. Like a McDouble is now usually less than 1/3 the price of a quarter-pounder (the only reason I was willing to try a quarter-pounder was that I was eating with my son, and they had a 2-for-1 promo). That pricing obviously makes no sense. Of course, a majority of their customers can't do the math or don't care.

I would disagree that McDonald's breakfasts are better than local diners, but if you game their menu, it can offer excellent value. I was just in Hawaii with my family of 4 and didn't want to ring up a $100 breakfast tab. We could certainly have gamed the McDonalds' menu and run up less than $10. But you can game Denny's menu, too: a "value slam" of 2 pancakes, 2 eggs and bacon is only $4. More expensive that McDonalds, but also tastier, too.

I welcome the In-N-Out invasion.

Grew up in Burgerville territory and within the last 3 years I have noticed their quality and value on their burgers and fries has really fallen off. When drive-through burgers with generic buns and cold slices of cheese start to approach the pricing of a delicious sit down (but still quick serve) burger (e.g., Hodad's in San Diego, 5 Guys) I start to bail.

Burgerville still gets thumbs up for their shakes.

Agree - as much as I love In N Out, the burger at Five Guys is far superior. Dragged my reluctant bf to the one in the CC Westfield with him protesting the idea that the two burgers would even be comparable, only to have him wide-eyed and drooling for more once he tried his Little Cheeseburger

if i am ever in cali again (only ben twice so far), I have to drag the gf to the lax one for some plane spotting and food but there s more tthan them i am sure!!

That's a matter of opinion, but have you compared prices? My local Five Guys is $6.79 for a cheeseburger and almost $4.00 for an order of fries. A Double-Double and fries is half that at In-N-Out. It is truly a good burger for EVERYBODY -- not just folks who want an expensive burger. Comparing these two chains is like comparing a Mortons to the Outback Steakhouse: Mortons had better be a heck of a lot better given the price differential.

For you vegetarians and pescatarians out there (I just went pesca a month ago), you can enjoy your In N Out goodness by ordering a grilled cheese with fried chopped onion - almost as delicious as the real thing, none of the guilt...and the combo is cheaper than the with-meat version.

Went there around 1pm this past Saturday. Long line of cars for drive thru. Took me 20 minutes from getting in the drive thru line, till leaving the pickup window. It was definitely worth the wait!

I still love just about everything about Burgerville, and the small cheeseburgers are some of my favorites around. But the fries have always been a very weak point.

Nothing in Chicago compares to either.

Only problem for some is that the onions are sometimes grilled and caramelized in the remaining burger grease. ...maybe that's why it's almost as good as the real thing?

Hi guys, I am heading over the US in the next few weeks for the first time in 10 years. Keen to try out In-N-Out when im over there, any preference on where I should try it? I will be in Hollywood and in New York. What's a good one to go to?

They haven't reached NY yet. Any location you come across in Southern California should work fine. They're remarkably consistent, but you do tend to get a better end product during off-peak hours (at some stores, this would actually be less-peak, as some spots are just always super busy).