Five Guys voted favorite burger chain

[coasterfreak101]

Now if only I could combine In-N-Out's burgers with Five Guys' fries and Stake 'n Shake's shakes, then we'd be in the hospital.

 

I fixed this for you. But man, what a hospital visit it would be! Worth it, 110%.

[RCFreak]

I still cannot understand why anyone likes In & Out. I still think their quality plummeted when they started to expand/franchise. I'd rather go to Arby's.

For me, I don't bother with that crap. It's just like my music and everything else...if it sounds good to me, I listen; if it tastes good, I eat it, etc. etc.

 

Same here, I enjoy Five Guys and In-N-Out (both within 10 minutes from me) but I would much rather just go to Carl's Jr. and get a Double Western Cheeseburger. I also really enjoy Whoppers from Burger King too though. The only other things around here are Red Robin and a place called Eureka Burger which I've heard mixed things about so I have yet to try them.

[Top Thrill Dragster]

I had Five Guys for the first time yesterday, it was good but not great. I really liked their Cajun Fries! I might just go there to get just fries.

 

 

Overall I think Fatburger has the best burgers. I just wish it wasn't so expensive.

[SLUSHIE]

I've only been to Five Guys once and wasn't really impressed. At the time the closest one was downtown but I just checked and there is a closer one now. What I did like is how you could pick whatever topping you wanted and it didn't cost any extra. I might have to give it another go.

 

I agree The Habit is really good. There are quite a few of them in the Sacramento area and a went to them quite a bit when I was going to community college. Then when I went to school in Northridge they opened one up with a drive though and it was the best thing ever. I lived pretty much equal distance from In n Out and The Habit and it was always a pretty hard decision, unless I was hanging out at one of my friends apartment where the habit is pretty much in their parking lot.

 

In Sacramento we have this place called the Squeeze Inn, they named it that because their original location was tiny, but they have since had to move from there because it wasn't wheelchair accessible and opened some new stores as well. They are famous for their "cheese skirt." They were featured on a few TV show in their original location. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hgguua08-g

 

[Skycoastin Steve]

I've only had In-N-Out twice in my life, and that was when I went to Cali in 2010. I thought it was absolutely fantastic, but I have no other basis for comparison on what it used to be vs. now or anything. But the two visits I had then were awesome.

 

Five Guys is REALLY damn good, but as others have said, it's ridiculously overpriced. I would fight a battalion of ninja zombies carrying light sabres for an order of Cajun fries, though.

 

If McDonald's didn't have the McDouble for $1, I would never, ever, ever, ever go there. Everything they have there is outdone by another chain (except maybe fries, but quality control is so bad at most locations that I get cold and/or unsalted fries all the time).

[cal1br3tto]

I...I think I would have a heart attack before even getting to the burger part.

 

Say, don't I have family in Sacramento I should go visit?

[XYZ]

I've only been to Five Guys once and wasn't really impressed. At the time the closest one was downtown but I just checked and there is a closer one now. What I did like is how you could pick whatever topping you wanted and it didn't cost any extra. I might have to give it another go.

 

I agree The Habit is really good. There are quite a few of them in the Sacramento area and a went to them quite a bit when I was going to community college. Then when I went to school in Northridge they opened one up with a drive though and it was the best thing ever. I lived pretty much equal distance from In n Out and The Habit and it was always a pretty hard decision, unless I was hanging out at one of my friends apartment where the habit is pretty much in their parking lot.

 

In Sacramento we have this place called the Squeeze Inn, they named it that because their original location was tiny, but they have since had to move from there because it wasn't wheelchair accessible and opened some new stores as well. They are famous for their "cheese skirt." They were featured on a few TV show in their original location. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hgguua08-g

 

 

I lived in Sacramento for 5 years and I should've known this place from the size of that burger which I could finish in a week.

[netdvn]

I'm surprised Hardee's ranked at the bottom of the list for service. Last time I ate at one, I easily had the best service of any fast food joint ever.

 

McDonald's/BK, I try to skip for other fast food places. There are far better options out there. Mickey D's has good food, but I've had it one too many times to care anymore.

 

Having tried Five Guys last July, it was fantastic. Granted Hardees and Chick-fil-A still have it beat out, I'd rank it among the best chain-style fast food places. Plus any place that doles out free peanuts is a winner in my book. They definitely deserved the accolades they were given.

 

In n Out burger is on my bucket list, although I have a feeling I'll be disappointed.

[Gav]

One place I swear by now is Mos Burger, it's a Japanese chain that also has outlets in Singapore, Taiwan, HK etc, but they've opened up in Australia.

 

Always fresh, inexpensive, it's the only place I know where the burger looks like the picture every time, and their basic "Mos Cheeseburger" and "Beef Teriyaki" burger are awesome (Quite often I'll order those two and forego chips)

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I'd go to McDonalds more often if they'd just leave a burger with egg and beetroot on the permanent menu. Limited time only? Fuuuuuuuu!

[SLUSHIE]

Well I went to Five Guys tonight and wasn't impressed again, the burger just tastes really plain. I got a pretty normal burger, tomatoes, pickles, lettuce, cheese, and ketchup. The ingredients are quality but there is no seasoning on the meat and it has no flavor. The atmosphere is humble and that is part of the appeal, but it is expensive (for the 'normal' burger) and I just don't get it.

[805Andrew]

Okay I'm going to weigh in on the burger debate.

 

FIVE GUYS

I haven't tried Five Guys yet, as the nearest one to me is over 100 miles away, but I will eventually when I'm near one and I'm hungry and in the mood for a burger. It would be nice if they opened a location on the CA Central Coast.

 

IN-N-OUT

I really like In-N-Out and its my go to place for a fast food burger when I want a traditional burger (lettuce, tomatoes, onions). People wanting bacon, onion rings, fancy toppings, or huge burgers will be disappointed as In-N-Out has a very limited menu (burgers, fries, sodas, and shakes). In-N-Out is supposed to be very close to what a hamburger was like in the 1950s (of course I can't tell by experience being born in the 1980s). I really LOVE the sauce In-N-Out puts on its burgers, the fresh tomatoes and lettuce they pile on, and getting onions grilled on my burger (or going for Animal Style which cooks the burger in mustard also). I love the fact that they use fresh ingredients including fresh, not frozen, beef, and they cut their fries from potatoes right in front of you. I love their fries too (but not as much as their burgers) and dipping them in their "spread", but their fries must be eaten right away since they are fresh. The shakes, although simple, are very good too. I think part of reason why so many people here in CA love In-N-Out is not just because of the food, but the philosophy of the company: not changing the menu since 1948, using fresh ingredients, not franchising (all stores are company owned), keeping menu prices low ($1.50 for fries, $1.90 for a hamburger, $3.20 for a Double-Double, $1.99 for a shake) and treating their employees well (they start at $10.50/hr instead of minimum wage). Is In-N-Out the best burger place in the world (or even in my hometown)? No. But among the six main burger chains in California (McDs, BK, Carl's Jr, Jack in the Box, In-N-Out, Wendy's) I feel they are the best for a straight up burger, fries, and shake ( I do love the Bacon Guacamole Six Dollar Burger from Carl's so that's a tough one, but for a normal burger its In-N-Out).

 

THE HABIT

I was lucky that a Habit opened up near me in San Luis Obispo, CA a little less than two years ago. The Habit is like taking In-N-Out to the next level. They do fresh burgers, fries, and shakes like In-N-Out, but with more toppings, flavors, and sizes. They also do chicken sandwiches and salads (haven't tried them) which In-N-Out doesn't do. They are also about twice the price of In-N-Out (similar to Five Guys pricing I guess??) so I don't go there as often.

 

FUDDRUCKERS

I've only been there once in the Bay Area when visiting my sister. I thought it was overrated and while the meat was good (I had the boar burger), the burger lacked a good sauce since you put on the toppings yourself (I thought I would have liked this but with all the added effort required I would have rather had them put the toppings on for me). The shakes were really good if I recalled. I would try Fuddruckers again because they have several different meats to try "the Exotics" and I haven't had the regular beef burger there. Fuddruckers is another place where your tab easily runs over $10 per person.

 

FATBURGER

I've only been to Fatburger in Vegas and Lake Tahoe since there are none near me but I liked it the three times I tried it. I like the fact that their burgers come in different sizes (though I think XXL and XXXL are pointless) and they come with standard toppings (lettuce, tomatoes, onions) and you can add on other toppings if you'd like. I don't like cheese so I like not having to pay for cheese (most places won't discount the cheese for saying "no cheese" on a menu item that comes w/ cheese - In-N-Out and Chick-Fil-A being the exceptions). I also love the fact that one of the toppings you can add on your burger is a fried egg. I don't what it is that makes a fried egg on a burger so good, but I love it. I like that they do turkey burgers too. And the banana shake I had there was very good (I wish more places had banana shakes - not chocolate banana or strawberry banana but straight up banana).

 

A&W

I'm surprised A&W was high up on the survey, as I would have put it near the bottom of the survey. The only thing A&W has going for it is the root beer (which is very good on tap). Every thing else they have is substandard fast food and while their burgers are okay, I'd rather go across the street to McDonald's for anything besides their root beer.

 

EUREKA BURGER

Eureka is a small gastropub burger chain from Redlands that opened a location here in San Luis Obispo less than a year ago that is wildly popular here. RCFreak mentioned them, go try them! I've been there three times since it opened and it is very good, but don't go there expecting your average burger. All their burgers have fancy/weird/interesting toppings served with shoestring (very thin) or sweet potato fries or salad. I think they even have a uber fancy version of the western bacon cheeseburger. Don't compare them to a fast food restaurant though, they are a sit down restaurant. Their burgers aren't cheap ($10+) but they use high quality ingredients; go there for a special occasion or when you want to treat yourself. They also have 30 different craft beers on tap (no Bud/Miller/Coors served here) including a sampler that lets you try four different beers which I get each time I go there.

[ParkTrips]

I can't understand why people are saying Five Guys is expensive - the regular cheeseburger has 1.5 times the weight of a Big Mac and as such costs about 1.5 times a Big Mac (while tasting much much better than the McDonald's crap!)

 

Then there are the gourmet burger bistros that sell $10-15 burgers.. now THAT I could understand being called expensive (though I disagree), but not Five Guys. A burger and fries from there really does fill you up, unlike most of the slop that fast food chains serve

[Her0ofLime]

I can't understand why people are saying Five Guys is expensive - the regular cheeseburger has 1.5 times the weight of a Big Mac and as such costs about 1.5 times a Big Mac (while tasting much much better than the McDonald's crap!)

 

Then there are the gourmet burger bistros that sell $10-15 burgers.. now THAT I could understand being called expensive (though I disagree), but not Five Guys. A burger and fries from there really does fill you up, unlike most of the slop that fast food chains serve

Finally someone I can agree with! I love Five Guys and hate McDonalds, McDonalds serves crap and Five Guys serves real burgers, though I have to agree local places are the best, here we have Yeah! Burger, which is pretty much awesomeness transformed into a burger, plus great fries, plus awesome service, plus real 100% ingredients.

[Hilltopper39]

I can't understand why people are saying Five Guys is expensive - the regular cheeseburger has 1.5 times the weight of a Big Mac and as such costs about 1.5 times a Big Mac (while tasting much much better than the McDonald's crap!)

 

Then there are the gourmet burger bistros that sell $10-15 burgers.. now THAT I could understand being called expensive (though I disagree), but not Five Guys. A burger and fries from there really does fill you up, unlike most of the slop that fast food chains serve

 

Agree, I've heard the argument that 5 guys is expensive before too and also don't get it. Yeah it's a bit more expensive than Mconalds or Burger King, but as far as a counter service style up scale fast food goes its about on par price wise with Panera, Moes, Newks, Chipolte, Firehouse, or any other place like that. A burger fries and drink is about $10, which to me is a reasonable price for what ya get.

[BeemerBoy]

^ Yeah I think the perception that it's "more expensive" is simply because the place resembles every other "fast food" joint...even though there's no drive-thru, and it's made-to-order.

 

 

IN-N-OUT

I really like In-N-Out and its my go to place for a fast food burger when I want a traditional burger (lettuce, tomatoes, onions). People wanting bacon, onion ringy dingy ding-a-ling dings, fancy toppings, or huge burgers will be disappointed as In-N-Out has a very limited menu (burgers, fries, sodas, and shakes). In-N-Out is supposed to be very close to what a hamburger was like in the 1950s (of course I can't tell by experience being born in the 1980s). I really LOVE the sauce In-N-Out puts on its burgers, the fresh tomatoes and lettuce they pile on, and getting onions grilled on my burger (or going for Animal Style which cooks the burger in mustard also). I love the fact that they use fresh ingredients including fresh, not frozen, beef, and they cut their fries from potatoes right in front of you. I love their fries too (but not as much as their burgers) and dipping them in their "spread", but their fries must be eaten right away since they are fresh. The shakes, although simple, are very good too. I think part of reason why so many people here in CA love In-N-Out is not just because of the food, but the philosophy of the company: not changing the menu since 1948, using fresh ingredients, not franchising (all stores are company owned), keeping menu prices low ($1.50 for fries, $1.90 for a hamburger, $3.20 for a Double-Double, $1.99 for a shake) and treating their employees well (they start at $10.50/hr instead of minimum wage). Is In-N-Out the best burger place in the world (or even in my hometown)? No. But among the six main burger chains in California (McDs, BK, Carl's Jr, Jack in the Box, In-N-Out, Wendy's) I feel they are the best for a straight up burger, fries, and shake ( I do love the Bacon Guacamole Six Dollar Burger from Carl's so that's a tough one, but for a normal burger its In-N-Out).

Pretty well said.

 

 

Best traditional fast food burger = In-N-Out

Best "fast food" made to order burger = Five Guys

[cfc]

I prefer Five Guys to In-n-Out. My big gripw against the latter is their use of that foul, wretched, fetid condiment of Satan--1,000 Island Dressing (good fries, though). One of the main things I like about Five Guys is the choice of condiments (I much prefer chopped greel bell pepper to iceberg lettuce).

Edited October 2, 2012 by cfc

[ambe_bambe]

I hate Australia, we don't get anything cool like Five Guys or Popeye's. I would even settle for In'n'Out. I just wish we had something other than McDonalds, Hungry Jacks (Same as Burger King) KFC, Red Rooster (Its roast chicken) Pizza Hut and Dominos... yup thats pretty much it.

 

I want Five Guys now...

[TPDave]

I still haven't been to a Five guys. It's definitely on my list now!

[dippindotsguy8]

In-n-Out is good, but the things I don't like are:

1. Having to ask them not to put 1000 island on it

2. lack of topping choices

3. I hate their fries...

 

Five Guys has a pretty good burger, plus lots more toppings and amazingly good fries. If they had shakes, too, that would be amazing.

[BeemerBoy]

In-n-Out is good, but the things I don't like are:

1. Having to ask them not to put 1000 island on it

 

Five Guys has a pretty good burger, plus lots more toppings and amazingly good fries.

What's the difference between having to ask one joint to remove a topping, and another to add one?

[larrygator]

Five Guys burger with bacon and Frank's Hot Sauce for the win.

 

Free peanuts. WooHoo!

[jray21]

I do like Five Guys, but tend to prefer In-N-Out. I wouldn't put either of those as my top choice though. I really like Carl's Jr. Pastrami Burger (When they had it), and really like their pulled pork burger. I also like Fuddrucker's a lot, especially their Elk and Buffalo burger. I also had Wendy's the other day, haven't had them for years, and they were amazingly good! Of course, I tend to like whatever I just ate last.

[MayTheGForceBeWithYou]

Like In-N-Out a lot when I go to California, but I got into Smashburger last week. SO good!

[mcjaco]

I still haven't been to a Five guys. It's definitely on my list now!

 

Overated.

[Meteornotes]

^Totally disagree. Easily the best chain burger. And show me one chain place with better fries.

 

dt