Burger discussion

[SeriousStudent]

Oh, and good work dodging the Great Burger Controversy. :cool:

[Dagga Boy]

Oh, and good work dodging the Great Burger Controversy. :cool:

I didn't know there was a controversy…..In-N-Out is better than Whataburger. It is settled. No more debate is needed;). Also, In-N-Out's are squeaky clean, so you can wear flip flops and not get "things" on your feet:cool:. Luckily, I was wearing boots at the Whataburger in Gainsville,TX., or it could have been a bad situation.

[JM Campbell]

I didn't know there was a controversy…..In-N-Out is better than Whataburger. It is settled. No more debate is needed;). Also, In-N-Out's are squeaky clean, so you can wear flip flops and not get "things" on your feet:cool:. Luckily, I was wearing boots at the Whataburger in Gainsville,TX., or it could have been a bad situation.

Without a doubt I agree....cleaner then 95% of any eating establishment out there....and the burger and fries are better.

[SeriousStudent]

I didn't know there was a controversy…..In-N-Out is better than Whataburger. It is settled. No more debate is needed;). Also, In-N-Out's are squeaky clean, so you can wear flip flops and not get "things" on your feet:cool:. Luckily, I was wearing boots at the Whataburger in Gainsville,TX., or it could have been a bad situation.

LOL - "So let it be written, so let it be done."

[Dagga Boy]

LOL - "So let it be written, so let it be done."

Hopefully, Wayne won't see this………I don't think he knows that he lost on this one yet……..;).

[Clyde from Carolina]

Without a doubt I agree....cleaner then 95% of any eating establishment out there....and the burger and fries are better.

Hmm, to my shame I must admit I haven't tried either. (Mea Culpa... I'm an east coast guy.)

I wonder how they compare to Five Guys Burger and Fries? I was there this afternoon and they are not bad at all. :cool:

[RoyGBiv]

I wonder how they compare to Five Guys Burger and Fries?
5 guys wins.....

[Dagga Boy]

PS Nyeti, please to clear your PM box. :-)


Done. My take on 5 Guys….Great burger with that "home cooked" taste….which is my issue. I can make a 5 Guys burger. They taste like what I make on the BBQ. You cannot duplicate the taste of In-N-Out. It is a unique and consistent taste. Oh, and Animal Fries…..yea baby:o.

[LHS]

Done. My take on 5 Guys….Great burger with that "home cooked" taste….which is my issue. I can make a 5 Guys burger. They taste like what I make on the BBQ. You cannot duplicate the taste of In-N-Out. It is a unique and consistent taste. Oh, and Animal Fries…..yea baby:o.

Back when I could still eat such things, I was all about the double-double, animal style, no pickles.

[LittleLebowski]

Hmm, to my shame I must admit I haven't tried either. (Mea Culpa... I'm an east coast guy.)

I wonder how they compare to Five Guys Burger and Fries? I was there this afternoon and they are not bad at all. :cool:

No comparison. 5 Guys is far worse.

[jlw]

The only reason to go to Five Guys is their fries.

[Josh Runkle]

No comparison. 5 Guys is far worse.

Most definitely. It ain't even close.

[PPGMD]

Without a doubt I agree....cleaner then 95% of any eating establishment out there....and the burger and fries are better.

In-n-Out fries are horrible, great burgers though.

[Tamara]

Also, In-N-Out's are squeaky clean...

In this department, every fast food chain merely wishes they were Chick-Fil-A. :p

[JV_]

I'm looking forward to our new Smash Burger. I've never eaten at one, but everyone says they're pretty good.

[LittleLebowski]

In this department, every fast food chain merely wishes they were Chick-Fil-A. :p

In'n'Out is just as clean as Chik-Fil-A. They resemble each other in level of service and cleanliness.

[joshs]

I'm looking forward to our new Smash Burger. I've never eaten at one, but everyone says they're pretty good.

I'm a fan. I like their smash fries as well.

[JM Campbell]

I'm a fan. I like their smash fries as well.

Only been there once and it was excellent, onion rings were good as well.

[rudy99]

I grew up in TX with Sonic and Whataburger as my favorite fast food burger joints. With that said, I do think In and Out makes a better burger, however I'm not a big fan of their fries. I like a thicker fry and not those shoe string ones.

None of them can compete with the boutique burger joints though (to be expected given the increased price point). In Dallas, it is hard to beat a burger from Angry Dog (http://angrydog.com/index.php), Off Site Kitchen (http://offsitekitchen.net/) or Village Burger Bar (http://www.villageburgerbar.com/). I've been to Smash Burger and although it was good, I wasn't blown away.

[Tamara]

None of them can compete with the boutique burger joints though (to be expected given the increased price point).

Word. Here in IND I recommend Boogie Burger (http://www.boogieburger.com/) up on Broad Ripple Avenue. By comparison, arguing Steak 'n' Shake vs. Culver's is like picking the tallest midget at the county fair.

(Sometimes we'll pedal up the Monon Rail Trail to Bub's (http://www.bubsburgersandicecream.com/) in Carmel on the theory that the ride there and back will account for some of the calories.)

[JeffJ]

In and Out fries are terrible. And they're another California import brought to make Californians feel at home here. Therefore they will not receive any of my money.

[JAD]

While Winstead's is a great joint, and my three year old considers it the pinnacle of cuisine, KC isn't a burger town (see also Town Topic for a great restaurant with an OK burger). Tulsa, on the other hand, is burger mecca. There are several valid choices, but I prefer Claude's.

[PPGMD]

I grew up in TX with Sonic and Whataburger as my favorite fast food burger joints. With that said, I do think In and Out makes a better burger, however I'm not a big fan of their fries. I like a thicker fry and not those shoe string ones.

I don't think Sonic makes very good burgers. But I love their tator tots, and they make a respectable Chicago Dog.


None of them can compete with the boutique burger joints though (to be expected given the increased price point). In Dallas, it is hard to beat a burger from Angry Dog (http://angrydog.com/index.php), Off Site Kitchen (http://offsitekitchen.net/) or Village Burger Bar (http://www.villageburgerbar.com/). I've been to Smash Burger and although it was good, I wasn't blown away.

One of the guys I work with raves about OSK. I haven't had a chance to go there yet.

Smashburger is ok. I liked their Baja Burger with a side of fried pickles.

http://www.lazyeights.net/Avion/Smashburger_Baja_Burger.jpg

[Shellback]

In-n-Out fries are horrible, great burgers though.

Order them well done and they're much better! Yummy crispiness. Or Animal Style for an extra 5000 calories. :cool:

[JMorse]

Nothing I've had compares to this one from Outlaw's Burger in Van Nuys, CA.
1926

[justintime]

No comparison. 5 Guys is far worse.

Agreed, I don't get the 5 guys allure. Their fries make me sad and they overcook their patties. Being from Texas it saddens me to say, but in and out does currently have a better burger. When I was a kid whataburger won hands down compared to current in and out

Also smash burger is awesome

[Bigguy]

The Heart Attack Grill (http://www.heartattackgrill.com/)
I've never had one myself, but it did get some pretty glowing reviews by several members on the Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club.

[PPGMD]

Order them well done and they're much better! Yummy crispiness. Or Animal Style for an extra 5000 calories. :cool:

I tried them Animal Style once, it was fantastic. Well done, not so much. I like a crispy skin with a soft center.


Being from Texas it saddens me to say, but in and out does currently have a better burger. When I was a kid whataburger won hands down compared to current in and out

I wouldn't say that In-n-Out is better, they simply have a different burger style. No different than comparing Neapolitan Style pizza to say Chicago Style pizza. I honestly like both.

Also Whataburger ketchup is fantastic, now that they bottle it, it has displaced Hunts, and Heinz in my house.

[PPGMD]

Nothing I've had compares to this one from Outlaw's Burger in Van Nuys, CA.
1926

That requires you to go to California. Most of the places we are talking about are in Free America, namely Texas.

[justintime]

I tried them Animal Style once, it was fantastic. Well done, not so much. I like a crispy skin with a soft center.



I wouldn't say that In-n-Out is better, they simply have a different burger style. No different than comparing Neapolitan Style pizza to say Chicago Style pizza. I honestly like both.

Also Whataburger ketchup is fantastic, now that they bottle it, it has displaced Hunts, and Heinz in my house.

Agreed, I am not a spicy food person... But I have been using their spicy ketchup on everything. Venison+Mac n cheese + spicy ketchup mixed together = college goodness

[Jakus]

My current favorite in the DFW metro area...

http://www.rodeogoat.com/

I've tried a few, but my favorite so far is the whiskey burger. I also like that they do a weekly battle of the burger to find new menu items.

[justintime]

Burger fi is really good, red robins, and willies as well. I think willies is only San Antonio though.

[Tamara]

Five Star Burgers (http://5starburgers.com/new-mexico/) in New Mexico. AAA+++. Would do business with again.

(...and did, as a matter of fact. The very next time I was in NM.)

[Dagga Boy]

This was more about chain drive through stuff. There are tons of great "custom" burger joints out there that are good. One of my favorites is Danny' Palm Bar and Grill in Coranado. Wayne has also taken me to some great places here in the Republic of Texas.

[Tamara]

This was more about chain drive through stuff.

Then out here it's either Culver's or Steak 'n' Shake for me.

[justintime]

Also hate culvers :p Steak 'n Shake is good

[KeeFus]

Whataburger. Wow, what a blast from 1993. While stationed at White Sands we would go to Las Cruces and would hit that place. It was kind of a filthy restaurant but the burgers seemed good. 5 guys is ok but nothin special. Fuddruckers was here til a couple years ago and they folded up and left. Man they were good!

However, the best burgers I've had are from Char-grill. I first had one when I was a kid and have loved them ever since. They just opened one in town a few months ago and it has been packed daily. The steak burger is the shiznit. http://www.chargrillusa.com

[JAD]

KC doesn't have crap for chain burgers, I guess Five Guys. Why would you choose a burger over barbeque?

[John Hearne]

I had a lot of respect for Wayne until I heard his silly idea that Whataburger trumped In-N-Out. I've eaten at Whataburger three times in different states (yes, I'm a slow learner) and had lousy burger every time. I only miss two things from my time in California - In-N-Out and BevMo! In-N-Out may not be perfect but they're damn close and I've never had a bad one.

And why not love for Fat Burger or Johnny Rockets?

[jon volk]

Ill just leave this right here.

Topped with avacado, over easy egg, kalamata olive mayo

....and rare as kitten

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/305513_3887435430840_1640385107_n.jpg

[Dagga Boy]

I had a lot of respect for Wayne until I heard his silly idea that Whataburger trumped In-N-Out. I've eaten at Whataburger three times in different states (yes, I'm a slow learner) and had lousy burger every time. I only miss two things from my time in California - In-N-Out and BevMo! In-N-Out may not be perfect but they're damn close and I've never had a bad one.

And why not love for Fat Burger or Johnny Rockets?

I love Fat Guys. They also have a terrific Turkey burger...if that is your thing.
Hopefully, John can attest to the burgers at Casa De Nyeti.

[Jackdog]

Whataburger. Wow, what a blast from 1993. While stationed at White Sands we would go to Las Cruces and would hit that place. It was kind of a filthy restaurant but the burgers seemed good. 5 guys is ok but nothin special. Fuddruckers was here til a couple years ago and they folded up and left. Man they were good!

However, the best burgers I've had are from Char-grill. I first had one when I was a kid and have loved them ever since. They just opened one in town a few months ago and it has been packed daily. The steak burger is the shiznit. http://www.chargrillusa.com

I love Char-grill! Used to eat at the original one on Hillsborough St. growing up in Raleigh. I tried to hit them when every I visit my family. Mmm... May have to hit 'em up this week-end.

[SeriousStudent]

May I offer a kind word for Mooyah Burger? And their fries far surpass any others I have tried.

Geez, what a hungry bunch this is! Mention an inside joke between two guys in Texas, and it spawns a five-page thread overnight. Or have you folks just been starving yourself for Thanksgiving?

My personal fave home burgers done on my grill are made from fresh ground sirloin and sweet Texas 1015 onions mixed in, with some Penzy's chili powder spice as a seasoning. Then fried pickles as a side. Wash it all down with copious amounts of Shiner Black.

[jlw]

For a fast food burger, I like Cook-Out (http://www.cookoutnc.com/). For a more high-end burger, give me Red Robin (http://www.redrobin.com/).

It's hard to beat Cook-Out's prices.

[john556]

I agree with nyeti about five guys not being anything special.

Personally, Char-Grill is best burgers I've ever had. They used to have one in Fayetteville but......

[Clyde from Carolina]

For a fast food burger, I like Cook-Out (http://www.cookoutnc.com/). For a more high-end burger, give me Red Robin (http://www.redrobin.com/).

It's hard to beat Cook-Out's prices.

Very true. Tasty and cheap.

Glad it was brought up that there is a difference between good to excellent chain restaurant burgers and true gourmet specialty burgers. In Raleigh, Player's Retreat has very good burgers and a decent single malt selection also. A friend was telling me just today the place used to be a rough dive back in the day, but it is now under new management. A guest chef actually comes in on Friday (and maybe Saturday) nights now and makes killer dishes, according to my buddy.

Char-Grill did make really good burgers as I recall but I need to go again...didn't remember them as being super uber special.

This stuff is all subjective of course. My sister lived in Europe for years and is a wonderful gourmet cook and is a fan of Five Guys, and also In and Out Burger, IIRC. (She used to live in California.) Go figure.

My favorite burgers are actually the ones my wife makes at home on the grill. No kidding. They're amazing...in my humble opinion. ;) I like the big fancy $15 gourmet burgers too, but not quite as much as my wifey's.

[Chuck Whitlock]

Never even seen an In-and-Out or five guys or most of those others mentioned. Not only am I from Texas, I grew up in Corpus Christi, the birthplace of Whataburger. Actually, this summer I learned from my dad that my grandfather built their #2 store. First boutique burger place I remember was Wallbangers.......I think it is still open.

Up here Culvers isn't bad..got one across the street from a Sonic, along with the ubiquitous McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys, and Dairy Queen.

[justintime]

Never even seen an In-and-Out or five guys or most of those others mentioned. Not only am I from Texas, I grew up in Corpus Christi, the birthplace of Whataburger. Actually, this summer I learned from my dad that my grandfather built their #2 store. First boutique burger place I remember was Wallbangers.......I think it is still open.

Up here Culvers isn't bad..got one across the street from a Sonic, along with the ubiquitous McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys, and Dairy Queen.

I grew up in McAllen and we went to corpus a lot. I always liked going to the two story whataburger. To my knowledge there are no in and outs in the Valley. It wasn't until recently that we got one here. I try to go to them when I'm in Dallas.

[Dagga Boy]

Wayne says that Whataburgers are like STOP signs in Texas. It does seem like they are everywhere.

[SeriousStudent]

Wayne says that Whataburgers are like STOP signs in Texas. It does seem like they are everywhere.

The town where I live has a In 'n Out burger about 200 feet from a WhatABurger. So you guys could actually share a ride to lunch. :D

[ChuckSS]

I only have five guys and whataburger near me, out of the two I probably prefer whataburger. I'd like to try in n out sometime to see how it compares.

[KeeFus]

Char Grill tonight with a little reading...

http://i.imgur.com/WKgDJgbl.jpg

[John Hearne]

If we are going to discuss non-chain/more obscure burgers, I really must recommend the Dyers Burger. Dyers deep fries their burger in the same grease they've used since 1912 (yes, it's over 100 years old). The burgers are thin and very juicy. Their burger is on GQ's magazine of 60 things worth shortening your life for.

For those attending the Tac Conference, we need to arrange a field trip.

(The real curse of Dyers is that a lot of their other food items are really good. Their wings and buffalo sandwich are great and the deep fried Twinkie is excellent.)

[Clyde from Carolina]

Char Grill tonight with a little reading...

http://i.imgur.com/WKgDJgbl.jpg

I'm going to have to get over there now and check them out again.

[PPGMD]

The town where I live has a In 'n Out burger about 200 feet from a WhatABurger. So you guys could actually share a ride to lunch. :D

Belt line and DNT?

[Chuck Whitlock]

Wayne says that Whataburgers are like STOP signs in Texas. It does seem like they are everywhere.

Likely due to being born there. It's only been a few years since the corporate headquarters moved from Corpus to San Antonio....I'm guessing for logistical reasons. I love my hometown (Corpus), but it's not on the way to anywhere.

[NickA]

My personal fave home burgers done on my grill are made from fresh ground sirloin and sweet Texas 1015 onions mixed in, with some Penzy's chili powder spice as a seasoning. Then fried pickles as a side. Wash it all down with copious amounts of Shiner Black.

So dinner at your place next year then. Just need to stop by Braums and get some butter pecan ice cream for Cecil ;)


Wayne says that Whataburgers are like STOP signs in Texas. It does seem like they are everywhere.

Normally I would be upset at blasphemous remarks about Whataburger, but that's what it boils down to- it's by far the best burger you can have in less than 20 minutes, just about anywhere in Texas. There are definitely better burgers, but I do like their fries, and their ketchup and mustard are better than anywhere else.
That said, the quality can be inconsistent, and I've been in a few of them where the bathrooms were downright disgusting (both in Waco, come to think of it, which may explain things).

[Coyotesfan97]

The only thing Whataburger has over In n Out here is the Whataburgers are open 24 hours. My vote goes to In n Out.

One of my favorite burger places is The Chuckbox in Tempe just off the ASU campus. The burgers are cooked over Mesquite.


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[Dagga Boy]

NickA...it is almost funny that Wayne is almost religious with his devotion to Whataburger as a icon of Texas. I used to think it was funny, until I realized that I was exactly the same about In N out. Those special burgers you grew up with. I am just thankful that shortly after moving to Texas they brought an In N Out to my town. I also have one within walking distance from my vacation home in Arizona. Life is good.

[NickA]

NickA...it is almost funny that Wayne is almost religious with his devotion to Whataburger as a icon of Texas. I used to think it was funny, until I realized that I was exactly the same about In N out. Those special burgers you grew up with. I am just thankful that shortly after moving to Texas they brought an In N Out to my town. I also have one within walking distance from my vacation home in Arizona. Life is good.

That's pretty much it, nothing is as good as home.
We haven't gotten an In N Out down here yet, but luckily I'm headed to DFW this weekend, so in the interest of Science I'll do my best to hit it up. I just hope Wayne doesn't have me excommunicated :eek:

[PPGMD]

NickA...it is almost funny that Wayne is almost religious with his devotion to Whataburger as a icon of Texas. I used to think it was funny, until I realized that I was exactly the same about In N out. Those special burgers you grew up with. I am just thankful that shortly after moving to Texas they brought an In N Out to my town. I also have one within walking distance from my vacation home in Arizona. Life is good.

Which is probably why I am neutral on it.

I grew up in Southern Cali so some of my first experiences with a hamburger were from In-n-Out. But my grandfather lived in Corpus and after fishing we would hit Whataburger.

[Cecil Burch]

So dinner at your place next year then. Just need to stop by Braums and get some butter pecan ice cream for Cecil ;)




That sounds like a plan! Home cooked burger and great ice cream. I would be satisfied :D


One of my favorite burger places is The Chuckbox in Tempe just off the ASU campus. The burgers are cooked over Mesquite.



I love The Chuckbox. I spent many a afternoons there when I was going to ASU in the 80's pretending to study while actually stuffing my face and drinking beer from those mason jar type mugs.

Whataburger was actually the first fast food I remember having. I love In n Out, but it is a close second to me behind Whataburger. I think the quality of the meat (at least in AZ, I don't know about TX) is better at Whataburger.

My current guilty pleasure burger is from Ron's in Tulsa. The Chili Cheese Burger with an extra 1/4 pound of a sausage patty on top is awesome in it's decadence. And Freddy's makes a mean burger, especially in Patty Melt form.

[JAD]

My current guilty pleasure burger is from Ron's in Tulsa. The Chili Cheese Burger with an extra 1/4 pound of a sausage patty on top is awesome in it's decadence. And Freddy's makes a mean burger, especially in Patty Melt form.
-- I used my Tulsa shout-out for Claude's and stand by it, but Ron's and Weber's were close runners up.

[jlw]

I suppose I should mention the Deluxe Samburger from Sam's Memphis Style Barbecue in Carrollton, GA. It's a hamburger topped with pulled pork, and it is pretty darn good.

Of course their pulled pork with hoecakes is pretty dang good too.

Sam's is about the only good thing in Carrollton, and that statement is in no small part influenced by football loyalties.

[SeriousStudent]

So dinner at your place next year then. Just need to stop by Braums and get some butter pecan ice cream for Cecil ;)

.....

Absolutely. You gents are always welcome here at Rancho Serious. Give me a hollar first so I can fire up the grill.

I also have a 70-year-old hand crank ice cream freezer, and a neighbor with a pecan tree. Just think of churning the freezer as getting in your reps.

[SeriousStudent]

That sounds like a plan! Home cooked burger and great ice cream. I would be satisfied :D




I love The Chuckbox. I spent many a afternoons there when I was going to ASU in the 80's pretending to study while actually stuffing my face and drinking beer from those mason jar type mugs.

Whataburger was actually the first fast food I remember having. I love In n Out, but it is a close second to me behind Whataburger. I think the quality of the meat (at least in AZ, I don't know about TX) is better at Whataburger.

My current guilty pleasure burger is from Ron's in Tulsa. The Chili Cheese Burger with an extra 1/4 pound of a sausage patty on top is awesome in it's decadence. And Freddy's makes a mean burger, especially in Patty Melt form.

As we said earlier - "So let it be written - so let it be done!"

Anybody know if they still have the chili-cheese burgers with bacon at Fat Burgers in LA? You sat on the curb, clutching a cardiologist's nightmare wrapped in aluminum foil, and let the grease run down your arm so it dripped off your elbow?

There was an art to eating those deliciously deadly things. We'd ride our motorcycles up from Pendleton to LA, just to consume one of those things.

[jlw]

Just need to stop by Braums

Oh man. I lived in Tulsa for a little while as a boy, and Braums was always a special treat.

I went back to Tulsa as an adult and went to a Braums every night I was there.

[Clyde from Carolina]

NickA...it is almost funny that Wayne is almost religious with his devotion to Whataburger as a icon of Texas. I used to think it was funny, until I realized that I was exactly the same about In N out. Those special burgers you grew up with. I am just thankful that shortly after moving to Texas they brought an In N Out to my town. I also have one within walking distance from my vacation home in Arizona. Life is good.

Some real wisdom here about fealty to the favorite burger of your youth. There is a great little drive-in place at the beach that I have been going to since I was a kid. My parents dated there in the early 60s. I know objectively that their burgers are only okay -- definitely wouldn't win any gourmet burger awards these days. Just typical old school thin patty thrown on a hot grill in a hurry.

But they taste exactly the same every time...and the same as they did when I was a kid. Same for the onion rings which are definitely not made from scratch. A real foodie would weep.

Oh my God, do I love those burgers and onion rings!

[PPGMD]

Absolutely. You gents are always welcome here at Rancho Serious. Give me a hollar first so I can fire up the grill.

I also have a 70-year-old hand crank ice cream freezer, and a neighbor with a pecan tree. Just think of churning the freezer as getting in your reps.

So DFW hamburger party?

[NickA]

I also have a 70-year-old hand crank ice cream freezer, and a neighbor with a pecan tree. Just think of churning the freezer as getting in your reps.

Ah yes... My grandfather used to throw a burger cookout for the neighborhood every year, and all us kids got to help make the ice cream. Good stuff!


Oh man. I lived in Tulsa for a little while as a boy, and Braums was always a special treat.

I went back to Tulsa as an adult and went to a Braums every night I was there.

We've always had a Braums back home, but the last time I ate there was probably over 20 years ago (not counting the recent ice cream trip with Cecil and the Dallas bunch). We don't have them this far south in SA.
Maybe while I'm up north this weekend I'll try to hit In N Out, Braums, and Whataburger, so I can help settle this argument. For the children :D

[Chuck Haggard]

Being an Army brat we travelled a lot, so I never had a childhood favorite since we moved at least every three years.

I tend to like mom-and-pop places and look for them every chance I get. Locally we have Bobo's, which was featured on the 'Diner's, Drive-ins and Dives' show, and The Pad, both are most excellent, with The Pad serving the best onion rings on the planet.

The Miami Tavern used to have a Ham-Burger that had thin sliced smoked ham on it, and it was shockingly good, but they weren't in business the last I knew.

[David Armstrong]

IMO the issue with the chains is that they are chains, and although they are supposed to be consistent often they are not. I grew up on Sonic in Oklahoma, used to eat at the first Sonic ever, and we liked them a lot. The Sonic locally isn't worth stoppping at. Our local 5 Guys is fantastic and is the choice for my daughter. Whataburger is always packed one place and the food is great, 10 miles down the road the Whataburger was so bad it ended up closing. For Texas, when I was in Huntsville the Texas Burger was generally considered hands down the best among the college crew, but when I stopped at one about 90 miles up the road it was filthy and the food sucked. Seems the only consistency is with the mega-chains, and they are consistently bad.:(

[John Hearne]

My current guilty pleasure burger is from Ron's in Tulsa.

I accidentally found Ron's while at the RM Tactical Conference. They make some of the best burgers I've ever had. I drug several skeptical folks there an they all left impressed.


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[gtmtnbiker98]

If you are from the Midwest, no burger conversation would be complete without mentioning White Castle hamburgers. Now that's intestinal fortitude!

[Coyotesfan97]

I love The Chuckbox. I spent many a afternoons there when I was going to ASU in the 80's pretending to study while actually stuffing my face and drinking beer from those mason jar type mugs.

Whataburger was actually the first fast food I remember having. I love In n Out, but it is a close second to me behind Whataburger. I think the quality of the meat (at least in AZ, I don't know about TX) is better at Whataburger.


I went to ASU from 1982 to the winter of 86. We might have drunk some beer together. There was a little bar up the street from The Chuckbox that sold drafts for a quarter.




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[TGS]

Then out here it's either Culver's or Steak 'n' Shake for me.

If we're talking commercial chains, then Steak'n'Shake is without doubt the best damn burger I've ever had. Delicious. Might actually claim best burger I've ever had, whether it be chain, mom'n'pop shop, backyard cookout, or whatever. The closest one to my current location is several hours away, and I think I might need to plan a weekend trip out there.

The Buckhorn Tavern in San Antonio, New Mexico also makes a green chili cheeseburger to die for.

Five Guys is okay, but it's never really done anything for me. I personally think a Wendy's burger tastes better, but there's also the fact that the Wendy's burger won't turn into a ball of smashed greasy bun and meat. After a few minutes a Five Guy's burger really turns into more of a "burger salad" instead of an actual burger. Their fries suck, too.

I've never had the west coast joints, like In'n'out or Whataburger. I did have an awesome burger at "The Burger Lounge" in Coronado, however. Definitely ranked up there, probably number 3 for me.

[SJC3081]

I like Five Guys and Red Robin, but considering I'm from New York I'm not really qualified to comment in regard to matters beyond gay sex, gun control and third trimester abortion.

[TGS]

I like Five Guys and Red Robin, but considering I'm from New York I'm not really qualified to comment in regard to matters beyond gay sex, gun control and third trimester abortion.

After growing up in similar circumstances regarding burgers, going to a Steak'n'Shake will be like discovering a new primary color.

[LHS]

One of my favorite burger places is The Chuckbox in Tempe just off the ASU campus. The burgers are cooked over Mesquite.


The Chuckbox makes great burgers, but it seems like you have to have done prison time to work there. The Tijuana Torpedo is a great burger. I haven't been there in a few years, though, since they post against carrying firearms.

[Coyotesfan97]

The Chuckbox makes great burgers, but it seems like you have to have done prison time to work there. The Tijuana Torpedo is a great burger. I haven't been there in a few years, though, since they post against carrying firearms.

I noticed all the nice tattoos the last time I was there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)

[Clyde from Carolina]

Haven't made it back to Chargrill yet, but did go to the local BurgerFi a few days ago and was impressed. I had the standard BurgerFi cheeseburger with bacon added and it was very good. Not super uber gourmet burger or over the top WOW, but good and tasty. The wife and I thought the fries and onion rings were good, too.

I admit my opinion of the burger may have been colored by the fact they had several of my favorite beers on tap or available in a bottle. (Hoppyum IPA, Torch Pils, etc.) I had the Hoppyum, which paired well with the classic BurgerFi cheeseburger avec bacon.

[Clay]

I like Five Guys and Red Robin, but considering I'm from New York I'm not really qualified to comment in regard to matters beyond gay sex, gun control and third trimester abortion.

Now that's funny right there.

We have the aforementioned Ron's, Steak-N-Shake, and Five Guy's, as well as The Station, a popular mom and pop joint ran by a very conservative fellow who calls his french fries "freedom fries" and plays Fox News on the TV's on the wall. We also have Sam's Old Tyme Burgers and Suzi Q'S which is an old drive-in joint.

[WobblyPossum]

There's a Steak-N-Shake in Manhattan and this thread has motivated me to try it. I agree with the consensus that Five Guys just isn't that great. Their burgers do taste like the ones I make on my Foreman Grill and their food is just way too greasy for me. I don't know if they have BareBurgers in the rest of the country but if they do, I highly recommend going at least once. BareBurger and Shake Shack make my favorite burgers so far, but I'm really excited about trying out Steak-N-Shake.

[LHS]

I went to ASU from 1982 to the winter of 86. We might have drunk some beer together. There was a little bar up the street from The Chuckbox that sold drafts for a quarter.


Minder Binders?

Sadly, most of the classic ASU bars had shut down by my day (1999-2003). I missed MB's and Long Wong's by about a year, but I did spend a lot of time "daydrinking" $2 Coronas at Dos Gringos Trailer Park next to the Chuckbox.

[Drang]

I'm inclined to think that the hamburger may be the quintessential American food.
In the Puget Sound region we have several local chains/franchises, including Kidd Valley, Dick's -- saw a girl wearing a t-shirt once, "The hell with Hooters, I like Dicks!" -- and Herfy's. (The Herfy's franchise closest to me is run by a Korean family, they have a bulgogi burger that Mrs. Drang is especially find of.) There's also Jimmy Mac's Roadhouse, complete with peanuts to munch on while waiting, "just dump the shells on the floor!" All have pretty darned good burgers.
5 Guys is here, and I'm not sure why everyone thinks that's so great.
Red Robin was founded in Seattle and moved to Colofornia...
We also have a Fat Burger locally, which is pretty good, despite being from down south, IYKWIMAITYD. Black Bear Diner, ditto, has some good burgers, too. (BBD is more of what we called a "Family Restaurant" when I was growing up in Detroit. Their chicken fried steak is awesome!
(When I came back from NY last Thanksgiving on one day's notice, FEMA having decided they didn't need us, HH6 and I hit Black Bear Diner for a non-traditional T-Day dinner.)

[Al T.]

they have a bulgogi burger

Bet that's awesome! You guys are killing me, yet once again......:D

[TGS]

I'm inclined to think that the hamburger may be the quintessential American food.

It is!

When company suggests, "Let's get some ethnic food," I always suggest hamburgers. They laugh nervously and ask me "What?". Well, it is ethnic food. It's 'Murican!

One of my buddies in the USMC was an English teacher in Japan for four years. The most memorable event for his entire time there was providing a real American cook-out with real ground beef, which was unbelievably hard for him to obtain in Japan. Up until that point, the only thing those kids knew of hamburgers was McDonalds, and to say it was eye-opening and that the kids loved it is an understatement.