329891 Fri Sep 29 05:31:00 -0700 2006 62 32 Chains 0 1910271 i've come to the conclusion that in-n-out burger is the best in la. any one disagree? Fri Sep 29 05:31:00 -0700 2006 24712 ewrohde 1 1910277 Here is a lengthy post that will discuss your question ad nauseum. Personally, they are no big deal, and worth no more than the price charged, yet opinions vary as you will read. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/74782?user_name=&query=in+n+out Fri Sep 29 05:35:24 -0700 2006 1910271 10359 carter 1 1910699 After skimming through the previous thread, it's clear that opinions are as wide as the Mississippi. However, you may have read in the LA Times a couple of months ago about a chef who loves In-N-Out burger, and thinks they are the best hamburger in the world, and is going to open up his own hamburger joint modeled on what In-N-Out does right (everything fresh and clean) but also serve wine. His only problem with In-N-Out was that he always had to get it to-go in order to have wine with his burger. He didn't mention what wine he'd recommend with a double-double animal style, but I'm curious to see what that would be... :-) Fri Sep 29 14:37:49 -0700 2006 1910271 22392 bdumes 2 1911007 that guy should watch "sideways" and sneak a bottle in and pour it in one of their cups. back on topic, as far as chains go, Johnny Rockets is pretty good--nice thick patties, great fries and onion rings. I'm not sure if they still have it but their double rocket burger was very good. Fri Sep 29 16:30:21 -0700 2006 1910699 24287 ladius 2 1922939 Do you happen to know the name? I've heard of 25 Degrees up on hollywood blvd. It's a nice sit down place and pairs burgers with wine. Wed Oct 04 20:22:12 -0700 2006 1910699 24712 ewrohde 2 1925973 bdumes: The chef that you are referring to is none other than Thomas Keller of the French Laundry. Thu Oct 05 21:23:33 -0700 2006 1910699 20300 cgfan 1 1910802 It's the best fast food burger, but my favorite burger overall right now is the Big Mike burger in San Pedro. Huge thick hamburger patty the size of your fist topped with a grilled hot link and all the fixins. It takes about 20 minutes to cook but totally worth it for an amazing hamburger experience! Fri Sep 29 15:18:49 -0700 2006 1910271 14558 Ernie 1 1910810 I actually like Carl's Jr. better than In-N-Out, though I do like In-N-Out. There ain't no burger like a Double Great burger from Great Grill across from Glendale College, though. Bacon, avocado, two patties, it's big, it's delicious, and with fries and a soda it's $5.95. I should add that I'm not a fan of Father's Office, the Counter or the Apple Pan (for the burgers anyway). Fri Sep 29 15:22:08 -0700 2006 1910271 10811 Das Ubergeek 2 1953722 I also like Carl's Jr. better than In-N-Out, though I like In-N-Out. Molly's burgers are also good. It's on Vine between Hollywood and Sunset. And I hate to say it, but sometimes I just need a Fatburger. Wed Oct 18 02:06:54 -0700 2006 1910810 13464 lil mikey 2 2072133 I got to agree with you. I like Carl's Jr. much better then In and Out. I am originally from the East Coast, so i didn't grow up eating this stuff, but I just don't get the draw to In and Out. I certainly understand the strong feelings people have for "their" In and out, I have lot of opinions on food establishments. It's actually funny how people in California will fight to the death defending In and Out. To me it a just a burger, and not a great one. Yes people try to use the argument that, "well its never frozen, it's fresh!" That's all fine and good, but if they could find a way to add flavour into that fresh meat and the fresh fries, I might then agree with them that's its great. Fresh is nice, but I'm not eating fast food for its health benefits. I eat what tastes good, and an In and Out burger is just not great. Sure it's a hamburger, and I'll eat one now and then to appease the others I am eating with, but the fanatical feelings people have towards In and Out is crazy. I really think people like it so much, just because other people say they like it so much. Quite sheepish if you ask me.... My Top 5: #1 Carl's Jr #2 "Dukes Hamburgers" in the City of Orange across from CHOC. #3 Wendy's #4 Fatburger #5 T.K burgers (Costa mesa, Huntington) Tue Dec 05 18:25:11 -0800 2006 1910810 57824 anthonyG 3 2077576 wow, duke's in orange across from choc, i can't remember the number of times i parked in that lot. though went to Hollingshead's instead. very interesting. but i must agree w/TK's in Newport beach, great burger, if a little heavy and too greasy and a good bun too. Thu Dec 07 05:17:02 -0800 2006 2072133 10866 kevin 1 1911060 It's not bad for a chain. There are much better burgers around LA, of course. Fri Sep 29 16:46:09 -0700 2006 1910271 12082 PeterL 1 1911148 I like (but not necessarily "love") In N Out. My favorite meal at In N Out is as follows. Double-Double. Order of Fries. All of it to-go. Remove burger from bag and unwrap. Let cool for 20 minutes. Remove fries from container and dump into bag. Chop up burger in 1/8 pieces and dump into bag. Drizzle all of it with ketchup. Shake bag. Eat with fork. Fri Sep 29 17:17:40 -0700 2006 1910271 11583 ipsedixit 2 1911177 And how did you discover that this was the way to go ? I am not a fan of In N Out ....very overrated and IMHO Not a good burger Fri Sep 29 17:28:14 -0700 2006 1911148 43855 sdv231 3 1911204 I've always felt that the fries at In N Out were rather lacking in mouth-feel and the burgers a bit pedestrian. So, taking a cue from Cliff Huxtable from the Cosby Show (am I dating myself??), I conjured up this creation. Cliff used to do the same exact thing with his hamburger/fries leftovers. Fri Sep 29 17:34:48 -0700 2006 1911177 11583 ipsedixit 4 1911948 PHENOMENAL!! Fri Sep 29 20:53:46 -0700 2006 1911204 12913 DreinLA 2 1922944 I love that idea!! I may have to give it a go. thanks Wed Oct 04 20:23:11 -0700 2006 1911148 24712 ewrohde 1 1911191 Fat Burger, on the char... End of sentence. Fri Sep 29 17:32:32 -0700 2006 1910271 16933 Carrie 218 2 1911477 I've thought about it a lot and done a lot of soul searching and I've come to the conclusion that Fatburger is my favorite fast food burger. End to end, they have the freshest sandwiches and great toppings. They also have variety. I can go turkey if I want turkey. They have two kinds of fries. You can do the chili thing and the egg thing. They even have good music on the juke box and are open late in my neighborhood. I think InO is a bit of the emperor's new clothes. It's okay, but I don't love it. I prefer Fatburger and when I'm feeling in need of grease I'd rather eat a chiliburger at an Original Tommy's than a burger at InO. Fri Sep 29 18:40:16 -0700 2006 1911191 10914 PaulF 3 1912124 I had forgotten that they had two different kinds of fries... I always go for the onion rings - with ranch dressing, of course! Fri Sep 29 21:55:06 -0700 2006 1911477 16933 Carrie 218 4 1912127 Yep, skinny and fat. The only real drag about Fatburger is that it's sort of expensive as far as fast food goes. If you order big enough burgers with enough toppings, you could spend 20 bucks on dinner for two. Which isn't expensive per se, but compared to other fast food, it ain't cheap. Fri Sep 29 21:57:51 -0700 2006 1912124 10914 PaulF 5 1953720 In the interest of fairness and honesty, I should let you all know that the proceeding post was not written by favolaus, but the S.O. of favolaus. Please do not attribute any snarkiness to favolaus... Wed Oct 18 02:06:26 -0700 2006 1912127 27447 favolaus 1 1911407 I love In-n-Out, esp after my gf told me that I would order the meat medium rare (not all joints do it right though when they are busy). I will only eat semi-pink patty at In-N-Out for fastfood chains tho. I also enjoyed Carls Jr six-dollar burger, the spicy one. For sitting down, I like Morels (downstairs) at the Grove. Good fries help. And 26 Beach on Venice has very nice burgers too. I didn't enjoy applepan: the line + the lack of AC + pricy for what it is Fri Sep 29 18:21:26 -0700 2006 1910271 43866 DevilHell 1 1911411 Try Rics at Riverside and Fletcher - best "stack" burger in town. Fri Sep 29 18:22:19 -0700 2006 1910271 13339 blackbookali 1 1911453 Better than I-n-Out: Fatburger Cassell's Apple Pan Tommy's Farmer Boys Carls Jr Burger King On an equal footing Jack in the Box Worse Mc Donalds Wendys Fri Sep 29 18:33:05 -0700 2006 1910271 10786 calabasas_trafalgar 2 1911811 Oh yes, Cassell's is very good. HUGE! seems like a relic from the 50s with their cafteria-style operation. Fresh vegetable toppings you put on yourself, you just order the meat. If you've never tried, check it out. In K-town on 6th near Berendo. Fri Sep 29 20:14:46 -0700 2006 1911453 24287 ladius 3 1911875 I gotta agree on the Cassell's. Great burgers and you can have them made with so many offered options! Apple Pan has great burgers too. In-n-out, my top 3. Fri Sep 29 20:32:53 -0700 2006 1911811 11502 shabushabulova 2 1912249 Jack in the Box????? please. Show me the fresh lettuce and tomatoes on a JITB burger. I don't think all that much of Apple Pan. But Jack doesn't no jack about burgers. Fri Sep 29 23:03:12 -0700 2006 1911453 20398 Noclue 3 1912260 Well the Ultimate Cheeseburger with grilled onion is a mighty burger if you ask me. Fri Sep 29 23:10:04 -0700 2006 1912249 43685 WandererLA 3 1916529 JITB birgers are not about salad. Try an Ultimate Cheeseburger - no veggies at all. I'm just saying that Jack and In N Out are about equal in terms of quality and taste, ergo, not much. Mon Oct 02 17:35:20 -0700 2006 1912249 10786 calabasas_trafalgar 2 1925979 DH also likes Tommy's, Farmer Boys, Carls & Booger King. Oh, and Knowlwood's. Me, I'd rather have a BLT. Thu Oct 05 21:25:49 -0700 2006 1911453 12873 OCAnn 2 1953707 DH says "I only concede Apple Pan. Other than that, you are most certainly on crack." Wed Oct 18 01:59:38 -0700 2006 1911453 27447 favolaus 1 1911494 There is nothing better than an In-N-Out chili-cheeseburger made with Tommy's Original chili. Fri Sep 29 18:46:24 -0700 2006 1910271 15848 ozzygee 2 1912767 are you serious?! ozzygee, I think we might be related. Sat Sep 30 04:25:52 -0700 2006 1911494 10991 kiwi 3 1913529 Yes, dead serious. And if I keep it up, I'll just be dead. Sometimes I crave a chiliburger, but I think the meat they use at Tommy's is cardboard. So I combined forces. (It helps that in Pasadena the Tommy's and In-N-Out are only like 5 minutes away from each other.) I also like to make chili fries with Tommy's chili and In-N-Out regular fries. (I once tried chili-fries animal-style, but it was just gross.) Sat Sep 30 19:58:25 -0700 2006 1912767 15848 ozzygee 1 1912115 I can't stomach In-N-Out's entire menu. Give me a Fatburger ANY day. Fri Sep 29 21:52:08 -0700 2006 1910271 22251 sonoria 2 1912123 Well, of course, if you try to eat the ENTIRE menu... The only good thing I will concede to Fatburger is that they do offer to put a fried egg on your burger. I think they overdo it with the lettuce and runny tomatoes, though. I don't want a salad, I want a burger. In-N-Out is the best proportioned fast food burger there is. Fri Sep 29 21:54:59 -0700 2006 1912115 15848 ozzygee 3 1912625 I would argue that the proportions are what make In N Out a flop in my book. Way too skewed to the veggie side with way too little meat. Sat Sep 30 02:32:30 -0700 2006 1912123 10832 Humbucker 4 1913534 But you can get as much (or as little) meat as you want! Try a 4x4 next time Sat Sep 30 20:01:25 -0700 2006 1912625 15848 ozzygee 5 1913737 True, but they just stack on more tiny, thin patties. Maybe I can ask them to smush 3 patties together before plopping the whole shebang on the grill. Sat Sep 30 22:31:04 -0700 2006 1913534 10832 Humbucker 1 1912269 B and R burgers on Rosecrans, enough said, the best fast food burger period. 2 half pounders, pastrami, lettuce, tomato, pickles, hefty ground beef chili fried egg necessitates a fork and knife though. called Royale Burger. Fri Sep 29 23:16:16 -0700 2006 1910271 10866 kevin 2 1912281 But can you get a Royale with cheese? Fri Sep 29 23:21:54 -0700 2006 1912269 15848 ozzygee 3 1926717 Sure you can. IMO they should have a cardiologist referral sticker on it as well. A great 'last meal' choice! I've only felt hungry and strong enough to have a King or a B&R burger, especially since their fries are so great. Fri Oct 06 03:32:43 -0700 2006 1912281 23712 DiveFan 2 1958073 Tried it - once. Bad attitude + well done only = never again!!! Thu Oct 19 18:59:55 -0700 2006 1912269 10864 sel 1 1912339 As I've mentioned several times before on this board: when she was being interviewed on her 90th birthday, Julia Child admitted that she carried in her purse a list of every In-N-Out between San Diego and Santa Barbara. Now, just because St. Julia loved'em doesn't mean they're the best in the world, but it does tickle me that here's another thing we agreed on... Nor are they the best, by any means, though they are to my taste the best from any chain. Part of it is due to the FRESH patties they use, part to the fact that they're cooked on a flat grill instead of an open fire. Many people prefer the latter cooking method; I do not. Fri Sep 29 23:50:16 -0700 2006 1910271 11478 Will Owen 2 1913466 well, she and others also liked La Super Rica but there are many others along milpas alone that are better. Sat Sep 30 19:17:43 -0700 2006 1912339 10866 kevin 2 1925990 Will Owen: That's great to hear! Julia is so unassuming and honest in her approach to food. So Julia can be added along with Thomas Keller on the list of famous chefs/food celebrities that love In-N-Out... Thu Oct 05 21:29:54 -0700 2006 1912339 20300 cgfan 1 1912433 I don't get the Fatburger raves. They're expensive for a chain, really show their corporate stripes (despite the off-center name), and won't cook less than medium-well. Ask them for anything less than that, and you get a medium-well burger, and a lecture. Feh. Not that In N Out is the second coming, but you can get your burger any dang way you want, and it'll be a minimum of two bucks cheaper. Sat Sep 30 00:38:16 -0700 2006 1910271 15627 Alimentary My Dear Watson 2 1925953 Not at the AZ In-N-Out you can't. I've tried. Thu Oct 05 21:16:24 -0700 2006 1912433 10996 JK Grence the Cosmic Jester 2 1958091 In the last few months In & Out counter people state that they can no longer cook burgers rare. Corporate BS!!! Thu Oct 19 19:03:49 -0700 2006 1912433 10864 sel 1 1913913 I much, much, much prefer a frisco melt at Steak and Shake to In-N-Out, but that's me. Plus, no Steak and Shake's in Cali. Sun Oct 01 00:38:53 -0700 2006 1910271 19345 linlinchan 1 1925998 The more brief thread would be... "What is not better than an In & Out burger?" cuz then we could just list off 50% of the Chain burgers and get on with life. In L.A... there are so many places that make In & Out utterly irrelevant. Particularly noteworthy... are what I call the Greek Ghetto Burger Joints like Dino's, Astro's, Troy's etc., For those that are not insiders.... Greek owned chains dominate the inner city burger joint landscape most likely because there is a substantial Greek contingent that specializes in Meat distribution particularly Ready Made Gyros, Pastrami & Hamburger Patties (as well as the Yellow Mediterranean chiles & Pickles). Few are the non-Greek non Ghetto joints that can compete. The only burger I have preferred over a Dino's (Lincoln Heights corner of Main St & Griffin Ave)... is a Medium Rare, Gorgonzola Sauced burger at the notoriously stinky Harrison Cattle Ranch in Coalinga along the Golden State freeway. Of course if we weight it on price... the Harrison Ranch ($12) burger does not compete with Dino's ($3). Thu Oct 05 21:33:39 -0700 2006 1910271 42572 Eat_Nopal 2 1926389 question: is the Troy's you're talking about the one that's near (or in?) Sunland? Sorry, I don't know that area well. If so, I had a really dynamite bacon cheese burger there once. It's very high on my list of favorite burgers. Ofcourse, I don't know that those options are relavent on this board. Fri Oct 06 00:35:31 -0700 2006 1925998 10991 kiwi 3 1926858 Might be Troy's is a chain.... the ones I have eaten at are in East LA & Silverlake areas. Fri Oct 06 05:16:15 -0700 2006 1926389 42572 Eat_Nopal 4 1928733 Could be, there's one on Myrtle in Duarte. Fri Oct 06 22:01:30 -0700 2006 1926858 10786 calabasas_trafalgar 1 1926733 Since we're talking CHAIN here, I just had a coupon-induced revelation - RALLY'S burgers. For taste and value they beat JITB, McD and BK. Fatburger's - bad value so I'll visit a non-chain place instead. Tommy's - ditto on above recco - what kind of meat is it? Sonic - can't remember burger but they dropped the BLT for JITB-like process-cheese intensive crap Short list: CarlsJr - OK taste but too sloppy and I dislike the politics and business tactics of the owner (KILLED the Hardees and Green Burritos chains). Wendys - OK In-and-Out - OK but the wait sucks Farmer Boys - OK but I usually get the BLT Rallys - OK and cheap Fri Oct 06 03:43:29 -0700 2006 1910271 23712 DiveFan 1 1934806 ok, in pasadena, jay's burgers on walnut, its a little joint, otherwise, go expensive and go to Parkway grill on arroyo parkway and california they have a real Kobe beef burger served on a brioche bun!!! yummie!! Tue Oct 10 08:46:26 -0700 2006 1910271 40036 caitybirdie 1 1934810 Does anyone like ALL burgers and weigh the merits of each based on his/her preferences that day? I don't know, man, I like them all. Each supplies a need for a particular moment. Tue Oct 10 08:54:55 -0700 2006 1910271 20664 therealbigtasty 1 1958036 I'm with therealbigtasty, it's all about what I want on a certain day. Sometimes it's late night and I get a single In-n-out with no sauce and no bun (but always grilled onions). Sometimes I want a juicy burger with a fried egg from Fatburger. Back home (TX) we have Burger Street who makes up great flat patty burgers, a bit salty though. It's the closest we have to an In-N-Out. I haven't noticed anyone mentioning Fuddruckers. Are people against it? I order medium-rare there and its a genuine medium-rare. The bun is a bit enormous, but it's good bread. I think they make a fabulous burger. It's expensive, but not like a boutique burger. Thu Oct 19 18:49:28 -0700 2006 1910271 30158 amkirkland 2 1958046 Thank You! It's so true that just one burger can't be the "best" burger. At least when you really love them. I mean, sometimes I miss the burnt hockey pucks my friends' parents made as a kid, even though I'd prefer my meat raw! Sometimes you feel like one thing, sometimes another. Thu Oct 19 18:52:15 -0700 2006 1958036 20664 therealbigtasty 3 1960866 Last night I had a Wendy's burger that was damn near perfect. I hate to say this, but it was... It was wonderful, hot, fresh, meaty, cheesy, and everything was in the right place. Yes. I still like In n' Out. Fri Oct 20 18:47:00 -0700 2006 1958046 20664 therealbigtasty 1 2003243 Heaven was this Tarheel transplanted in LA 1980's for year of In N Out burgers late at night in Take Out only locations - best ever burgers with hand cut fries. Tried In N Out chain version in Phoenix recently and there was no comparison with the original. They are still a cut above run of the mill fast food, but not worthy of the cult status they have obtained. Someone offered me $50 for my 1980's In N Out T shirt. Tue Nov 07 16:48:25 -0800 2006 1910271 28032 TarheelFoodie 1 2072144 I think i posted this in the wrong spot, so i am posting agian, sorry for the double post! I like Carl's Jr. much better then In and Out. I am originally from the East Coast, so i didn't grow up eating this stuff, but I just don't get the draw to In and Out. I certainly understand the strong feelings people have for "their" In and out, I have lot of opinions on food establishments. It's actually funny how people in California will fight to the death defending In and Out. To me it a just a burger, and not a great one. Yes people try to use the argument that, "well its never frozen, it's fresh!" That's all fine and good, but if they could find a way to add flavour into that fresh meat and the fresh fries, I might then agree with them that's its great. Fresh is nice, but I'm not eating fast food for its health benefits. I eat what tastes good, and an In and Out burger is just not great. Sure it's a hamburger, and I'll eat one now and then to appease the others I am eating with, but the fanatical feelings people have towards In and Out is crazy. I really think people like it so much, just because other people say they like it so much. Quite sheepish if you ask me.... My Top 5: #1 Carl's Jr #2 "Dukes Hamburgers" in the City of Orange across from CHOC. #3 Wendy's #4 Fatburger #5 T.K burgers (Costa mesa, Huntington) Tue Dec 05 18:27:19 -0800 2006 1910271 57824 anthonyG