Best chain Burger in the world

[Taverner]

Poll question: Best chain Burger in the world

[Arugula Latte]

1. Other: Burgerville (Northwest chain)

Their slogan is "Choose Fresh, Local, Sustainable. Choose Burgerville." I don't eat red meat but they have great veggie and non-beef options for meals.

[DerBeppo]

25. +1

Their Walla Walla onion rings are life-changing.

[coffeenap]

37. +1--we just discovered them on our college search trip- rosemary fries too!

Yum!!

[flying rabbit]

41. +1

their burgers rock!

[quakerboy]

84. How odd

I like their other things, but the burgers have been overly greasy and not that tasty.

[haele]

95. In Seattle, I grew up on "Dicks", Burgermiester, and Kidd Valley burgers -

Very few burger joints were "drive throughs" - more like drive ups.

If you were picking a "classic" drive in type burger, Dicks was the best - actually, much like In-n-Out with better fries (The Fries were to die for, seriously...) and great shakes,but they weren't in the University area, so it was a "treat" to go up and get one when we'd go up to Lake City to go shopping or for a Soccer tournement.
Burgermiester was a pretty decent second place; good onion rings, soft serve icecream shakes, and the burgers were like the ones you'd get at A&W.

But best burgers overall were the Kidd Valley burger stand burgers. Big, juicy, pick your topping burgers made with ground sirloin, twice the size of anything else you could get outside a resturant.

Haele

[arbusto_baboso]

2. If any Californian replies anything other than "In 'N Out" then they need their head examined.

That is all.

[Taverner]

6. I love In n Out. They are awesome. However...

There ARE other burger joints!

I, for one, miss Clown Alley or Doggie Diner Burgers from San Francisco (sigh...)

Five Guys' impressed me with their burgers, but their fries take some getting used to

I didn't put Fuddruckers, and if I had room I would've. Their buns are awesome.

Then there's Foster's Freeze, which hasn't changed its recipe in years. Somthing about the way they do their burgers - can't put my finger on it.

And of course, late night stoner munchies would be unbearable without White Castle or Krystals

[Common Sense Party]

21. The fries are why I LOVE 5 Guys!

The burgers are great, too, but FRESH, REAL potatoes rock! They're SO much better than all the frozen, processed crap at the other joints.

[shanti]

82. in and out has fresh, real potato fries too

Unfortunately, i cannot eat them anymore (diabetic), but they are the best fries i've ever had!

[arbusto_baboso]

35. The best burgers don't come from chains, though.

They come from little shacks in bad areas of town.

Sadly, those places are being run out of business, one by one.

There was one in my area, the Tasty Drive In, that had THE BEST BURGERS EVER.

Plus, there was the added humor bonus of seeing the hot college-age girls on staff wearing the uniform shirts with "Tasty" located right over their left boob...

[KamaAina]

11. Something other than "In 'N Out".

They actually cook the patties in mustard! So there's no point ttrying to get them not to put mustard (or mayo :puke: ) on it; the burger is doomed from the start!

[Taverner]

36. They only cook them in mustard if you order them "Animal Style"

"Animal Style" also includes pickles, and grilled onions

[Odin2005]

70. You don't like mustard? BURN, HERETIC!!!

Mustard is ESSENTIAL for a good burger!

[Throd]

17. What about Tommy's in LA & OC?

[DerBeppo]

26. Tommy's

Their burgers are pretty mediocre. It's the chili and the fact that most are open late on weekends that makes them incredible. I can remember far too many times after the bars close that I want nothing more than some chili fries. I can remember far too many times the next morning regretting those same chili fries.

[Initech]

77. Original Tommy's = win

[Initech]

89. You've never had Farmer Boys then (OC / Riverside area).

Their Farmer's Burger with the best-cooked bacon and avocado = serious win.

[Throd]

90. I ate the bacon avocado burger every day for a year at the La Mirada Farmer Boys

That was when I could eat anything and stay thin.

[Initech]

91. Yeah - it's certainly not a place for the health conscious!

:rofl:

[Common Sense Party]

3. Dairy Queen and White Castle should be stricken from the list!

Nasty!

[arbusto_baboso]

4. And Carls Jr. added.

[Common Sense Party]

7. I quite like Carl's Jr. Especially the angus with jalapenos. n/t

[Taverner]

8. You must have never been stoned at Midnight, I take it...

:rofl:

[Common Sense Party]

12. That's what Denny's pancakes are for!

[murielm99]

49. Ah, White Castle!

They are so bad they are good.

[Taverner]

61. Ain't that the truth! 'You've been puking all night..."

You need something to wash that bile right out of your mouth.

White Castle. At least it doesn't taste like puke.

[HopeHoops]

5. No veggie burgers - bleah to all of the poll choices.

:puke:

[Taverner]

9. Veggie burgers would HAVE to have its own poll

You just can't compare the two - you can't

I'm not saying Veggie Burgers don't taste good, but the only one I've ever had that I truly liked was Boca Burger

And even then only with smoked gouda cheese

[HopeHoops]

10. Curiously, Boca's the only kind I DON'T like and BECAUSE it tastes like meat. Besides...

...have you ever gotten anything from any fast food joint that even REMOTELY looked like the picture in the ads?

I'm qualified to ask. My dad used to do that kind of photography for such companies. They would send two "prettied up" samples packed in dry ice. One was for setting up the lighting (and it decomposed rather quickly). The other was for the actual pictures. A SHITLOAD of the "samples" were made out of wax, polymers, and other substances you really don't want to think about. The damn things in the pictures wouldn't even fit in the boxes or wrappers they use to package them.

As for veggie burgers, GardenBurger pretty much rules for all cooking methods - microwave, stovetop, and grill. They also taste the best.

On Edit: We used to put the dry ice in the dog's water bowl to fuck with his head. He was a dog of very little brain. I'd love to drop some dry ice in Sarah Palin's water dish.

[geardaddy]

13. Other: Culver's butter burger

[Ohio Joe]

15. I'll second culvers

A damn fine burger :9

[tabbycat31]

32. I was going to say Culver's

I had never heard of them prior to hitting the road for campaigns and whenever I end up in another state (so far KY and WI) I have a Culver's there.

I don't have them around me (NJ) and my waistline thanks me.

[Odin2005]

72. They started in WI, IIRC

[ScreamingMeemie]

48. I'll check in here. Not a fan of the poll choices.

[blueamy66]

55. Yeah!

I wanted to post this first, but read the entire thread.

Nothing like a butter burger!!!!

[Odin2005]

71. Culver's is awesome.

The only thing that pisses me off about the one in Fargo is that it has FOX Snooze on! :grr:

[Initech]

78. Ooh I love Culver's.

There used to be one by my grandma's house in Michigan and that's how I discovered their greatness.

[rucky]

98. +1

[HopeHoops]

14. You should have included Little Tavern Death Burgers with Red Death, Yellow Death and Green Death.

If you don't understand the last three components, you never ate any of their so-called "burgers".

[wysimdnwyg]

16. List changes

Take out:
Foster's Freeze - Who? Looks like a regional DQ clone.
Krystal - 1oz of meat is not enough to call it a hamburger.
White Castle - Cheap version of Krystal. (Seriously. It's a Krystal with more grease and holes in the meat.)

Add in:
Wendy's
Hardee's/Carl's Jr.
Back Yard Burger
Sonic


Now, to vote...
I'm going to go with Back Yard Burger, but with the admission that I have not had the chance to try 5 Guys or In-n-Out, despite many positive reviews of each.

[geardaddy]

18. I do love Whitey Kassel's Armpit Burger Emporium after a night of drinking

My friend always said the meat "came from the armpit of the animal." Which animal, we don't know.

[hifiguy]

19. I always had the sneaking suspicion

that the Castle's turkey burgers were mostly beaks, feet and feathers. From turkeys to be sure, but still.....

[geardaddy]

27. That reminds me of the Simpsons episode when Lisa becomes vegetarian

This is what she imagined when somebody mentions what's in hot dogs.

[hifiguy]

30. I am going with rat and boot

unless they are kosher dogs like Hebrew National, which are :9.

[PRETZEL]

20. Haven't had too many on the list other than the big chains,

but recently we had an Elevation Burger open up near me.

I'd say that is better than all the others I've had.

[Common Sense Party]

22. Has anybody had Smashburger?

I haven't; I'm wondering if they're any good.

[MilesColtrane]

38. Smashburger is good.

I don't know if it's the best though.

And, the food is overpriced IMO. The least you're going to pay for a burger, fries, and a drink is nine bucks.

[Common Sense Party]

40. That's about the same at 5 Guys.

At Fuddruckers it's more like $12.

[Odin2005]

73. They just opened a place in Fargo, Ditto with Five Guys.

I thought Five Guys was the better of the 2, but Culver's beats them both.

[Common Sense Party]

23. Culver's are good, too.

I prefer 5 Guys and Fuddruckers, though.

[ceile]

24. Whatburger

I know the longer I wait in the effin drive through the better my burger and fries will be.

[WolverineDG]

58. +1 nt

[Ishoutandscream2]

63. +infinity

It's a real, old fashioned burger. Whataburger, hands down.

[One_Life_To_Give]

28. Wendy's circa 1982

Before all the anti fat cardboard crap started appearing everywhere.

Remember when you really needed Lots of Napkins as the commercial implied?

[Dappleganger]

87. It was the bomb. They also had a great salad bar...

I used to load up on their taco salads with my mom at least once a week. Good memories. :)

[dawg]

29. Five Guys is great, I don't know about In-n-Out or Whataburger.

Five Guys is the only one of those big three that I've had the pleasure of trying.

But, I voted for DQ, because I've had a hankering for a DQ Ultimate for about a month now, and the combination of the two greasy patties, cheese, perfectly crispy bacon, and that Big Mac ripoff sauce they put on it, all works together to the benefit of awesomeness.

[Patiod]

31. cheeseburger cheeseburger

I voted for In-N-Out, but CC allow you to design your own - and "my"
CC burger with guac and mushrooms is absolutely perfect. Cooked Medium.

Walked out of 5 Guys, because they will only cook a burger well-done.

[provis99]

33. Rally's Big Buford. Hands down.

and whoever picked McDonalds should have their mouth washed out with soap.

[Broken_Hero]

34. Other:Carls Junior nt

[MilesColtrane]

39. Burger Street is a pretty good regional chain.

I abstained from voting though because I haven't sampled all of the available choices.

[Kali]

42. I could eat any of them.

never tried fosters or kristal

but burgers are kind of like pizza, even bad pizza is edible (unless it has fish or pineapple on it)

I don't get what people get so hyper about in-and-out - they weren't anything spectacular when I tried them, maybe I need a secret code or something? tried 5 guys a couple months ago (last time I went to Tucson? got that was more like 5 months ago, geez where is the year going?) they were actually pretty good.

hey Common Sense Party, DQ is kind of expensive for what they give you but their onion rings are pretty good.

Anybody ever gets to Tempe hit the Chuckbox on University - there is an almost fast-food burger done right!

[Amerigo Vespucci]

43. I just found out there is a Five Guys two miles from my house

In 'N' Out has been my favorite chain to date. Now that I know a Five Guys is in my back yard I'll have to try it.

There is also a place in San Jose called The Burger Pit that's been around for decades...not a "chain" that makes burgers that really taste like ground BEEF, and you can get a burger and baked potato and ice-cold beer for around ten bucks. THAT is at the TOP of my list.

[Taverner]

62. San Jose has Burger Pit, Clarkes and MY fave, Kirks

Where they ONLY use Sirloin in their burgers!

Yummmeee!

[JohnnyLib2]

44. I'm hungry, damnit!

Meany.

[Bake]

45. BYB: Back Yard Burger!!

All over the South. Great great great burger.

And I'm hungry!!

Bake

[Inchworm]

46. Don't remember where in the country I was.. but Fudruckers rocked

Build your own burger.

I'm more a fan of burgers made in hole in the wall dive bars :D

:toast:

[GReedDiamond]

104. There was a Fudruckers near me in Pasadena, CA...

...on the northeast side, near Arcadia. Never went there, it's been gone for several years now I think. I've never seen any others anywhere else, before or since.

There is a place on the west side of Pasadena, in the Old Town area, called Russell's. They have a great turkey burger.

[Philippine expat]

47. Voted other

Fudkuckers is it

[JonLP24]

50. In-N-Out

with Whataburger a close second.

When I was in Washington I got into argument with two California guys and they were disputing that we have In-N-Out Burger restaurants in Phoenix area. We do, the only In-N-Out Burger places I've been to were in Arizona.

However, I pretty much won't eat at any fast food places. I've been to Subway & Filibertos(who I used to think were expensive until I saw that all the fast food places are expensive except for their dollar menus).

[Kali]

67. OMG!

the Filibertos on Broadway in Tempe has the BEST chicken tacos I have ever eaten! hugh!!!

[Lucian]

51. The question should be rephrased to "Which one sucks the least?"

[denbot]

52. In n Out

Double Double Animal style with Animal Style fries and a vanilla shake.
Damn, now I'm hungry.

[pokerfan]

53. other: Big Kahuna Burger

[Taverner]

60. That's that Hawaiian burger joint. I hear they got some tasty burgers. I ain't never had one myself.

I can't usually get 'em myself because my girlfriend's a vegitarian which pretty much makes me a vegitarian. But I do love the taste of a good burger. Mm-mm-mm. You know what they call a Quarter Pounder with cheese in France?

[pokerfan]

65. Goes best with Sprite

[Taverner]

66. You mind if I have some of your tasty beverage to wash this down?

[shanti]

83. ha!

:thumbsup: one of my favorite lines in one of my favorite movies!

[XemaSab]

54. Damburger

:D

[PVnRT]

56. This poll isn't biased towards the West Coast or anything....

Otherwise Five Guys and Culver's would be on it as well, both of which are excellent.

Fuddrucker's is good too, but they're a bit pricey.

[annonymous]

57. I have never heard of Fosters Freeze & Whataburger

Why did you include so many regional chains and not include Wendy's and Hardees?

[Taverner]

59. What's Hardees?

Honestly - there just weren't enough spots, so I guess 'Other' will win the hand...

[annonymous]

64. Hardees is an East Coast chain.

I believe it is called Carls Jr. on the West Coast.

[jmowreader]

99. It's not really the same...

Both are owned by Carl Karcher Enterprises (the Carl in Carl's Jr.) but the menus are regionally-adjusted; you won't find a teriyaki burger at Hardee's and it's a regular item at Carl's Jr.

[marmar]

68. I like Five Guys and Fatburger......

and Halo Burger.

[Odin2005]

69. CULVER'S!!!!!!!!

Damn, now I'm hungry for a triple butterburger and a concrete mixer.

[Petrushka]

74. STEAK n SHAKE

[Stardust]

92. Are they still around? Extra yum!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

115. I was disappointed in Steak n Shake.

Had one near St. Louis.
Could not believe that one patty was so thin. Nobody warned me.

they came to TX in the early 70s and the patties were not that thin. Later they left.

[shoutinfreud]

75. Whitespot.

[redwitch]

76. I worked at a Foster's Old Fashioned in San Luis Obispo

1976??? or thereabouts.

[Whisp]

79. Other: A&W - Teenburger! best burger in all known and unknown universes

[Amaril]

80. Other -- Steak-n-Shake

WAY better than McD's, Dairy Queen, White Castle, et al. We don't have the others that you guys are raving about down here, so -- in terms of what IS here -- Steak-n-Shake gets my vote.

[Dappleganger]

88. We have S&S locally and it's not all that great.

Guess it depends on the store.

[MilesColtrane]

102. Yep

There was a bit of hype before they opened in this region.

Tried them, and didn't think much.

Gave them a second and third sampling at different locations, but never had burger and fries from them that made me want to go back after that.

[cbdo2007]

81. Does Fuddrucker's count?

They were my favorite but I think all of the KC Area ones are closed now.

I would always get the 1/2 pound burger, their buns are incredible, then the only thing I would put on it is a ton of that jalapeno cheese sauce. Oh my!!! Love the Fuddrucker's burgers! Sad they're gone. :(

[Mojo_electro]

109. Yes!

I don't know if they still exist.. we had one down here in Ft. Lauderdale back in the day, and I've been to one Dallas too... epic burgers... man I wish they were still around. Om nom nom.

[Awsi Dooger]

85. The Whopper continues to dominate

Wonderfully dependable, just the right size. Doesn't spit out a half pound of superfluous toppings all over your shirt before the first bite.

And the base burger is minus cheese, as it should be. Any joint that forces me to pay the cheese price then asks me to wait for one made minus cheese has lost me forever.

Whataburger is severely underrated. Five Guys is very good as long as I order the separate bun. They always think it's strange but never quarrel or charge. I get a double burger then split it up into two burgers.

You can feed a family of 5 with the regular sized fries.

I'll never understand the love for In 'N Out. Friendly energetic staff and small mediocre food.

[Dappleganger]

86. Partial to Five Guys...

and yes, we just ate there yesterday (regular bacon cheeseburger, all the way with cajun fries!).

[Kablooie]

93. Johnny Rockets for me.

Though the original Apple Pan in West LA beats them but it's not a chain.

The Apple Pan, was the original inspiration for Johnnie Rockets.

[haele]

94. If two resturants can count as a chain... Tioli's Crazee Burger

http://crazeeburger.com/menu/
Yeah, they were on Food Network, but they're really good.
And they started selling "Kobe Beef Sliders" - little mini-burgers made with Kobe Beef on small Sol roll. (a Mexican milk-based dinner roll that's almost sweet)

Burger Lounge is another chain (there's about four or five in the area, and I think more in LA, so it technically counts as a chain) that seems to be pretty good.

They aren't drive-through, and are a bit more expensive, but they are worth the price.

Haele

[tracyhallows]

96. Hotdog 4tw.

[BarbaRosa]

97. Blake's Lotaburger

A NM favorite



Lotaburger

[UTUSN]

100. Carl Jr's. Burned and quality meat. Meat has been going downhill. n/t

[flvegan]

101. Evos Original Championburger w/vegan pattie.

[BOG PERSON]

103. i don't understand the appeal of Five Guys beyond their french fries

but i haven't eaten there in a long time. so i just voted for Whataburger.

[MadBadger]

107. I find their burgers juicy and love all the toppings

Usually get Grilled Onions, BBQ sauce on my burger.

[Mutley]

105. I haven't had all of those

but of the ones I have had, Five Guys is the best.

[MadBadger]

106. Outside of a Manhattan Lunch on a Weekday, Id say Five Guys

[Auggie]

108. Gott's Roadside, Northern California

San Francisco, Napa, St. Helena

[zen_bohemian]

110. While I think Foster's Freeze is good (as does Brian Wilson:)

Give me a Sonic burger anytime....I don't live near a Sonic, and would love one right now.

[KamaAina]

111. The Giant or the Beach Boy?

:shrug:

[Pendrench]

112. From my childhood....Gino's (and now they're coming back to Maryland!)

http://www.ginosgiant.com/


Tim

[KamaAina]

114. Awesome!

Mom worked for Gino's corporate back in the day. Once she was a "secret shopper". We'd go around to various Gino's in the Baltimore area. She'd go in, act all innocent, and place her order -- then check to see if they'd gotten it right (not that easy 'cause she had my condiment-hating self in the car!)

But the absolute best was when we got to go up to Hanover, Pa. to be extras in a Gino's commercial! Alas, it never aired in Md. :(

[SmileyBoy]

113. CHECKERS

Or "Rally's", depending on where you're from

[littlewolf]

116. fudruckers

[Skittles]

117. I finally tried In-'n-Out - fucking awful

it had - WTF - salad dressing on it? I felt like I needed a fork and spoon to eat it. Fries were dry. Shake was good though. Worst thing was - we weren't even full after we ate there, and hit Jack in the Box on our way home

[HappyMe]

118. White Castle!

Followed by 5 Guys & Culver's!