What Are These Califorinians Thinking?? (In-N-Out)

Question

While I was in LA last week, I had to give In-n-Out one more chance. Had a cheeseburger, and absolutely could not taste the meat, and there was nothing special about the bun. Is the secret to ask for it without the sauce? That's mostly what I tasted. With the lettuce and tomato, it was like eating a salad on a bun. Or maybe you have to go to the right In-N-Out. This visit I ate at one not too far from LAX, just off Sepulveda.

Anybody who thinks an In-N-Out burger is better than a Five Guys burger just doesn't care about what the burger part tastes like, but is eating it for the experience. Gotta admit that the fries were up to my best Five Guys standard, and the chocolate milk shake was pretty decent. But the burger? Not a chance!

I suppose them's is fighting words. Bring it on. ;)

Answer

I tried five guys and it was okay but I think you have to order it with everything on it. What I like about in-n-out is how you can taste the freshness of all the ingredients. I didn't like five guys bun. It tasted flat and old. Maybe you would have to do a side by side of five guys and in-n-out with both burgers with exactly the same ingredients no extras stuff. I don't think I would eat a five guys burger if it wasn't heavily doctored up with extras.

Answer

Really I'm tired of these comparison threads, they just seem to pop up every once in awhile. I think both sides can agree that both restaurants are a couple notches above BK, McDonalds, and Wendys.

At the end of the day they are both just chain hamburger places. Both have good locations, both have poor locations. Sometimes the guy on the fryer knows what he is doing, sometimes he doesn't. Sometimes the rolls are a little fresher (therefore softer), sometimes they aren't. But they both use fresh ingredients and are a good value when compared to non chain burger.

Answer

Hi there... My wife and I eat at In-N-Out about once a month (in Los Angeles), and always order the same thing: 2 Double-Doubles (double meat/double cheese), two orders of fries, and one beverage. Total comes in at right around $10. I just cannot argue with that value, as it is a consistent product/experience, quickly made, and the ingredients (for us) have never been other than fresh. I'm told they pay their employees a decent wage (for a burger place), which for us the consumer, results in consistently pleasant interactions with employees who seem to like their jobs and are not ashamed to be making/selling fast food. As opposed to a much better custom/gourmet burger at a place that we tend to avoid in Hollywood, where the angst-ridden staff always seem on the verge of challenging me to a knife fight when I ask for a cup of ice...

Answer

Different strokes for different folks.

I like In N Out, but not an ardent devotee of the place. Tried Five Guys, can understand the appeal, esp. of the unlimited toppings, etc., but still prefer In N Out.

Never going to argue with someone who says Five Guys is better than In N Out, because that's like trying to convince someone who like chocolate ice cream that vanilla is better. All a matter of personal preference.

Also, one thing to note when making this comparison, and which was noted by silience9 up above, a typical burger at In N Out is about $2 (more if you get a double-double or something else, obviously), but a standard burger at Five Guys starts at about $4.50 (even the Little Hamburger is something like $3.50). 

Just something to keep in mind, that's all. Something about apples and oranges ...

Answer

I'm a born and bred Southern Californian, and have never understood the devotion to In-N-Out. I like the idea of the chain, and I appreciate the concept and execution. But the food is mediocre and bland. I'm glad they exist in the marketplace and am glad they're doing what they're doing. But I never want to eat there.

Answer

I think at In-N-Out, to get the proper meat to fixings ratio, you have to get the double-double. Otherwise, I can see where it would seem like a salad on a bun with a smear of meat. Regardless, I never had a bad I-N-O experience.

Answer

I like the fries. I don't like hard and dark brown fries, I'm funny like that. I know i'm in the minority and that's how most people like them, but I like them light colored and on the limper side.

Answer

Lived in SoCal for over 30 years and I am with you. In-N-Out burgers are very average, people like the sauce which is just 1000 island dressing with gobs of relish. Yes their lettuce and tomatoes are fresh but many places do this. Their fries imho are terrible, even well done and I don't like the cheddar cheese they put on the burgers - it's pasty and coats the mouth. Five guys make a better burger and you don't need to order a double patty to get filled up. 

FWIW - I have done two blind taste tests of hamburgers with a bunch of friends, even most of the In-N-Out devotees were surprised that they didn't pick it as their favorite hamburger. In fact it usually comes out near the bottom of the list when people don't know what they are eating.

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What Are These Califorinians Thinking?? (In-N-Out)

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