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38 members have voted
Where do you guys eat for a good cheap burger
Quote: terapinedI pretty much lived my life on the East Coast. I've always heard about In-n-Out burger. Great Rep. Long Lines. Gotta be doing something right. Overall I have say I'm disappointed. Nothing special. I had a burger urge last night. I went to 5 Guys which I think is way better then In-N-Out. Even the fries are top notch at 5 Guys
Where do you guys eat for a good cheap burger
Culver's is pretty great. Outside of the Midwest it's smash burger or 5 guys for me. In n out is OK - maybe better than other fast food, but worse than these fast-casual places where it takes 10 minutes to get food.
However, I wouldn't consider Five Guys fast food since they don't start cooking it until after you order it. Of the other places listed, Wendy's would get my vote as the best burger.
DQ burgers have to be the worst burgers, period. They remind me of the hockey pucks my elementary school cafeteria used to pass off as hamburgers.
Quote: Joeman
DQ burgers have to be the worst burgers, period.
False. Nothing is worse than White Castle, or even close to.
Maybe you're going to the wrong Five Guys.Quote: JoemanHowever, I wouldn't consider Five Guys fast food since they don't start cooking it until after you order it.
As people enter, the order taker / cashier is supposed to call out the number of people who walked in - even before they get to the counter. The cooks then estimate a quantity and start cooking right away.
I like trying all their new burger combinations. Also, they seem to come closest to making their burgers actually look like their advertising. For awhile, i was taking comparison photos, and Jack did really well.
Interesting. Maybe I'm going to right Five Guys! ;)Quote: DJTeddyBearMaybe you're going to the wrong Five Guys.Quote: JoemanHowever, I wouldn't consider Five Guys fast food since they don't start cooking it until after you order it.
As people enter, the order taker / cashier is supposed to call out the number of people who walked in - even before they get to the counter. The cooks then estimate a quantity and start cooking right away.
The ones around here, the cashier calls out to the cook how many patties to throw on the grill when you order.
Perhaps they do the estimating thing when they are super busy? I usually go during the slower times.
Quote: mcallister3200Slight tangent and speaking of bad burgers, Wendy’s uses burgers that are too old to serve as the meat for their chili.
It's not really Wendy's drive-thru unless you have an authentic Jim Cornette Burger Towel.
If including non-drive throughs, the best burger I have found is at BurgerFi
Agreed. I don’t understand what’s so great about In-n-Out. Very mediocre in my opinionQuote: terapinedI pretty much lived my life on the East Coast. I've always heard about In-n-Out burger. Great Rep. Long Lines. Gotta be doing something right. Overall I have say I'm disappointed. Nothing special
I’m not from the west coast so I never tried it until I was an adult.
the best fast food joints season the burgers and other food in such a way to give it taste so that the person eating it overlooks the fact that the meat is not high quality
that is why they are so popular
Taco Bell is a master of this - they don't serve burgers but their meat is really low quality - but they are tremendously popular
none of them can compare to a step up restaurant where you have to pay a little more and the beef is really high quality
it's a world of difference
Yes! I accidentally stumbled upon the Portillo's in Arlington Heights on a business trip years ago. Their Italian Beef is amazing! It's now a must-see whenever I'm up there. I'll have to take your word on their burgers, though -- I've only had their beef sandwich, and I don't see where I could bring myself to order anything else in the future!Quote: Gabes22In Chicago I like Portillos
Interesting choice of words, as I'm sure McDonald's fries are clogging up my cardiac arteries as well! ;)Quote: unJonMcDonald’s fries have a special place in my heart.
Don’t hate on Wendy’s chili. Great use of burgers that are past grill hold time.
Quote: unJonThat said, McDonald’s fries have a special place in my heart.
That is a hot button for me. Anyone who doesn't think McDonald's has the best fries is delusional.
Quote: DRichThat is a hot button for me. Anyone who doesn't think McDonald's has the best fries is delusional.
.................
don't want to debate this with you but.....................
there is joint that only has locations in Ocean City, Maryland called "Thrashers"
they don't serve anything but fries - not even drinks
they believe their fries are so exquisite that they don't even offer ketchup - only oil and vinegar - ketchup is not worthy of their fries
all day long the workers there have to tell new customers that they don't have ketchup
they're legendary - people line up for them up and down the boardwalk when O.C. is busy
terapined probably knows about them
Quote: ChumpChangeI used to go to Red Barn for just large fries & a drink back when I never had more than $5 in my pocket because it was a bad neighborhood. There's a police station next door to where that was now.
As a youngster I would ride my bike to McDonalds and get two small french fries anytime that I had a dollar. The fries were $0.50 each. I would never get anything else.
Quote: lilredrooster.................
don't want to debate this with you but.....................
there is joint that only has locations in Ocean City, Maryland called "Thrashers"
they don't serve anything but fries - not even drinks
they believe their fries are so exquisite that they don't even offer ketchup - only oil and vinegar - ketchup is not worthy of their fries
all day long the workers there have to tell new customers that they don't have ketchup
they're legendary - people line up for them up and down the boardwalk when O.C. is busy
terapined probably knows about them
I hope I remember this the next time I get back to the Northeast.
Quote: DRichI hope I remember this the next time I get back to the Northeast.
maybe this will help you remember:

In&Out burger, Mickey D's fries, w/glass bottled Mexican Coke (cane sugar) would make for a great last meal choice.
Ditto. But you want even better fries? Get McD fries without salt.Quote: unJonMcDonald’s fries have a special place in my heart.
One day I got someone else’s unsalted fries by mistake. Holy crap they’re good. I order them that way now.
Quote: DJTeddyBearDitto. But you want even better fries? Get McD fries without salt.
One day I got someone else’s unsalted fries by mistake. Holy crap they’re good. I order them that way now.
Blasphemy!! Fries without salt wouldn't even be fries in my book. I know if you order them without salt you will get fresh fries right out of the oil, but you can request fresh fries even with salt.
Please don't order fries without salt if you just want them fresh out of the oil. They might make your fries out of the next basket to come up and they might sit there for a few minutes.Quote: DRichBlasphemy!! Fries without salt wouldn't even be fries in my book. I know if you order them without salt you will get fresh fries right out of the oil, but you can request fresh fries even with salt.
Quote: mipletPlease don't order fries without salt if you just want them fresh out of the oil. They might make your fries out of the next basket to come up and they might sit there for a few minutes.
Here. they spill salt on fries. Die of high blood pressure.
I went right when they opened the other day and my burger was heavenly delicious. Occasionally they do oversalt them and I hate that.
For those who haven't tried FARMER BOYS Burger give it a try, they have some good food including breakfast, Wraps and good soup. I don't know how big the chain is, but they have at least 3 locations here in Vegas.
Mcdonald's fries are certainly tasty when they are fresh.
White Castle is ok once in awhile, but i don't really consider it a hamburger its had its own unique flavor, just like Mcdonald's burgers not really normal hamburgers IMO.
But for cheap eats, the 2 woppers for $5 deal. Pass on adding cheese, buy a drink elsewhere. Or several Taco Bell plain burritos, nothing else. Best if you’re really, really hungry.
Quote: JoemanOf the places you listed, Five Guys has the best burgers, hands down. Full disclosure, I have not had an In-n-Out burger.
However, I wouldn't consider Five Guys fast food since they don't start cooking it until after you order it. Of the other places listed, Wendy's would get my vote as the best burger.
DQ burgers have to be the worst burgers, period. They remind me of the hockey pucks my elementary school cafeteria used to pass off as hamburgers.
Everything that Joeman just said. Wendy's is also my favorite. I want to say that Sonic and Roy Rogers are somewhat close seconds with the main problem with the latter being general availability. Roy Rogers gets credit because they have/had the little veggies/condiments bar, so you could/can dress your burger exactly as you like. They also have horseradish sauce.
As far as Sonic goes, I just think that the burgers are almost as good as Wendy's, pretty simple. I'd encourage anyone with negative Sonic experiences to keep in mind that I'm basing this on the two Sonics closest to me that both use really fresh veggies. The burger itself, absent the veggies, merely okay.
Another thing I'd hold against Five Guys is that they aren't even close to fast food priced, so the burgers had better be really good, and even then, still not worth it. My fiancee and I took the kids to Five Guys one time and immediately concluded that there are (better) sit down restaurants that have burgers where we would have actually saved money---if you don't count the tip.
DQ is pretty bad when it comes to burgers, but I have to think Burger King is almost as bad...at least any Burger King I've had. It's odd because their breakfast food is pretty okay. The main difference between Dairy Queen and Burger King is that Burger King has awesome coupons in the app...they basically give the food away. I could tolerate a Dairy Queen burger if it were practically free.
One other weird thing about BK is that Whoppers do not automatically come with cheese. I've never understood that.
Here's My Top 10 (based somewhat on local availability and also considers price):
1. Wendy's
2. Roy Rogers/Sonic
3. Roy Rogers/Sonic
4. Fuddrucker's (Would be higher if I had any near me)
5. Five Guys (If it counts as fast food)
6. Hardee's
7. Sheetz (I'm counting it if Five Guys counts)
8. A&W
9. McDonald's
10. Steak N' Shake
Quote: ThatDonGuyIt's not really Wendy's drive-thru unless you have an authentic Jim Cornette Burger Towel.
I guess you'd also want to get a Sprite with it?
Quote: DRichThat is a hot button for me. Anyone who doesn't think McDonald's has the best fries is delusional.
The fries are awful.
I ordered online, but it wasn't ready at the specified time. I didn't complain, but they insisted on giving me some milkshakes anyway. I did not refuse their offer!
Besides their usual great service, I have noticed a masterful stroke of marketing from Five Guys: they always give you extra fries.
You get the cup you paid for, but then they dump a panful in the bag afterwards. Now, I think their prices for fries are steep, but people don't remember the cost as much as they remember, "Hey, I got a bagful of free fries!"
Quote: Mission146The fries are awful.
Now that’s a hot take. I prefer raising canes or Wendy’s fries, but fries are mostly terrible period. And mustard is the nut low of all condiments.
Quote: mcallister3200Now that’s a hot take. I prefer raising canes or Wendy’s fries, but fries are mostly terrible period. And mustard is the nut low of all condiments.
I've never been to a Raising Canes, but definitely prefer Wendy's fries. I like the natural cut fries and I don't think Wendy's uses as much dextrose as McDonald's does. I get a lot of sweetness out of the McDonald's fries and find it weird because potatoes naturally have almost no sugar. Like...they're actually sweet. Fries should (other than if you choose to dip them in something) just taste salty (added) and earthy...like a potato.
I like potatoes, though, so I like fries. I don't dip them in anything. I'll rinse off a raw potato (unpeeled) and eat it like an apple. So, I'm kind of biased towards Wendy's fries because I think they add basically just enough extra stuff to be acceptable to most people.
Quote: mcallister3200Now that’s a hot take. I prefer raising canes or Wendy’s fries, but fries are mostly terrible period. And mustard is the nut low of all condiments.
i THINK ONE OF THE REASONS i AM NOT AS BIG OF A FAN OF BURGERS AS MOST PEOPLE IS BECAUSE i DON'T USE ANY CONDIMENTS AND i EAT A BURGER PLAIN. mEAT AND CHEESE ONLY ON A BUN. aLL CONDIMENTS ARE DISGUSTING.
Sorry about the caps but I am not retyping it.
Quote: DRichi THINK ONE OF THE REASONS i AM NOT AS BIG OF A FAN OF BURGERS AS MOST PEOPLE IS BECAUSE i DON'T USE ANY CONDIMENTS AND i EAT A BURGER PLAIN. mEAT AND CHEESE ONLY ON A BUN. aLL CONDIMENTS ARE DISGUSTING.
Sorry about the caps but I am not retyping it.
No condiments for me, (unless a place has Horsey Sauce) but run it through the garden, preferably twice.
French fry quiz:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/salimahmccullough/can-you-match-the-fry-to-the-fast-food-resturant
Cheeburger Cheeburger makes a good (fast casual) burger with the option of onion rings as a free topping. Used to enjoy eating at a Henderson location here in NV, but it closed down. Not many locations when compared to others mentioned here.
Quote: Mission146I guess you'd also want to get a Sprite with it?
Sprite Zero.
However, I draw the line at paying $10 for a box of cereal.
Also, for those of you mentioning Hardee's, it's now part of the Carl's Jr. chain; there are no Hardee's in the western half of the country. There is still a difference; Carl's Jr. has burgers with barbecue sauce (the one time I tried asking for one at a Hardee's, I was given packets of sauce they give you when you order chicken tenders). Also, I think the ones with mexican food are called Green Burrito if it's a Carl's Jr. and Red Burrito if it's a Hardee's.
I can’t tell you how many people I know who now buy this regularly after I turned them on to it.
$2.29 a bag and don’t have to get out of car.
My wife’s favorite drink is a glass of Crown Royal Salted Caramel on Sonic ice. Pretty freakin awesome.
Quote: KeeneoneTalking burgers always leads to talking about fries...
French fry quiz:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/salimahmccullough/can-you-match-the-fry-to-the-fast-food-resturant
Cheeburger Cheeburger makes a good (fast casual) burger with the option of onion rings as a free topping. Used to enjoy eating at a Henderson location here in NV, but it closed down. Not many locations when compared to others mentioned here.
Haha! I got McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King and Sonic right and was wrong about all others.
EDIT: I got Arby's right also, but that's just a free correct answer unless you've never been there.
Quote: ThatDonGuySprite Zero.
However, I draw the line at paying $10 for a box of cereal.
Also, for those of you mentioning Hardee's, it's now part of the Carl's Jr. chain; there are no Hardee's in the western half of the country. There is still a difference; Carl's Jr. has burgers with barbecue sauce (the one time I tried asking for one at a Hardee's, I was given packets of sauce they give you when you order chicken tenders). Also, I think the ones with mexican food are called Green Burrito if it's a Carl's Jr. and Red Burrito if it's a Hardee's.
Corny used to drink regular Sprite, but you got it! I sometimes enjoy listening to both him and more often 83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff, with a slight preference for Bischoff. Bischoff is like listening to your Grandpa spin yarns and I sometimes fall asleep, but not in an, "I'm bored," sort of way. I don't watch any wrestling whatsoever anymore, but I do enjoy the tales of the late-80's to the Attitude Era and maybe just a little into Ruthless Aggression and the beginnings of TNA/Impact.
Is it not true that Hardee's has curly fries available and Carl's Jr. does not? Carl's Jr., if I'm not mistaken, has the waffle fries.