How large is large? Here in NC (and some in VA & SC I hear now) we have Andy’s (Warning: annoying flash animation). Fries & onion rings are ordinary. Cheesesteaks are good, but the bread is steamed rather than toasted, so a little different from most. But the burgers are fantastic!
I’d have to say Carls Jr. They have the Six Dollar burger. It’s not the most awesomest burger in the universe, nothing beats homemade off the grill, but it costs less than six bucks and I can not finish it because it is so big.
A few variations on the Six Dollar burger:
-guacamole bacon burger
-teriyaki burger with teriyaki sauce and pineapple
-western bacon burger with bbq sauce and onion rings
Not fast food by any means, but they do make a tasty burger. I heartily recommend the Whiskey River barbecue burger, in beef, chicken, or even boca. Fabu. Endless refills on fries, too.
They opened a Five Guys here and it was very not good. They have thick burgers, but will only cook them well done, which is murder on meat. I don’t care if they’ll load it up with a bunch of crap. And the fries were mediocre, sort of like the good thick fries we used to get in Baltimore, but without the old Bay seasoning or seasoning salt they were just thick, oily and bland. A huge disappointment after all of the hype.
I also love Red Robin.
We used to have some Rally’s and Checkers locations here in Houston, but all the ones I knew of closed long ago. I miss their fries and cheap, yummy burgers.
I grew up eating burgers at Short Stop, but you don’t see them around much anymore. I know of one location in Austin, which I’ve visited a few times when I’m in town.
I don’t eat too many fast food/drive-in burgers nowadays. I usually get a chicken sandwich or some other thing. If I have a hankering for a burger, I usually hit Whataburger. Their fries are awesome, and the burgers are decent.
Of the mega-chains, I will vote for Burger King first and Wendys right behind it,. They both make fresh tasting, semi-authentic burgers. Worst is McDonalds. I will eat one of them in a pinch but I wouldn’t really call the burgers, they are more just McDonalds food.
Red Robin is wonderful, but they are not fast food.
I had forgotten about Checkers and Steak ‘n’ Shake, but I really forgot about Culvers. That’s a must-go-to stop when we go north on vacation. Unfortunately there are none in this state (although I think there’s a new one in Bowling Green KY, which is only an hour away…)
I have always like the** A & W Teenburger**.
Oh, man! I haven’t had one of those in years! I think I know what’s for dinner tomorrow night. 
But…but…you live in Southern California. Why would you ever go someplace other than In-N-Out? 
grumbles about people who squander their birthright
I agree. No drive-thru, no “fast food.”
In-N-Out doesn’t have bacon.
Ok, it’s regional, but my pick goes to Cook out . I feel sorry for those who live elsewhere in the world and can’t have a Cook Out burger. (Or even better BBQ platter) I have had Whattaburger, I have sampled Hardee’s/Carl Jr., I sometimes frequent Red Robin and Ruby Tuesday, but nothing compares to Cook Out IMHO.
SSG Schwartz
There is little to rival an A&W bacon cheeseburger. It’s one of the few ways I’ll eat mayo, and that’s only because I eat them so infrequently I forget the mayo is on there.
I’m also really, really surprised that Culvers hasn’t popped up more than once. I usually order a salad when I go there, but the burgers are better than Hardees, IMO.
Never heard of them, they must be regional?
I agree with pulykamell about Fatburger or In 'N Out burger. Both are fairly regional, however, Fatburger being SoCal and LV only, afaik. In 'N Out is so damn fresh and juicy. The fries are hwaaayy underdone for my taste, but they will make them extra-crispy if you ask.
White Castle has never made it to CA, either, afaik.
Red Robin is out here, and used to be great, but not so much anymore.
Carls Jr’s the Six Dollar burger is always too damn dry every time I have had one. Big yes, but dry as a hockey puck.
Denny’s is weird. Sometimes it will be the perfect burger- juicy, tasty, big, decently priced, other time you get that hockey puck again.
Hardee’s is Carl Jr.
SSG Schwartz
Ditto. Or, better yet, a Grampa Burger.
Frak, now I want to hit the A&W, but a) the nearest one is in the mall, so it’ll be closed before I get there, b) I just ate, and c) I’m broke. sigh
Hardee’s has a sourdough /bacon /cheese burger that I find very satisfying.
Wendy’s next, around here they’re stiil decent
I’m so glad to hear people talking about Fatburger in this thread. Sometimes, I feel like most Southern Californians have no appreciation for one of the best burgers around. I have had to coax people into trying it for the first time. Mmm…Kingburger with egg and cheese, please! I’m fortunate that my family had the good sense to indoctrinate me when I was young. 
You know, between this thread and my recent discovery of Bacon Salt, I am drooling up a storm. Thank God I’m getting Dodger Dogs tonight!
You didn’t happen go to Gardena HS, did you?
Anyway, I used to eat at the Original Fatburger, and although the burgers were superb (better than the newer chain Fatburgers) they never, *ever *got my order right.
But in LA we also had Tommies. (Homer drool)