Well, sonny thats good to hear (ehhh?), but that makes this a pretty goofy survey then if these national chains arent that national. Maybe they should call it the best fast food chain in hip urban areas that happen to have hip urban chains that are hard to find survey.
While it’s kind of a loose definition, the characteristics of a fast food restaurant (often referred to in the industry as QSR, or “quick service restaurant”) are, typically:
- Foods which can be prepared quickly / fairly easily
- Can be easily carried out
- Counter service (i.e., you order your food at a counter, and pick it up at a counter)
- Minimal need for utensils
- Relatively inexpensive prices
In-n-Out is located in California and Nevada, and perhaps slopping over into Arizona by now. They are often found in places that are far from being “hip urban areas”. 
They are, however, very regional.
Their burgers are good mostly because they use nothing but fresh ingrediants. No flash frozen burgers, no buns with enough preservatives to last five months without spoiling, french fries from potatoes jullienned as you watch, and milkshakes made from, you know, real ice cream. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
And I prefer vegetable oil to peanut oil. YMMV.
Interesting. Its not really fair to throw in-n-out in this list though. For all of their virtues (dollar for dollar the best burger around), “fast” is not one of them. Their speed is comparable to several chinese restaurants I frequent.
Excuse you, rude. Bakersfield is indeed super hip and urban, TYVM.:mad:
Yeah, no crap. If you order a stuffed pizza at Giordano’s, be prepared to wait up to 45 minutes for it to hit your table. Not really “fast” to me.
Well, its still a dufus survey then, if for 47 or so states, people ask who/where/what?
Not that In-n-out doesnt sound like a great place as I luves me some “upscale” burgers once in a while.
The only thing negative I can say about In-n-out is the non-intrusive biblical quotes on their drink cups and burger wrappers.
Are we thinking of the same Bakertucky?
Just recently ate at Five Guys. It was pretty tasty, I agree. And the fries were quite good.
But my burger, fries, and a drink came to $10.65.
I could feed 2 for that at In-n-Out.
Baklahoma, actually.
And the people from the other 10 states are always bringing it up as if everyone knows about their little regional chain.
I live in Chicago and I’ve only heard of Panera Bread and Giordano’s Pizza. And I wouldn’t count them as fast food, but what do I know.
McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, White Castle, KFC now THAT’S fast food.
Actually this is the beauty of In-n-out. They aren’t fancy “upscale” burgers a la Fuddruckers et al who charge $8-12 for an overrated, over-bunned burger. They are $4 burgers as god intended - simple, greasy, & delicious.
I’m surprised Raisin’ Canes didn’t beat Chik-Fil-A. Gah, I’d rather clog my arteries with Cane sauce and chicken fingers with Texas toast than eat Chik-Fil-A’s nuggets or sandwiches.
Rasin’ Canes is originally from Louisiana, where it is found more frequently, but it is also found in other places, such as Georgia (Athens) and Nevada (Las Vegas). My hunch is that Louisiana natives go there and recognize it.
Canes IS a real and simple fast food place. They serve chicken fingers or one chicken sandwich. That’s it. What makes it different is their Canes sauce (basically mayo-ketchup). It is awesome crack… and their fries with their Texas toast… Oh…
Dammit, I’m now craving Canes, I may have to go to the only one in this town… 
Get a double double with grilled onions. That’s a good burger.
Animal-style DD with Well Done fries. Nom!
So, if In-N-Out partnered up with Kum & Go, would they then be in direct competition with Hooters?
- In-N-Out (Bless their hearts, they don’t sweeten their tea)
- Capriotti’s (Never heard of them)
- Chick-fil-A (great chicken)
- Raising Cane’s (Never heard of them)
- Panera Bread (pretty good)
- Giordano’s Pizza (Never heard of them)
- Cafe Rio (Never heard of them)
- Idaho Pizza Company (Never heard of them)
- Penn Station (Never heard of them)
Omaha area checking in. Have a couple of Panera Bread around. Heard of In-and-out, probably from this board. Been to 1 Chick-fil-a while out of town just to see what they are like, none here; but love their commercials.
Tried Five Guys Hamburgers just a couple of weeks ago. The fries were pretty good. The burgers are ok. Better combos of burger and fries can be found at Runza Huts and also at Don and Millies (for local chains around here). Then there are the non-chain Louie M’s Burger Lust, and Stella’s. I’d rate any of those at least as good or better than Five Guys for the burgers.
And for fries that belong with the KrustyBurger “Clogger” ( as Krusty says: “if you can find a less healthy burger, you’re in Mexico”) , none beat the small local chain of Broncos. Of the two remaining Broncos in the area, it is good that one of them is near a cardiac center. Real pork tenderloin sandwiches, way bigger than the bun, served with fries, from the drive-thru. Day-yam those are good.