We fight this battle semi-regularly, and the Fuddrucker’s thread reminded me that it has been awhile since the last melee. So…what national or regional chain restaurant makes the best hamburger, and why?
My personal rankings:
Fuddrucker’s - freshly ground meat, excellent yeast buns toasted nicely, total control over condiments (which are all fresh as can be), and you get the burger cooked exactly the way you want it. Extraneous plusses include great fries, great onion rings and a pepper relish to die for, if you can find it.
In 'N Out - Gimme a Double-Double, Animal-Style. Burn the fries. Fresh meat, leaf lettuce, Secret Menu…it’s all good.
Fatburger - 3rd only by a nose. Excellent all-around.
Honorable Mention - Rally’s, Sonic, Krystal, Steak & Shake - May not have been great, but they feature in our travels, and we have fond memories of them.
Challengers?
There’s a new chain from Washington D.C. called Five Guys Burgers and Fries that has finally hit the Orlando market. I went there once and it was a very good, thick, juicy burger, but still not on the level of Fuddrucker’s. Worth trying if you’re a burger aficionado, though. People love their fries, but I found them too peanut oil-tasting.
This East Coaster has never had In ‘n’ Out or Fatburger, but I’d love to try them both some time.
Does anyone remember Rudy’s? Lots of white, pastel blue-green, red, and chrome – very 1950s-inspired decor before the inferior Johnny Rockets chain proliferated. We had them in Miami in the mid-to-late '80s, and they were awesome. Haven’t seen or heard about them in over 15 years, though. You ordered up front and sat down, just like Fuddrucker’s, and dressed your own burgers the same way. They were also the first place I ever had fried mozzarella cheese sticks!
Nation’s is my #1. They’re just in the bay area (and primarily the east bay at that).
I haven’t heard of a lot of the places mentioned here. I’d have to go with Fuddrucker’s next, and as far as fast-food burgers go, forgive me but I’ve always had a soft spot for the whopper
I finally made it to Apple Pan last week. It always gets a mention as best burger in L.A. It opened in 1947 and the owner has worked there since it was opened. There was an article on it in the LA Times last week. Part of the charm is the funkiness of the whole place. It’s a U shaped counter with 26 bar stools. Certain waiters work different parts of the counter, and a lot of people will only be served by one particular guy. Fantastic burger, check it out when you’re in L.A.
I had a really good burger at Ruby Tuesday’s the other day. I’ve never been to any of these other restaurants (never even heard of a few), so I can’t say how it’d compare, but it beat the pants off any fast food burger I’ve had.
There’s a little burger place in Salem called Burger Basket; I don’t think they’re part of a chain, but I really like their burgers, too.
I’d like to throw another vote in here for Five Guys. There is one by my school and they just opened one near my home. Their burgers are big and delicious, and their fry portions are enormous. A regular fry is enough for two or more people.
I like Cheeburger Cheeburger. Of course that may be due to the Frings basket as much as the burger.
We just got a new Steak n Shake. I had never been to one before, and I was not impressed by this one. My husband’s cheeseburger had liquid cheese on it, which he didn’t care for at all.
In N Out and Nations are both fantastic. And as much as I hate to admit it, Jack’s Ultimate Cheeseburger hold a special place in my heart. Specifically the arteries.
