# Which national fast-food chain has the best basic hamburger? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 18, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865 "2012-01-18T02:46:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/61 "2012-01-19T01:17:18Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > Whataburger in Texas (and other southern states, including NM), Blake’s Lotaburger in New Mexico only. Different chains. Both are good. Lotaburger is better (with green chile of course), but Whataburger is open 24 hours. Ah yes, thanks. I must have eaten at Blake’s Lotaburger when I lived in Albuquerque. Sounds familiar now. I’d still give the edge to Whataburger though, despite it lacking green chiles. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/62 "2012-01-19T02:14:12Z")
Weep if you don’t have In-n-Out. Seriously. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/63 "2012-01-19T02:30:58Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > While I agree with you about BK, I do like ultra-thin burgers with caramelized, crispy edges. I don’t know about 1/8 of an inch thick, but when I make pan-fried fast-food style burgers, I smash them about 1/4-1/2 inch thick between a folded sheet of wax paper with a cast iron pan. It’s just another style of burger. I actually prefer it to the thicker, grilled, pub-style (1/2 pound & up) style of hamburger most of the time. I know folks like them, but I totally don’t get their appeal. I much prefer a thick grilled burger, pub-style being a pretty good description, of about 1/2 pound–no more, but a little less is fine. That’s why I think 5 guys is so dang good. Even the wanna-be-pub-burgers at Hardee’s and McDonald’s are nasty. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/64 "2012-01-19T02:59:49Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I know folks like them, but I totally don’t get their appeal. I much prefer a thick grilled burger, pub-style being a pretty good description, of about 1/2 pound–no more, but a little less is fine. That’s why I think 5 guys is so dang good. Even the wanna-be-pub-burgers at Hardee’s and McDonald’s are nasty. It depends on what I’m in the mood for. If I want something heavy, substantial, and meaty, I get a 1/2 pounder (or higher), cooked on the rare side of medium rare, and a pint or three of beer. For a quick lunch or snack, that’s just way too much food for me. I love a nicely griddled thin patty (more like 1/6 pounders, up to 1/4 pounder), cooked so that the edges get crispy and caramelized. You’re basically stuck to well done or possibly medium/medium well in the case of a quarter pounder. There’s something about the way that those juices crust up on the burger that is just lovely, and a patty or two with cheese on it. Just onions (preferably fried in the burger grease), a pickle slice or two, mustard, and ketchup, all on a soft, squishy hamburger bun. Pure heaven. I like the balance of every ingredient in the thinner style burgers. Same with my hot dogs. I like them 8-to-the-pound. Those overly thick jumbo dogs don’t taste right to me. That said, when I want MEAT, I do like a big, fat pub burger. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/65 "2012-01-19T03:21:48Z")
I voted for Wendy’s because, again, Culver’s isn’t on the list. I guess they’re not national enough. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/66 "2012-01-19T05:22:42Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Burger King seems to have given up on flame broiling, the one thing that made them better than the rest. Every single burger on their menu still brags about flame broiled patties. I know the ones around me are still prepared the same (I just had a Whopper last week). I settled for BK since Steak 'n Shake and Five Guys weren’t options. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/67 "2012-01-19T14:27:12Z")
I was so excited when Culver’s opened near me. It has a nice seating area and fantastic ice cream. But the sandwiches are all horribly greasy; they give me a rollicking stomachache. I gave up after giving them three chances. It bums me out too — I can almost literally see it from my house and would be a great thing to pick up for the family on Emergency Dinner Night. I can tolerate McDonald’s the best of the big chains. Never had the opportunity to try In and Out. OH wait! I didn’t see Dairy Queen on the list. I pick them as best. Is Red Robin good? ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/68 "2012-01-19T14:37:30Z")
Their quality does tend to vary a lot, but if you have a good Dairy Queen near you (which, luckily, I do) then I think they’re the best on the list. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/69 "2012-01-19T14:56:50Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > Is Red Robin good? It’s not fast food, but I think Red Robin is more than adequate. They also have no problem with my ordering a burger with everything on the side. Endless steak fries, too. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/70 "2012-01-19T18:03:14Z")
So are we basing Carl’s Jr’s rating off the Famous Star or something like the Big Cheeseburger? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/71 "2012-01-19T18:17:46Z")
> [@highrollinwooded](#): > > The Best is definetly Culvers!I feel sorry for those who have not had the Culvers experience!!! Yummo!!! I’ve never had food from Culver’s (which isn’t national, it’s just in the midwest) that’s been any good. Maybe it’s just me. The few times I’ve had burgers they’ve been small and tough like chunks of leather (from two different locations). One time I had fries and ended up with a bunch of green ones and the one time I got onion rings it was like eating shoe laces. But everyone else seems to love the place, so I usually keep my mouth shut when people talk about how great the place is as long as they’re not suggesting we eat there. There’s one up the block from me and in a pinch I’ll grab a shake, but I’d rather not. They’re inconsistently made and I hate that when I order a shake I get handed a spoon with it. IMO when I order a shake (not a concrete shake, just a regular one) I should be able to drink it though the straw, especially if I’m in the drive through. If I need a spoon, it’s not a milkshake, it’s something closer to a Blizzard…and that’ sometimes. Of course, sometimes they’re perfect, and sometimes they’re so milky, they’re just, well, milk. But, as long as they aren’t too runny, I just let them melt for a while and then drink them. But I digress. To get back to the list, from what I saw there my favorite is Dairy Queen. Good burgers and they’re, what, like a dollar. ---
**Author:** ![Finally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/67e7ee/32.png) [@Finally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finally)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/72 "2012-01-19T18:32:52Z")
Warning about 5 Guys-their burgers are actually double burgers and they give you a ton of fries. I got 1/2 way through the burger and barely put a dent in the fries. You can order a smaller burger but it’s not prominent on the menu. My 16 year old son was happy to step up and help me out though. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/73 "2012-01-19T18:35:01Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’ve never had food from Culver’s (which isn’t national, it’s just in the midwest) that’s been any good. Maybe it’s just me. The few times I’ve had burgers they’ve been small and tough like chunks of leather (from two different locations). One time I had fries and ended up with a bunch of green ones and the one time I got onion rings it was like eating shoe laces. But everyone else seems to love the place, so I usually keep my mouth shut when people talk about how great the place is as long as they’re not suggesting we eat there. It’s no Kopp’s burger or custard, but it does the trick out here in Chicago. I have, on rare occasion, had a bad experience with Culver’s, where the meat is way overcooked and dry. Usually, though, it’s still fairly moist and buttery, and it’s my favorite regional chain in the Midwest for burgers. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/74 "2012-01-19T18:36:20Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > It’s no Kopp’s burger or custard, but it does the trick out here in Chicago. I have, on rare occasion, had a bad experience with Culver’s, where the meat is way overcooked and dry. Usually, though, it’s still fairly moist and buttery, and it’s my favorite regional chain in the Midwest for burgers. I won’t get food at a Culver’s but I will get a shake there (as I said above) when I’m not near a Kopp’s. OTOH, I get a Kopps burger (and a shake) at least once a week, sometimes more. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/75 "2012-01-19T19:04:17Z")
> [@highrollinwooded](#): > > The Best is definetly Culvers!I feel sorry for those who have not had the Culvers experience!!! Yummo!!! Tried them once, never again. Everyone was so excited when Culvers first opened here and now I notice their parking lot is rarely full. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/76 "2012-01-20T00:05:51Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > You are in for over-priced garbage. A bit over-priced, but hardly garbage. In fact, Five Guys makes a fine burger with great fresh-topping choices, and real French fries (not the subject here, I know), not the awful potato-product fries you get from McDonald’s and all the rest. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/77 "2012-01-20T04:18:16Z")
Out of curiousity, how many of you live where all of the choices are places you can actually go to when you’re not travelling? Four of those places don’t exist in this part of the country. Well, Jack In The Box _did_ (my parents actually met working there when they were young), but it left the north east in 80 or 81. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/78 "2012-01-20T05:05:21Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Out of curiousity, how many of you live where all of the choices are places you can actually go to when you’re not travelling? A&W… just saw one in the food court of the mall downtown. About 30 minutes. McDonald’s… walking distance. BK… walking distance from my work. Dairy Queen… my kids ride their bikes their. Wendy’s… technically walking distance, but would probably make the few minute drive. Jack in the Box… just opened the first one in the state. About a 30 minute drive, but I’m close by a few times a week normally. Sonic… Turns out there is one within 20 miles, but I never knew it. Hardee’s… used to be one next to Wendy’s but I think it recently closed. Doesn’t matter, I never went there. Also in “quick run” range… Steak 'n Shake… used to ride bikes there with the kids when they were little and sit on the red stools at the counter. Five Guys… about 5 minutes away (you can order on-line and pick up). White Castle… about 5 minutes away… reserved for the weekends when my wife is gone. This doesn’t count non-chain places, nor non-burger fast food. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/79 "2012-01-20T05:35:37Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > Of course…it’s not a national chain. > [@devilsknew](#): > > For my comparitive money, I like the proper beef burger mix of the New Jersey eminating !!Cheeburger Cheeburger!! Their Wall of Fame Burger with taken picture is bogus. Their :record burger: is only over a pound. But still… like the Kahuna burger with any possible topping it is a “Tasty Burger washed down with Sprite.”. I like the beef mis…could swear it comes from a “Hotel Burger Mix” grilled, with strip and filet trimmings. > [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Jeepers, man, that reads like a machine translation. Could I get an interpreter over here? Simply saying, in interpretive dance, that I really like the grilled Hamburger mix or blend of the [!!Cheeburger Cheeburger!!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheeburger_Cheeburger) franchise (SNL)… I think it is a really high quality mix of the waste ratio of “Hotel Cuts” of primal beef made into a premium burger. You and I, and anyone else, can make it on their “record burger” wall of fame by simply eating a large burger… nothing impossible. But it makes a big deal of it with a picture and ceremony, not unlike your birthday at chi-chi’s or farrel’s. The unmatchable list of possible condiments and toppings far exceeds five guys. They simply have a better burgere in any configuartion and they have a better ambience and environment… excellent servers in a “gourmet” diner experience. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865/80 "2012-01-20T05:42:28Z")
But then, I voted for A&W. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-national-fast-food-chain-has-the-best-basic-hamburger/609865.md?page=5)