# Who has the best hambuger (fast food joints) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 22, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025 "2011-07-22T20:47:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/1 "2011-07-22T20:47:23Z")
Who has the best out of the chains? In order to be eligible, dopers in multiple states must be able to order them. Remember, we are just talking about the burger, nothin’ else! Note: I am told Carl’s Jr, and Hardee’s are basically the same chain. I do not know if this is true. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/2 "2011-07-22T20:53:28Z")
I’ve never been to half of those places, but I like McDonald’s the best. That’s why I voted Wendy’s. If Five Guys was an option, that would be a game-changer. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/3 "2011-07-22T20:54:01Z")
Another vote for Five Guys. Best fries too. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/4 "2011-07-22T20:58:38Z")
I have heard of Five Guys for the first time today. I went online for the store locator in Southern California. All the Valley options say ‘coming soon’. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/5 "2011-07-22T21:00:46Z")
A vote for moving this thread from IMHO to Cafe Society. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2011, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/6 "2011-07-22T21:17:18Z")
In-N-Out (Double-Double Animal Style) by far, with Carl’s Jr. (some variation on the Six Dollar Burger) in a distant 2nd place. All of the places listed are better than 5 Guys. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2011, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/7 "2011-07-22T21:18:58Z")
I voted “In N Out,” but you’re missing quite a few decent chains on the list. Not that it would have changed my vote, but this poll is not complete without: Five Guys Whataburger Culver’s Fatburger (and perhaps Krystal, and I’m sure somebody will point out another fast food chain or two I’m forgetting.) Interestingly, in the Zagat survery, [Five Guys](http://www.cheese-burger.net/stories/zagat-ranks-top-5-fast-food-burgers.html) beat out In N Out. My personal top five, in order, would go: In N Out, Fatburger, Five Guys, Culver’s, and Whataburger. Of the major 3, McDonald’s and Wendy’s are tied (I admit that Wendy’s has a “better” burger, but I prefer McDonald’s for its distinct taste and nostalgia factor), and Burger King is a distant, distant third. It is my least favorite fast food hamburger. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/8 "2011-07-22T21:21:03Z")
In & Out seems to be a clear winner, but since none exist within even 600 miles of me it’ll be awhile before I get to try one. I my opinion [Smashburger](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smashburger) or [Johnny Rockets](http://www.johnnyrockets.com/index2.php) are better than any of those listed. ---
**Author:** ![Foxy40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Foxy40](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foxy40)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/9 "2011-07-22T21:27:53Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I’ve never been to half of those places, but I like McDonald’s the best. That’s why I voted Wendy’s. > > If Five Guys was an option, that would be a game-changer. That was my “other” vote. Five Guys would win hands down. I always heard In and Out was the best but having both, I disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Dahnlor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahnlor/32/533_2.png) [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/10 "2011-07-22T21:28:22Z")
I was about to click on Carl’s Jr. (probably better listed as “Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s”), until I noticed In-N-Out was on the list along with a couple of other well-known regional chains. I’m in LA, so Sonic and White Castle are “n/a”. As mentioned above, if you’re including regional chains, there is a lot missing. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/11 "2011-07-22T21:29:47Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > I my opinion [Smashburger](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smashburger) or [Johnny Rockets](http://www.johnnyrockets.com/index2.php) are better than any of those listed. They only barely qualify as fast food, though. Smashburger kicks ass, but it’s also like 1.5x the price, and it’s a lot nicer than most fast food joints. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/12 "2011-07-22T21:30:26Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > Note: I am told Carl’s Jr, and Hardee’s are basically the same chain. I do not know if this is true. IIRC, originally they were not, but they merged (I believe Carls Jr. bought out Hardee’s) a few years ago. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/13 "2011-07-22T21:47:22Z")
I voted for Belly bombers at White Castle, for two reasons. I like them, and somebody had to vote for them. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/14 "2011-07-22T21:53:01Z")
:mad::mad::mad: I hate it when people start threads like this, because the burgers that people always suggest are the best are ones that are unavailable anywhere near me, and it makes me envious. A recent Consumer Reports article seems to objectively confirm what I’ve long suspected: that when it comes to fast food, quality is inversely proportional to ubiquity. The fast food chains that are the most widespread, have the most locations, and are the most heavily advertised really are the crappiest. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/15 "2011-07-22T22:25:38Z")
Five Guys was garbage when I had it. In n Out all the way ---
**Author:** ![notsoheavyd3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/85e7bf/32.png) [@notsoheavyd3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notsoheavyd3)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/16 "2011-07-22T22:26:41Z")
Got to go with Flamers Grill. Oh, and I’m not a fan of 5-guys since all 3 of the ones I went to were either terrible or mediocre. (Burger was over cooked and the fries were never good. One of them didn’t even bother to cook the damn fries.) ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/17 "2011-07-22T22:32:59Z")
Does 5 Guys have a drive-thru? I vote we disqualify any chain with no drive-thru. Their high-ass prices don’t help either. I’d never eat there. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2011, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/18 "2011-07-22T22:33:21Z")
Other - Steak N Shake In n Out is only in 5 states and they are all way out west. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/19 "2011-07-22T22:52:13Z")
Sorry, but I like Whoppers. ETA: And I’ve heard wonderful things about Sonicburgers, but during my one visit they managed to screw up deep-fried Tater Tots with chili. I thought that was impossible. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025/20 "2011-07-22T23:04:37Z")
Whataburger, with Dairy Queen a close second. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-the-best-hambuger-fast-food-joints/590025.md?page=2)