Mayo-based isn’t mayo. That’s like saying this is the same as this.
Ketchup and pickle relish can save all sorts of things. 
Well, the ketchup and mayo dropzone likes on his burgers is essentially the same as “hamburger sauce.” Does it really matter if it’s mixed or if it’s separate? I don’t think so, but YMMV. For me, In N Out has always been an outlier in my tastes, because I consider it to come with mayo by default, even though it’s in the form of a special spread. All I know is, my friend who has an aversion to mayo wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole. (Or, rather, he’d order it sans sauce.)
Meanwhile, I just came across this video of the most ridiculous and complicated burger I’ve ever seen. Seems like a lot of faffing about for a hamburger, but, I confess, I would love to have a bite.
By that standard, since mayo is just oil, egg yolk and vinegar we should just serve his burger with those ingredients applied instead of the mayo.
I would like to try that OCD burger, just because.
This is a silly sidetrack, but, no, not really. Surely you see the difference. When oil, yolk, and vinegar are emulsified, they become a completely different foodstuff in terms of texture and taste. Taking a spoon of mayo and a spoon of ketchup and applying it separately vs. taking a spoon of mayo and a spoon of ketchup and giving it a quick stir hardly alters the basic texture or flavor of the base. You’re welcome to your own definitions, but for me, In N Out burgers come with mayo by default, in the form of their hamburger sauce. At any rate, if I know somebody hates mayo or mayo on their burgers, I will point that fact out. I guess to turn it around, what is so unforgivable about mayo and ketchup on a burger separately that isn’t unforgivable about mayo and ketchup on a burger mixed together?
Sonic. I don’t go there often, but a double from Sonic among the great gifts from above.
Steak & Shake, White Castles… No In & Out around… 5 Guys is only located in the richer neighborhoods but I will make that trip one day I’m sure… How much is a burger at 5 Guys?
Too much.
$5.19 for a basic burger at the one nearest here.
lol
I voted Wendy’s, but Krystals are my guilty pleasure. (And yes I’ve tried White Castle. Krystal is is better.)
We still have an A&W with roller-skate equipped carhops. And, yes, the Papa Burger is excellent.
That said, Five Guys gets my vote.
I love Backyard. Worked/ at one in college and had a blast. And the food is good enough I didn’t get tired of eating it working there. They’re really mostly a southeast chain, I think, that started in Miss or Alabama. It also helps that all the ones in my area are part of the same franchise.
I voted other. Harvey’s
A bacon cheese burger (two patties) and regular sized fries cost me 10 bucks this saturday.
Don’t let the gyros and subs bit fool ya…they also have great burgers and fish sandwiches.
I move that In-N-Out be disqualified. Any chain that appears in only five states can hardly be considered national
:shrug:
White Castle isn’t national either.
It might be a bit of a stretch to call them fast food but I’ve had great burgers at Fudds. The quality local seems to have dropped.
Another not-quiet-fast-food that I like is Red Robin.
I voted for Wendy’s off the list.
I voted Other, for Five Guys.
I see In & Out scored well but I have never had one, nor even seen one of their locations. Are they regional?
I think one reason for the inconsistency re: Five Guys, is that they’re independently owned, and Five Guys doesn’t have the awesome control over its franchisees that a Jack in the Box or an In and Out does.
IMHO, and I’ve been at multiple locations of every franchise on this list with the exception of White Castle, it’s Five Guys and it’s not close. But I wouldn’t call Five Guys “fast food” as they don’t have a drive through. In n Out does, and In N’ Out crushes in that category. I share silenus’s love for Carls Jr. too though.
All that said, if I’m grabbing a burger in Houston, it’s at The Burger Guys or at Guy’s Meat Market. (Burger Guy’s is a little upscale, and Guy’s only sells burgers at lunch, until they run out. Link for Guy’s Meat, does not list their amazing, smoked meat burgers. Line forms at 11 and continues until they run out.)
Part of my Californiacentrism. Since they are a staple here in Los Angeles County, I assumed their empire to be farther reaching than it is.
They actually have only about 250 locations in 5 states. 200 of those in California.
My bad.