Has anyone voted for Big Bufords? I wouldn’t but someone could mention them… I’m talking about Rallys and their best fries ever. Doing a google search, I’ve just found out that they are named Checkers in other places.
I’m all about In and Out. It has a clean taste that balances “real food” and “fast food.” I also agree it is not a love at first sight place. It sneaks up on you, gets under your skin.
I was not impressed with 5 Guys. My burger was soggy and incoherent and the fries were half soggy and half raw.
Hark! I have discovered a Five Guys lurking in my city. I do mean lurking - it wasn’t there a month ago, and they don’t have any signage indicating it’s a burger joint. Just signs saying ‘Five Guys’. I wouldn’t have known what it was if it wasn’t for the Dope. Anyway, I had just picked McDonalds so I had to pass, but I’ll be back!
I just had my first 5 Guys experience last weekend, so I felt compelled to update.
Excellent experience. In fact, as much as it pains me to do so, I think I give 5 Guys the nod over In-N-Out (keep in mind, Ive been an InO lover for 15 years). The main difference is the extras. Burger vrs. burger, I think I might take InO, however 5G gives you more topping options (including bacon!), sauteed mushrooms standard, plus you can also get a hot dog if you are so inclined (I didn’t try it so I don’t know if its any good, but I would assume they wouldn’t screw around there). Also, the fries were 100x better than InO’s (I appreciate InO’s desire for fresh, cut-and-fry potatoes, but the end result is lacking). So congrats 5 Guys, you are the new sheriff in town.
One final note on the burger comparison: InO’s burger looks & tastes like it was engineered in a lab for optimal deliciousness, whereas 5 Guys seems like the messy kind of burger you would get at a cookout. Really, they are both stellar. Makes me wish all burgers were this good.
You and I live pretty close to each other if you’re talking about the one at Preston and 121. I wonder if we were in the same drive thru line 
In-N-Out is ok - I’m glad I finally got to try it but I don’t really see the appeal that so many people rave about. I think it’s the thousand island dressing - it makes me think I’m eating a glorified Big Mac!
The side benefit of opening In-N-Out has been that all of the other burger restaurants in the area really stepped up their A-game. My favorite (of the fast food burgers, but there are better burgers) is still Whataburger, but Steak and Shake and Freddy’s are close contenders. Sonic has changed the meat and buns they use and are significantly better than they ever used to be. They’re on par with Whataburger and a step above In-N-Out - in my opinion of course.
The other fast food burger choices in my area are Mooyah and Five Guys - Both are nearly identical - but I think Mooyah edges out Five Guys - the quality seems to be more consistent. These 2 burger places strike me as trying to find a new market - it seems they’re hybrids between the standard fast food burger and the gourmet burgers. To that end - I enjoy them - but they just fall short of being what I hope they could become.
I’m eagerly awaiting Shake Shack - there don’t seem to be any plans to bring them in any time soon - but it’s just a matter of time!
What’s amazing/puzzling to me is that it is leading the poll with ~30% of the vote-despite being in only 5 states (and common in only 3 of them) over on the west coast of the country. I’ve never heard of them before this thread (thus I couldn’t even mention them in that thread from earlier this year about food places you’ve never known about).
Yeah. We need a more scientific, weighted poll.
I also made my first visit. The two closest to me afre not open for business yet, so I had to drive a bit.
Got the regular with mayo and onions only. (yeah, yeah, that’s how I like 'em. Bite me) The regular, I found out has two patties, so the taste was off. At my GF’s suggestion, I removed one of the patties, and it was a pretty good burger!
The fries, on the other hand…
Strange, I have had friends echo your fries sentiment. The fries I had were excellent - thick cut, crispy, and nicely salty. They must be pretty variable.
Rally’s/Checker’s gets my vote.
I recently got to try Rally’s again. It was Checkers where I used to live.
Still a damned good burger. It used to be terrific that it cost $1. When I went to one recently, they were selling two for $2, so it was still the same for me, and you can now get chili, cheese or bacon on their exemplary seasoned fries.
Can someone explain to me what the deal is with having both Rally’s and Checkers on the bag? Why have two different names if they’re going to have to maintain both brandings?
It’s not national - 38 locations, mainly around the Portland area, with a couple sites in Vancouver, WA - but my vote’s with Burgerville. Very good quality free range beef, with locally sourced fresh ingredients.
And they have a-freakin’-mazing milkshakes too.
I’m still sad they closed the Rally’s that was near my house. Hands down the best fast-food burger available in these parts. Tasty memories.
Bri2k