Burger War

So which of these burger styles do you serve?




In-N-Out devotees swear by their Double-Doubles. Legions of Culver’s fans gotta have their ButterBurgers. On the East Coast, hungry diners stand in line for Five Guys burgers; in the Rocky Mountain West, it’s Smashburgers.

Across the country, so-called “fast-casual” burger concepts — which typically don’t offer the table service of a traditional restaurant but use higher-quality ingredients (never-frozen beef, fresh-cut fries, etc.) than fast-food — are sizzling.

California’s In-N-Out was the first major regional favorite to arrive in Arizona earlier this decade, but the other three chains recently have joined the fray in the East Valley. I visited all four in the past week to see how they compare.


FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES
The background: This Arlington, Va., chain, named for the owners’ five sons, was founded in 1986 and has more than 450 locations in 30 states. It made its Arizona debut last week at Mesa’s Dana Park; another one is opening soon in downtown Tempe.
The food: A streamlined menu offers just four huge burgers — a hamburger ($4.99), cheeseburger ($5.59), bacon burger ($5.60) and bacon cheeseburger ($6.29) — all with two patties. (Single-patty options are available on the “children’s” menu.) You can add as many as 15 free toppings, ranging from mushrooms to jalapenos to hot sauce. There also are kosher-style hot dogs ($3.29-$4.59) and two kinds of cut-on-site fries — regular and Cajun (both $2.59). Fountain sodas and water are the only drink choices.
The service: Order at register; pick up food in paper bag at counter.
The décor: A no-frills, storeroom-meets-restroom vibe with red and white tile. A wall built with sacks of potatoes separates the food line from the dining area. The shells of free peanuts are scattered on floor.
The verdict: I give my greasy, messy bacon cheeseburger an A-minus but be warned: I didn’t want to eat for 24 hours afterward. If I ever go back to Five Guys, I may have to bring a defibrillator. One order of fries is easily enough for two hungry people; go with the Cajun.
The info: 1902 S. Val Vista Drive, Mesa. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. No drive-through. (480) 539-2773 or fiveguys.com.

SMASHBURGER
The background: This fast-growing Denver chain was launched in 2007 and plans to have 40 locations open nationwide by end of this year and 100 by end of 2010. It unveiled its first Arizona restaurant last month next to Arizona State University.
The food: The menu features five Smashburgers — which get their name because the beef is “smashed” on the grill and quickly seared — in third-pound ($4.99-$5.99) or half-pound sizes ($5.99-$6.99). Smashburger is the only one of the four chains to offer a special Arizona version of its burger topped with habanero cheese, guacamole, onions, jalapenos and chipotle mayo on a chipotle bun. There also are Smashchicken sandwiches ($5.99), Smashdogs ($3.49-$3.99), Smashfries ($1.79-$2.79) and Smashsalads ($6.99).
The service: Order at register; food brought to table in wire basket.
The décor: Retro-hip with modern industrial touches. Relatively small red-and-silver dining area offers surprising variety of comfortable seating. Nice sidewalk patio.
The verdict: My Arizona Smashburger, not so much spicy as intensely flavorful, gets a solid A. And its manageable third-pound size doesn’t leave me feeling bloated all day. The Smashfries, seasoned with rosemary, garlic and olive oil, also are delicious. I’ll be back.
The info: 777 S. College Ave., Tempe. Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. No drive-through. Parking available in garage behind restaurant. (480) 829-3750 or smashburger.com.


CULVER’S
The background: Headquartered in tiny Prairie du Sac, Wis. (pop: 3,100), Culver’s has grown from one restaurant in 1984 to more than 400 today. It opened its first two Arizona locations in Mesa and north Phoenix in April 2008.
The food: Culver’s expansive sandwich menu runs the gamut from pork tenderloin to beef pot roast to tuna melts, but it’s the signature ButterBurgers (butter is applied to the buns, which are then toasted) for which the chain is famous. All are available with one ($1.99-$2.89), two ($3.19-$4.19) or three patties ($3.99-$4.99). Side options include crinkle-cut fries ($1.59-$1.89) and deep-fried cheese curds ($3.29), and an array of desserts are made with Culver’s own fresh frozen custard.
The service: Order at register; food brought to table on plastic tray.
The décor: Blue-and-white dining room exudes Midwest hospitality with spacious booths and sturdy tables. Carpeted floors also set Culver’s apart from most fast-casual restaurants.
The verdict: I’ve always been a big fan of Culver’s — you probably can attribute it to my Midwest upbringing — but I must admit my most recent ButterBurger, not as plump and juicy as usual, earns just a B-plus. I still love the crinkle-cut fries, though.
The info: 1909 S. Country Club Drive, Mesa. Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Drive-through available. (480) 733-5330 or culvers.com.


IN-N-OUT BURGER
The background: Iconic California chain was started in 1948 and now boasts nearly 250 locations, none more than a day’s drive from its Baldwin Park headquarters. It expanded into Arizona in 2000 and now has 24 restaurants in the state.
The food: What seems like the most abridged of menus — a hamburger ($1.69), cheeseburger ($1.99), “Double-Double” ($2.99) and fries ($1.29) — is actually much bigger than it appears, thanks to In-N-Out’s not-so-“secret menu.” These additional items, available at all locations, include triple and quadruple burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, veggie burgers and the chain’s now-trademarked “Animal-style” burgers (with mustard fried into meat and extra sauce) and fries (with cheese, onions and sauce).
The service: Order at register; pick up food on plastic tray at counter.
The décor: Red-and-white dining area features fast-food standards like hard plastic booths and tables with attached swivel chairs, making it serviceable but not exactly comfortable.
The verdict: I’ve been enjoying the occasional Double-Double since my first trip to California in the mid-1980s, and my most recent one still earns an A-minus. But I fail to understand why some people rave about the fries, which I’ve always found somewhat tasteless.
The info: Multiple East Valley locations. Open 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily (1:30 a.m. weekends). Drive-through available. in-n-out.com.

http://thedish.freedomblo...ke-it-out-in-ev/11167/

That's a nice comparative article. Anyone else here tried all four? I've only had In-N-Out personally but damn are they good...and it really is all about the 2x2 Animal-style....they can't be duplicated.

What's your favorite fast food burger? Wendy's won amongst A Hamburger Today's readers:
http://aht.seriouseats.co...rket-burger-chain.html

...but that doesn't include the four mentioned above. Of the major player's I always liked Carl's Jr./Hardee's.

I am not the least bit surprised that the regional chain that started in cattle country "Smashburger" got the highest grade.
 
The only one I visited, In and Out was a dissapointment , to me it tasted like a Mc Donald's Big Mac and will end up on my "rotten tomatoes list" for 2009.

Why isn't this in the fast food/chain restaurants area?

rjb


Why isn't this in the fast food/chain restaurants area?

I posted it here because I wanted to know what those in the Pro section served and this article gives some comparative options. Note I didn't ask which do you like, although those answers will surely come from some posters.

Jack

I think the In n Out fries are much better when they are ordered extra crispy and consumed immediately. For anyone with a gluten problem, it normally means staying away from fries if there are also onion rings with breading freind in the smae fryers because of cross contamination. In n Out doesnt do onion rings, so their fries are safe for those worried about gluten. they will also do their burgers "protein style" which means wrapped in lettuce with no bun.

This is a great piece on In-N-Out:
http://aht.seriouseats.co...n-in-n-out-burger.html

EatingTheRoad


That's a nice comparative article. Anyone else here tried all four? I've only had In-N-Out personally but damn are they good...and it really is all about the 2x2 Animal-style....they can't be duplicated.

What's your favorite fast food burger? Wendy's won amongst A Hamburger Today's readers:
http://aht.seriouseats.co...rket-burger-chain.html

...but that doesn't include the four mentioned above. Of the major player's I always liked Carl's Jr./Hardee's.

The only fast food burger I eat is at White Castle.  For the past 30 years or so.

Culver's but only when they have walleye. It's not the best, but I live in SE Wisconsin, not walleye country, so it's MY best. For a burger, any place the gets it all smokey is king, so, if I gotta, Burger King, or Wendy's for their sides.

I haven't been to the others, but a 5 Guys just opened by us & we tried it for lunch. I wasn't impressed for 2 reasons.
1. I ordered one of their regular (2 patty) jobs. Although their buns are toasted, it didn't have enough substance to support this mass. I was less than 1/2 thru the burger & the bun was a soggy, falling apart mess.
2. The guy making the fries got way ahead of the people cooking/putting together the burgers. As a result, he had a big line of fries sitting in those styrofoam cups waiting for the burgers to catch up. When we finally got our order, we dumped the fries into the paper bag, but it was already too late. There's no other word for it; they were soggy.

As I said, this was my first time to 5 Guys, so I don't know if our experience is limited to just this location or is endemic to the chain.

I guess on the surface this looked like it should be moved.  I read the opening question and had no problem with it in the Pro forum.

I have happened to have all four of these, not in 1 day mind you. I personally prefer The 5 Guys out of the choices. I like the way that I can customize the toppings and I have always had a nice juicy burger that is fairly filling. The 1 Smashburger I had was rather dry and mealy although the toppings were very generous and surprisingly the Baja Burger actually had some kick. The Double Double is alright in my opinion, nothing too spectacular, but it was a solid burger. The Butterburger just was well...too buttery for me.

Rankings: 1) 5 Guys 2) In-N-Out 3) Smashburger 4) Culver

I've only had Five Guys and Culvers.  I'm from Kalamazoo, Michigan originally so we had a Culvers and I live in Alexandria Virginia (DC area) now so I definately know about Five Guys.  I really don't remember anything special about Culvers, maybe because it's been like 8 years since I've been to a Culvers.  Now Five Guys is the best fast food burger I've had ever.  I don't know why your bread on your burger was soggy, cavandre, I've never experienced that and I go to Five Guys often enough.  Maybe it depends on the toppings you get on it.  I always just get ketchup, mayo, pickels, and tomatoes, and that's all.  I need to get out to CA or somewhere that has a In and Out because my aunt that lives in San Diego keeps testifing to their great burgers.  My favorite burger overall sit down restaurant or fast food...is at Ted's Montana Grill, but that's another topic.

IntelligentT82
 
I don't know why your bread on your burger was soggy, cavandre, I've never experienced that and I go to Five Guys often enough.  Maybe it depends on the toppings you get on it.  I always just get ketchup, mayo, pickels, and tomatoes, and that's all.

I just had ketchup, mustard, onion & tomato on mine. The fact that they wrap it in aluminum foil seems to oversteam the bun.

cavandre

IntelligentT82
 
I don't know why your bread on your burger was soggy, cavandre, I've never experienced that and I go to Five Guys often enough.  Maybe it depends on the toppings you get on it.  I always just get ketchup, mayo, pickels, and tomatoes, and that's all.

I just had ketchup, mustard, onion & tomato on mine. The fact that they wrap it in aluminum foil seems to oversteam the bun.

I can see that happening, cavandre.  I never take mine to go so that probably why mine has never gotten the chance to get soggy.  I always unwrap and devour it too quickly. LOL

What, no mention of Fatburger? I've eaten at both Five Guys and Fatburger a number of times; the burgers at Five Guys are quite good, but I prefer Fatburger ( both the food and the decor. )   

By: Jess Harter; East Valley Tribune

Good find, Hoffman!

We have plenty of Five Guys in the area - several are quite local to me, and one is a five minute drive. Used to not like this particular one's fries because they were just way too well-done, but they seemed to have changed that lately. I was starting to avoid that location for that reason.
 
Smashburger only has one location in New Jersey thus far, way up in Newark. I'm sure it's just a matter of time in 2010 when they come fairly close to where I live.
 
The other places will probably not make it to this area for years (I live in South Jersey, near Philadelphia).
 
As far as which of the styles I serve - none, really, since I don't have a grill! The closest I do come is a Circulon pan, which really serves up a nice burger. It actually has a bit of char on it, and is juicy inside, even more well-done (my man must have well-done - I don't question it).

A Five Guys just opened near me with rave reviews. I haven't tried it out yet as lines have been out the door. This week should be pretty quiet, so lunch there may be in order. I haven't tried Culver's yet. I am a big fan of crinkle cut fries, however. When I lived and traveled west, I would stop off at In-and-Out every so often. I liked the burgers, but as the OP stated, I find their fries overrated. No Smashburger near me.

I'm another fan of Carl's Jr/Hardees. Although I worked at a Carl's Jr. while I was in high school, I still eat at them :p They are one of the few chains I frequent. Too bad (or maybe, luckily) the closest Hardees is 35 miles away, and the closest Carl's is smoething like 900 miles away.

I found Fatburger to be overpriced and over hip/hyped.

I made it to Five Guys for lunch. Got there a little after 1 and the dining room was pretty full. I'm more of a traditional burger guy and got mine with mayo/mustard/pickles/lettuce/onions/tomatoes and an order of fries. Not having experienced the original, I would have to say the burger and fries were pretty good. Even with a 12 minute wait for my order to come up.

I enjoy 5 guys, and recently had my first in N out..love both...still prefer a TGI fridays burger!!!!(if we're talking chains!!!

PopsDogHouse


I guess on the surface this looked like it should be moved.  I read the opening question and had no problem with it in the Pro forum.

Gee, what a surprise.

I had Culver's for lunch. Got there at 1 pm and the place was packed. I was surprised at the menu choices. It looked much more like an independent with the different varities of food offered. The burger was decent, although I thought Five Guys' was better. I could live off of crinkle cut fries. They are my crack

I "serve" at home Bubba Burgers.
what exactly are you asking?

Sister in the Portland OR area is a fan of Carl JR's...likes the burgers and often uses the coupons that always seem to be available. She reports that she tried, and enjoyed the 5 Guys Burger at a recently opened Stand out West, but prefers Carl's due to the discounts in pricing that 5 Guys hasn't participated in, yet. Prices are a contributing factor for some folks, as is distance from home for the non-traveler.
  The Hardees in the Indiana suburbs of Louisville closed a couple of years ago and have not reopened. As a result we seldom visit a Hardees.
  Of all the burger stands within 20 miles of us here in SoIndiana We usually choose Rally's, Then Culvers....based on closeness to whatever we are going out to do. Rallys is east...closer to Louisville. Culvers is west (in Corydon), closer to Jan's work and our usual grocery shopping.

I would rank them for Burgers
In-N-Out
Five Guys
Culvers
Smash Burger (Have not been to)

Fries
Culvers
In -N-Out
Five Guys

Service
In-N-Out
Culvers
Five Guys

All of these places I have found to be extremely clean as well. I go to a Culvers that is several years old and it looks brand new. Five Guys gets a little loose at lunch but it is crazy in there and they handle a line very well. Plus they have the peanut thing going on. They should sell them and the potatoes. The Hot Dog at Five Guys is good also. I think its a 4 to 1 and I normally don't like large dogs. A well run Steak and Shake or Big Boy isnt bad either but they are few and far between these days. How long until McDonalds adapts? It seems like a Five Guys opens everyday...Russ

I've been a big fan of Five Guys ever since, circa 1988, discovering their first store - an in-line walk-up on the NE corner of S. Glebe and Colunbia Pike in Arlington, VA where they used the fresh-baked buns from the late, lamented Brenners' Bakery.  I'm delighted that they have finally hit Dallas where they will soon be driving their local rip-off, Mooyah's, into Chapter 7 (compare even the web-sites: www.mooyah.com vs. www.fiveguys.com ).
 
We have a local Culver's here in McKinney, TX which I enjoy when I'm in the mood for a thin, crispy burger that is a cut above Steak 'n Shake's.  I enjoy them with pickle relish only. I know that sounds strange, but don't knock it until you've tried it.
 
Smashburger has opened in Addison; Mrs. Metro and I will be trying it soon.
 
Inn 'n Out serves a tasty burger but they suffer in comparison to Five Guys.  In fairness, I have only tried them once on the PCH north of Newport Beach; maybe they were just having a mediocre day.