For people who don't live near In-N-Out, Five Guys seems to be the next best substitute, even if their burgers and offerings aren't exactly the same. Which fast food burger joint do you prefer?
I haven't had either. Five Guys *just* opened here in town (Omaha) and we haven't gotten over there yet. Sadly we do not have an In N Out burger here and I avoid California like the plague.
Am I the only one who thinks that In-N-Out is overrated? I'll admit that they make a better burger than most, but it is nothing special, and their fries are like cardboard. I'd much rather have a big, juicy Five Guys burger.
This does not come down to which is a better burger as much as which business culture you prefer. I've always liked the look and feel of In-n-out and consider it to be genuine. However, 5 guys seems to be on a path of plain sameness, mall food court boring if you know what I mean. Yes I do like the fries, but enjoy the experience of In-n-out so much more.
i've never understood this "either/or" thing with in-n-out and five guys, why there seems to be such a clamor to create a heated debate over the issue...
it's as if you have to like one to the exclusion of the other. why is that? i'm quite happy to be able to have BOTH burgers depending on my mood. they are both good. both different. i feel by choosing one as "better" it implies the other one isn't good. don't feel a need to do that. won't be participating in this poll....
i will say this... i'm not a big fan of the overly aggressive expansion model at Five Guys (opening too many locations to quickly). i think it will dilute the brand and cause problems with maintaining quality control between locations.
@HerbyN: I don't think liking one burger place over the other necessarily implies that the other isn't good. Both places are different and may appeal to different people. I'm not voting in this poll either because I don't have a preference (I like both of em), but apparently a lot of other people do.
If you have any suggestions for future polls though, please let us know!
They are both excellent burgers, although In-N-Out provides a better value. From the value perspective In-N-Out takes the prize. Keep in mind that you can't find In-N-Out in most states, Five Guys is expanding like crazy and good thing, because it is really good.
I refuse to eat at Five Guys because they cook their burgers to death; well-done is the only option -- they won't even cook burgers medium. There is no such thing as a "juicy" well-done burger. Of course, you can't specify temperature at In-N-Out and they usually cook burgers medium to well-done, but their patties are so thin that with cheese it's not really an issue.
For the 15 years I lived in Southern California, I ate at In-N-Out on occasion, mostly because it was a cult thing. As the chain expanded, and I got older and my tastes got more refined and my wallet got less empty, my interest faded. The burgers were better than McD's and BK, but nothing special. These days, when I treat myself to a burger, I much prefer a thick, juicy, medium-rare cheeseburger with a side of twice-fried fries to any sort of lifeless thin-patty version.
I now live in a Five Guys region of the country and have given them a try. Again, nothing special. Although Five Guys and In-N-Out's burgers are quite different, the two places do seem to me to fall in the same category: burgers that are a notch above McD's and BK but still not worth the calories for a burger splurge.
I give a slight edge to In-N-Out, simply because of consistency. I've eaten literally hundreds of both In-N-Out burgers and 5G burgers, and In-N-Out kills 5G in consistency. I *always* get a carefully built, good, quality burger from In-N-Out. I often get a 5G burger with the wrong toppings that looks like it's been sat upon.
I like a good 5G, but I'm finding myself increasingly disappointed in them as they expand.
I want to eat them both. As for a favorite, well. When I am on the right coast, I'll eat Five Guys, when I'm on the left coast, I'll eat In-N-Out Burger. If I ever get into a situation where I have to choose between the two, I'll just smile and get one from each.
Lonely Guy said.........Of course, you can't specify temperature at In-N-Out and they usually cook burgers medium to well-done, but their patties are so thin that with cheese it's not really an issue.
When you go up to the counter and order your burger medium rare........and medium rare is what you will get!
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18 Comments:
Is there really a question here ?
burgerboy at 11:53AM on 10/05/09
no doubt, in-n-out's burgers are great, but i'll take five guys for their size, topping configurations and their fries.
tempspaz at 11:56AM on 10/05/09
@burgerboy: Although we could predict the winner now, it'll be interesting to see how many people prefer the other one.
Robyn Lee at 11:59AM on 10/05/09
In N Out is never going to expand like 5 guys, and 5 guys is a more than adequate contender for the crown.
burgerdogboy at 12:05PM on 10/05/09
I voted for In-N-Out but I would be happy to visit both if Five Guys would open up in the SF Bay Area.
sfmitch at 12:28PM on 10/05/09
I haven't had either. Five Guys *just* opened here in town (Omaha) and we haven't gotten over there yet. Sadly we do not have an In N Out burger here and I avoid California like the plague.
SabrinaFaire at 1:06PM on 10/05/09
Am I the only one who thinks that In-N-Out is overrated? I'll admit that they make a better burger than most, but it is nothing special, and their fries are like cardboard. I'd much rather have a big, juicy Five Guys burger.
thesnorks at 3:33PM on 10/05/09
This does not come down to which is a better burger as much as which business culture you prefer. I've always liked the look and feel of In-n-out and consider it to be genuine. However, 5 guys seems to be on a path of plain sameness, mall food court boring if you know what I mean. Yes I do like the fries, but enjoy the experience of In-n-out so much more.
importantjoe at 4:50PM on 10/05/09
i've never understood this "either/or" thing with in-n-out and five guys, why there seems to be such a clamor to create a heated debate over the issue...
it's as if you have to like one to the exclusion of the other. why is that? i'm quite happy to be able to have BOTH burgers depending on my mood. they are both good. both different. i feel by choosing one as "better" it implies the other one isn't good. don't feel a need to do that. won't be participating in this poll....
i will say this... i'm not a big fan of the overly aggressive expansion model at Five Guys (opening too many locations to quickly). i think it will dilute the brand and cause problems with maintaining quality control between locations.
HerbyN at 10:51AM on 10/06/09
@HerbyN: I don't think liking one burger place over the other necessarily implies that the other isn't good. Both places are different and may appeal to different people. I'm not voting in this poll either because I don't have a preference (I like both of em), but apparently a lot of other people do.
If you have any suggestions for future polls though, please let us know!
Robyn Lee at 10:59AM on 10/06/09
They are both excellent burgers, although In-N-Out provides a better value. From the value perspective In-N-Out takes the prize. Keep in mind that you can't find In-N-Out in most states, Five Guys is expanding like crazy and good thing, because it is really good.
PeteNeumann at 1:41PM on 10/06/09
I refuse to eat at Five Guys because they cook their burgers to death; well-done is the only option -- they won't even cook burgers medium. There is no such thing as a "juicy" well-done burger. Of course, you can't specify temperature at In-N-Out and they usually cook burgers medium to well-done, but their patties are so thin that with cheese it's not really an issue.
Lonely Guy at 2:44PM on 10/06/09
For the 15 years I lived in Southern California, I ate at In-N-Out on occasion, mostly because it was a cult thing. As the chain expanded, and I got older and my tastes got more refined and my wallet got less empty, my interest faded. The burgers were better than McD's and BK, but nothing special. These days, when I treat myself to a burger, I much prefer a thick, juicy, medium-rare cheeseburger with a side of twice-fried fries to any sort of lifeless thin-patty version.
I now live in a Five Guys region of the country and have given them a try. Again, nothing special. Although Five Guys and In-N-Out's burgers are quite different, the two places do seem to me to fall in the same category: burgers that are a notch above McD's and BK but still not worth the calories for a burger splurge.
Lorenzo at 3:54PM on 10/06/09
I give a slight edge to In-N-Out, simply because of consistency. I've eaten literally hundreds of both In-N-Out burgers and 5G burgers, and In-N-Out kills 5G in consistency. I *always* get a carefully built, good, quality burger from In-N-Out. I often get a 5G burger with the wrong toppings that looks like it's been sat upon.
I like a good 5G, but I'm finding myself increasingly disappointed in them as they expand.
kaszeta at 9:34PM on 10/06/09
I want to eat them both. As for a favorite, well. When I am on the right coast, I'll eat Five Guys, when I'm on the left coast, I'll eat In-N-Out Burger. If I ever get into a situation where I have to choose between the two, I'll just smile and get one from each.
BigWoollyMammoth at 3:21PM on 10/07/09
Lonely Guy said.........Of course, you can't specify temperature at In-N-Out and they usually cook burgers medium to well-done, but their patties are so thin that with cheese it's not really an issue.
When you go up to the counter and order your burger medium rare........and medium rare is what you will get!
Skuterdude at 4:22PM on 10/09/09
@thesnorks: yes, you are the only one who thinks In-n-out is over rated. :)
I LOVE In-N-Out. Always have. Always will.
Five Guys is nowhere in the same league. Not even close.
David in CA at 1:55AM on 10/13/09
We need a Five Guys fan club! http://sixthguy.blogspot.com/
Chuckrex at 10:25AM on 10/15/09