8-hour In-N-Out (not) wait-time prompts the question: What is the best burger in the US?

[MoeFOH]

I've been to the States a few times and the In-N-Out Burger would have to be one of my faves, probably top of the pile... though I would NOT wait 8 hours for one! 😳

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2023/12/14/in-n-out-burger-future-locations-idaho-opening/71925578007/

But that's from a small sample size of my bewildered tourist experiences... 🤔

So, US burger aficionados, what's the best burger in your opinion? Be it franchise or an independent. 🍔

[MrBirdman]

I wanna know how many people had DoorDash delivered to their car while they waited. 

[Ford2112]

The In and Out in Monterey is pretty fast. 15 minutes tops. Probably my favorite as far as fast food burgers.

For just a good old burger I like Duffys Pub up on spaghetti hill. It's by the Presidio and a G.I.s still frequent it although not like when Fort ord was here. The bacon Bleu is my favorite. 

If you're ever in Monterey...

[SpecialK]

Live where this is going on... ridiculous. My choice will always be 5 guys

[anacostiakat]

Big Five Guys fan here.  Love the fries.

[Chibearsv]

I'd eat the worst burger in America every day before I ever waited 8 hours in line for the best. 

[DaBoot]

I drive right by here everyday on way home from work…. 
A lot of people with free time here…. As they now have outdoor heating to support people waiting in line at 32def Fahrenheit. 

[usleepicreep]

I finally tried In-n-Out for the first time last year in Colorado. The burger was dry and the fries were old, but the milkshake was okay. I'm from New England where we still have mom-and-pop drives in places where you can get a very delicious burger that doesn't cost 10 bucks.

[raggie]

A nearby town had a new Chick-Fil-A open in a wealthier area. For the first week they had drive thru traffic backed up into the nearby roads and waves of customers. Then the hype died, but it’s Chick-Fil-A, so they’ve stayed busy.

Burger wise, I’m also a Five Guys fan. I feel like shit afterwards but that greasy ball of meat and soggy buns tastes delicious.

[Russell]

Dicks, a local drive in joint that’s been around since the 50s. There’s 9 locations now I think

[mbflash80]

We have In N Out, Five Guys, and Shake Shack all within a 15 minute drive from where I live...I love In N Out...really like Shake Shack...and will not protest a Five Guys trip but they are a distant 3rd...here is a general summary of how these places play out in my area:

In N Out - drive thru can get as deep as 25 cars...usually no more than 6-7 inside in line

Shake Shack - even though only recently opened there is usually very little line inside (no drive thru)...my take is people think its a rip off (probably right)

Five Guys - Ghost Town - no one cares about it...never anyone there...not sure how much longer it can stay open

I get the sense that Five Guys and Shake Shack thought they would get more traction in CA with their expansion...but In N Out is the king and undefeated here in Cali.

[ctsigler317]

Gotta go with Five Guys! Hands down the best in flavor and consistency.  And those cajun fries.....   

[Grimlock]

Another vote here for five guys and always with cajun fries. 

[Chibearsv]

The best burger by me (not necessarily fast food) is a roadside stand called Paradise Pup.  Any burger that uses tub cheese gets a damn good head start.  Mine would have cheese, bacon, pickle, and tomato with ketchup and mustard.

[hawkeye5050]

2 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

Paradise Pup

I've never been, even though I am in the NW burbs. Will check it out soon!

[Dr vonPuffenberg]

2 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

The best burger by me (not necessarily fast food) is a roadside stand called Paradise Pup.  Any burger that uses tub cheese gets a damn good head start.  Mine would have cheese, bacon, pickle, and tomato with ketchup and mustard.

Yeah, thanks for the recommendation. 20 minutes from my house 

[Chibearsv]

5 hours ago, Dr vonPuffenberg said:

Yeah, thanks for the recommendation. 20 minutes from my house 

 

5 hours ago, Dr vonPuffenberg said:

Yeah, thanks for the recommendation. 20 minutes from my house 

They may be closed til next June ish. They usually shut down for winter. Something to look forward to though.

[Rushman]

My top two fave chains are In-n-Out and Whataburger (primarily Texas).

[Cigar Surgeon]

Whataburger and Five Guys have consistently been my favorites visiting the US.

[MrBirdman]

3 hours ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

Whataburger and Five Guys have consistently been my favorites visiting the US.

I know burgers are more of an American thing, but I’m curious whether there are any Canadian chains you’d rate?

[Cigar Surgeon]

2 minutes ago, MrBirdman said:

I know burgers are more of an American thing, but I’m curious whether there are any Canadian chains you’d rate?

As far as I'm aware the Canadian chains available to me out West would be:

• Harvey's.  Claim to fame is 100% Canadian beef burger on a flame grill.

I've always found their patties tasted like some sort of industrialized pressed patty rather than ground beef.  Possibly my least favorite chain.

• A&W Canada.  As famous for their root beer as their burgers.

It's okay.  Mid tier burger chain with their breaded onion rings really helping to be in that spot.

• Willy's Hamburgers.  Local city chain I believe, at one point I actually worked for them as a teenager.

Square beef patty with sauce and decent fries.  This was probably my go to but completely blown out by In-N-Out, Whataburger, Shake Shack, Five Guys.

I don't think Canada has a particularly strong list of chains that can compete with their US counterparts.  The US remains squarely the King of Burgers.

[rascalmonkey]

If anyone is in LA, I strongly recommend the DH burger @ https://amboyqualitymeatsanddeliciousburgers.com/Burgers in Chinatown.

[Fireball]

Culver’s and Cookout are very good.

[BoliDan]

In n Out isn't worth it, these are just Iowans that are hyped to try it. The best burgers I ever had were steamed cheeseburgers in Hartford, CT. The cheese is also steamed and is gooey goodness. You don't get a choice of how they cook it, it's a fat medium rare burger. They refuse to offer ketchup, you get a giant slice of fresh tomato instead.

CT and WI both have a fight for first hamburger, with equally decent claims. No, it wasn't made in Hamburg. The Hamburg steak (steak made from mince meat) was of German origin. The sandwich form however, was originated in the US and coined hamburger because was easier to say than Hamburg steak sandwiches. 

[Viva Vegas]

Best Burger in the USA , only in Cali. Also great Vegan burger too