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2020-01-15T18:45:43Z
- five typesand In-N-Out have long been vying for the title of America's Favorite Burger.
- I ate similar meals at both chains to see which was better.
- While Five Guys had better friesinputs and outputsImpeccable Burguer took the belt in this fight. Read the full story.
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America's Favorite Burger - It's a longtime honor for burger giants Five Guys and In-N-Outdisputedfor.
In-N-Out is simple, airy, beautiful, California. Its classic look and emphasis on fresh ingredients has earned it a loyal following over the decades of its existence. A Virginia family brand, Five Guys is literally a group of brothers, Jim, Matt, Chad, Ben and Tyler, each with a unique role in the business.
Both are dedicated to the same god: good burgers. But they worship in different ways. In-N-Out's elegant and photogenic sandwiches couldn't be more different from Five Guys' generous, simple piles of meat and bread.
But which way is better? Our job at Business Insider is to eat everything and tell you everything. So on a recent West Coast trip I went to In-N-Out. When I got back I went to Five Guys. This is how my meals compare.
In Los Angeles, I rode an e-scooter to an In-N-Out in Hollywood.
The interior was brightly decorated with retro alcoves, neon signs and red and white mosaics.
In-N-Out's menu is surprisingly simple: There are just four non-alcoholic drinks.
Of course, their secret menu is no secret. You can order any item "tierisch", which means "topped with grilled onions and special sauce".
The In-N-Out spice rack is also remarkably minimalist. It contains two things: ketchup and pickled peppers.
I got a cup of both.
After some waiting my food arrived in a bright red box. I ordered an animal style double-double ($4.35), animal style fries ($3.95) and a medium soda ($1.75)
Prices are exactly the same as Hollywood In-n-Out where I went.
My previous experiences with In-N-Out and Five Guys are almost the same. He had been to both before, but not for many years.
As a result, he couldn't remember what the food tasted like.
I started my animal style fries because as a seasoned potato chip eater I know that fries get soggy very quickly.
Sadly, the biggest thing I forgot about In-N-Out is how bad the fries are, even with delicious sauce and grilled onions.
I thought the sauce might be soaking through the fries, so I took an uncontaminated potato and tasted it myself. Sad and unassuming box.
I transitioned into my double layered double layer style.
A double-double contains two 2-ounce patties with melted cheese, tomato, lettuce and pickles. Animal Style adds In-N-Out's secret sauce and grilled onions.
This was one of the freshest burger bites I've had in a long time. The meat tasted like it had been cut from the side of a cow that morning.
All the vegetables were crispy, fresh and flavorful, expertly sandwiched between two plump buns.
For a burger this big with so many components, the Double-Double is constructed remarkably cleanly. It's just beautiful.
I decided to give French fries another try, this time with a fork.
If you deceive me once, shame on you...
Fool me twice, I decide to never order fries from In-N-Out again. Maybe I'll try them crispier next time.
Of course, I went back to my favorite part of the meal: my burger.
It was so juicy I had to watch the sauce run down my wrist.
But even though it was sautéed and full of juice, the burger had the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
I ate the burger in no time and felt pleasantly full afterwards.
However, the fries ended up in the bin.
In New York, I took the subway to a Five Guys restaurant near Union Square in Manhattan.
Five Guys uses the exact same tile color, red and white, as In-N-Out. But somehow their spaces feel more austere and functional.
Their menu is also bigger. While fries are the only side dish it sells, the chain also sells hot dogs and sandwiches.
I found a seat in the back. Five Guys' walls are plastered with newspaper clippings about how good their burgers are.
A strange quirk about Five Guys is that they have free barrels of peanuts.
I guess they really don't want you to starve.
Otherwise, Five Guys' spice options are as minimal as In-n-Out's. There's ketchup and A1 sauce, and that's it. However, the ingredients are unlimited and free anyway.
My meal consisted of a cheeseburger ($8.75) and Cajun fries ($4.55).
Prices are consistent with the Five Guys Manhattan location I've been to.
Again, I started my side of fries before I had my burger.
Since I ordered the fries option at In-N-Out, I had to do the same at Five Guys.
But those fries were a world, some would say a country.
The Cajun fries were crispy, flavorful, and as tasty as potatoes can be.
The Cajun seasoning had a great kick and the garlic powder masked the slight potato bitterness.
But it was time to move on to the star of this show.
I was trying to build a hamburger similar in structure to a double-double. Two empanadas with melted American cheese topped with tomato, cucumber, lettuce and grilled onion. Unfortunately they forgot the grilled onions.
But grilled onions aside, my first bite quickly revealed the burger's greatest strength: the meat.
The meat tasted fatty, fresh and delicious. It was a little on the well-done side, but it didn't bother me too much.
However, everything about the meat wasn't that impressive. The bread was thin and couldn't handle the volume of its contents.
The cheese wasn't melted well and the toppings were applied without much care. Did I mention they forgot my grilled onions?
I went back to my ever faithful companion, the potato chip. I loved clogging my arteries with these potato sticks, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Halfway through this burger I was already feeling full.
And while the meat was amazing, nothing else about this burger compelled me to keep eating it.
The fries, on the other hand, were a whole different story.
After dinner, I had an important decision to make. And this time the winner was undecided. Both Five Guys and In-n-Out offer delicious food and a fun dining experience.
But in the end, the best burger wins. And In-n-Out's Double-Double is prepared with such precision and care that it puts other burgers to shame.
In a perfect world, I would have In-N-Out burgers with Five Guys fries. But unfortunately the world we live in is divided. And in this particular struggle between East and West, the West wins.
(Disclaimer: I don't believe in an East-West dichotomy, hamburger or whatever.)
keep reading
Advance...
FAQs
What is Five Guys comparable to? ›
Five Guys Burgers & Fries competitors include In-N-Out Burger, McDonald's, Qdoba and Sonic Drive-In.
Is in and out burger same as 5 guys? ›Both are devoted to the same god: good burgers. But they worship in different ways. In-N-Out's sleek, photogenic sandwiches couldn't be more different from Five Guys' generous, unfussy stacks of beef and bun.
Is In-N-Out a fast food chain? ›In-N-Out Burger is an American regional chain of fast food restaurants with locations primarily in California and the Southwest.
Why does 5 guys give you so many fries? ›Ever wondered why a “small” fry at Five Guys is actually a massive serving that ends up overflowing the carton and filling your bag? As it turns out, that “extra” scoop is an illusion: Five Guys workers are trained to give customers more fries so that they think they're getting a bargain.
What is the most craveable fast food burger? ›According to Restaurant Business, 72.4% of customers ranked White Castle as having the most craveable burger, with their petite square burgers having been made the same way for over 100 years.
What is the best food at Five Guys? ›- Cajun Fries.
- Cheese Dog.
- Cheese Veggie Sandwich.
- Cheeseburger.
- Veggie Sandwich.
- Fries.
- Hot Dog.
- Little Bacon Cheeseburger.
In-N-Out
Although this is more sodium than Five Guys, the fewer calories and trans fat in this one make it a slightly healthier option. Also, it's important to note that the nutrition facts for this burger include the onions that come on it, which might contribute to the higher sodium.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries has become known for its smashed-style burgers with all-you-can-eat toppings. The chain prides itself on using fresh, never frozen beef patties made by hand in-house every day.
Are Five Guys burgers well done? ›Unlike the local diner or restaurant-bar, the cooks at Five Guys make all Five Guys burgers the same way: well done. All 1,500 Five Guys locations only serve burgers at this level of doneness, according to a Five Guys representative.
What is the number one fast-food in California? ›For California, In-N-Out Burger landed on top. Researchers determined the rankings by identifying fast-food restaurants that served burgers, pizza, doughnuts, chicken or Mexican food in each state. They also analyzed the ratings they received on Google Maps, the website said.
What cut of meat does In-N-Out use? ›
We have always made our hamburger patties ourselves using only fresh, 100% USDA ground chuck — free of additives, fillers and preservatives. We deliver them to our stores direct from our own patty-making facilities in Baldwin Park, California; Lathrop, California; and Dallas, Texas.
Where does In and Out burger get their potatoes? ›Idaho grows potatoes. And we produce beef, milk, cheese, wheat and sunflowers. All things you use for your delicious food. Plus, we also grow people who love In-N-Out!
What is the secret to Five Guys fries? ›Once the potatoes are chopped, they don't go straight in the fryer. Cooks soak the potato spears in water to get rid of the starch, which helps the fries cook more evenly, Chad Murrell, one of the five guys—er, sons—of founder Jerry Murrell, tells Food Republic.
Does Five Guys make their own fries? ›Our fries are made from fresh potatoes that are cut, washed and cooked twice for a boardwalk style fry that has a mashed potato like inside and firm outside. "Also, learning to cook Five Guys fries is hard! It is a great source of pride for our employees to cook our fries correctly."
Does Five Guys put sugar on their fries? ›As for sugar, the fries aren't too bad, with only 8 grams. But that doesn't quite make them healthy. Here are some more secrets Five Guys employees aren't telling you. Regardless, we think Five Guys fries are absolutely incredible—perfectly crispy on the outside but fluffy on the inside.
What is Bill Gates favorite fast food restaurant? ›Burgermaster is one of Bill Gates' favorite fast-food restaurants, so it's consistently disappointing every time we show up at their Bellevue location and he isn't there.
What is the number 1 best fast food? ›| Rank | Company | Category |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | McDonald's | Burger |
| #2 | Starbucks | Snack |
| #3 | Chick-fil-A | Chicken |
| #4 | Taco Bell | Global |
Naturally, the Big Mac is one of the top-selling items. Cate Gillon/Getty Images. McDonald's has been a fast food chain for over 60 years and has experienced dozens of its items becoming bestsellers.
Does Five Guys use 100% beef? ›100% FRESH BEEF -- NO FILLERS OR PRESERVATIVES
OREO and DOUBLE STUF are registered trademarks of Mondelēz International Group.
Aside from size, we would argue it has a lot to do with the quality of the burger. It's really no mystery why the burgers from Five Guys are so good, nor is it a surprise that its burgers cost a few dollars more than those at other popular fast food chains: everything is made fresh.
Why are Five Guys potatoes so special? ›
Five Guys actually only use potatoes from Idaho, grown above the 42nd parallel. The potatoes grow during the day when it's warm and stop at night once it cools down, causing them to be a denser, higher quality.
What is the healthiest burger at In-N-Out? ›Most Nutritious Option
The healthiest choice on the primary menu at In-N-Out is the "Protein-Style" hamburger, which does not include a bun, and is lower in calories, fat, carbohydrates, and sodium.
"Five Guys uses 80/20 ground chuck-high quality ground beef containing only steer and heifer meat, which does not include any cow meat or fatty trimmings. We do not use ammoniated procedures to treat our ground beef. This means that there is NO "pink slime" in our burgers.
WHO IS In-N-Out biggest competitor? ›In-N-Out Burger competitors include Chick-fil-A, Papa John's International, Shake Shack, Jack in the Box and Luby's. In-N-Out Burger ranks 1st in CEO Score on Comparably vs its competitors.
Is Five Guys real meat? ›The Burgers
Five Guys' standard burger is a two patty burger made of fresh beef. (There are no freezers in Five Guys, only coolers.) They come in four standard variations: Hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon burger, bacon cheeseburger.
Five Guys only uses peanut oil.
If you have a nut allergy, you're out of luck. The chain only uses peanut oil for cooking.
The basic principle of Smash Burgers is to take a big handful of minced beef, loosely packed lest you'll end up with a beef-puck, and then slam it down onto a very hot, flat surface (cast iron pans work perfectly). Then - and this part is key - smash the mound of beef as flat as you dare with a spatula.
Does Five Guys put mayo on their burgers? ›They use one of a kind mayo
Heinz has its own signature Five Guys mayonnaise recipe that is sold exclusively to the chain.
Well Done Fries
If you like your fries on the crispier side, order the Idaho spuds "well done." They're fried for longer, so you may have to wait a few extra minutes, but the crunch is worth it.
Like many fast-food restaurants, Five Guys menu items tend to be high in sodium. Burgers, hot dogs, and fries are all seasoned with salt and high-sodium ingredients.
What is the 2 most popular fast food restaurant? ›
The first McDonald's opened in 1940 as a San Bernardino, California, drive-in restaurant.
What grade beef does five guys use? ›What grade meat does Five Guys use? "Five Guys uses 80/20 ground chuck-high quality ground beef containing only steer and heifer meat, which does not include any cow meat or fatty trimmings. We do not use ammoniated procedures to treat our ground beef. This means that there is NO "pink slime" in our burgers.
Does in and out use frozen patties? ›The burgers are super fresh.
At the beginning, all In-N-Out burgers were ground and formed into patties using a manual press—now the patties are made at company-owned facilities in California and Texas so the burgers don't need to be frozen. The two-patty Double-Double is a favorite that was added to the menu in 1963.
At In-N-Out, their secret menu allows you to add mustard to give any burger variation a flavor kick. Just simply ask for a “mustard grilled” burger and you will get a divine burger delight. It's so simple. In-N-Out's staff just add a squirt of mustard to the patty and then cook it on the grill.
What kind of potatoes does McDonald's use? ›The most common potatoes we use for McDonald's fries include the Russet Burbank, Russet Ranger, Umatilla Russet and the Shepody—varieties known for producing a flavorful fry that's crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
What state does McDonald's get their potatoes from? ›Today, J.R. Simplot Co. remains the major supplier of McDonald's fries and a central player in the Idaho agricultural economy. “The story with Simplot and Idaho is one we shouldn't ignore — the handshake deal they had,” Rainey said.
What type of bun does in and out use? ›The restaurant uses Puritan Bakery buns just like In-N-Out Burger.
Can you get different cheese at Five Guys? ›Five Guys puts its twist on the original patty melt by subbing rye bread for white bread, Swiss cheese for American cheese, and allows customers to further customize it their liking with any veggie or sauce addition.
What kind of potatoes does Five Guys use for their French fries? ›Five Guys uses a starchy potato like the Russet Norkotah or Idaho potato for their fries. Also, there's a two-step frying process (see the video) that ensures your fries and burgers are both hot and ready to serve at the same time.
What is a Chicago style hot dog Five Guys? ›
Chicago Style Hot dog
Don't settle for a regular old hot dog at Five Guys. Instead, create a “Chicago Style” dog by adding tomato, relish, pickles, hot sauce, mustard, and green peppers. Feeling frisky? Throw on some Cajun seasoning for good measure.
Yes, they actually use real potatoes!
Does Chick-fil-A use same oil as Five Guys? ›Other Restaurants that Use Peanut Oil
However, in addition to Chick-fil-A, there are two other fast-food restaurants that use peanut oil in their cooking. Five Guys uses peanut oil for French fries and Jimmy John's uses peanut oil to cook all flavors of Jimmy chips.
The calorie count is also substantially higher than most other fast food fries. McDonald's, often touted as one of the nation's most fattening restaurants, packs a mere 510 calories in their large order of fries—less than half of Five Guys'.
Why does Five Guys fill the bag with fries? ›Ever wondered why a “small” fry at Five Guys is actually a massive serving that ends up overflowing the carton and filling your bag? As it turns out, that “extra” scoop is an illusion: Five Guys workers are trained to give customers more fries so that they think they're getting a bargain.
Are McDonald's fries sprayed with sugar? ›At the beginning of the potato season, when we're using newer potatoes, the naturally-occurring sugar content is very low and we do need to add a small amount of sugar dextrose to our fries to ensure they maintain that golden colour.
What does putting sugar on fries do? ›The dextrose, a natural form of sugar, is to help achieve a uniform golden color and the sodium acid pyrophosphate prevents the potatoes from turning grayish after they are cooked, according to McDonald's. Fear said these ingredients are of no health concern.
Is Five Guys considered a fast food? ›Five Guys Enterprises, LLC (doing business as both Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and simply Five Guys) is an American fast food restaurant chain focused on hamburgers, hot dogs, and french fries, and headquartered in Lorton, Virginia, part of Fairfax County.
Is Five Guys better than In-N-Out? ›In-N-Out has better sauce on their burgers and spread for their fries. Five Guys has better quality meat and more options for toppings.
What is Five Guys competitive advantage? ›Five Guys is committed to providing a hearty meal with the freshest ingredients. This method helps better communicate the value Five Guys offers: the freshest ingredients and the most honest quantities, which is why customers are willing to pay higher than average prices for fast food.
Are Five Guys fries healthier than Mcdonalds? ›
The calorie count is also substantially higher than most other fast food fries. McDonald's, often touted as one of the nation's most fattening restaurants, packs a mere 510 calories in their large order of fries—less than half of Five Guys'.
Is eating Five Guys healthy? ›What Experts Say. “Specializing in hot dogs, burgers, French fries, and shakes, Five Guys' menu is rich in calories, saturated fat, and sodium. If you are trying to find a healthier option on this menu, you can order the simpler, smaller menu items.
What size burger patty does Five Guys use? ›Joe: According to the US Five Guys website, they say that one of the patties should weigh 94 grams, or about 3.3 ounces. We will weigh a hamburger patty in the US Five Guys.
What are the four 4 different types of competitive advantages? ›The four primary methods of gaining a competitive advantage are cost leadership, differentiation, defensive strategies and strategic alliances.
What does competitive advantage include? ›A competitive advantage is anything that gives a company an edge over its competitors, helping it attract more customers and grow its market share. A competitive advantage can take three primary forms: Cost advantage–producing a product or providing a service at a lower cost than competitors.
What does Five Guys stand for? ›Jerry and Janie Murrell gave their five sons a choice, 'Start a business or go to college?” The business route won and the family opened the first Five Guys – named after the five brothers.
Who has better fries than Mcdonalds? ›I'll keep this one short: Wendy's fries are better than expected. They're thicker and crispier than McDonald's fries, that's for sure. They also taste of their starchy coating, which makes them craggy and crispy in a way that's reminiscent of a good frozen french fry from the grocery store.
What grade beef does Five Guys use? ›What grade meat does Five Guys use? "Five Guys uses 80/20 ground chuck-high quality ground beef containing only steer and heifer meat, which does not include any cow meat or fatty trimmings. We do not use ammoniated procedures to treat our ground beef. This means that there is NO "pink slime" in our burgers.