Top 5 Hamburgers

Bongofury, that was a nice comparison and contrast between Fatburger and In-n-Out. Fatburger's better meat and bun (and to me...fries), is what makes it preferable. I'm not a big thousand island dressing lover, and since I never load my burgers with ketchup or mayo, that aspect is not important to me.

It wasn't until about ten years ago that started ordering burgers without ketchup and mayo. Once I did, it was a revelation. So much more burger flavor comes through particularly without ketchup.

Anyway, just my POV...

06-10-10: Tvad
Fatburger's better meat and bun (and to me...fries), is what makes it preferable.

I like that they heavily season their meat with pepper, etc - gives it a nice "pop" compared to others.

06-05-10: Bongofury
3X Animal style will slay fatburger.

Not sure I can agree with that. The problem for In & Out is that their patties are not only paper-thin, they are incredibly bland. Adding more patties gives you more meat, but it's still pretty bland, hence the need for "animal sauce".

Now, if you really want a shootout, take a $9 Fatburger XXXL Triple King(24oz of patties)or $13 XXXXL(32oz) and compare it to a 3X Animal Style. Pay close attention to the taste and texture of the meat. Simply no comparison.

Of course, I'd probably take the Tommy's double or triple-cheese burger over both Fatburger and In & out 7 out of 10 times.

BTW, you can request that they season the meat at In-N-Out.

I think it's that the grill gets seasoned at Fatburger because they also cook bacon on it. I had my first Fatburger (a double King cheese egg bacon chilli with everything on it) in 1978 when I was working delivering furniture for Levitz. The drivers there would only stop for lunch at Fatburger or Cassell's on 6th near Vermont. It was the Fatburger on Western near Adams (that burned in the riot). Of course, just like the Original Tommy's on Beverly and Rampart, you swore it was better than the other locations.

I remember eating Fatburger at the one up by the Beverly Center. No longer there.