What is your favorite burger fast food place? I typically hate fast food, but if I'm on a long trip with few choices I find that one of them actually is pretty good: Carls Jr. here in the Western states. Their burgers actually taste like real burgers, and have BBQ like textures and flavors. This is how I would personally rank them: 1. Carls Jr. / Hardees: Outstanding burgers when compared to other fast food, mediocre fries (often slightly soggy fries) 2. Wendys: Acceptable burgers, very good fries 3. In-n-Out: Acceptable burgers, disgusting soggy fries. The fries were so bad that it turned me off from ever ordering them again. 4. McDonalds: Mediocre burgers (wet, soggy, meat tastes like microwaved cardboard), very good fries 5. Burger King: Mediocre burgers (wet, soggy, meat tastes like microwaved cardboard), Mediocre fries (chemical coating on the fries ruins them) 6. Jack 'n the box: Mostly lousy all the way around. If I'm in a rush, I find the top 3 more than acceptable for the price. The bottom 3 I will only go to if I'm in the middle of nowhere with no other options.
Runza. In addition to the actual runzas, they also have the best burgers and fries I've ever had at a 'fast food' place.
What states does Runzas operate in? I may give it a try for comparisons sake on my next business trip.
I voted Wendy's, but my favorite fast food place is Sonic. I order the same thing every time: Sonicburger w/ cheese, tater tots & large Ocean Water. Mmm.... J.
Burger King. McD and I are involved in a bit of a feud at the moment over employment/hiring policy, it goes beyond one person at this point and I don't think they are capable of resolving the situation.
I'll go local and say Jake's. Great milkshakes there. The burgers aren't anything pretty, but they taste great.
For health and diet reasons, I stopped eating fast food consistantly a couple of years ago, but every once in a while, a trip to McDonalds isn't unwelcome... Until later when my stomach complains.. That said, my FAVORITE place for a burger is a local New Mexico chain called "Lotaburger".. It has an olde-time burger joint feel.. The burgers are big and stacked with lots of veggies.. Best served with cheese and New Mexico Green chile.. SOOOOOOO Good.. The best part about not eating fast food anymore is that on the rare occasions that I have a Lotaburger, it tastes SOOOOO much better than it used to. Their fries are to die for too!
Up here in the Pacific Northwest, I find myself mostly missing burger joints that I grew up with in the Midwest and South. There are a couple of local/West Coast chains that are pretty good, like Kidd Valley and Dick's, but neither is real convenient (either to where I live or to grabbing on the go) so mostly, when I'm on the run, I have to rely on Jack in the Box & Wendys -- not the highest quality stuff but better IMO than McD's or BK. So, what do I miss: White Castle (yeah, I know, love 'em or hate 'em, nobody's neutral) Steak 'n' Shake ("In sight, it must be right") Whataburger (I'll never forget my Whataburger meal after my daughter was born, after going without food for nearly 24 hours while my wife was in labor) Sonic (the best of the old-style drive-ins) Rallys (oh, those fries) Man, do I wish some of these companies would expand to this area!
When I lived in San Diego, Cheetah's had a free cheeseburger Tuesdays. Nice, but somehow when I went I never got around to eating the burger. Still the best burger in my book (NSFW) http://www.cheetahsnv.com/
I'd vote for a Northwest chain Burgerville. Of the one's listed I prefer Carl's but usually end up at Wendy's because money is tight.
Two whammy's, onion ring and a large chocolate malt shake! Cannot be fucked with! If you're ever in my town, eat here.