California import In-N-Out Burger arrived in Frisco, and people lost their minds. They waited in line for hours. They cried tears of joy. And immediately after all the "OHMAHGAWDY'ALLIT'SFINALLYHERE!" crazydust settled, it was clear that among our readers there are two serious-as-their-obviously-impending-heart-attacks fast-food burger camps: You're either Team In-N-Out or Team Whataburger.
4810 Maple Ave.
Dallas, TX 75219
Category: Restaurant > Burgers
Region: Uptown & Oak Lawn
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2808 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75206
Category: Restaurant > French
Region: East Dallas & Lakewood
The only way to settle this epic fast food burger debate once and for all is to ask some real-deal burger experts. So we invited three dudes who make some of the best burgers in Dallas to a fast-food-burger taste-off: Brian Luscher, chef/owner of The Grape (2808 Greenville Ave.) and winner of Texas Monthly's "2009 Best Burger in Texas"; Jack Perkins, the straight-up, ain't-taking-no-shit owner of Maple & Motor (4810 Maple Ave.) and Todd Dickerson, co-owner of Angry Dog (2723 Commerce St.) who claims never to have eaten at In-N-Out or Whataburger. (Burger virgin in the hooouuuse!).
The challenge: In-N-Out's standard double-meat versus the original Whataburger from the Texas-based chain. As the In-N-Out burger patty is only 2 ounces, we hooked them up with a double patty to keep things approximately even, meatwise. Gotta keep these burgers in the same weight class for a fair fight, right?
First up was In-N-Out's double meat burger and fries. Dickerson's first ever bite into an In-N-Out burger elicited a "Who pooped?" face, but his verbal response was much nicer: "It's not ... terrible." Luscher, who'd never had the In-N-Out burger either, said, "I can see at 2 a.m., sitting in your car, windows down in California, this thing showing up screaming hot, right off the grill — it's not awful."
When I brought the In-N-Out burger to Perkins, I noted that we had received approximately one million napkins with these burgers. "Worst part is that these are so dry you probably won't need one napkin," he replied. One bite and Perkins was already done. "Yeah, not juicy at all," he said. "You couldn't cook this 2-ounce patty medium rare if you wanted to. But I like the whole disk of onion on there." When asked which celebrity the In-N-Out burger best resembled, Perkins replied, "Probably Michael J. Fox. Clean-cut. Not spectacular, just solid. I like it — but I don't want to sleep with it."
Next up: the Whataburger. Dickerson's first bite of a Whataburger went well. "Whataburger is definitely better." He added, "I can go ahead and say Texans are smarter than Californians." I asked him which drive-through he'd prefer to go through if he had to pick one. "If we were closed and The Grape was closed and Snuffer's was closed and Chip's was still in business ... then Whataburger wouldn't be a bad alternative."
I told him it was OK to try the fries, and that's when Dickerson blew my mind. "I don't eat anything fried." Brainsplosion. Wha ... Who ... How's it possible to be co-owner of fried-pickle heaven and never eat anything fried? I can see rotating through the menu every day Super Size Me style, but to abstain from fry-age? He never took one fry bite.
Perkins' comments on the Whataburger were similar to Dickerson's, only he didn't wait to finish chewing before he spoke: "Er, yer. Merch better." He added, "This is easier to handle. Toasted bun is way better. Fresher tomato. Pickles are on there. That's nice." I asked him which celebrity this burger brought to mind. "Rosanna Arquette, you know, from Desperately Seeking Susan." (For you Youngs, get out your Chicks Old Dudes Think Are Hot Translator and it'll tell you "old school Rosanna Arquette" is "2011 Madonna" or "Amy Poehler.") "Maybe not put together that well, but there's something about it that makes you want it," Perkins said. "It's a nice total package."
Luscher barely (and extremely reluctantly) preferred the In-N-Out burger to the Whataburger, saying of the In-N-Out burger: "My uncle and my grandfather owned a burger joint in Chicago. This conjures the most fond memories of that greasy burger griddle. It's seasoned more aggressively than the Whataburger." Nostalgia aside, though, he doesn't see why chain fans are so into their faves. "My buddy goes apeshit over the Whataburger," he said. "I don't get it." When I asked which drive-through he'd prefer, Luscher shook his head. "Go to Burger House, Keller's, come try ours." How would he describe the In-N-Out burger in one word? "Meh," he said, which I totally count as a word whether or not the OED has accepted it yet.
Luscher and Perkins agreed that the Whataburger fries were better. At one point, Perkins twisted an In-N-Out French fry into a fry corkscrew."You shouldn't be able to do that with a fry," he said. "Fresh-cut fries are just a bad idea — they end up bland and limp." I looked at the Whataburger fries a little worried, since they looked twistable too. Perkins tasted one and was visibly disappointed. "These Whataburger fries actually aren't much better. But they are better." And that's based on? "Based on I'm from Texas, dammit."
And so, in our highly scientific battle of Team Whataburger versus Team In-N-Out, that's two votes for Team Whataburger (Perkins and Dickerson) and one really reluctant vote for Team In-N-Out (Luscher).
Wow!!! By reading these comments I'll just stick to Freddys's burgers in Frisco (121/Preston) or Mooyah. Both rock the house... I refuse to eat at WhatA'pricey'Burger and have yet to try the In-n-out... The line is always way too long and I get the juiciest burger every time I go to Freddy's. The double burger with cheese and fries are the best!!! Oh and their custard is just as good!!! Kellie M.
I ventured to San Diego about a year ago, and had two things in mind: the San Diego Zoo and In-N-Out. One was awesome and it included lots of neat animals. The other was the most disappointing hamburger I've ever tasted.
Dry. Misshapen. Soggy fries. Decent cheese but if that's what I want I'll make a grilled cheese sandwich.
Maybe it was all the hype and hoopla from my SoCal friends. Maybe it's because I was raised on a great burger chain like Whataburger and prefer a more traditional burger to the exotic off-menu stuff at In-N-Out (which is also annoying... seriously, is there some sort of cool factor in having off-menu items? This is a burger joint, not a cigar lounge). But to me there is no comparison. Whataburger every time.
I completely disagree 100%, What-A-Burger isn't even in the same ballpark as In-N-Out Burger. The fries comment is the most offensive, In-N-Out literally cuts and fries the potatoes in front of you. It's not even close...
Just because they cut and fry the potatoes in front of you doesn't make them good. It's entertaining but you don't live on entertainment as nourishment do you?
I have a feeling Texas standards aren't up to Californian standards when it comes to In N' Out. "Texans are clearly smarter than Californians"....I think you accidentally replaced the word fatter with smarter because you are most definitely not smarter than Californians, we actually teach evolution out here.
Casey, you sound more ignorant than Texans. Yes, the schools do teach evolution and not all Texans are fatter. And sorry, I think I'd rather deal with fat people than women who tan so much they look like leather couches. Ew
If you think Whataburger tastes better than a fresh In-n-Out burger you need your taste buds thoroughly checked out by a doctor cuz something is seriously wrong with you. That's like comparing a double double to big Mac.
Clearly the author is slightly retarded.
This was a waste of my time to read. In-in-Out is way better. Fresh never frozen beef taken from the best cuts by butchers at In-In-Out... Simple menu in an always clean environment. And a company who cares about their employees.
Who the hell tells the tasters what they're having before they taste? This is exactly why you have a blind taste test, not "this is shitty california IN-N-OUT and this is TEXAS's finest."
I sort of think it's a regional thing... I've had both and I wasn't super-impressed with Whataburger (although, it WAS a decent burger). I still think In-N-Out is my favorite burger, even amongst some of the gourmet burger joints. And I LOVE the fries.
Again, I think it's all about regional tastes and what you grew up with. Five Guys is huge on the East coast and all the transplants raved about it when it started opening up over here in Southern California. I've tried Five Guys a few times and am seriously unimpressed. I might choose Carl's Jr. over Five Guys. But those from the East coast rave about them.
In-n-Out is pretty 'piss out your asshole' gross. It's only moderately less greasy than White Castle, but I'd rather have White Castle where at least there isn't this reality distortion field surrounding it and we all know it's garbage you shouldn't be eating.
This article means nothing to me. Having a few posh Texas restaurantuers taste a fast food burger makes no sense. Get Hank, Billy Bob and Randy to give me a real consensus. Not a dude who doesn't even eat fried food, some old guy making a reference to a 1990's sitcom, and another guy who has never eaten at either place before in his life...?? WTF?
I've never had Whatabu...but INO is fantastic and it is ANYTHING but dry. I think I'll be going there for lunch today...and I'll enjoy it in the CA sun.
Disagree! Whataburger looked like a typical greasy squished fast food although theyre shakes are better. I don't know what you guys got in Texas but in California it's short lines and best freshest fastfood burger for your dollar
We had a 20 person taste test with In N Out (this time against Five Guys). Here's how it went-
Both In-N-Out and Whataburger are good but is In-N-Out good enough to wait on line for 30+ minutes? Absolutely NOT. I see an In-N-Out with a mile long line next to a Whataburger with a 2 car line, I'm getting a Whataburger, it's as simple as that. I can't believe the insanely stupid people waiting that long for a fast food burger. Plus, it really pisses me off that In-N-Out covertly hides Biblical scripture on there products.
For a fast-food burger I think Whataburger beats In & Out. The fact Whataburger is open 24 hrs, not just the drive thru, but the dining area as well is a big plus. The meat is good quality, the vegetables fresh and it is a good size hamburger. I remember a decade ago when Carl's Jr. was the next big fad from CA. If In & Out is so good, they should sell their burgers for $10, hire and interior decorator and call themselves Twisted California Root Burgers.
I've lived in Texas my whole life and I can't believe Whataburger is even in this conversation. Worst fast food burger with the exception of McDonalds. I would easily put Burger King, Wendy's, a half a dozen other burger joints above Whataburger. Bread is awful. Dry and tasteless. Meat is OK but definitely nothing special.
no; there was no way those homers would give any props to the in n out double double...i lived in dallas, i live in san diego; i've had a whataburger exactly once, and that was enough...at best a whataburger is ordinary...
in n out fries are unique, you either like the style or u don't...
Not one person has mentioned Burger Street? Best burger place with a drive through, hands down.
I have not been to the burger joints run by these 3 guys yet but certainly will when I am in their neighborhoods, their input was valuable and appreciated. I have been to Whataburger (real good burger and good fries), In-N-Out (vastly overrated burger and lousy fries), Five Guys (mediocre burgers and pretty good fries), Burger House (overly seaoned burger and fries) and Snuffers (great burgers the Green Chile and the Jalapeno bottlecap and great fries). The best fast food burger place was mentioned in the article, it is Kellers. Go get a number 5 and some tater tots, and while you are there, grab a cold one. Sassy carhops, war veterans and motorcyles give this place an atmosphere that is hard to find anywhere, and the price is right!
Loved the article, particularly the aunt/Megan Fox comparison. Right on.
I can't believe it's even discussed. It's not even close, it's not even the same game! I have to think that these judges were not objective; that their identification as Texans and love for their state and their fear of outsiders clouded their objectivity. In n out is far superior. Compared to Whataburger??? That is a joke.
born n raised right here in dallasi m guna tell ya'll the truth...best burgersby far in texas are at HUNKYS no place else..!!!PERIOD..!!in n out sux.....whataburger has gone bad to the bone..!!!!
In and Out burgers are not made to be eaten as "to-go" food. Their shelf life is VERY limited. In fact, being from California and having both in many drunk and sober situations, In and Out fries win hands down. The problem with this article is that the judges didn't eat at the actual establishment. In think for a fair comparison, they need to visit each place and eat the food hot. An In and Out fry fresh will never twist as the judge was able to do.
"that's like choosing to kiss your aunt three times instead of kissing Megan Fox once."
Greatness, Alice.
Whataburger is disgusting, plain and simple. I haven't had one in over a decade for a reason.
If you order an In and Out you have to ask for carmelized onions...makes it much jucier and taste better.
In-N-Out Burger fries are not good. What's good a burger without the fries? Felt like eating play doh.
Moved to SoCal 7 months ago. In N Out's burgers are ok, not earth shattering. Limited menu.Whataburger wins hands down.
I honestly don't understand how Whataburger is even on the same plane as In N Out. Dissect the burgers and look at the ingredients. There is a huge difference in freshness and taste. I've never had a burger at Whataburger and said,, "Man, those are some good tomatoes."
all the ingredients are fresh at Whataburger. I've never had an In-N-Out experience, if they actually have tasty tomatoes, I'd be shocked. I'm of the opinion that tomatoes are neither bought nor sold in this country.
You didn't get the burgers with CHEESE???? An In-N-Out Burger without the gooey, spilling-over-the-bun cheese isn't really an In-N-Out Burger. The Double-Double (double meat, double cheese) is the classic In-N-Out Burger. I'm a big Whataburger fan, too, but it's completely ignorant not to use the Double-Double in any In-N-Out taste test. That's like judging McDonald's on the 69-cent plain hamburger instead of the Big Mac.
Actually, I don't know how y'all eat these burgers. I'll eat that McD's regular hamburger simple, healthy and not really a burger, hence, not really eating a fast food hamburger. The Big Mac is a disgusting amalgamation of burger and bun and bun and bun--WTF? I don't eat "American Cheese" [sic] so again, unless they have real cheddar or real cheese, why would I want to eat colored oil?
This is why Texas will never be a culinary destination for food tourists. Really? whataburger? umm no.
I heartily concur. It always shocks me that Texans (and technically I'm a Texan too) actually LIKE whataburger. I think of it as the keystone light (or perhaps the Natty light) of burgers.
"meh" is right WRT innout. I ordered a double pretty sloppy & fries and was underwhelmed. Whataburger ain;t no Angry Dog burger, but it pimp slaps innout across the road.
It's like comparing a rotten apple to a fly infested orange...both suck and so does this illogical triteness.
What's next? You going to ask the owners of Classic BMW and Audi of Dallas to drive the latest Kia? You gonna ask the owners of The Pearl Cup and Crooked Tree to drink 7-11 coffee? (though R & C are much nicer than these dudes). You gonna ask the owners of Cane Russo and Fireside pies to try Little Ceaser's? how about next time you let food people who do not have an agenda to give an opinion? I love Maple and Motor. Best burger in the city, by far. But asking these guys about fast food makes no sense. By the way In-n-Out >>> Whatabugger
All burgers are good, there fucking burgers and burgers are good, even shitty frozen patty Sams club burgres overcooked on a dry bun is still fucking good, yall are all assholes
I will make another claim and this is Whataburger is or has gotten very inconsistnet from location to location and I know I eat lots of them. The best I know of is out in the BPS parking lot in Grapevine very good. Ill drive by eight of them to go to this location at lunch. Efron used to run a good one on Greenville but it has gotten rude and dirty not sure if Efron is still there. Maybe the new one on NWHWY by JCP will rise up.
Naturally the fast food talent will migrate away from Whataburger type joints to the Chick-Fla (sundays off) and I-n- Out for better pay and bennies and then ofcourse they will have the best execution and consisntancy
totally dumb. this is why people have the 'redneck, hillbilly' perspective that they do about Texans/Texas. that whole 'Texas is the greatest, no matter what' silly republican hard-headed nonsense that disqualifies Texans as a valid open-minded competitor. Whataburger, not only smells 'armpit-ish' but the smell of it stays on you for hours afterward, and that same stench permeates everything they sell..whether it be fries, o-rings or even a chicken sandwich. I cant remember traffic being held up for weeks on end at any Whataburger (or any other burger joint for that matter)..matter of fact, if the line is 3 or 4 people deep.. we all go somewhere else. Whataburger, and hard headed Texans are like Pepsi.. they will always be second..as long as they're over-competitive small-dicked nature propels them to boast of things (like they do) that they don't really know about... and continue to try and compare. They don't know how to be humble, with dignity. Its the only reason this perfectly useless article was even written.
Do you think I could hire you as a coach to teach me how to be "humble, with dignity"? I'd work hard, and I'm willing to pay well. It's just that I've never seen somebody with so much fucking dignity and humilty before. Will you please think it over?
#1: bet you're not a Texan.#2: If you can't stand the people in the great state, move up to Ok or Ca.#3: Other than attacking all things Texas, what the Hell point did you make.#4: You talk more shit than a two dollar radio. #5: The best burger in the state is at the Alamo Springs Cafe-don't care if we're talking fast food or not Mrs. Doucherson.#6: POW
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