May 16, 2005
In-N-Out (Versus Shake Shack)
I was in LA last week, so naturally I had to have In-N-Out (pictured above). I've already made the claim previously that Shake Shack is better than the great In-N-Out and I was eager to see if I know what I'm talking about (since I made the claim without having eaten at In-N-Out in almost two years). I wondered if my taste memory is as sharp as I'd like to believe it is.
It may not be fair to compare In-N-Out, a fast food chain, to Shake Shack, but since so many people love In-N-Out, here goes:
In-N-Out versus Shake Shack
[I'm comparing a standard In-N-Out Cheeseburger to a Shake Shack Shack Burger since they are both single patty, and come with lettuce, tomato, cheese and a special sauce.]
In-N-Out's bun (well toasted, just like the Shake Shack) is bigger and the burger comes with more lettuce, but the beef patty is much thinner and is basically nuked. And, yes, I know I could have gotten a Double Double but I'm comparing single patty burger to single patty burger here. In any case, I don't usually like multi-patty burgers, the meat-to-cheese-to-bun ratio tends to get out of wack.
Shake Shack's beef patty is more than twice as thick and you can tell it's made from superior beef even if you were never told that their patties are freshly ground daily from sirloin and brisket. You could literally smell the beefy goodness from a block away. It's also cooked properly to medium doneness, with the inside still showing pink.
The Shake Shack bun is smaller and softer and comes with a single fresh slice of lettuce (both In-N-Out and Shake Shack come with a single slice of tomato). Smaller bun+less lettuce+much bigger beef patty = a vastly superior meat/cheese-to-bun/lettuce/tomato ratio.
The Shack Burger cost more than twice as much at $3.95 $4.16 (did they raise their prices since April?) but it's worth every penny. I think it's more than twice as good.
You West Coast folks better avoid the Shake Shack when you're in NYC because once you try it, you'll never again be satisfied with In-N-Out. You are forewarned!
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Comments
You are a dope.
Posted by: Dick Bass at May 19, 2005 9:39 AM
a completely unfair comparison. perhaps if shake shack were a chain this would be reasonable.
Posted by: smitty at May 19, 2005 11:52 AM
The only appeal to the shake shack is that its in the park, for a "great burger" its really a waste of $3.95.
Posted by: sk at May 20, 2005 10:15 AM
i actually agree, i like shake shack better than in n out. but then again, i appareciate fatburger more than in n out. in n out is my 2nd fave in socal.
Posted by: mikes at May 20, 2005 3:09 PM
in-n-out.....
Posted by: Bk at July 5, 2005 11:30 PM
What the hell is In and Out? I thought you lived in NY? I never seen an In and Out here - is it like Arby's or Roy Rogers? The only In and Out I know is what I do with pretty ladies after we get all likkerd up together... you complain too much - go get likkerd up with some pretty ladies instead...
Posted by: HoraceBCheng at July 8, 2005 1:21 PM
Both places sound enticing to a fast food junkie like myself. But if you ever are in the GTA, try Hero Burger. I think they would take your precious Shake Shack to school.
Posted by: jxj at July 17, 2005 4:23 AM
Goody's on Las Tunas in San Gabriel, CA - avocado burger with a side of sour cabbage....your life and cholesterol count will never be the same.
Posted by: Foody chick at August 16, 2005 10:48 AM
please man. for $4?
i'd take a double double with grilled onions and animal style fries.
i'd probably live a few more years than consuming that other thing for $4.
Posted by: alex at October 10, 2005 4:15 AM
Some of us know that when you've found perfection, the pursuit of any other burger is fruitless. You are no burger aficionado, that much is plain. So stick to things you know something about . . . . . . . . like being wrong! OK bucko?
Posted by: Dave at November 11, 2005 10:08 PM
i think people need to stop saying $4 is a lot. live and work in nyc for a little while and u'll find that is a good deal. u can get filling and fulfilling lunch at shake shack for easily under $10. that's a good thing. and yes, its in the park, but that also means that if its raining or cold, they won't do much business.
and shake shack burgers r good. a little saltier than id like, but still damn good.
Posted by: TahirB at November 16, 2005 11:16 AM
I completely agree with smitty. Unfair comparison! As far as fast food burgers are concerned, I'll take In-N-Out any day. I think In-N-Out is the best fast food burger for several reasons. They haven't changed their menu since they opened in 1948. Everything is fresh, nothing frozen. Fries are hand cut and grilled to perfection. In-N-Out still keep the old school way of doing things while other burger chains constantly hound consumers with fancy commercials and slogans. On the other hand Shake Shack sounds like a specialty burger joint. I'll try one next time in NYC. But if you ever make it to Houston, Texas, check out Pappa's Burger. At $7.35 for the basic burger it will leave you begging for mercy. If you're in Dallas, Texas check out Uptown Bar & Grill. Uptown serves a 1/2 pound great tasting burger for $5.59.
Posted by: JCrane at December 21, 2005 12:05 PM
A $4 dollar burger vs a $2.50 fast food burger from In-N-Out is definitely not a fair comparison. I don't mind comparing a chain to a joint, but they have to be within the same price range. In-N-Out's appeal isn't that it's the greatest burger in the California, it's that it's the greatest CHEAP burger in California. Oh, and you have to order one with GRILLED onions which is a completely different experience. A 2x2 can also be ordered which preserves the meat to cheese ratio but with two patties (and still cheaper than a Shake Shack).
Posted by: dave at February 8, 2006 4:25 PM
in n out burger is dedicated to quality unlike shake shack. i notice that in your two pictures u have of each burger, the shake shake, indeed does look bigger in patty size, but u can barely see wat is on the burger. to a consumer that is not very reassurant whereas at in n out burger, they are dedicated to making sure that the customer is able to SEE every single ingredient that comes between the top and bottom bun. shake shack does not come close to comparing to the greatness of In N Out burger. the quality is unmatched just like the customer service and cleanliness of all there restaraunts. oh yah and by the way, their burgers and fries are not fast food, they are QUALITY food served quickly
Posted by: joe at December 30, 2006 6:43 PM
I'm a shake shack regular and right now I'm in LA on vaca. I was so excited for In and Out and when I had it yesterday, it was great but I must say, it didn't leave me with same great satisfaction as the Shack. I would say the the Shack meat pattie is definitely better and the In and Out sauce is definitely the better sauce. The cheese fries at the Shack are pretty amazing and the Fanta Grape is an unexpected treat. In and Out has a much better T-shirt though. I am going to get some sauce from In and Out, bring it back to NY, and put it on my Shake burger.
Posted by: Tim NYC at April 18, 2007 12:50 PM
"and is basically nuked."
Which means you basically don't know what you're talking about. In-n-out never nukes anything... It's grilled on a griddle, not flame broiled, but that, in the end, comes down to taste. Also, the meat, veggies, and potatoes at In-n-out are always fresh. The meat comes straight from slaughterhouses. So... Basically the only real "valid" comparison you've made is that the other burger is bigger... In-n-Out is fast food, after all. But it's superior to every other fast food chain out there. Superior in quality. Superior in customer service. Superior in employee treatment.
Posted by: Luke at August 9, 2007 12:22 PM