If In-N-Out was started in the Midwest, it would have gone out of business. amirite?

Grew up in LA, went to college in St. Louis and lived all over the Midwest. Hard disagree. The In N Out price point alone would make it popular.

by NoClient 4 weeks ago

i grew up in louisville but i've lived in CA for 15 years. in n out is miles beyond anything you can find fast food wise in the midwest. it blows all of the places OP mentioned way the heck out of the water. they're always well staffed. they're always clean. you get a great burger by fast food standards made your way with great fries by fast food standards and a refillable drink for $10. compare that to what at you get these days at mcdonalds or culvers or any of those spots for $10 and it's not even close. in n out is popular for a reason. it's probably the best fast food option in the whole world.

by marvinlang 4 weeks ago

with great fries Uh, grew up with In n Out here, and even Californians wouldn't say they have good fries.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I like them, but fries might be the only menu item where McDonald's has In-N-Out beat.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

McDonald's doesn't have fries, they have salt sticks. Wendy's had the best fries, before they stupidly changed them.

by Ok-Record3998 4 weeks ago

Disagree about McDonald's…definitely agree about Wendy's

by Schroedermyrtis 4 weeks ago

I always get them well done

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

This is key.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I keep hearing this and just don't get it. I love in and out fries, they're the right ratio of crisp to soft potato and they aren't overly salted or soaked in oil. I often hear Five Guys touted for their fries but I just find them greasy and mushy.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

They have to grow on you. When I first tried them I didn't like them, I found them mealy and dry. Now those I love them and sometimes order an extra

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

The point of 5 guys fries is they give you like 2 lbs of them. Plus their cajun seasoning isn't half bad.

by Usual_Pickle 4 weeks ago

In N Out fries always feel and taste like cardboard. There's a reason they have to be smothered in cheese to be edible

by Federal-Camel-5833 4 weeks ago

You're supposed to soak the cut fries in water before cooking them to get the starch out, in n out skips this step

by Creative-Principle 4 weeks ago

Animal style is good, regular not so much

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

OP is missing the point of in and out, fresh everything! No freezers and deliveries of fresh produce bread and patties everyday. This could only happen in California as it's the only place with the agricultural infrastructure for it. It's the reason why they have been soo slow to expand outside of California. OP just doesn't like in and out which is fine. In and out brings a lot to the table, specifically consistency. I never have to worry about getting cold fries or a burger patty that's been sitting in a drawer for an hour. Unless you order animal style you will get everything in 5 minutes from when ordered or less.

by Dedricmayert 4 weeks ago

Great fires is incredibly wrong lmao but I do agree that the price point vs quality is better than anywhere. That's why they are popular. You can fill your family with good quality fast food. It's SoCal by the way. It's a family place, still. Clean, fresh, lit up.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

their pub burger are even better so wait for it in the season

by bertkutch 4 weeks ago

that's so sad to hear now that i don't live by culver's anymore 😭 i loved the cheese curd burger when it was a thing a few years ago

by Norbertkrajcik 4 weeks ago

"Best in the world" sounds like you've never had a cookout burger

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Yep. I recently ate at Portillo's with my 11-year old son. Between the two of us, we ordered 1 hot dog, 1 hot beef, 2 orders of fries, and 2 small sodas. Price was $30. I'll take In-and-Out all day.

by nweissnat 4 weeks ago

Around here it would likely be the only fast food place these days that could compete with Culver's

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Grew up in San Francisco, my family and I then moved out to Michigan. Completely agree with you. We like Culvers, but we love In-N-Out.

by Commercial_Papaya 4 weeks ago

Was just going to say. I've had it one time as an adult and was thoroughly impressed with the pricing.

by hellermarcelina 4 weeks ago

About to say this. The price remains very reasonable in getting a quality burger.

by Alejandrastiede 4 weeks ago

idk it's a pretty good burger for the price lol

by Sweaty-Smell 4 weeks ago

Yea. It's fine. I've had it a bunch and yea, it's fine. But I think that's ops point. People act like it's the food of the gods

by TrueEnd3187 4 weeks ago

How are you comparing Kopps to in n out? That's asinine. There's like 3 Kopps locations in the country and I'm pretty sure none of them have drive throughs. And by far the best thing about Kopps is the custard. Culver's at least is a fair comparison as it is a straight up fast food chain burger restaurant. Fast food burger restaurants were invented in southern California. McDonald's, in n out, Jack in the box, and Carl's jr. all started in socal before any of the restaurants you listed even existed. So to say there was no competition just makes no sense.

by Aroob 4 weeks ago

This is just plain wrong White Castle is the first fast food burger chain

by Kadin24 4 weeks ago

Ahhh. Columbus, OH. Home to White Castle AND Wendy's.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

You missed the whole point behind why it's so successful. You're getting an actual decent burger for the price point. It still has plenty of competition here in SoCal yet the place is always packed.

by alvenabeier 4 weeks ago

Omg this is the best way you could've described this

by Legrosreyes 4 weeks ago

thank you, Dr. Leo.

by Hungry_Atmosphere 4 weeks ago

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha love 30 rock!

by Legrosreyes 4 weeks ago

Never got the hype for five guys Their price point feels like five guys need to split one burger

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Yeah the price is ridiculous. But if someone gave me the option of a free in n out burger or a free five guys burger. I'd probably go five guys

by Affectionate-Path 4 weeks ago

Five Guys hype is based on their fries, but in Arlington VA their hometown, there's a burger place called All About Burger which is basically the same thing, but better in taste and I think price (idk, haven't lived there in years)

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Five Guys makes burgers and fries that actually taste good. You eat what you pay for.

by Late-Violinist 4 weeks ago

Yeah I've heard the In-N-Out hype for years, but never had a chance to try it until about a month ago. It is absolutely a solid burger place. I'd eat there again for sure.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Its because all the food is fresh. Its not anything complicated, just super fresh food with a not complicated menu. That's why they don't spread everywhere, they don't have the food network to do it. I think sourcing the lettuce is difficult, spoils quickly. In and Out is like if Gordon Ramsey wanted you to make a cheap affordable burger challenge, better maybe but not for the price better. I live next to In and Out and go there a couple time a month. I've noticed when I eat in and out vs other fast food. I dont feel as bad or as bloated, it feels like actual food.

by HedgehogImaginary740 4 weeks ago

Five Guys and In-N-Out are not competitors. They operate in completely different categories of fast food with most FGs lacking drive thrus, and In-N-Out charging far less for their food. In-N-Out is significantly better quality than anyone they actually compete with.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

More than likely because you haven't grown up eating them they don't scratch the comfort food itch. In N out was founded like 20-40 years before any of the restaurants you're comparing them to. They invented the two way drive thru speaker. There's nothing special about any of the other restaurants you listed here.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

In n out is my one true rock… loved ones have died and girlfriends have come and gone. In n out is still here delivering consistency 100/100 times. That's what makes them the best burger chain. Best burger ever ever will always be personally cooked

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

There's nothing special about any of the other restaurants you listed here. You can't just say such a horrible thing about our beloved Culver's!

by fgleichner 4 weeks ago

Been to Culver's. It was so unmemorable I entirely forgot it existed for the last 15 years.

by Ok-Sale-8124 4 weeks ago

You lost me when you mentioned portillos

by Playful_Cry_5656 4 weeks ago

lol. You think SoCal folks have never experienced anything better? You think there is no competition to in n out in SoCal? You're funny.

by Ok-Option 4 weeks ago

Also, the only reason they haven't expanded much outside of CA is that they don't franchise and have strict rules about how close a restaurant can be to their suppliers.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Right! It's like they don't understand that SoCal is likely the best food and most competitive restaurant space is the country. I live in SoCal and I'm constantly disappointed by food anywhere else in the country.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

The second biggest metropolitan area in the country and one of the most diverse places anywhere, famous for having nothing to choose from and little exposure to other things yessirree

by aliciacrona 4 weeks ago

Yep, lord knows anytime I'm passing through SoCal and am hungry I'm like "dammit. This place is a food desert. No restaurants out here for miles. If only I was in Gary, Indiana where the real food is"

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

What do mean? I watched a National Geographic documentary about the SoCal residents branching out and experiencing a different burger for the first time. It was so heartwarming, but also made me sad to think about how there no other burgers available at all in SoCal aside from In N Out 😔

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Hard disagree, culvers is wayyyy better. I feel like In n out is so dry compared to culvers (thanks butter burger lol)

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I do love me some Culver's, so much so my friends kind of rip on me for going a lot. If I had In-n-out near me I'd probably go broke between them plus more fast food joints.

by No_Purchase 4 weeks ago

Yea I think Culver's was a significant step up but that was a long time ago, tastes change and I'm sure when I go back to cali I'll try in n out again. I just remember thinking ‘that's it? I'd prefer a culvers'

by Ostehr 4 weeks ago

I'm from SoCal, living in the Midwest and this is flat out false. Midwest burger chains can't compare to In N Out in quality or price. Portillos and Culver's are probably the best of the ones you mentioned and neither of them are popular because of their burgers. People go to Portillos for the beef sandwiches and they go to Culver's for the custard and cheese curds. Their burgers are good, certainly better than national fast food chains, but weaker than other regional chains like In N Out, Whataburger, and Cook Out.

by Glittering_Bee_8177 4 weeks ago

I respeact In N Out but Whataburger? I rather get a whopper then a burger from Whataburger. It made me question what in the burder.

by bertkutch 4 weeks ago

I appreciate your take, but I see one flaw in your logic; plenty of competition exists in SoCal. I would argue that it isn't that there is a lack of better chains, but that In-N-Out food is unique. When you have a craving for In-N-Out, nothing else will suffice. Personally, I think their fries are the best, but I do enjoy their burgers too.

by kellie33 4 weeks ago

In-N-Out fries being the best? That is a quite unpopular opinion.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Fair.

by kellie33 4 weeks ago

I enjoy the burgers but their fries are McDonald's caliber to me. Though I like a nice hefty fry like Burger King

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Hating on In N Out is pretty popular these days. No other burger tastes like In n Out. While Culver's taste like every other burger. Culver's advertises a butter burger but only their bun is buttered? And it's not even distinctive enough to change the taste. I've been to Culver's. If I didn't know it had some sort of cult following I wouldn't even rate it too 5.

by emmanuel17 4 weeks ago

Culver's burgers are way richer in flavor and ingredients. But that might not be everyone's style either. I think In N Outs burgers are real basic, which is good enough for most and healthier, but if I was really craving a burger, Culver's is a better choice.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

No, they're really not. The Culver's that I've been to in the last five years all tend to be kind of average, and I would say steak ‘n Shake has a more flavorful Smashburger. Culver's fries are nice though, but their milkshakes are a little too thick. In and out is just special.

by Naive-West 4 weeks ago

The quality, at least in Cali, is better than basically all fast food places thanks to how their chain works. And their prices are literally unbeatable. In Houston I was less of a fan but it still ain't bad for the price. Hard to beat animal style

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

There are plenty of In-n-Outs that coexist just fine with Culver's in Arizona. In fact, they're usually much busier than Culver's, which is quite fine as well.

by jaidamcclure 4 weeks ago

Mad he can't get in n out but happy he has affordable housing. I'll call it a wash

by Ostehr 4 weeks ago

dudes just been fuked last 4 months with snowstorms

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

This is the biggest flaw in their reasoning. Burgers, especially fast food burgers, we're popularized out of SoCal. It is probably the most competitive region on Earth for burgers. So, definitely an unpopular opinion but also one with flawed reasoning.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Lmao

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I guess that explains why people who live more than 1000 miles from the closest In-N-Out know what an animal style burger is but have never heard of Kopp's or Oscar's...

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

The Midwest is known for having atrocious food options. So maybe you're right. Fresh food, high quality ingredients, all served in a very simple and limited way might be a bit too much nuance for mayonaise veined midwesterners to handle. lol

by Sad-Scheme 4 weeks ago

They put iceberg lettuce, dorritos, and ground beef on a pizza and call it a taco. They also have the audacity to defend it when you point out how nasty that is.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

It hasn't spread fat east because they don't want to freeze the meat/supply chain distance issues.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

In n out is way better than portillo's Culver's Kipp's Oscar's etc. you lost all credibility

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Their french fries suck

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Midwestern here. I tried In and Out when we were in Nevada. It was okay, better than McDonalds but not better than what we have

by lori70 4 weeks ago

Have you actually been to one. The quality is very good, they only source meat from less than 50 miles away so it isn't pre frozen

by Disastrous_Stick 4 weeks ago

This is so factually untrue it's crazy. The ingredients are better and the result is STILL cheaper than something like Culver's. Lived in CA and MO and Culver's is over twice the price and not even as tasty imo. But objectively the supply chain that in n out uses is what makes what you're saying false.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

This isn't even an unpopular opinion it's just dumb and wrong.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

OP is just fishing for outrage.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Culver's isn't good

by Weldonbarrows 4 weeks ago

Yeah. You couldn't be more wrong. As a child of the midwest who has since left. You are overvaluing the fast food in Mid-West. Also Culvers? Portlillos? Kopp's? Oscars? Do those exist outside Illinois? Like I know they have a store in Florida or two.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

As someone who lives in the south , it's difficult to find a quality fast food burger. Everything is Mid at best .

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I grew up on the east coast and I have never heard of a single one of those other places you mentioned.

by jolierosenbaum 4 weeks ago

In And Out is over rated. I think it would still have done good in the midwest, I think if it started in Texas Whataburger would have been its closest competition.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

In-n-out loyalist till I die.

by Level_Client_4574 4 weeks ago

This is a hard cope for the midwest

by Francesco17 4 weeks ago

Freddys is the best burger in the midwest.

by jolson 4 weeks ago

Best fries too.

by ischroeder 4 weeks ago

Mofo mentions So Cal being obsessed and completely forgets there are a bunch in Nor Cal with just as much obsession. I know because I'm in Nor Cal.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Grew up in the Midwest and this is truly unpopular. In-N-Out would do insanely well in the Midwest at the price point compared to the chains OP named. Culver's & Freddie's burgers are good but I'd rather eat In-N-Out every time

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I don't know man, there's a Culver's and an In-N-Out near me. They're literally right next to each other and Culvers never has a line. The only reason ai ever go there is because I don't want a long wait. Or maybe the custard. Their food is more expensive and nowhere near as fresh.

by Feisty-Salamander-50 4 weeks ago

Bc Midwest is really known for their food scene

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Nothing beats In N Outs price point and service. They're always over-staffed and friendly. It's tough to beat their whole package.

by medhurstjanice 4 weeks ago

Actually way cheaper than mc ds. They pay their people really well, and the food is actually super good so idk what you're talking about.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Fresh ingredients, amazing service and customer service, pays their employees decent wages and benefits, good prices. It's the best chain burger for the price hands down. The in n out haters are getting old

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

In and out burger decent. Fries suck.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I'm sure the midwest has better food then the major cultural hub that is SoCal, that's a really interesting opinion you have there

by Current-Path-676 4 weeks ago

We have culvers here in Arizona, I don't see people lining for culvers like they do for in-n-out. I don't believe you.

by kirk53 4 weeks ago

You could say the same thing about "Whataburger". Its a chain from Texas and a couple of years ago Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes mentioned that he missed Whataburger and low and behold, suddenly a bout a dozen have opened. And frankly they arent that great.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

lol Culver's Stay in the Midwest

by daijakeeling 4 weeks ago

Garbage take, honestly. Calling In-N-Out a step above McDonald's is laughable. It's like 20 steps above. And it's cheaper by far.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I'd rather have a burger from the small Cookout chain

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

OP is absolutely tapped 😂

by Artistic_Public_857 4 weeks ago

In and out and whataburger and all the other regional variants are good. Their popularity is that if you live anywhere east or north. You can't get those. Same with portillos. If you don't live in northern Illinois you can't get it. If all of these places had 8,000 locations like McDonald's and Burger King we wouldn't appreciate them as much. I live in the Midwest and travel to Texas twice a year…. Guess where I go during each visit ? Whataburger and in and out. Portillos is goated and there is one 1.5 hours from me. If it was 10 minutes from me I wouldn't appreciate it.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Is Portillo's a direct competitor? I only get the italian beef combo. Last place I would get a burger.

by Imaniheaney 4 weeks ago

The quality and price point alone would knock all those dog water chains out of the running. There's a reason every In-N-out still has a 30 car deep line at midnight after all those mediocre slopfests you mention are already closed for the day.

by Padbergrowland 4 weeks ago

I'm amazed that you didn't bring up Penguin Point.

by Sparker 4 weeks ago

Their food tastes very meh, but every time I drive past the store there's a huuge line at the drive thru. Good for them I guess.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Weird to compare In-N-Out and Portillo's.

by Hershel08 4 weeks ago

In-N-Out is hands down the best fast food burger I've ever had, and easily beats out Culver's. It is still just a fast food burger though, and still isn't as good as the ones my dad used to make

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I would take a habit burger over in and out all day every day.

by Stammjude 4 weeks ago

Culvers does not compare. Except for the cheese curds.

by Material-Issue 4 weeks ago

WRONG. From California and moved to Wisconsin. I really don't get the love for Culver's

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

In n out is just "fine." Culvers is better in every way at about the same price.

by InvestmentJumpy3065 4 weeks ago

I'm in the Midwest and I've only been to Culver's, none of the other places are near me at all. I'd love an in n out

by MaleficentNovel 4 weeks ago

lol I have never heard of Portillo's, Culver's… lol do you get what I'm putting down? Why can't someone say the same thing for all those random Midwest fast food joints? Or why aren't they out on the west coast? I'm not sure if this unpopular opinion or just a bad one lol

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I've lived from sd to hawaii to connecticut and much more. I've had burgers from everywhere. I've worked at in n out too. There is a lot more that goes into their business than just making good burgers at a great price. They would thrive in the midwest

by Virtual_Training7353 4 weeks ago

I find Culver's and In n Out to be very comparable. I rarely get to eat their burgers but when I do they're pretty good.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

You're not from the midwest you're from Milwaukee, or somewhere near by I'm guessing. I don't agree, In-N-Out is just ok, all fast food burgers are kinda ok they're never something to write home about.  Also its BUBBLER not water fountain you heathens.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Talk about clickbait. L.A. is a HAVEN for burger joints, including Tommy's, Carls Jr, Fatburger, Bob's Big Boy. Add in the rest of Southern California, and then it includes The Habit, and Jack in the Box.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

God to me in and out is a restaurants take of a "healthy" burger

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Those are good burgers Walter

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Culvers is the best.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

The worst part of InO is it's fries, those things suck so bad.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

If I ever hear you slander In-N-Out again, I will take your Mama out for a nice seafood dinner and never call her again!

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I've never even heard of most of the places on that list. Out burger options absolutely suck in Virginia.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Their burgers are really good as fast food burgers go. The fries are trash. But they still would have done fine.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

All I can say is that whataburger way better than in N out.

by Informal-Trip-9866 4 weeks ago

Have you heard of myburger? It's doing pretty well.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Probably not.

by Noah23 4 weeks ago

Your opinion is flat out wrong lmao

by No_Bug_2473 4 weeks ago

If in N out served potato fries instead of cardboard fries, maybe they'd get the respect they deserve.

by rutherfordlisan 4 weeks ago

Culver's is so much better than in n out, Whataburger, every other regional chain and it's not close

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

We have a Midwest In-N-Out, it's called Culver's

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Most likely why they're hesitant to expand east

by ischroeder 4 weeks ago

Maybe In N Out used to be good, but by the time I finally tried it, it was trash.

by Suitable-Rough5569 4 weeks ago

Ain't as good as braums

by Big-Mix5117 4 weeks ago

It's not a bad burger it's just not as great as the hype. Somewhere slightly below Wendy's quality to me but above McDonald's. And I even like McDonald's.

by Kadin24 4 weeks ago

West coast food compared to the food of every other region in the country is mid. Cali BBQ is below mid. Sure you have your hoity toity restaurants no doubt but overall. It's very mid

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

As someone who lived in the Midwest, the food scene there is laughably bad, even in larger cities. Certainly compared to any major west coast city. Are you saying somewhere like Des Moines or Indianapolis is in any way comparable to Los Angeles or Portland as far as food? Gtfoh. And they haven't expanded east because all the meat is sourced from the same socal facility and is never frozen.

by ProgramRough 4 weeks ago

Shake Shack > In and Out

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago