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2-timeloser2 t1_iwex5hz wrote

I wish. West Coast boy here. Sonic not terrible

6

Prize-Hedgehog t1_iwey2q0 wrote

Johnny Rockets isn’t bad if it’s chain style burgers you’re looking for. I tried In-n-Out for the first time ever last month and thought it was quite similar to JR’s.

10

AlarmingLecture0 t1_iwey9hz wrote

Jake's in Torrington is pretty good. But I've never been to in and out, so maybe there's something I'm missing.

5 Guys?

5

CTRealtorCarl t1_iwf25mm wrote

I wish. Was just in San Diego and had to have it twice... on a slight side note, for some reason I had never noticed until this trip that In and Out is also surprisingly good value especially considering its California. Its hard to get lunch at a Five Guys for less than $20.

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Darkbowwee t1_iwf26zf wrote

Shake Shack is probably one of the closest places you're gonna get in terms of the "smashed" burger that you're thinking of. I havent had it, but heard good things about the Smash Burger chain as well.

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Ninventoo t1_iwf2zyk wrote

Controversial opinion, but In N Out Burgers just taste like Glorified McDonald’s Burgers

2

Kodiak01 t1_iwf3m50 wrote

Smashburger has always been good to us. Never had a bad meal there.

For slightly more upscale chain burger, BurgerFi was good the last few times as well.

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mmarino98 t1_iwf5bgj wrote

Shake Shack is for sure the way to go!

5

VanPattensCard t1_iwf6g7k wrote

Wayback burger is excellent, I get the classic double but you can make it however you want. Lou’s lunch in new haven is one of the most famous burger joints in the country.

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bob_gray_derry t1_iwf79ku wrote

Hate I'm saying this but try Mr. Beast Burger if available to you

1

Duncan__Dixon-Coffey t1_iwf7h7b wrote

I think in and out is way overrated. Shake Shack and Johnny Rockets are both at least as good IMO

1

asspirate420 t1_iwf80kz wrote

You are correct, it judged tasted like Mcdonald’s with fresher vegetables. Yeah there’s a bunch of different “secret” menu combos you can do, but it tastes like fast food and the fries were god awful.

Edit: getting downvoted for speaking the truth. I am galileo and you are the catholic church.

2

sumrandomoldg t1_iwfaht2 wrote

not really a small bun burger but do yourself a favor and just get goldburgers in newington

in house made fries and burgers are better. costs more but better flavors and more unique burgers. when i come back from traveling, i either get pizza or goldburgers. nothing really matches

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gwie t1_iwfb68n wrote

Lived in CA most of my life.

It's the hill I'll die on, but In-N-Out is better than any fast-food burger joint I've had anywhere else, including every single one I've tried here in the state since I got here in 2020. Flew back earlier this year to conduct a concert, and had a huge lunch at In-N-Out...I practically cried tears of joy it was so good.

Five Guys is terrible--the buns ruin it completely. Shake Shake is too greasy/oily. Louis' Lunch is interesting, but I wouldn't go for it regularly.

2

karmint1 t1_iwfcmo6 wrote

No. All these homers saying it's way over-hyped are the same people who act like good pizza doesn't exist outside of CT. It's ok to admit other places have good things, guys.

3

Bigballerway93 t1_iwfdcfh wrote

I wish, in n out is fantastic. The fries are ok but the burgers are great and affordable!

4

hasek3139 t1_iwfeute wrote

It’s a great classic burger, also very cheap. Anytime I go out west the first thing I do on the way to the hotel is stop and get a burger on the way. I was asked for the fries well done and it’s always best to get a double double with spread I think last time I went was last November, and it was all of seven dollars for fries, burger, and a drink, Shake shack while they have superior ingredients in higher quality, it’s sometimes $10 alone just for the burger.

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MrShamus t1_iwfexvk wrote

Lots of good suggestions, Im a sucker for some Duchess

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Xyldarran t1_iwfha73 wrote

Don't compare them, Shake Shack is superior in every single way. It's not fair to In and out which is middling at best.

Fight me west coasters, your god is a lie.

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CTGuy0001 t1_iwfhc64 wrote

There are good burger places but nothing close to In and Out, especially the fries.

If you’d like a unique burger treat and haven’t tried, check out Louis Lunch in New Haven.

1

Xyldarran t1_iwfhcsi wrote

Shake Shack, but be prepared to never be able to eat in and out again it's that much better.

−2

CaptainKangaroo33 t1_iwfnkam wrote

I honestly feel like nobody that has commented on this has ever been to an In & Out Burger.

Five Guys has to be the closest to In & Out.

2

sharkcathedral t1_iwft88z wrote

Engine Room in Mystic has some of the best burgers in the state. They sometimes have grass fed CT beef on the menu too, which you don’t see at enough places. Step up your local game! CT raises awesome beef.

5

vishnusnavel87 t1_iwfxnj5 wrote

No, I’m from New Haven & live on the West Coast. Nothing like In & Out in CT.

5

jaredsparks t1_iwg5vm1 wrote

A burger is a burger is a burger.

−3

Syncharmony t1_iwg6ifu wrote

Two spots that aren’t chain restaurants that meet the general criteria are White Hut in Springfield, MA and Fryborg in Orange, CT.

Bonus points for Fryborg also making hands down the best french fries in CT.

17

justweazel t1_iwg7qkj wrote

CT locations are both permanently closed and temporarily closed and I do believe that’s the sub we’re on so I think that warrants a (temporary) RIP

They’re good, but not worth driving 80 miles for unless you’re passing one on a road trip (until Avon reopens)

Edit: My mistake, I didn’t realize Avon was temporarily closed. I will rejoice once they reopen

4

bramletabercrombe t1_iwg8ddd wrote

if you want to make your own chick fil a at home just cook a chicken patty and pour a mixture of honey molasses sugar bbq sauce and mayo then some more sugar into a bowl and pour it on top. It's amazing to me how people will wait in line to eat what is basically 2x the sugar content of mountain dew

1

mywittynamewastaken t1_iwg9ig6 wrote

I don’t think any self-respecting bakery in the northeast could make a bun that bad.

1

csmart01 t1_iwgaa49 wrote

Out the door you will be 2X the cost at SS - no way is it that better and in fact only the fries are better. SS quality is far from what Danny started in the early 2000’s and the menu is now appealing to the masses as they spread globally. Do one thing and do it well.

7

ZaphodG t1_iwgaouq wrote

Yep. The win in California is access to much higher quality lettuce and tomatoes than McDonald’s in the northeast. You can’t do that here in the winter because real tomatoes that actually taste like something are expensive. You would have to charge premium prices and that’s not the In N Out formula.

1

CowbertBoopBoop t1_iwgb75q wrote

Goldburgers in Newington is nothing like In N Out, but they are the best burgers hands down. Just go there and but your dreary past behind you.

0

Shellsbells821 t1_iwgc02j wrote

I remember "in and out burger " in Michigan!

1

hasek3139 t1_iwgdgg4 wrote

Everything about them is superior quality for fast food. Their customer service is always the best even though it’s a bunch of high school, kids, McDonald’s and Burger King and the rest have adults and they are way less friendly and make way more mistakes. I’ve also only had Chick-fil-A messed up my order, one time ever, and I was able to immediately get compensation for it. Whereas other companies where I’m constantly had problems it’s taken weeks to resolve.

4

Daphne_Revolver t1_iwgek8k wrote

I moved back from from living on the west coast. I miss in n out so badly. I like shake shack, but it isn’t in n out.

6

Getmoneyyy21 t1_iwghkmd wrote

Yes! Go to crown fried chicken in Bridgeport on Boston avenue and ask for “jay” and explain to him that you want an in and out burger and he’ll make you the best burger ever

2

PartySunday t1_iwgicxz wrote

Chick-fil-a used to be the only good chicken sandwich at a fast food restaurant but after COVID started all of the fast food chains stepped up their chicken sandwich game due to the beef shortages. You can basically get a decent chicken sandwich anywhere now.

The only reason to go to chick-fil-a are the sauces and they sell those at the store.

1

kayakyakr t1_iwgj1yw wrote

Hanks dairy bar in Plainfield is worth a try. It's not quite in & out style, but it's my go to for fast food burgers on this side of the state.

In & out can be done great. If you're ever in Austin, try p Terry's. It's an in & out clone that improved on the original in every way.

1

jackattackblaze t1_iwgj7zq wrote

seconded, lived in newington 10+ years, in high school i would save my birthday money and on a really bad day id get a burger, sweet potato fries, and mac squares. life would always look a little brighter afterwards

4

hasek3139 t1_iwgmn3p wrote

Lmao I’m sorry you spent all this time making a comment no one cares about. Can you spend time doing ANYTHING else????

I’m saying I sun utter a complaint and it took them weeks to resolve. If I’m spending my money, and something so wrong, I expect the money back, or a fix.

CFA called my the next day to resolve the issue is all im saying. Superior customer service

0

JohanSkullcrusher t1_iwgomv5 wrote

You speak the truth. The first time I visited the west coast, I tried In and Out because of all the hype I heard. It was an ok burger at a decent price; hardly anything worth celebrating.

4

maybe_little_pinch t1_iwgqg1w wrote

Wayback is my burger place of choice. I will occasionally do G's burger in Naugy just because it's closer, but way back does impossible burgers and I am allergic to red meat. If you want to know where I can't eat, you will know what chains actually have better quality meat.

3

HighJeanette t1_iwgrkko wrote

I've never had it so idk but you can get great burgers at Duchess.

1

Texas-Swamp-Yankee t1_iwgx82u wrote

McDonald's is pretty close. Ask them to put the veggies on the side and stack them yourself. Same thing. 😂

0

Academic-One-9135 t1_iwgz9eq wrote

I remember going to the first one in West Hartford for their friends and family. Same with Wood and Tap. I’m so proud of those guys! The Plan B guys opened up one called Burgers, Beers and Bourbon down here in the DC area where I live now but unfortunately it closed due to the pandemic

2

Ikea_Man t1_iwh0spd wrote

i was in LA for business in late September this year and was surprised how cheap it was

like you said, around $7-9 for a double cheeseburger, cheese fries, a milkshake AND a fountain drink

meanwhile gas there is like $6.50/gal. don't know how they do it

3

wileyakin t1_iwh2y4z wrote

THIS! I’ve always felt these fast casual burger chains all smack in their own way, not one is necessarily better, they occupy different positions within their own market (I’m referring particularly to Shake Shack, Five Guys and In-n-Out)

1

fprintf t1_iwh5lu2 wrote

Not even close. Every plan b burger I’ve had has been undercooked or way overdone and the serving of fries is so minuscule. But this thread proves there is something for everyone’s taste and budget!

1

mfdonovan01 t1_iwhb3vj wrote

But I can get 3x the burgers for the price. They occupy different spaces, shake shack is a step above fast food and the price reflects that. In n out is in the god-tier of fast food, sure it isn’t as tasty as some make it out to be but the bang for the buck is unbeatable

2

houle333 t1_iwhhcjp wrote

It was reasonable pre-pandemic.

When the pandemic hit they just decided to raise their prices 5% EVERY month.

Last time I walked in to the one in Manchester the cashier was literally standing on a ladder raising the prices on the board. They had to come down to take my order. And of course even though the new price was not completely up on the board I was charged the new higher price.

But it is way better tasting than any other burger spot nearby.

It's like they raised prices so frequently that they couldn't take care of it either before the store opened or after closing time.

1

PrpleMnkyDshwsher t1_iwhlvl8 wrote

It's a good decent "fast food but better" burger.

Their absolute garbage fries ruin it tough. Should be a criminal offence to do that to an innocent potato.

Try Plan B or Goldburgers like others have said.

1

Exciting_Lake4744 t1_iwhv14y wrote

The Zoar Burger at Lake Zoar Drive-In is a pretty good eat

1

anselmpoo t1_iwhx2k9 wrote

Eh, shake shack is double the price as far as I can see. I got 2 cheeseburgers, a soda, and fries for under 10 bucks at in n out. I will say in n out isn't the best tasting

3

sepia5 t1_iwi7jjv wrote

I usually like regional foodstuffs. I'm a SW Ohio native, so grew up on and love Cincy-style chili, for instance. Always makes me grouchy when I hear people diss on my beloved local chili. But damn, Ted's has to be the most vile regional food thing I've ever tried. Steamed ground beef: as gross as it sounds!!

1

painterlyjeans t1_iwjoxj7 wrote

Do yourself a favor and try a steamed cheeseburger

1

curbthemeplays t1_iwm1f11 wrote

I mean, there are tons of recos in this thread already.

Any locally owned burger stand is going to be better than Sonic.

But here’s some of my favorites: Dogtown (has a great In-N-Out approximation), Mr Mac’s Canteen, Merritt Canteen, Lake Zoar Drive In, Sycamore, Prime 16, Dive Bar, Louis Lunch, Fryborg, Oar & Oak, Oar & Oak Birdhouse, Rudy’s, Denmos, Tavern on State.

For chains, I think Shake Shack and Wayback are also superior.

2

CT-hotspur17 t1_iwxd1nc wrote

Yep, it has its good points, but this is not where I want to spend the rest of my life. I really like seasons, weather and trees and well LA doesn't have so much of, the only thing I will really miss is good cheep Mexican food.

2