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The nation's best burger is at In-N-Out Burger, according to a new survey of fast-food restaurants by Zagat.
The California-based chain won top nods for its burger in the survey of 6,107 consumers. Wendy's, Burger King, McDonald's and Whataburger rounded out the top five. The second annual survey of fast food looked at both full service and traditional fast food chains. In the full service category, Red Robin won for its burgers, followed by Ruby Tuesday, the Cheesecake Factory, Steak 'n Shake and Chili's Grill and Bar.
McDonald's won for best fries, Panera Bread for salads and KFC for fried chicken.
See which coffees won after the jump.
McDonald's also won for best value menu and best value.
In the grilled chicken category, Chick-fil-A won for its offerings. Starbucks came out on top for its coffee, followed by Dunkin' Donuts, Peet's Coffee & Tea, McDonald's and Caribou Coffee.
Top Fast Food Chains
By Sara Bonisteel
In-N-Out Burger
This Irvine, Calif., fast-food chain won top honors in the 2008 Quick-Track Awards of Excellence, grabbing "excellent" overall ratings from 60 percent of the survey's participants. The chain finished in the top three of eight of the 15 categories surveyed.
Matt York, AP
Raising Cane's
Based in Baton Rouge, La., this new chicken-tenders chain garnered 59 percent "excellent" approval on overall customer satisfaction. Must have something to do with the sweet tea and Texas toast.
Bill Haber, AP
Giordano's Pizza
This Chicago pizza favorite received a 56 percent "excellent" rating in the 2008 survey for its gooey stuffed pizza touted by the chain as "world famous."
laffy4k, flickr
Chick-fil-A
The Atlanta-based chicken chain, renowned for its sandwiches and waffle fries, made the grade with 55 percent "excellent" approval.
Chick-Fil-A
Panera Bread
This St. Louis-based bakery-café, which serves up artisan breads and hot panini, ranked fifth in the 2008 Quick-Track Awards of Excellence, winning 54 percent "excellent" ratings from diners.
Panera, LLC.
Chipotle
The Denver-based home of the burrito bowl scored 52 percent "excellent" ratings in the survey of 93,800 diners.
Chipotle.com
Pei Wei
The 2007 overall excellence winner dropped to seventh place in the 2008 survey, but the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based chain still won a respectable 51 percent "excellent" rating for its pan-Asian flavors.
Cassandra Shie, AOL
Firehouse Subs
A Jacksonville, Fla., favorite blazed to eighth place in the 2008 survey, winning a 51 percent "excellent" rating from fans of its hot specialty subs.
firehousesubs.com
Taco Tote
El Paso's Mexican grill, Taco Tote, made its way to the fast-food superlative list with a 50 percent overall "excellent" rating from diners in the survey.
Getty Images
Qdoba
This Wheat Ridge, Colo.-based burrito chain rounds out the overall Top 10 in the 2008 Quick-Track Awards of Excellence with a 49 percent "excellent" rating from customers.
Business Wire/AP
The survey ranked everything from top ice cream (Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops) to smoothies (Smoothie King), and ranked restaurants in a "Top Food" category. On the fast food front, In-N-Out Burger won among large chains, Wendy's took top nods for mega chains and Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops won for quick-refreshment shops. P.F. Chang's China Bistro won the top food nods for full-service chains.
[Via Zagat]
| On the money | |
|---|---|
| Off the mark | |
| Where's the beef? |
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6-09-2009 @1:31PM BurgerBoy said... Fatburger and Popeye's were ROBBED!
I haven't been to a KFC in decades...:-P
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6-09-2009 @2:29PM Mark said... I always go to In-N-Out Burger when I want a hamburger. That is all they do, and they do it well. If I want a fish sandwich, McDonald's Filet-O-Fish is my choice. And when I want a chicken sandwich, I go to Burger King.
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6-09-2009 @2:41PM elle said... "FIVE GUYS BURGER AND FRIES" definitely the BEST...hands down!!!
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7-20-2010 @12:23PM IKNOK said... I lived in D.C. for almost 4 years and 5 guys was the only option for a decent burger unless you could go to U St. and pick up some Ben's. I'm from Cali so you may think I have an In-n-Out bias but actually I'm not a huge fan of it but it is definitely better than 5 guys. first of all 5 guys is greasy and sloppy and facilities like the rat infested one in Georgetown with terrible management really live up to that quality. You can add a lot of toppings but even though how much you pile on free toppings there is really little appeal on the taste buds. It may be a big burger and filling but flavor-wise it doesn't offer much. In-N-out has a lot more flavor and it feels healthier going down. Protein style is my favorite, meaning the bun is replaced with a huge leaf of lettuce. Yes it is messy but it feels less heavy in the stomach with more flavor and freshness than 5 guys. I honestly don't see a comparison but if you're stuck in the D.C. area you really have no choice in good fast food. I suggest Qdoba in Georgetown or Ethiopian food on U st like Etete or Madjet that's the best D.C. has to offer in terms of cheaper food in my opinion. I love famous stars from Carl's Junior but they don't have that in D.C. either.
7-28-2010 @10:33AM Ariel said... Well Five Guys Burgers and Fries may be good where you live but in Pittsburgh, PA for some reason they can't beat anyone. They have many problems with hair in food and raw hamburgers over here. For me, I'd have to say here in Pittsburgh, Wendy's has the best burgers!
6-09-2009 @5:39PM bea said... Red Robin??? They used to have good burgers!
I used to think their burgers were fantastic, but the last time we went there, the burger was SO thin, I could barely taste the flavor of the meat!
I never complain about any food in any restaurant ... but this time I thought about sending a comment via email when I got home. It was AWFUL !! I'm hesitant about ordering one again. http://www.redrobin.com/ I will say that their salads are GREAT !
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6-09-2009 @3:25PM Ben said... I'm agreeing with Elle. I'm something of a burger geek and 5 guys is now my default go-to place for a burger. I think McDonalds is on the list simply because people haven't TRIED anything else.
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6-09-2009 @3:32PM Eileen said... I agree Elle.."Five Guys" for us here in the east. How about a "Throwdown" between "Five Guys" and "IN-n-Out"? The basically produce their burgers the same way..fresh from start to finish..Obama eats Five Guys and Zagat forgot them? What's up Zagat?
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6-09-2009 @3:39PM Shylah said... I've had In-n-Out, and honestly, I'm not that impressed with them. Whataburger is awesome, and I wish we had them in California.
I can't believe Starbucks beat out Peet's. That's like chopped steak beating ribeye.
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6-09-2009 @3:49PM Simzee said... Billy Burgers are the best.
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6-09-2009 @4:19PM michy said... I LOVE burgers and I was told to go to Five Guys Burgers and Fries because supposedly they are the best. Well, if you love greasy food then I guess they are. I have never had a more disgusting burger and fries in my life. Perhaps I went on a bad night, but I'm not giving it another shot... it was that bad! I would sooner go to Burger King or McDonalds which definitely don't have great burgers either, before going back to Five Guys. If you haven't tried it, don't. When I went I took a male friend of mine with me, who is like Mikey.... he'll eat anything!, he thought it was awful too. Now that says a lot!!!!!
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6-09-2009 @4:04PM CHRIS20724 said... Five Guys is THE only place to grab a burger!!!!!
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7-20-2010 @12:23PM IKNOK said... yeah that's the case in D.C. - no choice.
6-09-2009 @4:08PM co30op said... Got to agree with Elle, Where I am Five Guys and a chain called Jakes are hands down the best, but I never have and In-N-Out, so......
The thing that's crazy about the survey is how Wendys and Mcdonalds are in the top 5. I don't even know if you can call what they sell Hamburgers, they are more like slivers of fried beef, they are as thin as a slice of paper.
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6-09-2009 @4:10PM mattyancey said... i've had both In-N-Out and Five Guys and In-N-Out definitly gets the nod.
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6-09-2009 @4:46PM Spoonman said... Gonna have to agree with michy. I wasn't all that impressed with Five Guys, I have no idea why everyone raves about them so much. I've only been to In-N-Out twice and I remember each visit and burger very well and fondly. :)
I agree with the survey on burgers, fries and salads. Everything else..not so much. :)
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6-09-2009 @4:35PM joey said... WHAT-A-BURGER!!!!! I thought this was a list of fast food BURGER places!!
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6-09-2009 @4:27PM Eden-Avalon said... I've tried both Five Guys and In-N-Out. In-N-Out wins HANDS DOWN. Five Guys' burgers are great, don't get me wrong. But in terms of quality, consistency and value it's beaten hands down by the freshly made, great tasting, cheap In-N-Out grub.
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6-09-2009 @4:41PM Roberta said... WHAT!!! Carvel's "Butter Burger" is the best..
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6-09-2009 @4:45PM ccwstauffer said... I moved from California in 1968 and never fail to have In'n'Out when I visit, I even dream about those burgers, they are wonderful
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