The Burger Thread!

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

You forgot about Smash Burger, which IMO is better than Five Guys, and Chick-Fil-A is awful.

Yes, I did forget about Smash Burger. I like their burger. I prefer Five Guys, but can definitely see other people preferring Smash Burger.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I really don't see what the fuss is about.

I guess for me it's the quality for the price factor. Last week I had a nice burger and chilli fries at Fat Burger, but the combo was almost $20. At Carls Jr I can get a similar quality meal for under $10.

That's been the trend with a lot of the new burger places in town; expect to spend $20 per person on a meal. Other than Wendy's, it's the only patty that doesn't scream "processed" for under $10 per combo.

So we now have two options in town for a medium quality, medium quick, medium price burger.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I guess for me it's the quality for the price factor. Last week I had a nice burger and chilli fries at Fat Burger, but the combo was almost $20. At Carls Jr I can get a similar quality meal for under $10.

That's been the trend with a lot of the new burger places in town; expect to spend $20 per person on a meal. Other than Wendy's, it's the only patty that doesn't scream "processed" for under $10 per combo.

So we now have two options in town for a medium quality, medium quick, medium price burger.

Yeah and a lot of those new 20 burger places are not very good. Boardwalk Burger is terrible in my opinion. NU Burger and Sushi was decent but significantly over-priced. I heard it closed this week, but haven't been able to confirm yet.

[SportsJunky]

I had the Wendy's Gouda burger. Surprisingly good. It looked like a mess because the cheese melts so much. I really enjoyed it despite the looks.

[browna]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Could they have found somebody to write the article who had heard of Carls Jr prior to a week ago; and maybe somebody who focused on the food instead of a random ad. (And am I the only one who hasn't seen that ad on TV yet?)

Yup, terrible article. Clueless about the establishment.

I recall (long time back, mind you), the ad for the $6 (which is what burgers cost in sit down restaurants back then) burger, for $2.99. Great marketing.

Agree with this being a good option at the Wendy's level of quality/value, assuming the same menu selection comes from the States. Many of the ones in the States also have a Green Burrito as part of it, which is ok food as a healthier option as well.

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I've had Carl's Jr. in Maui and at the Cabo and Vegas airports. I really don't see what the fuss is about. Not really that much different than any other fast food burger joint to me. If I had to pick one in the States I'd want here, it would be In N Out Burger, but even than I find that place to be more folklore than substance.

Judging a Carls Jr (or any eating establishment) based on a) airport location and b)airport locations in resort towns that you've visited at the very end of a trip (recall the old international LAS terminal had a Burger King only, and it closed at 7pm) is hardly a proper representation.

In and Out keeps it simple, and keeps it tasty, and keeps it cheap. If that value is folklore, than not sure what to tell you. Jack in the Box for the record, is my 1st choice when travelling down to the States.

[homestand]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Yeah and a lot of those new 20 burger places are not very good. Boardwalk Burger is terrible in my opinion. NU Burger and Sushi was decent but significantly over-priced. I heard it closed this week, but haven't been able to confirm yet.

According to their twitter/instagram, they will be re-opening in a new larger location in 2016.

Grass Roots Burger Cafe will be opening tomorrow in the old NU Burger Sushi Bar location.

[homestand]

Originally Posted by KTrain

I'm sure it's been mentioned in the thread before but Burger 320 in Bridgeland makes a hell of a burger.

Maybe I will have to try it again. Way too dry (overcooked) for my taste.

[JiriHrdina]

Checked out Carl's tonight at about 7:30 PM. Dude had a massive line-up through the drive-thru and inside. People must be curious.
I would say it was OK. Better than standard fast food fare, but not by much. I'd rank it behind Smash and Five Guys by a fair margin.
Nice to have another choice in town, but not a place I'll go out of my way to hit.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Checked out Carl's tonight at about 7:30 PM. Dude had a massive line-up through the drive-thru and inside. People must be curious.
I would say it was OK. Better than standard fast food fare, but not by much. I'd rank it behind Smash and Five Guys by a fair margin.
Nice to have another choice in town, but not a place I'll go out of my way to hit.

There's been a Carl's here for years. Craaaazy busy for the first 4 or 5 months. Arby's beside it is busier and wouldn't surprise me if it closed

[RW99]

Got a chance to try Carl's Jr. for lunch today after a nice long wait. Not bad for the fast burger market. I'd say it's a step above what you would get at Burger King in terms of flavour and choice for a charbroiled burger. I'd still rank it below Five Guys, but I might choose it over Wendy's and A&W.

[HarryH93]

Tried Carls Jr the other night, and honestly it reminded me of Burger King. The choices were nice, but if you blindfolded me while I ate there, I'd think I was at BK. The fries were better though I'll give them that. Smashburger and Clive are still my favorite burger places (mind you I still haven't tried 5 guys yet, looking forward to that)

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

I'm really looking forward to a Thickburger El Diablo. I haven't been to Carl's Jr in Canada; what are the prices like?

I had the 1/3 pound El Diablo with a medium drink and fries. Cost me $12.59

It wasn't bad, but for that price I would rather go to five guys.

[RW99]

Originally Posted by HarryH93

Tried Carls Jr the other night, and honestly it reminded me of Burger King. The choices were nice, but if you blindfolded me while I ate there, I'd think I was at BK. The fries were better though I'll give them that. Smashburger and Clive are still my favorite burger places (mind you I still haven't tried 5 guys yet, looking forward to that)

You are not allowed to post in this thread if you haven't had Five Guys yet.

[HarryH93]

Originally Posted by RW99

You are not allowed to post in this thread if you haven't had Five Guys yet.

Haha fair enough. I'll come back when I try it soon

[ben voyonsdonc]

I don't really know what it is but I haven't found a burger that I like more than Five Guys.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by HarryH93

Tried Carls Jr the other night, and honestly it reminded me of Burger King. The choices were nice, but if you blindfolded me while I ate there, I'd think I was at BK. The fries were better though I'll give them that. Smashburger and Clive are still my favorite burger places (mind you I still haven't tried 5 guys yet, looking forward to that)

Carls Jr. is definitely better than Burger King. Their signature burger is a rip-off of the whopper though. Everything in it is higher quality though. Bigger patty, better vegetables, better bun, etc...Over twice the price though.

And yes, you need to go to Five Guys.

[Komskies]

5 Guys tastes good, but they use the crappiest buns I have ever seen (think they're from the Calgary Italian Bakery). By the time you've driven home with your burger the bun is this weird compressed, soggy mess and the burger just falls apart in your hands.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Five guys wins in exactly no categories. Have people just not been to Naina's? Or Notable? Craft makes a better burger than Five Guys, for chrissakes.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Five guys wins in exactly no categories. Have people just not been to Naina's? Or Notable? Craft makes a better burger than Five Guys, for chrissakes.

As far as to go "fast food" chain burgers go, 5 guys is pretty solid. It's a different scenario with sit down places.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Are you counting takeout at least? Because then Naina's clearly wins and Dragon's Lair has to be up there and Dairy Lane, among a dozen other places. If you're only counting chain fast food restaurants this is like arguing whether Earls or Joey's serves the best steak.