By Aileen Bedwell and Amanda Truong
- In-N-Out
Aileen:
The West Coast is the best coast, and it’s probably because it’s the home of the famous, beloved In-N-Out burger. We ordered a double-double with no tomatoes, with grilled onions, and the flavor melts on your tongue like ice cream on a hot summer day. The bun is slightly soggy due to the signature sauce; however, it adds to the overall taste. The patties are grilled to a beautiful well-done, the lettuce is crisp, and the employees are extremely generous with the portions. The grilled onions are astonishing; the decadent taste just pulls the entire burger into a perfect consensus. Very great price for this as well; I must say it is a true 10/10.
Amanda:
In-N-Out serves one of the most delicious burgers I’ve ever tasted. The second I took my first bite, I was met with a juicy beef patty, melted cheese, and fresh, crisp lettuce. The perfectly round bun held everything together perfectly, while the signature spread added a creamy, tangy flavor that made the burger even more irresistible. This is a definite 10/10 in my book!
- Shake Shack
Aileen:
A fan favorite, and not for no reason. Once again, we ordered a double-double with no tomatoes and grilled onions; however, this time the bun is coated in a buttery-like sensation. The patties are revolutionary and extremely filling; however, the lettuce is not as crisp, and they are quite stingy with the amount they give me. The grilled onions did not have a great taste; honestly, they just tasted like cold onions. Personally, it was great overall, but the individual components that go into building the burger were not as enjoyable; an 8/10.
Amanda:
The Shake Shack double ShackBurger we ordered is a mouthwatering combination of rich and savory flavors. The two beef patties provided a juicy bite while the soft melted cheese added to the creaminess that complemented all of the ingredients perfectly, like a match made in heaven. We added extra caramelized onions as well, which brought a deeper flavor that tied the whole burger together. The takeaway, however, was the overly moist bun which failed to keep the structure of the burger together. The verdict: 8.5/10
- Super Duper
Aileen:
Just mid-tier, not too good but not inedible, kind of just meh. The order remains the same: a double-double with no tomatoes and grilled onions. The bun is compressed into a flavor explosion. Burnt patties are a common pattern there, I guess, because the edges are always burnt? I did not appreciate that, but it’s okay. I did not even taste the lettuce at all because it did not have a very distinct taste, but I did drench it entirely in ketchup. Grilled onions were not anything special, but the pickles that you can get on the side are what pull the entire burger together into a great eat, perhaps a 7/10. (Shout out to the strawberry shake).
Amanda:
A classic burger option for many; however, not the best. Though I wouldn’t say it isn’t good, it lacked the creaminess that most top-tier burger places have. The dry bun sandwiched all of the ingredients together, including the flavorful patty that was engulfed in melted American cheese, which, to be honest, was one of the best things on the burger. I was practically chasing the burger as it failed to keep its shape several times, leaving me a mess. The oil-drenched burger had lettuce, which was the only thing that qualified the burger as somewhat “healthy,” just for it to be tasteless. I’ve had worse, therefore a 6/10.
- Five Guys
Aileen:
Would be higher on the list, but the grilled onions ruined the entire burger. Shocker, the order is the same! A double-double with no tomatoes, with grilled onions. The bun is the BEST, and the cheese is melted so perfectly onto it that it tastes like grilled cheese. The patty tastes straight from the cow, great quality. The lettuce is quite flimsy; I expected more for the price. The grilled onions are barely grilled, I see the beginning of the browning of it but they did not execute the vision as flawlessly as In-N-Out did. It was pricey and did not have great onions, therefore landing itself a 5/10.
Amanda:
The moment I received my Five Guys burger, I unraveled the aluminum foil wrapped around the burger like a Christmas present, which I greatly appreciated since most burger places aren’t considerate enough to realize how messy burgers can get. However, looking at the sandwich, I immediately spotted the difference in appearance compared to other burger chains. The bun was compressed like a pancake, the patty was uneven, and the grilled onions and lettuce were all over the place. I will say, the patty was extremely juicy unlike any other burger I’ve experienced, and the way in which the ingredients were made gave a homemade vibe that made it feel like less of a burger joint. The overall flavor was mediocre, with just the juicy patty getting credit and bonus points for the extra fries the employees spilled everywhere around the bag. It does the job, which puts it at a 5/10.
- Mcdonalds
Aileen:
I did not have very high hopes because I barely consider McDonald’s edible food; however, it shocked me. We ordered a Big Mac with extra sauce on the side; the bun is the average McDonald’s bun, flaky and honestly just gross. The patty tastes disgusting, like my cause of death may be high cholesterol. The lettuce is soggy because the sauce is engulfing it, and it does not even feel like you are eating a vegetable anymore. The pickles give it a tang, and it is the best part. Overpriced and quite unbearable, but one of the better McDonald’s options. The after-effect consists of feeling like you need to take a shower, a solid 4/10.
Amanda:
Famous for absolutely no reason, the Big Mac we received was served in a standard McDonald’s cardboard box. The lettuce was a whole mess, drenched in Big Mac sauce and shredded into small pieces. The patty was oddly circular and dry, and the bun was not unique to any other McDonald’s bun. Oddly enough, the extra Big Mac sauce we had ordered on the side compensated for the dry patty; the taste was pretty bad compared to other burger joints but not terrible. Don’t get the hype. 4/10.