Okay, I know I’m gonna start a shit war but let’s go….which is the best regional fast food place? Having gone to all three, I’m gonna say In-N-Out has the tastiest burger, but their fries suck now. Whataburger has the most interesting menu and really good spicy ketchup, and Culver’s has Wisconsin cheese curds, so that technically should make it win as the best based on that alone.

46 comments

  1. I’ll take Culver’s over Whataburger any day. I don’t care if that means I have to surrender my Texas card, those burgers ain’t shit after the acquisition and y’all know it.

    (Also Culver’s is genuinely good on its own merits.)

  3. It’s either Culvers or Whataburger. Wr don’t have either here, but we do have in and out, and it’s fucking trash. Drivethru lines that cross entire parking lots and back up into traffic, soggy fries, wimpy burgers, *and* bible verses on their wrappers? That’s a lot of bullshit to suffer for such mediocre food.

  7. No matter what city or state I’m in, Culver’s fries always taste like they were cooked in last year’s grease.

  9. I’ve never had whatabutger, but I had in-n-out for the first time this summer and I wasn’t a fan. The burger was sooooooo salty and the fries seemed under cooked and not salty at all lol. So I guess Culver’s. Which I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat.

  10. I have only been to In-N-Out once, and it was good but not as amazing as portrayed.

    Never been to Culvers or Whataburger at all. I suspect my experience will be the same if I ever do go to one.

  15. Culver’s has the best ice-cream, the cheese sauce with their Buffalo tenders are hands down the best across all fast food restaurants. I think their burgers are mediocre though.

  17. Culver’s has custard, I’ve never had the other but that would probably put it over them

  18. I tried Culver’s while I was traveling and thought it was good but very similar to Freddie’s, which I preferred. I’d go to Culver’s just for the cheese curds though.

    I’ve tried Whataburger a few times and didn’t see what the big deal is. I wouldn’t refuse to go there if I was with someone that wanted to eat there, but it’s not anywhere I’d choose to eat if I had other options.

    While In-N-Out’s fries can suck (I do like them Animal Style), I enjoy their burgers more then the burgers at the other two place’s.

  19. I get that In-N-Out is cheap and the value-for-money there, but… meh. Burger was okay. Fries defo were weak.

    If a Culver’s and In-N-Out were next to each other I’d do Culver’s 10 times out of 10. Haven’t tried a Whataburger yet.

  20. I’ve been to all three, but I’m most familiar with Culver’s, so that’s my choice. In-N-Out was good from what I remember, as was Whataburger, but Culver’s has more unique choices… plus those glorious cheese curds.

  21. I have been to all three but I have been to Culver’s a lot whereas I have only been to the other two on limited occasions.

    I do not understand the hype for In-N-Out. It’s fine, but I don’t think it is anything close to the other two.

    Whataburger is very good, but I think I would vote for Culver’s. The burgers at Culver’s are amazing and they have fantastic sides and custard as well. But no disrespect to Whataburger, they are really good.

  23. Having lived in Austin, I was able to try all three multiple times. My takes:

    I really don’t get the love for In-N-Out, but I’ve only had it in TX. The burgers are fine, but the fries were always flavorless and reminded me of the texture of funyuns. Worst fries in fast food imo.

    Whataburger is like a better McDonalds, nothing amazing but solid options.

    Culver’s was probably the best burger of the three, but crinkle cut fries aren’t my preference.

  24. We have all three in Phoenix, In-n-out is the best of those you named IMO. Then whata, then Culver’s.

    I’ll still take a burger from a local joint any day of the week over those three, but if I’m going to have a burger and fries from a fast food place; it’s going to be in-n-out.

  26. I swear I’m the only person who thinks Culver’s is vastly overrated. It’s okay, but it’s not even close to being the best fast food burger. And yes, their curds are just okay. I’ve never understood the hype behind it

  28. Braum’s is the best one that’s actually regional. Culver’s and Whata are pretty widespread now

  30. Culvers is higher in quality. They have legit great meals like their fish fry, meatloaf ect. Their burgers are made fresh when ordered. Also they have the best diet root beer in the universe.

  31. All are leaps and bounds above McDonald’s, Wendy’s, etc

    If you want just a cheeseburger, in n out is the best

    If you want a bit more variety, Culver’s.

    If you are Texan and indoctrinated to believe Texas is superior, Whataburger

  33. Y’all that like culver’s cheese curds need to come to wisconsin and have some real fried cheese curds.

  34. In-n-out, Culvers, and then whataburger in that order. They all slap. Culvers is basically the midwests in n out

  35. I don’t understand how In-N-Out can ever be on a list of ‘best’ Their fries are an abomination before God. Their fries would need to increase quality by an order of magnitude to approach mediocre. Their fries laugh in the face of all that is right and the mere existence of such a thing is proof that life is unfair.

  37. Thems fighting words, son..

    But going by personal experience and how rapid their expansion has been, Culvers. They’re expanding rapidly and every new region seems to love them.

  41. I don’t understand why people freak out about Culver’s. Their custard is good, but their meal food is garbage. Five Guy’s has the best burger of any chain. Whataburger and In-N-Out come next. Five Guys also had the best fries. Are they regional?

  44. As a born and raised Sconnie, I love Culver’s. The cheese curds are good but please don’t judge us by them. If you’re ever actually in Wisconsin, I suggest going to a mom and pop restaurant, supper club, or bar and getting their cheese curds. They will be far and away better than the ones you get from Culver’s. But for a fast food place, they’re a good choice.

  45. There’s a reason why Gordon Ramsey loves the burgers at In N Out. High quality ingredients, tastes great and not too greasy, and the best bang for your buck.

  46. California resident here who was born and raised in Michigan and has had both In-n-Out and Culver’s dozens of times:

    -Culver’s definitely has the more fresh ingredients, and a more “proper meal” experience… makes you feel more connected to the local ingredients. You pay higher prices though (~$10-11 or so for burger meal). Obviously it’s subjective, but for me the higher quality burger is slightly preferred and noticeable and worth the price – the fries, sides, and other items the quality difference it’s not even close, Culver’s wins.

    -In-n-Out wins from a price standpoint, and honestly maybe even the quality/price ratio. It’s still a damn good burger a tier above mcdonalds/wendy’s, at really fair prices by even CA standards (it’s like $7 for a cheeseburger meal with fries and a drink). Whataburger is not even in the same conversation as these two IMO, I could do without.

    overall if I had to choose 1 and the others close down, it’s really tough but I think I would take In-N-Out. Even though I enjoy culver’s more, the convenience and quality for. $4 basic burger is great… I would visit In-n-out more often than Culver’s and if i’m looking for a really high quality burger/sandwich I am more likely to just go to a restaurant or look elsewhere.

Leave a Reply
You May Also Like