Cook Out vs. Char Grill ... pros/cons Your vote? (Cary: restaurants, price)

[Shelby1234]

I've never been to either but have heard strong opinions about which one people prefer. If you've been to both, why do you prefer one over the other (certain menu item, style of cooking, etc)? Thanks.

[ribsauce]

Char Grill crushes quality wise, but Cook Out is 4 bucks for the tray and open until 3am

so I call it a draw

[VaNC]

Count me in as one who just doesn't understand Char-Grill. The burgers are overcooked and tasteless and the shakes are thick, but come from a boxed mix...not real ice cream (I have watched them pour the "stuff" in). I just don't get the appeal....I need more than the novelty of sliding your orders down the chute.

Now Cook out, I don't know what the use for the base of their shakes, but the other ingredients (peach, watermelon) are fresh, cause you can see and taste them. I have never eaten a burger from cookout, so can't compare.

[tlh1005]

Hands down Char Grill for quality and taste. One thing about Cook Out however is that it is quick, a bit cheaper, and a little known fact, they have decent BBQ sandwiches (vinegar based).

[MAtoNC!]

Just to throw another burger joint into the mix: Five Guys vs. Char Grill. I prefer Five Guys! I thought Char Grill was just ok. I haven't been to Cookout yet.

Of course I don't have a regular diet of burgers and fries Doesn't shopping at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's cancel it out?

[dragonfly0428]

I gotta say Cook Out. The first time I went there, dinner for two was about $10. I was amazed, because I even had a blueberry milkshake! Great variety, great price, and probably a lot better taste than your "normal" fast food.

CharGrill seems kinda limited to me....

[Chicky]

The ideal: CookOut milkshakes & Five Guys burgers.

[Dire Wolf]

Char Grill burgers are excellent and much better than Cook Out. Shakes are pretty much a draw, although I prefer the thick shakes of Char Grill. Five Guys is pretty lousy, IMO. Far, far too greasy.

As far as indoor places, gotta give a shout out to Abbey Road in Cary. Man, what a burger. Honorable mention to Fat Daddy's.

[J_Lurk]

I love to go to the Char Grill on Hillsborough. It's just such a cultural experience: the mix of people, the near misses as cars drive through, the birds desperately trying to get leftover bits of lettuce off the pavement.

But for me, no other Char Grill is the same. We went to the Cary one last week. It wasn't even close. All of Char Grill's mystique centers around the Hillsborough Road location.

And I must confess I've grown to really like Five Guys burgers too.

[rfb]

I prefer Char Grill. I guess I've been here long enough (> 20 years) to have grown accustomed to their burgers. I also like Backyard Burgers a lot, and love the malted shakes. I've tried Five Guys a couple of times, and have been underwhelmed. I just don't like the fried burgers - they are way to greasy, and much prefer the grilled burgers available at other restaurants.