Dick's (Drive-in) (Seattle, Vancouver, Bellevue: home, live, restaurants)

[Steve Bowen]

Is Dick's a substitute for In-n-Out? Absolutely not. I don't think there is any substitute for In-n-Out. But it's a decent burger that's fast and cheap. Dick's is fine for what it is.

[bloom]

What is a sub for In-n-Out if any here ?
Crap, the closest Smashburger (another good one) is in Idaho...

[seattlenextyear]

Well, In and Out burgers taste like any other fastfood hamburger. So like, I don't know, Burger King or Wendy's maybe.


If you want a good hamburger, go to Red Mill.

[Ira500]

Dick's and In-N-Out have a lot in common, but not so much the food. They both have long time die hard fans, a lot of loyalty. Foodwise, In-N-Out uses better quality ingredients. They're both old , family owned chains, and they both pay their employees more than typical fast food joints do. Interestingly, the Snyders of In-N-Out fame met while living in Seattle, and moved to SoCal where Harry Snyder grew up, to start the restaurant.
As far as good cheap burgers go, I like Burgermaster more than Dick's. Another old local chain.

[tobester]

Originally Posted by GatsbyGatz

Dicks has nothing over In-n-out. My fiancee and I moved from LA 3 months ago and have given Dicks multiple chances in hopes that it could replace In-n-out, but not in a lifetime will it ever measure up. The burgers have lower quality meat, lower quality produce (they give you pathetic tomato slices while In-n-out gives you huge slices of FRESH tomato, ...

Dick's doesn't mess with tomatoes ... don't know where you got one so garnished. As other have said, Dick's is Dick's , In-n-Out is In-n-Out. Appreciate each for what they are - decent food. I will say Dick's has a cult like following in Seattle. And my favorite thing is they're only on the correct side of the lake ... as the old Almost Live show said - Eastsiders have no Dick's

[bloom]

Originally Posted by seattlenextyear

Well, In and Out burgers taste like any other fastfood hamburger. So like, I don't know, Burger King or Wendy's maybe.


If you want a good hamburger, go to Red Mill.

The king and the clown are terrible. I-n-O and Smashburger were much better quality.

[Wardendresden]

Smashburger is relatively new chain that started in Denver and was featured a couple of months ago on an ABC Nightline episode. They "smash" their burgers and hold them down on the grill to put a burn on the outside of the burger which provides a distinct taste unlike those that just sit on a grill. I eat them without the company "sauce" which, imo, detracts from the great flavor. They also grill the bun lightly.

I've had In-and-Out and classify it as some of you have classified Dick's. Okay, but just okay. I do like 5 Guys and have eaten there several times. But Smashburger, which now has about a dozen locations in Dallas is the best of the better burger joints (classifying Mac's, Wendy's, BK as lower end burgers).

At the end of the Nightline episode the reporter went with a professional food critic to a top New York restaurant that serves burgers --at $20 a pop--and the professional critic stated that Smashburger was cooking their burger the same way as the NY restaurant.

Anyway, if you get to Denver, or here to Dallas, try one. I don't know how many states they've spread to because they've only been operational since 2007 I think. Here is a blurb about how their founder is in the top 25 food entrepreneur group--

Kate Sekules reflects on culinary Americana to recount the greatest success stories for the past two-and-a-half decades


What makes these 25 the premier epicurean entrepreneurs of the past quarter century? While all have founded financially successful empires (whether boutique or giant), more importantly these men and women have made a significant impact on the country’s food culture. Chefs and restaurateurs only qualified if they also established a clear—and, yes, lucrative—brand. For a retailer to make the grade, they must have maintained their integrity and hewed closely to their original vision. But haute cuisine maestro or fast-food purveyor, all 25 share one thing in common: Their businesses have shifted the axis of American taste.

25.Tom Ryan: Smashburger
Denver-based fast-food veteran Ryan (he led the stuffed-crust-inventing team at Pizza Hut before becoming McDonalds’ CMO) remembers thinking “the hamburger is our favorite food, and still we’re not satisfied.” His solution—quality beef “smashed” to order on a butter-brushed griddle in fun, friendly surroundings—seems to hit that spot: The company has 450 signed franchise agreements on top of their 143 locations, and the title of 2011’s “most promising company in America,” according to Forbes.

← Varied menu brings sizzling growth for Denver-based Smashburger
SMASHBURGER SIZZLES INTO ITS NINTH NEW JERSEY LOCATION, 150th NATIONWIDE →

Smashburger Founder Among The Top 25 American Food Entrepreneurs

I think of Seattle, my mind goes to fish!!!

[bloom]

Originally Posted by Wardendresden

Smashburger is relatively new chain that started in Denver and was featured a couple of months ago on an ABC Nightline episode. They "smash" their burgers and hold them down on the grill to put a burn on the outside of the burger which provides a distinct taste unlike those that just sit on a grill. I eat them without the company "sauce" which, imo, detracts from the great flavor.

I've had In-and-Out and classify it as some of you have classified Dick's. Okay, but just okay. I do like 5 Guys and have eaten there several times. But Smashburger, which now has about a dozen locations in Dallas is the best of the better burger joints (classifying Mac's, Wendy's, BK as lower end burgers).

At the end of the Nightline episode the reporter went with a professional food critic to a top New York restaurant that serves burgers --at $20 a pop--and the professional critic stated that Smashburger was cooking their burger the same way as the NY restaurant.

Anyway, if you get to Denver, or here to Dallas, try one. I don't know how many states they've spread to because they've only been operational about since 2007 I think. Here is a blurb about how their founder is in the top 25 food entrepreneur group--

Smashburger Founder Among The Top 25 American Food Entrepreneurs

I think of Seattle, my mind goes to fish!!!

Thanks for the validation on the Smashburger, also in San Diego. I actually like their chipotle sauce and their lettuce/tomato fixin's are tops.

Speaking of fish, where are the real deal here, not touristed overpriced fare - good value, fresh, tasty? You're not going beat my fish tacos from California, are you??

[GatsbyGatz]

In-N-Out has shown an interest in opening a distribution center in Seattle. The reason why In-N-Out doesn't open shop anywhere is because the company philosophy is based on making food with never-frozen, fresh ingredients. Thus, In-N-Out has historically only opened shop within a one-day drive of Los Angeles County (with its first expansion farther than a day's drive from LA being Arizona and Texas).

Plans to expand in Portland and Seattle are in the works though. I really can't hold out any longer and plan to get my fix when I fly down to LA for the holidays.

[Arushan]

I always enjoyed Dick's but could no longer eat there since starting a strict gluten-free diet. I-n-O is able to accommodate, so I'd be happy to see them in Seattle.