In 'n Out expanding in Oregon (Portland, Albany: shopping center, places to eat, vacations)

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

I don't often agree with Cloudy, but this one he hit right on. There is no such thing as a decent fast food burger. I don't know of a single fast food joint that will even grill toast the buns, they just stuff some meat between two sheets of library paste.

My problem is that a burger and fries just doesn't taste right without a pint to wash it down with. I can't stand eating meat and savory condiments with something sweet like a coke. I need a good ale or lager. So that pretty much eliminates any fast food no matter how good. If In-and-Out started serving microbrews I'd be more interested.

Now that my kids have aged out of the Happy Meal stage of life I find that we just don't ever do fast food anymore. Once in while Pandas or Teryaki take-out but that's it.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

I've not been to either In N Out or 5 Guys.


Burgerville does some great "in season" food. When Marionberries are in season, they do a very worthwhile marionberry shake and their Walla Walla Sweet onion rings are good.


Carl's Jr does some good fancied up burgers but they are not cheap.

[Hawk J]

The In 'n Out in Grants Pass is right next to I-5. There is easy on & off freeway access. They seem to stay pretty busy.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by texasdiver

My problem is that a burger and fries just doesn't taste right without a pint to wash it down with. I can't stand eating meat and savory condiments with something sweet like a coke. I need a good ale or lager. So that pretty much eliminates any fast food no matter how good. If In-and-Out started serving microbrews I'd be more interested.

Now that my kids have aged out of the Happy Meal stage of life I find that we just don't ever do fast food anymore. Once in while Pandas or Teryaki take-out but that's it.

Red Robin is your only choice. They have a full bar. Avoid busy hours, though. I went once and my burger was cold by the time I got it. I never went back.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

I've not been to either In N Out or 5 Guys.


Burgerville does some great "in season" food. When Marionberries are in season, they do a very worthwhile marionberry shake and their Walla Walla Sweet onion rings are good.


Carl's Jr does some good fancied up burgers but they are not cheap.

My favorite Carl's Jr. meal is the taco salad. You have to go inside and sit at a table to eat it. You use a fork and everything.

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

Red Robin is your only choice. They have a full bar. Avoid busy hours, though. I went once and my burger was cold by the time I got it. I never went back.

Well no, there are a LOT of choices for a burger and a pint that aren't Red Robin. They just aren't corporate chains that frequent freeway interchanges. But even in terms of chains in the Portland area that serve burgers and pints you have:

Killer Burger: https://killerburger.com/
McMenamin's: https://www.mcmenamins.com/
BJ's Brewhouse: https://www.bjsrestaurants.com/
RAM Restaurant and Brewery: https://www.theram.com/

I'm not sure if there are any Chili's around here but they do burgers and beer.

And there are a bazillion brewpubs scattered around the Portland metro that serve good burgers. Near my house for burgers I'm partial to:

Hopworks: https://hopworksbeer.com/
Grains of Wrath: https://gowbeer.com/food/

But there are literally hundreds of choices without having to drive to Keizer.

[Hawk J]

Taprock Northwest Grill has some good vittles...


https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=...39.jjZYZ2qPsYk

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by Cloudy Dayz

LOL I hate to disagree with your agreement, but. I'm not sure about grill toasting, but I think most of them toast the bun, one way or another. I mean that is almost a necessity for even the worst burger. I know McD's used to grill toast the buns, but I don't know how they do it now days. I'm thinking the pasty buns you are getting are just poor quality baking. Nice restaurants tend to use better quality buns.

I haven't seen a toasted bun in years. The vaunted I&O just serves white bread paste buns, and doesn't even steam them. "Fast food" and "good burger" do not go together in any way.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

I haven't seen a toasted bun in years. The vaunted I&O just serves white bread paste buns, and doesn't even steam them. "Fast food" and "good burger" do not go together in any way.

Well, I have never had a Burger King or McDonald's burger that wasn't toasted in my life. Back in the day, McD's used to grill toast their buns, but now it looks like they use a toaster. BK has always used a bun toaster. It's not always super apparent after the burger is made that the bun is toasted, but it is toasted. It would be a lot worse if it wasn't. That said, I agree that "Fast food" and "good burger" don't go together.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xedkk1xvgeo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBrEI7jQ3Jw

[PNW-type-gal]

the original discussion was In-N-Out and Oregon, let's get back to that rather than a scenic detour in to all fast food chains.