Random Thoughts That Don't Deserve Their Own Thread Go Here

[GrantDawg]

I ha e In-N-Out but I hwve had Shake Shack and those were really good burgers. Are they that level?

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[cuervo72]

Yeah, I don't know that I get one burger place over another necessarily, assuming they are frying their burgers basically the same way from fresh meat. McDonalds is obviously different. But Steak and Shake, Culver's, In-N-Out, Freddy's (didn't know about these but ate at one in IN) are all basically good, right? Or like when Five Guys came around. People rave over them because they realize holy shit, McDonalds is total crap!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Yeah, I don't know that I get one burger place over another necessarily, assuming they are frying their burgers basically the same way from fresh meat. McDonalds is obviously different. But Steak and Shake, Culver's, In-N-Out, Freddy's (didn't know about these but ate at one in IN) are all basically good, right? Or like when Five Guys came around. People rave over them because they realize holy shit, McDonalds is total crap!

Steak n Shake and Freddy's are pretty much the same burger. Decent enough meat, smashed flat to the point of being see through and often overcooked unless the grill is manned by someone actually paying attention.

In n Out and Whattaburger are often compared I think, but the former is a thicker patty than the latter. You probably get more argument about who has superior fries, often the difference maker in someone's allegiance I think.

Culver's is a recent entry into the local market here, I think I've had maybe once years ago while traveling somewhere. Almost a hybrid between SnS and Freddy's sharing traits of each, but with the whole "butter burger" twist (bun is buttered and lightly toasted).

And 5 Guys is probably more it's own thing than any of the others mentioned, more closer to a chain version of the "premium burger" category than actual fast food.

As for similar vs different, I'd probably place these into at least 3 distinct categories. Which you prefer just comes down to what your priorities are, but to your question, no I don't think they're just one big category. There's enough differences among the sub-groups that you should notice some differences.

[miked]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Speaking of food, we are getting a Whataburger soon. They opened one north of Atlanta, and it made the news by causing huge traffic issues. Are they really that good?

They are in Woodstock and Kennesaw, may as well be Tennessee.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by miked

They are in Woodstock and Kennesaw, may as well be Tennessee.

10 more due by the end of this year, including Woodstock, Buford, Snellville, Athens, Dawsonville, and Commerce.

[cuervo72]

Yeah, Five Guys is more upscale, but I figured I'd throw them in as an example of something that is not McD/BK that we actually have in the area. There are a couple of Steak&Shakes in DC/Baltimore, but nothing nearby. We had an Elevation Burger for a time, but that closed and was replaced by another place similar to but not Elevation Burger (same strip mall location), but that closed too. Other than that, nada. Culver's starts popping up in Ohio and has two locations in West Lafayette/Lafayette, so my wife presses to go there whenever we go out to Purdue because, well, ice cream.

(oh, Culver's is also down in Daytona thanks to snowbirds, I suppose)

[stevew]

McDonald’s Quarter Pounder is a good burger. I’d rather have Five Guys but it’s still good.

[JonInMiddleGA]

For regional chain wars (not so much the "is it the same" issue tho) let's not overlook the White Castle or Krystal debate that occurs now and then.

I think those only overlap in like Kentucky and Nashville, so they're mostly a "one or the other" division.

[GrantDawg]

I would say Krystal, but I really didn't see that big a difference between the two. I think there is generally more mustard on a Krystal burger.
Fries do make a difference to most people, but I can take fries or leave them. Shake Shack fries were disappointing, but those burgers were top notch.

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[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I would say Krystal, but I really didn't see that big a difference between the two. I think there is generally more mustard on a Krystal burger.
Fries do make a difference to most people, but I can take fries or leave them. Shake Shack fries were disappointing, but those burgers were top notch.

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Krystal ruined their fries some time back, so that's a strike against but I'll take their burger as the winner there. Probably nothing more than it having set the category standard for me so it's what they're "supposed" to be like.

There's actually a local joint where I grew up who does their own version of those little squares & I might take those over either tbh.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Yeah, I don't know that I get one burger place over another necessarily, assuming they are frying their burgers basically the same way from fresh meat. McDonalds is obviously different. But Steak and Shake, Culver's, In-N-Out, Freddy's (didn't know about these but ate at one in IN) are all basically good, right? Or like when Five Guys came around. People rave over them because they realize holy shit, McDonalds is total crap!

This is accurate for me as well. I don't think we have ever sought out a burger place outside of a preference for some version of a Big Mac, a Whopper, or a Wendy's burger unless we are on vacation. They just built a Culver's within a mile of the house and my son has asked to go there on multiple occasions but I think that has more to do with how much he enjoys onion rings as opposed to the quality of burger there. I am not saying that I have not tasted a difference from a White Castle(from what I remember since it has been at least fifteen years since I tasted one) and a Five Guys burger for example. It is more a case of it's just a burger in my mind. I just need it to take up space in my stomach and not give me food poisoning.

Now fries on the other hand... let's just say I have gone through one drive thru to get a burger, chicken. etc and driven someplace else just to get an order of fries to go with it.

[cuervo72]

The only time we go to White Castle is, again, when we are in Lafayette. There's one right by the two hotels we typically stay at and have gone there when other things are closed. Again there is scant meat on those, but I do like them; probably because my reaction is mmm, sallllttttt.

Culver's is good for o-rings, which we get sometimes, but we almost always get cheese curds. Love cheese curds (though I'd say I like the ones at Sheetz better -- less breading/crunch and again, probably more salt. Sheetz though basically stops being an option once we're past Columbus.)

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

The only time we go to White Castle is, again, when we are in Lafayette. There's one right by the two hotels we typically stay at and have gone there when other things are closed. Again there is scant meat on those, but I do like them; probably because my reaction is mmm, sallllttttt.

Culver's is good for o-rings, which we get sometimes, but we almost always get cheese curds. Love cheese curds (though I'd say I like the ones at Sheetz better -- less breading/crunch and again, probably more salt. Sheetz though basically stops being an option once we're past Columbus.)

I still haven't tried Culver's. There is one in the nest town over, but I hardly ever get out that way anymore.
Krystals is just one of those taste that you crave sometimes. Also, cheap to buy a bag, and have some for several days. It was our go to on long drives when the kids were little. Buy a bag, and just snack on them as we go.

[Ghost Econ]

They closed our Krystal's 2 years ago... I assume it's because my mom is getting older and makes us come visit her, so no one went to the Krystal's any more. She also loves Steak and Shake, which is pretty much the same burger as Culver's. No idea how S&S is still open here, although their chili and a coke is great if you're out late at night.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Ghost Econ

They closed our Krystal's 2 years ago... I assume it's because my mom is getting older and makes us come visit her, so no one went to the Krystal's any more. She also loves Steak and Shake, which is pretty much the same burger as Culver's. No idea how S&S is still open here, although their chili and a coke is great if you're out late at night.

Speaking of not knowing how they stay open, has anyone seen a busy Hardess in the last few years? They always seem empty. If you ever go to the drivethrough, they act like they are surprised you are ordering. Makes me think they are just a front of some kind.

[NobodyHere]

It must be nice to be able to afford fast food.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

It must be nice to be able to afford fast food.

Somebody please buy this man a cheeseburger.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Speaking of not knowing how they stay open, has anyone seen a busy Hardess in the last few years? They always seem empty. If you ever go to the drivethrough, they act like they are surprised you are ordering. Makes me think they are just a front of some kind.

That's because they ARE surprised anyone is there past breakfast hours. Why they don't go to full-time breakfast eludes me, though I imagine it's employee scarcity related.

Regular pricing is absurd, service is sketchy a.f. at pretty much all of 'em, order accuracy is an issue for 40 years running, ... which is a shame because their food, when prepared properly, is actually pretty decent as the category goes

[Coffee Warlord]

Middle school math refresher. My son's getting into shit I'm second guessing if I remember. Bear with me as I try and draw this in text.

Where x = 4:

    
     ( x + 3 ) 
 8   ( ----- )
     (   4   )

Note the ()'s encompass the entire fraction section. Just one set. There's just no good way to draw that. ie - There's no singular ()'s set around the x + 3, it's "x + 3 over 4".

I'm pretty sure that becomes 8(7/4) in this instance. Am I insane? Just second guessing my order of operations with no ()'s around the x+3.

[21C]

Which becomes 56/4 = 14. (If I'm reading the questions right).

[Coffee Warlord]

Yeah, I got 14 out of that mess as well. As did my son.

[Ksyrup]

How are the Limu Emu commercials still being made? It's what "trying too hard to be funny and failing miserably" looks like as a commercial campaign.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Culver's is a recent entry into the local market here, I think I've had maybe once years ago while traveling somewhere. Almost a hybrid between SnS and Freddy's sharing traits of each, but with the whole "butter burger" twist (bun is buttered and lightly toasted).

Culver's originated in Wisconsin. They've been infiltrating the Chicago market for a while now. But since we semi-routinely drive up to visit friends & family in Minnesota, I think we're at the point where we've hit every Culver's off of 90 & 94 between here and there.

What I'm saying is that my boys really like Culver's.

[Ksyrup]

Never heard of Culver's until we moved to KY but we've got several. We go there for the custard more than anything, but when we eat the food, the one thing I like is that it's made to order. So you wait longer - even the drive thru, they have spots to pull-up and wait and people bring it out - but it's always hot. And hot goes a long way to making the meal good in fast food.

[Ghost Econ]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

That's because they ARE surprised anyone is there past breakfast hours. Why they don't go to full-time breakfast eludes me, though I imagine it's employee scarcity related.

Regular pricing is absurd, service is sketchy a.f. at pretty much all of 'em, order accuracy is an issue for 40 years running, ... which is a shame because their food, when prepared properly, is actually pretty decent as the category goes

I miss the Hardee's fried chicken from the 90s. Ordering fried chicken and biscuits from Bojangles these days is just an expensive knockoff.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ghost Econ

I miss the Hardee's fried chicken from the 90s. Ordering fried chicken and biscuits from Bojangles these days is just an expensive knockoff.

But I ain't at all sure that Mrs. Winner's didn't have em both beat for chicken if you take each at their poultry peak.

Plus, best fast food sweet tea EVER.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Somebody please buy this man a cheeseburger.

I’ve got a couple cans of collard greens that I can send him?

[stevew]

Everyone around here is getting decimated with garbage fee increases and it’s going predictably insane in the comment section.

(Like 100-150% increase)

To me what’s more concerning is that they could only find 1 bidder.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by stevew

Everyone around here is getting decimated with garbage fee increases and it’s going predictably insane in the comment section.

(Like 100-150% increase)

To me what’s more concerning is that they could only find 1 bidder.

Was it Tony Soprano's company that won?

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

But I ain't at all sure that Mrs. Winner's didn't have em both beat for chicken if you take each at their poultry peak.

Plus, best fast food sweet tea EVER.

Excellent biscuits as well.

[Edward64]

I’m not educated on everything that’s happened with Australia’s First People but it’s refreshing to see there seems to be more Australian public support to making it right than in the US & native Americans.

It seems we only read about Native Americans stuck in their reservations and casinos helping them. I know there’s more but that’s what the media feeds us.

[CrimsonFox]

Keith Olbermann, Cris Collinsworth, Mozart, Patton Oswald, Mike Patton, Mimi Rogers, Frank Miller, Danny Aeiello, Brian Downey, Nick Mason, Troy Donohue, Donna Reed, David Seville (and the chipmunks), Jerome Kern, Wilhelm II, Titanic captain Edward Smith, Lewis Carroll, Schubert and Albert of Sacony also have the same birthday as me today

[Ghost Econ]

At the casino and they let me in but checked my wife's ID. I mean, it says if you look over 40 they won't check, and I am 40 and she's 39... but come on man.

[RainMaker]

I have realized that the restaurants with the worst service sometimes make the best food. Definitely when ordering Chinese food.

[B & B]

TIL that of the six highest grossing movies of all time that Ive seen only one.

That was back in the 90s and the only reason for watching it was because it got me laid.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by B & B

TIL that of the six highest grossing movies of all time that Ive seen only one.

That was back in the 90s and the only reason for watching it was because it got me laid.

Jurassic Park?

[Edward64]

I'm guessing Titanic.

[JPhillips]

Non-profit companies shouldn't be dropping millions on stadium naming rights.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Non-profit companies shouldn't be dropping millions on stadium naming rights.

Eh, plenty of millions spent by non-profits on marketing that's potentially less effective.

[cuervo72]

To revisit the truck thing:

A new F-150 is just a minivan with a doorless trunk. pic.twitter.com/IsRZeyJB4v

— FuckCars (@FuckCarsReddit) January 29, 2023

[Ksyrup]

I'm assuming you can't extend the bed into the cab the way you can fold or remove seats in a van or SUV so in reality, aside from the height advantage, vans and SUVs are probably more versatile.

[bhlloy]

I think if I had a sketch comedy show, the very first thing I’d parody is truck adverts with the lumberjack saving the day somewhere in the wilds of Montana vs the rich suburban soccer mom and their adolescent kids who actually probably are their target audience.

Funnily enough that thought came to me again yesterday as I was watching all the ads during football.

[Lathum]

New Jersey banned plastic grocery bags a while bag and after a short period of adjustment no big deal. One thing I have noticed though is cashiers no longer bag your groceries. 9/10 times they finish scanning then stand there and watch you bag your own.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Funnily enough that thought came to me again yesterday as I was watching all the ads during football.

The one that got me during football was the Bud Light? one where the girl is carrying 5 glasses back through a crowd. As someone who bartended/barbacked/bounced at different points I can guarantee you my reaction would not be an appreciative head nod, it would be "oh shit please stop or let me help you so I don't need to clean up broken glass."

[NobodyHere]

I was randomly browsing reddit today and I came across a screen name of a former FOFC poster.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

To revisit the truck thing:

I was actually looking at trucks because it would be helpful with moving pinball machines. Then I realized they probably wouldn't even fit.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Lathum

New Jersey banned plastic grocery bags a while bag and after a short period of adjustment no big deal.

That would pretty much be the end of my grocery shopping entirely.

Zero point zero percent chance that I'm going to a) carry around & keep track of a bunch of f'n bags, b) make a multitude of trips upstairs lugging paper bags when plastic would have allowed it to be done in one or two

I can't think of much that could happen in the niche that would be a bigger deal to me.

[Ksyrup]

When we went to Hawaii, we had to pay for using bags. So we bought a couple reusables but of course forgot them, then forgot we had to pay every time we went to the register... good times.

[GrantDawg]

I remember in the late 70's early 80's some stores started doing "warehouse" style. They didn't bag, and you had to either bring your own bags and boxes or pay a fee. Mom used to go because there was a considerable discount. Didn't last.

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[Lathum]

It's coming everywhere so be ready for it. Once you get into a routine it really isn't any different. The bags are reusable so you just keep them in the car.