So, America’s top burger expert, George Motz, just dropped his pick for the best fast-food burger in the country.
Yeah, this guy knows burgers, and he’s got a surprise choice for the ultimate fast-food joint.
Most fast-food burgers lack quality and care
“A lot of the fast food places don’t really care about what goes into the food. It’s just about making money quick and getting it out,” Motz told DailyMail.com while he was flipping burgers at his spot in SoHo, NYC.
He added, “They’re like, ‘Eh, this isn’t supposed to be fancy. Let’s just freeze stuff, cut corners, and use crappy buns.’”
In-N-Out makes the best fast-food burger
Motz says, “The best of the few good ones? In-N-Out from California. Then Steak ‘N Shake in the Midwest, and Five Guys on the East Coast.”
He’s all about In-N-Out, saying, “Burgers in the West are just way better. It’s all fresh. Ground beef. High-quality stuff.”
Good hospitality makes a difference
“Even the vibe when you walk in feels good. It’s not cold or disconnected,” he said about In-N-Out, which now has 400 spots.
Bigger fast-food chains feel disconnected
Motz thinks the bigger chains just don’t care about their food anymore. And the whole self-service kiosk thing? He’s not a fan.
“They’re trying to make it so there’s no face to the food,” he said.
But In-N-Out? Totally different. “You walk in, and they’re smiling at you. They’re happy to be there. They do well, but they’ve also built a real community around their brand.”
Californians should be proud of In-N-Out
After their chain lost its spot in another ranking last year, this is probably a bit of a win for In-N-Out fans in California.
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Steak ‘n Shake makes an excellent burger
Even though In-N-Out is his top pick, Motz doesn’t forget about Steak ‘n Shake in the Midwest. “Steak ‘n Shake makes a killer burger. It’s pretty similar to what I make,” he said.
Five Guys keeps it simple but great
And then there’s Five Guys. Motz says, “They’re awesome too. Simple, no-fuss burger. It’s great.”
These three chains are the best for road trips
If Motz is on a road trip, here’s where he’d go: “In-N-Out on the West Coast, Steak ‘n Shake in the Midwest, and Five Guys on the East Coast — that’s the dream burger stop for me.”
McDonald’s isn’t topping the burger game
Now, Motz is pretty blunt about McDonald’s. “I don’t like McDonald’s hamburgers,” he said. “They’ve got a huge brand, but their burgers? Nah, not the best.”
America should be known for better burgers
Motz thinks America should be about better burgers, not just McDonald’s. “It shouldn’t be McDonald’s showing the world what a burger is. It should be a place that actually makes a quality burger,” he said.
“McDonald’s is still massive, but I just wish the burgers were better.”
So next time you’re craving a fast-food burger, maybe skip the drive-thru and try one of these gems instead. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you!
