661 replies to this topic

[Dave Burrell]

Good review and pics as usual. Nothing to compel me to try fast food again (haven't been to a fast food place outside of few times of desperation for the past 10-15+ years). There's only so much you can dress up a Yugo.

I tried Folsom Bistro. Good stuff and consistent w/ your reviews. Looking forward to trying Karen's but I'm gonna need them to hold all the sauce they put on (no pesto, etc; just burger, cheese and tomato).

I keep wanting to try the burger at Tahoe Joe's but I can't get past having a Joe's Steak w/ Baked Potato for basically the same price. All other things being equal, I'm probably going for the steak (sirloin / rib eye) over ground beef (chuck) every time......

BTW, if you ignore a user, how do you keep their comments from showing up in replies as well?

Thanks - and you're right, there's no compelling factors to dash out for fast food when there are so many other better places to dine around Folsom.

Glad to hear you tried out Folsom Bistro and I look forward to reading your review on Karens.


The ignore feature sure is nice ain't it? As for ignoring users like Naga, unfortunately there is no way to also filter them out when they are quoted.

[yahbut]

Best Burger: In-N-Out. Affordable for average folks.
http://www.in-n-out.com/menu.asp

Case closed.

Case only closed IF you prefer thin burgers, with less taste than styrofoam fries.

I wouldn't cross the street to eat In-n-Out, but I am one voice and wouldn't ASSume that everyone else feels the same.

[Darth Lefty]

my point exactly and you're right - maybe we should have two categories because its hard to compare a fast food burger with a gourmet burger

No. It's easy to compare. That's why we have a 5-pt scale. The fast food will score lower... generally... though I think Carl's has the best fries of anywhere we've been (so far).

Case only closed IF you prefer thin burgers, with less taste than styrofoam fries.

I'm not a fan of their fries either, been told to ask for them "well done" next time.

[Dave Burrell]

No. It's easy to compare. That's why we have a 5-pt scale. The fast food will score lower... generally... though I think Carl's has the best fries of anywhere we've been (so far).


I'm not a fan of their fries either, been told to ask for them "well done" next time.

That's just it - they'll always score lower and have no chance of competing with a gourmet burger.

Now about the fries, I disagree - I really like in-n-out french fries, Carls Jr fries are just ok (to me).... my absolute favorite are the fries at Red Robbin

its kinda odd hearing in-n-out fries called styrofoam (and I've heard other similar/worse terms) because they're actually the ONLY real whole french fries made fresh at any fast food place (that I know of) - most all others uses processed fries which is like compressed potato dust being formed into a french fry shape- or they use frozen fries.

[ducky]

That's just it - they'll always score lower and have no chance of competing with a gourmet burger.

Now about the fries, I disagree - I really like in-n-out french fries, Carls Jr fries are just ok (to me).... my absolute favorite are the fries at Red Robbin

its kinda odd hearing in-n-out fries called styrofoam (and I've heard other similar/worse terms) because they're actually the ONLY real whole french fries made fresh at any fast food place (that I know of) - most all others uses processed fries which is like compressed potato dust being formed into a french fry shape- or they use frozen fries.

I'm surprised to hear those comments about In-N-Out fries. They're the only fries my sister can eat safely because she'a extremely allergic to sulfites.

The best burger I've had in a while was at Sylvester's in Los Osos. Kind of far for you guys to go and review, but if any of you are ever in that area I would recommend trying it.

[Darth Lefty]

Now about the fries, I disagree - I really like in-n-out french fries, Carls Jr fries are just ok (to me).... my absolute favorite are the fries at Red Robbin

its kinda odd hearing in-n-out fries called styrofoam (and I've heard other similar/worse terms) because they're actually the ONLY real whole french fries made fresh at any fast food place (that I know of) - most all others uses processed fries which is like compressed potato dust being formed into a french fry shape- or they use frozen fries.

I said Carl's are the best we've had so far in our review cycle, not that they're the best ever. I expect any number of places to do better, but so far we've had limp fries at Folsom Bistro, Ore-Ida knockoffs at Big Dip, pointy overcooked spears of baked potatoey hatefulness at Karens, and good ol Carl's Jr.

Freezing fries is what makes them hang together in the fryer and crisp more on the outside before the inside is done, so they don't arrive as a broken up mess that seems half cooked... like at In-n-Out. I don't see anything wrong with frozen, by itself. The Karen's fries are the same style and a little better but I'd still rather have something I can dip in ketchup without breaking it.

[a little bean]

pointy overcooked spears of baked potatoey hatefulness at Karens

hee hee hee, wow, that's hysterical

[tsukiji]

... pointy overcooked spears of baked potatoey hatefulness at Karens, and good ol Carl's Jr.

Ouch. When I go there, maybe I'll tell them to hold the fries to see if they take the hint. If they don't have a fryer, maybe they should consider mashed potatoes or potato salad instead? Or I like the chips idea.

[Dave Burrell]

I said Carl's are the best we've had so far in our review cycle, not that they're the best ever. I expect any number of places to do better, but so far we've had limp fries at Folsom Bistro, Ore-Ida knockoffs at Big Dip, pointy overcooked spears of baked potatoey hatefulness at Karens, and good ol Carl's Jr.

Freezing fries is what makes them hang together in the fryer and crisp more on the outside before the inside is done, so they don't arrive as a broken up mess that seems half cooked... like at In-n-Out. I don't see anything wrong with frozen, by itself. The Karen's fries are the same style and a little better but I'd still rather have something I can dip in ketchup without breaking it.

good point, they were the best fries out of the four we've tried so far...

still LMAO at the description of the Karen's fries!

pfffft on anything frozen, fresh is the #1 key factor to the best quality ingredients

[Darth Lefty]

pfffft on anything frozen, fresh is the #1 key factor to the best quality ingredients

If it were something complex and delicate I'd agree, but it's potato.

Perhaps I am too hard on Karen's? I can see how potatoes that style could be good... I could have got a bad batch or something...

[yahbut]

That's just it - they'll always score lower and have no chance of competing with a gourmet burger.

Now about the fries, I disagree - I really like in-n-out french fries, Carls Jr fries are just ok (to me).... my absolute favorite are the fries at Red Robbin

its kinda odd hearing in-n-out fries called styrofoam (and I've heard other similar/worse terms) because they're actually the ONLY real whole french fries made fresh at any fast food place (that I know of) - most all others uses processed fries which is like compressed potato dust being formed into a french fry shape- or they use frozen fries.

Can you call those tater wedges at Red Robin fries? As for the other comments...I am allergic to Novacaine and nothing else....fresh is how I like my corn on the cob, why would I care if something deep-fried is fresh?

[Dave Burrell]

Can you call those tater wedges at Red Robin fries? As for the other comments...I am allergic to Novacaine and nothing else....fresh is how I like my corn on the cob, why would I care if something deep-fried is fresh?

they're steak fries and yeah they are a bit larger then french fries but I like 'em with a good burger - compliments the taste very well.

naw fresh is fresh, frozen is not fresh, I can always taste the difference... but thats just me, I'm a stickler for fresh quality foods when it comes to my cooking and what is supposed to be considered gourmet food at a restaurant.

I know fast food is not gourmet and using frozen stuff shouldn't matter but if I had a choice between fresh cut french fries and frozen ones - I'll always prefer fresh

[tsukiji]

Sounds like you guys need a Best Fries thread.

My vote: fries that are on the thinner side (ie - wedge/steak fries are out). I like them fresh; crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Seasoned such that there is a nice balance between the creaminess of the potato and the seasoning -- seasoning should enhance the flavor of the potato, not overwhelm it. I like Yukon Gold potatoes -- nice, natural, buttery flavor. I don't like the fries to be served in the cones (ie - like Folsom Bistro although they are not bad) because the bottom ones get soggy. I prefer them to be served on a plate so that the steam gets vented out and any oil drip doesn't affect the bottom fries.

Anyway, haven't thought about it too much but do like nice fries.

[Deanna H]

Sounds like you guys need a Best Fries thread.

My vote: fries that are on the thinner side (ie - wedge/steak fries are out). I like them fresh; crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Seasoned such that there is a nice balance between the creaminess of the potato and the seasoning -- seasoning should enhance the flavor of the potato, not overwhelm it. I like Yukon Gold potatoes -- nice, natural, buttery flavor. I don't like the fries to be served in the cones (ie - like Folsom Bistro although they are not bad) because the bottom ones get soggy. I prefer them to be served on a plate so that the steam gets vented out and any oil drip doesn't affect the bottom fries.

Anyway, haven't thought about it too much but do like nice fries.

Try the fries at Bidwell Street Bistro. Thin, crispy exterior, very tasty!

[Dave Burrell]

Try the fries at Bidwell Street Bistro. Thin, crispy exterior, very tasty!

Very good to hear! - we will be going to Bidwell Street Bistro next Tuesday at noon for our next burger tasting, come on down and join us if you have time.

BSB is my favorite gourmet restaurant in town, I'm really looking forward to trying their burger and fries