Duplicates and Five Guys

So two quick notes prior to posting the next original #. First, I had a duplicate or two recently that I unfortunately forgot the numbers to. I'll have to find out what dates they were on so I can at least keep track of the number of visits.

Second, I tried Five Guys. It's a burger place that started on the east coast and has made its way west. People rave about it and for some reason compare to In-N-Out, despite the burgers and fries being drastically different. I'll keep my review of them quick. I liked the burger, had a different taste than In-N-Out and one I would eat again. Main differences being bacon and mayonnaise. The fries though were bottom of the barrel. They are much thicker than In-N-Out, already a minus for me. Plus they were just really bland and I had to use heavy amounts of ketchup to make them taste ok, even the "cajun" spiced ones.

So yeah, that's my quick update.

#54, another dupe...BUT WAIT

Special Ultra Deluxe Duplicate Review (dedicated to my sister in law)

Rating: 8.5 / 10

Notice anything about the burger? Well, other than the meat missing (it is actually in there somewhere). For the first time in history I tried my burger "Protein Style". For the people who don't know what this is, it's just replacing the bun with lettuce. So then how did I like it?

Let's get everything else out of the way. The fries were pretty much cooked just right, but like almost always needed some S&P. The drink was just fine and tasted perfectly normal (Diet Coke will never taste above "normal", so as long as it doesn't taste bad it's "perfect").

The "burger" was pretty good honestly. There's a lot of issues with it but the overall taste I enjoyed. To start with there is two tomatoes. I decided to at least try it with both to see how the intended format of Protein Style was. Honestly, the two tomatoes gave it too much of a sour taste. Could have been bad tomatoes but I've never been one for two slices anyways. After taking one slice off the taste improved multiple times over. So what's wrong with the Protein Style then? It's messy. The sauce really has nowhere to go but down, so holding from the sides is a must. And the major issue is that since you don't have a warm bun surrounding everything the ingredients don't stay warm as long. Especially when you factor in that the warm bun has been replaced with lettuce that has ice in its very name. Also, taking out the bun makes it a bit less filling.

So will I ever get this again? Yes. But I will not get it at lunch when I am at work, as I don't get home before the hunger kicks in later in the day. Which maybe means more weekend trips and when I consider the fact that it tastes quite a bit different than a normal hamburger, we could be getting back to twice a week In-N-Out more often.

#28...dupity dupe

I'm pretty sure not only was #28 my first dupe, but now my first dupe of a dupe. Blargh.

#83...

Was a duplicate. I have tentative plans to go tomorrow even though #83 was just 2 days ago. Quite frankly, it's been pretty tasty the last couple of times. When it tastes like an 8.5 or above, it makes me want to go more often.

Oh duplicates...how you annoy me.

Usually I don't feel compelled to write about the duplicates, only mention them in brief. However, the two most recent visits for me have been duplicates. Looks like my long run has simply dried up and now it will seem amazing next I get another original. So why do I feel the need to write about these duplicates? Well, I'll let you know...

#75 duplicate. If this were an original at the usual location, it might have been rated near the bottom of my list. The points of interest that stand out from this visit? Well, it was my first visit to the location I went to (San Marcos). I had high hopes for this location, but alas they disappointed me. Outside of that it was the first time I used a gift card. See, I got a gift card from a friend last Christmas and forgot I had some remaining money on it, so $1.51 was paid for by gift card. On that note, Xmas this year brought a new gift card, so it won't be the last time that payment method is used.

#62 duplicate on the other hand was the opposite end of the spectrum. At the usual Carlsbad location, but this was one of the best meals I've had at In-N-Out Burger in a few weeks. Probably due in part because the bun was not toasted on the grill, so that helps. The fries were also near perfectly cooked. Anyways, it could have been a 9.0 or better had the # been original. Another interesting thing? I got my order to go and sat outside because it was really busy inside. Oh yeah, it was raining all morning, still really cloudy, and the tables were soaking wet. But I wasn't about to take In-N-Out into my new car yet so outside it was. Lastly, while in line two people who did not know each other decided to have a conversation about Montana. Not that I would normally care, but I was in between them! I almost told the guy behind me to just cut so he could talk to her without having to talk through me. I also forgot to use my new gift card! Oh well.

Better luck next time I hope.

Another dupe...

Went to get an In-N-Out Burger for the first time in like 2.5 weeks yesterday. I'm pretty sure that is the longest I have gone without going since I started this whole thing. So why the long wait? I wasn't pressuring myself to go like I have been, usually wanting to get posts for this blog so I can have something to update on. I felt like when I was forcing myself to go at least once a week that it was taking away from my actual enjoyment of the meal. This time, I just waited until I wanted to go. At one point last week I planned on going but a co-worker suggested we go to this build your own burger place called The Counter. Overall I liked it, except one major issue. If you read the intro to the site you would know I like thin fast food style patties, not a lot of meat basically. This place had nothing smaller than 1/3 lb for their patty, so there was a decent amount of meat. But it gave me a chance to mix it up with some cheddar and some bacon. Also got the standard lettuce, tomato and mayo. I'll go to The Counter again, but probably get chicken instead. A chicken with bacon, cheddar and chipotle mayo sandwich would be something nice to have every now and then. Or maybe I go and get a burger with an egg and bacon and chili? Or something else outlandish.

Anyways, back to In-N-Out. This was a duplicate, #53, but it was very enjoyable. Having not been in so long I was actually excited to go. I won't get into a full review but will say that I think a consistent issue for me at In-N-Out is them grilling the bun or whatever they do. I like my bun to be soft, and the hard edges just ruins it for me sometimes. I am going to start asking for my bun not to be grilled/whatever from now on.

'Til next time...

Dupe

Went a few days ago, got #28 again. Crazy thing about that is my previous "false" dupe from the shake experience was #29. I should make sure to track all the duplicates as well, see when I first get a dupe of a dupe.

Guest #29...wait a minute!

This is the receipt that is technically a duplicate that I still don't know whether to count or not. It wasn't an actual meal, just some shakes. And remember, I don't plan on ever getting their shakes again (I'm sure some die hard In-N-Out shake fan will rant about that, but oh well).

Special In-N-Out post.

Somehow I forgot to post this on the blog the other day. Apologies for that and I will make up for it somehow.

Thursday night I decided I wanted to finally try an In-N-Out shake, as oddly enough I've never had their shake. So we stopped and decided to go in an get a #.

Turns out that was a mistake. As the first "official" duplicate # is now 29. Not sure if it should be counted. I took it as a sign that I should never have an In-N-Out shake again (not to mention I wasn't impressed).