Cause of death "Hamburger Game"
June 10, 2014 10:02 PM Subscribe
In a single day, in, I guess, ten drawn out videos?
posted by ReeMonster at 10:25 PM on June 10, 2014
posted by ReeMonster at 10:25 PM on June 10, 2014
Six videos, it turns out
posted by DoctorFedora at 10:27 PM on June 10, 2014
posted by DoctorFedora at 10:27 PM on June 10, 2014
I am constantly worried throughout all these videos that one of these poor men will spontaneously barf all over the camera.
posted by ruhroh at 10:37 PM on June 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by ruhroh at 10:37 PM on June 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
SPOILER: No barfing
posted by DoctorFedora at 10:39 PM on June 10, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by DoctorFedora at 10:39 PM on June 10, 2014 [3 favorites]
"Mister three to the fifth" is a great nickname.
posted by Earthtopus at 10:43 PM on June 10, 2014 [6 favorites]
posted by Earthtopus at 10:43 PM on June 10, 2014 [6 favorites]
God that was drawn out. I'm all for hamburgers, but this was bizarrely uninteresting.
posted by flippant at 10:50 PM on June 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by flippant at 10:50 PM on June 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
This is pretty funny - I love "tyre roulette".
posted by betweenthebars at 10:50 PM on June 10, 2014
posted by betweenthebars at 10:50 PM on June 10, 2014
Yah, tyre roulette! The whole thing is really well made. Enormously entertaining.
posted by Pudhoho at 10:51 PM on June 10, 2014 [6 favorites]
posted by Pudhoho at 10:51 PM on June 10, 2014 [6 favorites]
I want some too.
Well flippant, it hits all the Japanese food tv tropes and does so in a millennial, Internetty, ironic way.
posted by notyou at 10:52 PM on June 10, 2014
Well flippant, it hits all the Japanese food tv tropes and does so in a millennial, Internetty, ironic way.
posted by notyou at 10:52 PM on June 10, 2014
Because the rest of the series is a bit tricky to find:
In-n-Out and Wendys
Carl's Jr and Tommys
Astro Burger and Fat Burger
Burger King and Five Guys
Five Guys continued and McDonalds
That Fat Burger was grossly disgusting!
posted by unliteral at 10:55 PM on June 10, 2014 [10 favorites]
In-n-Out and Wendys
Carl's Jr and Tommys
Astro Burger and Fat Burger
Burger King and Five Guys
Five Guys continued and McDonalds
That Fat Burger was grossly disgusting!
posted by unliteral at 10:55 PM on June 10, 2014 [10 favorites]
These are the guys from the hamburger train, right?
posted by komara at 10:58 PM on June 10, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by komara at 10:58 PM on June 10, 2014 [3 favorites]
There are few things as enjoyable as watching someone get the meat sweats.
posted by billyfleetwood at 10:59 PM on June 10, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by billyfleetwood at 10:59 PM on June 10, 2014 [3 favorites]
Hilarious! In the Fat Burger one, at about 8:30 they are sitting on a Phil Dunphy real estate bench.
These guys are pretty sharp if you ask me.
posted by salishsea at 11:07 PM on June 10, 2014
These guys are pretty sharp if you ask me.
posted by salishsea at 11:07 PM on June 10, 2014
Holy crap, that Jack-in-the-Box? That's in my neighborhood. I'm bummed I missed this when they filmed it.
Also, no love for Burger Lounge? Mo Better Burgers? Apple Pan?
posted by RakDaddy at 11:15 PM on June 10, 2014 [2 favorites]
Also, no love for Burger Lounge? Mo Better Burgers? Apple Pan?
posted by RakDaddy at 11:15 PM on June 10, 2014 [2 favorites]
At first I thought this would be an homage to The World's End, but with hamburger. (That movie is funny on the first run, only, IMO.)
This is way better. This is nuts. I wish I knew these guys as friends. The adventures we could have...!
Some of the quotes I could quote would be NSFW, but entirely appropriate and safe in the context of the video.
"They look very fresh and cylindrical."
Ahahaha time to sleep now.
posted by quiet earth at 11:17 PM on June 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
This is way better. This is nuts. I wish I knew these guys as friends. The adventures we could have...!
Some of the quotes I could quote would be NSFW, but entirely appropriate and safe in the context of the video.
"They look very fresh and cylindrical."
Ahahaha time to sleep now.
posted by quiet earth at 11:17 PM on June 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
This was awesome. I made several friends watch it with me. I want nothing more on earth than friends like that to take every vacation with me!
Go go Falcon!
Go go Falcon!
posted by taterpie at 11:28 PM on June 10, 2014 [2 favorites]
Go go Falcon!
Go go Falcon!
posted by taterpie at 11:28 PM on June 10, 2014 [2 favorites]
I am literally crying with laughter. I watched this while eating two cold homemade burgers after a late night at an MLB game featuring a major NPB pitcher. This is perfect.
posted by mwhybark at 11:39 PM on June 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by mwhybark at 11:39 PM on June 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
LA friends! Let's reenact this!
posted by raihan_ at 3:31 PM on June 11
Clearly the words of someone who hasn't watched all the way through
posted by DoctorFedora at 11:46 PM on June 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by raihan_ at 3:31 PM on June 11
Clearly the words of someone who hasn't watched all the way through
posted by DoctorFedora at 11:46 PM on June 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
Subscribed. Clearly I can't get enough ridiculousness of my own right now so this can be my ridiculousness supplement, like vitamins.
Hamburger for breakfast incidentally. Except I will gussy it up with a fried egg causing it to become more breakfast.
posted by aesop at 12:04 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Hamburger for breakfast incidentally. Except I will gussy it up with a fried egg causing it to become more breakfast.
posted by aesop at 12:04 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Okay, I laughed way too much at the Fat Burger one ("What if it's American Party size?").
posted by geek anachronism at 12:20 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by geek anachronism at 12:20 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Also, no love for Burger Lounge? Mo Better Burgers? Apple Pan?
Those aren't chains, though, which I think was their goal?
otherwise they could have gone to irv's and had a terrific burger and gotten their portraits drawn on a paper plate
posted by joechip at 12:22 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Those aren't chains, though, which I think was their goal?
otherwise they could have gone to irv's and had a terrific burger and gotten their portraits drawn on a paper plate
posted by joechip at 12:22 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Yeah, they only visited chains.
Also, WTF, they are in a city that has locations of ten different hamburger chains. America, you so crazy.
posted by DoctorFedora at 12:25 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Also, WTF, they are in a city that has locations of ten different hamburger chains. America, you so crazy.
posted by DoctorFedora at 12:25 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
'Hamburger Game' sounds like a Japanese horror-drama manga/anime. Beware the bāgāgami!
posted by BiggerJ at 12:43 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by BiggerJ at 12:43 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
"Size-wise, it's going to be like eating someone's face" ftw
posted by Earthtopus at 12:54 AM on June 11, 2014
posted by Earthtopus at 12:54 AM on June 11, 2014
Also, WTF, they are in a city that has locations of ten different hamburger chains. America, you so crazy.
Los Angeles
City Area: 469 square miles
City Population: 3.9 million
Metro Population: 16.4 million
Number of restaurants in the area according to a random website I found: >22,000
Ten burger chains doesn't seem all that crazy to me.
posted by flaterik at 1:07 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Los Angeles
City Area: 469 square miles
City Population: 3.9 million
Metro Population: 16.4 million
Number of restaurants in the area according to a random website I found: >22,000
Ten burger chains doesn't seem all that crazy to me.
posted by flaterik at 1:07 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
The whole begragions channel is pretty funny. The main guy "megwin" has apparently been a YouTube star in japan for about 10 years or so but most of his other videos don't have subtitles. This channel is just ridiculous games and is a lot of fun. Have been watching their other video series where they walk around Tokyo and have to stop at every vending machine they see that is equally funny, and also culturally interesting.
posted by Another Fine Product From The Nonsense Factory at 1:10 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Another Fine Product From The Nonsense Factory at 1:10 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
My WTF wasn't about the raw number of burger places. It was about the fact that there are ten separate chains not just in the country but in that one city.
posted by DoctorFedora at 2:12 AM on June 11, 2014
posted by DoctorFedora at 2:12 AM on June 11, 2014
It was about the fact that there are ten separate chains not just in the country but in that one city.
I was actually surprised there were so few until I thought about it and realized that they were wrong about there being just ten (they don't go to A&W or Red Robin, for instance). LA is a huge city, burgers are very popular.
posted by vathek at 3:31 AM on June 11, 2014 [5 favorites]
I was actually surprised there were so few until I thought about it and realized that they were wrong about there being just ten (they don't go to A&W or Red Robin, for instance). LA is a huge city, burgers are very popular.
posted by vathek at 3:31 AM on June 11, 2014 [5 favorites]
Yesssssss
I love Megwin, he's one of those people whose humor crosses language barriers, I laugh at even the untranslated stuff. One of my favorite Japanese comedy staples is subtitles talking about broken spirits and enduring impossible hardship, while they do the most idiotic things.
If you enjoy this style of purposeful absurdity, allow me to recommend an anime series that is approachable even for people like me who "don't do anime".
Lastly, on the subject of burger videos, the best channel for junk food reviews is definitely Daym Drops; I love this man so much that I will sometimes go to Five Guys or In-n-Out and prop my phone up on the table with YouTube open, so he can be with us for lunch.
posted by jake at 3:41 AM on June 11, 2014 [5 favorites]
I love Megwin, he's one of those people whose humor crosses language barriers, I laugh at even the untranslated stuff. One of my favorite Japanese comedy staples is subtitles talking about broken spirits and enduring impossible hardship, while they do the most idiotic things.
If you enjoy this style of purposeful absurdity, allow me to recommend an anime series that is approachable even for people like me who "don't do anime".
Lastly, on the subject of burger videos, the best channel for junk food reviews is definitely Daym Drops; I love this man so much that I will sometimes go to Five Guys or In-n-Out and prop my phone up on the table with YouTube open, so he can be with us for lunch.
posted by jake at 3:41 AM on June 11, 2014 [5 favorites]
(they don't go to A&W or Red Robin, for instance)
Dooon't get me started on whether Red Robin is a burger place.
posted by Etrigan at 4:03 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Dooon't get me started on whether Red Robin is a burger place.
posted by Etrigan at 4:03 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
> It was about the fact that there are ten separate chains not just in the country but in that one city.
This is America. We do franchises here. Any small city will have ten fast food franchises represented. Los Angeles is Very Large. It will have more than that.
And since they didn't stray beyond Los Angeles, they didn't get to try White Castle, Checkers, Cook-Out, Char-Grill...
posted by ardgedee at 4:32 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
This is America. We do franchises here. Any small city will have ten fast food franchises represented. Los Angeles is Very Large. It will have more than that.
And since they didn't stray beyond Los Angeles, they didn't get to try White Castle, Checkers, Cook-Out, Char-Grill...
posted by ardgedee at 4:32 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
And the metro area is bigger than 16.4 million, really, if you include out to San Bernardino and down to south OC.
Haven't eaten beef in 20 years, but if I ever do, it'll be at In n' Out.
posted by persona au gratin at 4:40 AM on June 11, 2014
Haven't eaten beef in 20 years, but if I ever do, it'll be at In n' Out.
posted by persona au gratin at 4:40 AM on June 11, 2014
Dooon't get me started on whether Red Robin is a burger place.
Because it obviously is?
(plus bottomless french fries!)
posted by Elementary Penguin at 4:45 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Because it obviously is?
(plus bottomless french fries!)
posted by Elementary Penguin at 4:45 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Dooon't get me started on whether Red Robin is a burger place.
Because it obviously is?
If you can't make a bun that stays together through half of the consumption of the "burger", you're not a burger place. Red Robin is another Applebee's / Buffalo Wild Wings clone that happens to concentrate on sandwiches.
posted by Etrigan at 4:59 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
Because it obviously is?
If you can't make a bun that stays together through half of the consumption of the "burger", you're not a burger place. Red Robin is another Applebee's / Buffalo Wild Wings clone that happens to concentrate on sandwiches.
posted by Etrigan at 4:59 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
The main guy "megwin" has apparently been a YouTube star in japan for about 10 years or so but most of his other videos don't have subtitles.
That's quite a trick, since YouTube is nine years old and YouTube channels are less than seven.
posted by Mayor West at 5:38 AM on June 11, 2014
That's quite a trick, since YouTube is nine years old and YouTube channels are less than seven.
posted by Mayor West at 5:38 AM on June 11, 2014
As someone who lives in Japan and can't stand most Japanese variety shows (where they do lots of games like this), I was surprised to find this really entertaining.
Probably because there was no canned laughter. And also no appearance from the canned laughter's evil Japanese cousin, the overlaids-headshot-of-three-so-called-talents-whatching-and-reacting-to-the-video-in-the-studio.
Now let's go find that vending machine video!
posted by AxelT at 5:48 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
Probably because there was no canned laughter. And also no appearance from the canned laughter's evil Japanese cousin, the overlaids-headshot-of-three-so-called-talents-whatching-and-reacting-to-the-video-in-the-studio.
Now let's go find that vending machine video!
posted by AxelT at 5:48 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
> ...since YouTube is nine years old...
Flash and video memes predate YouTube by a lot, so maybe he started that way. Although it's equally likely that if he's been doing this for a decade, he started with posts on 2ch or FC2 and moved to video later. Maybe somebody with decent Japanese skills can look him up.
posted by ardgedee at 6:00 AM on June 11, 2014
Flash and video memes predate YouTube by a lot, so maybe he started that way. Although it's equally likely that if he's been doing this for a decade, he started with posts on 2ch or FC2 and moved to video later. Maybe somebody with decent Japanese skills can look him up.
posted by ardgedee at 6:00 AM on June 11, 2014
The oldest videos on the homepage are from 2007. However, the Japanese Wikipedia article claims that Megwin has been at it since 2005. So, he's ON his tenth year.
posted by AxelT at 6:03 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by AxelT at 6:03 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
If you can't make a bun that stays together through half of the consumption of the "burger..."
As often as I eat at RR, I have never had that problem. Except with the burgers that are obviously going to be a huge mess before I even pick them up, so I knife-and-fork them, and then it doesn't count.
posted by Foosnark at 6:19 AM on June 11, 2014
As often as I eat at RR, I have never had that problem. Except with the burgers that are obviously going to be a huge mess before I even pick them up, so I knife-and-fork them, and then it doesn't count.
posted by Foosnark at 6:19 AM on June 11, 2014
(Though honestly, it's been Ensenada Chicken Platter for me about 3/4 of the time for the past few months, and one of the salads most of the rest of the time. Carbs and whatnot.)
posted by Foosnark at 6:20 AM on June 11, 2014
posted by Foosnark at 6:20 AM on June 11, 2014
Hamburger for breakfast incidentally. Except I will gussy it up with a fried egg causing it to become more breakfast.
posted by aesop at 3:04 AM on June 11
Fried egg is objectively one of the best burger toppings, although it does come with a random "will this squirt out and get on my shirt" component that's not the best.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 6:20 AM on June 11, 2014
posted by aesop at 3:04 AM on June 11
Fried egg is objectively one of the best burger toppings, although it does come with a random "will this squirt out and get on my shirt" component that's not the best.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 6:20 AM on June 11, 2014
LA is a huge city, burgers are very popular.
I haven't been out on the West Coast, but down south there are a lot more fast food and casual dining chains in operation than in the Northeast - but the Northeast, especially New England, has a ton more mom'n'pop restaurants - even tiny towns will have at least two Chinese restaurants and two pizzerias.
My town of around 15,000 people has three pizza places, two chinese places, two clam shacks, five independent family restaurants, four fine dining restaurants - and NO McDonalds, BK's or Wendy's. Hell, we don't even have a Subway. We're not a tony tourist destination, either, and the next town over is a decrepit, blight-ridden city of 88,000.
posted by Slap*Happy at 6:24 AM on June 11, 2014
I haven't been out on the West Coast, but down south there are a lot more fast food and casual dining chains in operation than in the Northeast - but the Northeast, especially New England, has a ton more mom'n'pop restaurants - even tiny towns will have at least two Chinese restaurants and two pizzerias.
My town of around 15,000 people has three pizza places, two chinese places, two clam shacks, five independent family restaurants, four fine dining restaurants - and NO McDonalds, BK's or Wendy's. Hell, we don't even have a Subway. We're not a tony tourist destination, either, and the next town over is a decrepit, blight-ridden city of 88,000.
posted by Slap*Happy at 6:24 AM on June 11, 2014
I haven't been out on the West Coast, but down south there are a lot more fast food and casual dining chains in operation than in the Northeast - but the Northeast, especially New England, has a ton more mom'n'pop restaurants - even tiny towns will have at least two Chinese restaurants and two pizzerias.
The South also has a ton of regional chains that are the subject of the kind of local pride you'd associate with a local mom'n'pop. I was traveling through NC with my Rhode Islander in-laws once, and my mother-in-law wanted to stop for coffee at "somewhere the locals would get coffee." I directed her to a Bojangles' right off the highway in a town I used to live in. She was disappointed, she said again that she wanted somewhere where the locals would go for coffee. I explained to her that this was that place, that Bojangles' was a chain, but a North Carolina chain, and delicious and we all really liked it, and this was where people actually ate on a day to day basis. Thankfully there was a table of old men drinking coffee and reading the paper inside, so she believed me.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 6:34 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
The South also has a ton of regional chains that are the subject of the kind of local pride you'd associate with a local mom'n'pop. I was traveling through NC with my Rhode Islander in-laws once, and my mother-in-law wanted to stop for coffee at "somewhere the locals would get coffee." I directed her to a Bojangles' right off the highway in a town I used to live in. She was disappointed, she said again that she wanted somewhere where the locals would go for coffee. I explained to her that this was that place, that Bojangles' was a chain, but a North Carolina chain, and delicious and we all really liked it, and this was where people actually ate on a day to day basis. Thankfully there was a table of old men drinking coffee and reading the paper inside, so she believed me.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 6:34 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
And since they didn't stray beyond Los Angeles, they didn't get to try White Castle, Checkers, Cook-Out, Char-Grill...
They could have gone to Rally's, which is basically Checkers.
And damnit, now I want Tommy's.
posted by malocchio at 6:36 AM on June 11, 2014
They could have gone to Rally's, which is basically Checkers.
And damnit, now I want Tommy's.
posted by malocchio at 6:36 AM on June 11, 2014
Not going to the Apple Pan is a serious omission. The Pan is the joint that Johnny Rockets and Burgerville are knocking off.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:49 AM on June 11, 2014
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:49 AM on June 11, 2014
It was about the fact that there are ten separate chains not just in the country but in that one city.
Pretty much every American city of a decent size has 10 separate burger chains plus a dozen other restaurant chains.
posted by shoesietart at 6:56 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
Pretty much every American city of a decent size has 10 separate burger chains plus a dozen other restaurant chains.
posted by shoesietart at 6:56 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
Aren't there Fuddruckers in LA? (I don't hold a torch for 'em, I just always assume they're a Pacific-coast chain, but maybe more of a north coast thing.)
posted by ardgedee at 7:06 AM on June 11, 2014
posted by ardgedee at 7:06 AM on June 11, 2014
Yes, there are Fuddruckers. But I think they are a little more "fast casual" than "fast food" as it's a bit more of a sit-down place, and I've never seen a drive-through on one. Anyway, I think it's fair to not put it in the same category as Carl's Jr or Jack In The Box.
They have giant dispensers of stadium cheese, in regular and jalapeno. That's why I go there.
posted by Lyn Never at 7:34 AM on June 11, 2014
They have giant dispensers of stadium cheese, in regular and jalapeno. That's why I go there.
posted by Lyn Never at 7:34 AM on June 11, 2014
It was about the fact that there are ten separate chains not just in the country but in that one city.
There are even more in battleground cities like Phoenix or Dallas, where chains from both coasts are trying to establish a foothold.
In Phoenix, you can find the usual national chains, McDonald's, Burger King, Carl's Jr., Wendy's, Jack in the Box, as well as In N Out (California), Smashburger (Colorado), Five Guys (East Coast), Rally's (East Coast), Whataburger (Texas), the Habit (California), Culver's (Wisconsin), Fatburger (California), Iceberg Drive Inn (Utah), Freddy's (Kansas).
That's just off the top of my head but there are more I'm sure, and it doesn't count all the sit-down chains we have like Johnny Rocket's, Fuddruckers, Red Robin, etc. Then we have a few local burger chains on top of that, too, like Lenny's.
So yeah, in the age of regional chains trying to go national, 10 is nothing.
posted by Old Man McKay at 7:37 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
There are even more in battleground cities like Phoenix or Dallas, where chains from both coasts are trying to establish a foothold.
In Phoenix, you can find the usual national chains, McDonald's, Burger King, Carl's Jr., Wendy's, Jack in the Box, as well as In N Out (California), Smashburger (Colorado), Five Guys (East Coast), Rally's (East Coast), Whataburger (Texas), the Habit (California), Culver's (Wisconsin), Fatburger (California), Iceberg Drive Inn (Utah), Freddy's (Kansas).
That's just off the top of my head but there are more I'm sure, and it doesn't count all the sit-down chains we have like Johnny Rocket's, Fuddruckers, Red Robin, etc. Then we have a few local burger chains on top of that, too, like Lenny's.
So yeah, in the age of regional chains trying to go national, 10 is nothing.
posted by Old Man McKay at 7:37 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
I love these guys. I would totally go on a road trip with them.
And I'm so gonna steal the tyre roulette idea.
posted by bigendian at 8:09 AM on June 11, 2014 [3 favorites]
And I'm so gonna steal the tyre roulette idea.
posted by bigendian at 8:09 AM on June 11, 2014 [3 favorites]
I'm surprised with the "10 Burger chains in LA?!?!?!?" comments. There are probably 10 chains just in the "the micro brews on tap take up a full sheet of paper" variety. I can think of almost 10 in the "red and white 50's decor" category as well.
LA is the place to be for burgers.
posted by sideshow at 8:14 AM on June 11, 2014
LA is the place to be for burgers.
posted by sideshow at 8:14 AM on June 11, 2014
Astro Burger is an interesting choice. Is it a chain? Is it even that popular? I only know the one right next to Paramount Studios. That was the first place where I've ever had fried zucchini.
posted by cazoo at 8:27 AM on June 11, 2014
posted by cazoo at 8:27 AM on June 11, 2014
Also, WTF, they are in a city that has locations of ten different hamburger chains. America, you so crazy.
It's Los Angeles. I was surprised that there are only ten—I live in a town a fraction of the size of LA, and I can think of local franchises of at least five hamburger chains off the top of my head. And I don't eat burgers—I'm sure there are at least a couple more I haven't noticed.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 8:32 AM on June 11, 2014
It's Los Angeles. I was surprised that there are only ten—I live in a town a fraction of the size of LA, and I can think of local franchises of at least five hamburger chains off the top of my head. And I don't eat burgers—I'm sure there are at least a couple more I haven't noticed.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 8:32 AM on June 11, 2014
will a city ever be home to both in-n-out and white castle? because i'd move there in a heartbeat.
posted by bruceo at 8:33 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by bruceo at 8:33 AM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
If you've never been there, it is hard to comprehend the density and geographical sprawl of the actual Los Angeles city limits and the adjacent communities that blur into Orange County to make one enormous flat not-quite-urban, not-quite-suburban city. There is plenty of population to support multiple burger chains, chicken chains, pizza chains, coffee shop chains, and independents. Lots of food in Los Angeles.
Tommy's was the one burger chain I never tried when I lived there... there weren't any in our neck of the woods and I never got around to it. If I recall correctly, there is the Original Tommy's chain, but isn't there also one location that has the same Tommy's name and colors but is somehow unaffiliated? I seem to recall hearing at least one religious argument over which is the one true Tommy's.
posted by usonian at 9:29 AM on June 11, 2014
Tommy's was the one burger chain I never tried when I lived there... there weren't any in our neck of the woods and I never got around to it. If I recall correctly, there is the Original Tommy's chain, but isn't there also one location that has the same Tommy's name and colors but is somehow unaffiliated? I seem to recall hearing at least one religious argument over which is the one true Tommy's.
posted by usonian at 9:29 AM on June 11, 2014
Dammit, Falcon! How did you come out of Wendy's with some chicken thing? No wonder you couldn't finish it.
d-JURY JURY JURY!!!
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 9:48 AM on June 11, 2014
d-JURY JURY JURY!!!
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 9:48 AM on June 11, 2014
isn't there also one location that has the same Tommy's name and colors but is somehow unaffiliated?
Thrillist made a Guide to All the Fake Tommy's in L.A.
posted by malocchio at 9:59 AM on June 11, 2014 [4 favorites]
Thrillist made a Guide to All the Fake Tommy's in L.A.
posted by malocchio at 9:59 AM on June 11, 2014 [4 favorites]
10 chains in a city the size of LA sounds pretty low to me. There are at least 10 burger chains in Toronto that I can think of:
McDonalds
Burger King
Wendy's
Harvey's
HERO Burger
Five Guys
South St. Burger Co.
A&W
Wimpy's
Dairy Queen
(and more if you count even smaller chains like Big Moe's or Burger's Priest)
I've been to 7 burger chains in Japan:
McDonalds
Burger King
Wendy's
Mosburger
Lotteria
First Kitchen
Some Hawaiian burger chain in Tokyo
And they all are present in Tokyo and except for the Hawaiian place are present in Osaka and Kyoto as well (and generally pretty busy).
Although I think a video of a bunch of American guys visiting all 7 burger chains in Tokyo would likely not go over as well.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 10:21 AM on June 11, 2014
McDonalds
Burger King
Wendy's
Harvey's
HERO Burger
Five Guys
South St. Burger Co.
A&W
Wimpy's
Dairy Queen
(and more if you count even smaller chains like Big Moe's or Burger's Priest)
I've been to 7 burger chains in Japan:
McDonalds
Burger King
Wendy's
Mosburger
Lotteria
First Kitchen
Some Hawaiian burger chain in Tokyo
And they all are present in Tokyo and except for the Hawaiian place are present in Osaka and Kyoto as well (and generally pretty busy).
Although I think a video of a bunch of American guys visiting all 7 burger chains in Tokyo would likely not go over as well.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 10:21 AM on June 11, 2014
> There are probably 10 chains just in the "the micro brews on tap take up a full sheet of paper" variety. I can think of almost 10 in the "red and white 50's decor" category as well.
And there's even a Japanese flavor-profiles inspired burger chain, ffs! LA is hamburger HQ. People forget that about LA.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:32 AM on June 11, 2014
And there's even a Japanese flavor-profiles inspired burger chain, ffs! LA is hamburger HQ. People forget that about LA.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:32 AM on June 11, 2014
did anyone else laugh so hard they cried? cause i can barely keep quiet here at my desk at work and i have tears in my eyes. took a bathroom break just to get it all out.
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 10:52 AM on June 11, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 10:52 AM on June 11, 2014 [4 favorites]
Here in RTP, which is sprawling but sparse compared to LA (about 1/8 the population on 10x the land), we have, off the top of my head...
McDonald's
Wendy's
Burger King
Hardees
Cook-Out
Char-Grill
Five Guys
Steak & Shake
Red Robin (it's a burger chain. it's not not a burger chain simply 'cause you don't like their buns)
Ted's Montana Grill
Jake's Wayback Burgers
Steak & Shake
That's not including places that don't specifically tout themselves as burger places although burgers are prominent on their menu, like Applebees, Ruby Tuesday, Buffalo Wild Wings and Outback Steakhouse.
For giggles, here's a rundown of the chicken chains that don't sell burgers:
Bojangles
Chick Fil-A
KFC
Church's Chicken
Zaxby's
Wing Stop
... and probably a few more.
Since people take their barbeque so seriously hereabouts, people often go for pulled pork rather than burgers when they want greasy fast food. Odds are pretty good that if we didn't already have an indigenous meaty junk food, we'd have even more fast food chains.
posted by ardgedee at 11:09 AM on June 11, 2014
McDonald's
Wendy's
Burger King
Hardees
Cook-Out
Char-Grill
Five Guys
Steak & Shake
Red Robin (it's a burger chain. it's not not a burger chain simply 'cause you don't like their buns)
Ted's Montana Grill
Jake's Wayback Burgers
Steak & Shake
That's not including places that don't specifically tout themselves as burger places although burgers are prominent on their menu, like Applebees, Ruby Tuesday, Buffalo Wild Wings and Outback Steakhouse.
For giggles, here's a rundown of the chicken chains that don't sell burgers:
Bojangles
Chick Fil-A
KFC
Church's Chicken
Zaxby's
Wing Stop
... and probably a few more.
Since people take their barbeque so seriously hereabouts, people often go for pulled pork rather than burgers when they want greasy fast food. Odds are pretty good that if we didn't already have an indigenous meaty junk food, we'd have even more fast food chains.
posted by ardgedee at 11:09 AM on June 11, 2014
My new band is named "Most Popular Hamburger Combo" and you have to pronounce it exactly like Falcon, or I act like I don't know what you're talking about.
posted by glhaynes at 11:30 AM on June 11, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by glhaynes at 11:30 AM on June 11, 2014 [5 favorites]
When he bites into the Astro Burger his eyes roll back…like a shark's.
posted by wenestvedt at 11:58 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by wenestvedt at 11:58 AM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
umike tyson!
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 12:13 PM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 12:13 PM on June 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
umike tyson!
Made me giggle. And then the totally stuffed, spirit broken by hamburger "oishiiiiii tyson" just caused me to bust out laughing.
posted by deludingmyself at 1:37 PM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
Made me giggle. And then the totally stuffed, spirit broken by hamburger "oishiiiiii tyson" just caused me to bust out laughing.
posted by deludingmyself at 1:37 PM on June 11, 2014 [2 favorites]
There are even more in battleground cities like Phoenix or Dallas, where chains from both coasts are trying to establish a foothold.
This sounds like the summary of a near-future sci-fi novella.
posted by Joh at 3:10 PM on June 11, 2014 [5 favorites]
This sounds like the summary of a near-future sci-fi novella.
posted by Joh at 3:10 PM on June 11, 2014 [5 favorites]
Trying to come up with a comprehensive list of fast food burger chains in LA... there are some I've never even noticed. Smash Burger?
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 3:28 PM on June 11, 2014
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 3:28 PM on June 11, 2014
Apple Pan is awful. Their fries are frozen, not fresh, and their burgers are small and lame. And when you leave you end up smelling like the place.
In conclusion, I'm glad they didn't go.
posted by starscream at 3:39 PM on June 11, 2014
In conclusion, I'm glad they didn't go.
posted by starscream at 3:39 PM on June 11, 2014
> ...there are some I've never even noticed. Smash Burger?
Smash Burger is a chain? Then add that to my list above. At least thirteen burger chains for a metropolitan population of roughly 2 million.
posted by ardgedee at 3:50 PM on June 11, 2014
Smash Burger is a chain? Then add that to my list above. At least thirteen burger chains for a metropolitan population of roughly 2 million.
posted by ardgedee at 3:50 PM on June 11, 2014
Huh yeah. I guess Smash Burger is a chain. Well, we have one.
posted by ardgedee at 3:51 PM on June 11, 2014
posted by ardgedee at 3:51 PM on June 11, 2014
Apple Pan is also not a chain.
Umami is, though, and they should've eaten there.
posted by flaterik at 3:56 PM on June 11, 2014
Umami is, though, and they should've eaten there.
posted by flaterik at 3:56 PM on June 11, 2014
any portmanteau in a storm: "Some Hawaiian burger chain in Tokyo"
Big Kahuna Burger?
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 4:05 PM on June 11, 2014
Big Kahuna Burger?
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 4:05 PM on June 11, 2014
> That Fat Burger was grossly disgusting!
Failing to get your picture on the wall for eating it, that's what's disgusting!
posted by Sunburnt at 4:25 PM on June 11, 2014
Failing to get your picture on the wall for eating it, that's what's disgusting!
posted by Sunburnt at 4:25 PM on June 11, 2014
Smash Burger is amazing. They're cool about having plates available too, if you're eating low-carb and order bunless.
Though low-carb means no Smash Fries and that's ;_;.
posted by rifflesby at 5:02 PM on June 11, 2014
Though low-carb means no Smash Fries and that's ;_;.
posted by rifflesby at 5:02 PM on June 11, 2014
Big Kahuna Burger?
I'm honestly not sure. This was about 10 years ago at this point. I'm pretty sure it was in the Marunouchi building, and they had signage indicating there was an other one at Odaiba. The burger was pretty good though.
Google is telling me the place must be Kua ' Aina, but that name rings no bells.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:09 PM on June 11, 2014
I'm honestly not sure. This was about 10 years ago at this point. I'm pretty sure it was in the Marunouchi building, and they had signage indicating there was an other one at Odaiba. The burger was pretty good though.
Google is telling me the place must be Kua ' Aina, but that name rings no bells.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:09 PM on June 11, 2014
any portmanteau in a storm: "Big Kahuna Burger?
I'm honestly not sure. This was about 10 years ago at this point. I'm pretty sure it was in the Marunouchi building, and they had signage indicating there was an other one at Odaiba. The burger was pretty good though.
Google is telling me the place must be Kua ' Aina, but that name rings no bells."
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to send you off on a wild goose chase. I meant this Big Kahuna Burger. It was my lame attempt at a joke.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 6:54 PM on June 11, 2014
I'm honestly not sure. This was about 10 years ago at this point. I'm pretty sure it was in the Marunouchi building, and they had signage indicating there was an other one at Odaiba. The burger was pretty good though.
Google is telling me the place must be Kua ' Aina, but that name rings no bells."
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to send you off on a wild goose chase. I meant this Big Kahuna Burger. It was my lame attempt at a joke.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 6:54 PM on June 11, 2014
Add The Counter to the list. Also, Steak n' Shake is coming soon in the old Broadway Deli space on the Promenade.
Mo Better Burgers?
Sadly, Mo Better Meatty Meat Burger I googled to check what year it closed (and to confirm that "Meatty" was spelled with two Ts) but I see it re-opened! Yay! (But still not a chain.)
That was the first place where I've ever had fried zucchini.
I loved their fried zucchini, although the Zucchini Zircles at the old Hambuger Hamlets were the best.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:51 PM on June 11, 2014
Mo Better Burgers?
That was the first place where I've ever had fried zucchini.
I loved their fried zucchini, although the Zucchini Zircles at the old Hambuger Hamlets were the best.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:51 PM on June 11, 2014
any portmanteau in a storm: "Google is telling me the place must be Kua ' Aina, but that name rings no bells."
It's gotta be Kua'aina. That's the first place that popped to mind, and then you mentioned "Odaiba", and there's been a Kua'aina there for like forever.
Also, expanding your Tokyo burger list:
McDonalds
Burger King
Wendy's
Mosburger
Lotteria
First Kitchen
Freshness Burger
Becker's
Domdom
Since people are excluding Fuddrucker's, I'm not including Kua'aina, because it's the same kind of "semi-fast" food, as opposed to straight fast food.
posted by Bugbread at 9:30 PM on June 11, 2014
It's gotta be Kua'aina. That's the first place that popped to mind, and then you mentioned "Odaiba", and there's been a Kua'aina there for like forever.
Also, expanding your Tokyo burger list:
McDonalds
Burger King
Wendy's
Mosburger
Lotteria
First Kitchen
Freshness Burger
Becker's
Domdom
Since people are excluding Fuddrucker's, I'm not including Kua'aina, because it's the same kind of "semi-fast" food, as opposed to straight fast food.
posted by Bugbread at 9:30 PM on June 11, 2014
Back at the game tonight, met a guy from Miyagi who did not speak much English. We pantomimed our way through some baseball small talk. I kept having to slap down the urge to ask if he wanted to go get the most popular hamburger combo.
posted by mwhybark at 12:13 AM on June 12, 2014
posted by mwhybark at 12:13 AM on June 12, 2014
any portmanteau in a storm: Google is telling me the place must be Kua ' Aina, but that name rings no bells.
bugbread: It's gotta be Kua'aina. That's the first place that popped to mind, and then you mentioned "Odaiba", and there's been a Kua'aina there for like forever.
Kua'aina was also the first thing that popped into my head when I read "Some Hawaiian burger chain in Tokyo".
Thank you both for reminding me of a very special day I once spent at the now shuttered John Lennon Museum in Saitama Prefecture, which involved lunch at the Kua'aina which was (and is still, according to its website) in the next-door Cocoon Shintoshin mall.
posted by curious.jp at 12:30 AM on June 12, 2014
bugbread: It's gotta be Kua'aina. That's the first place that popped to mind, and then you mentioned "Odaiba", and there's been a Kua'aina there for like forever.
Kua'aina was also the first thing that popped into my head when I read "Some Hawaiian burger chain in Tokyo".
Thank you both for reminding me of a very special day I once spent at the now shuttered John Lennon Museum in Saitama Prefecture, which involved lunch at the Kua'aina which was (and is still, according to its website) in the next-door Cocoon Shintoshin mall.
posted by curious.jp at 12:30 AM on June 12, 2014
Apple Pan is awful. Their fries are frozen, not fresh, and their burgers are small and lame. And when you leave you end up smelling like the place.
Heresy! There is nothing lame about the Hickory Burger, and while the patty isn't huge it's way larger than most true 'fast food' burger stores/stands. Smelling like the joint is an added bonus.
Am I supposed to be disappointed that the fries are frozen instead of peeled and sliced in the tiny kitchen? It's an old school burger stand, not some farcical farm-to-table hipster fusion reinvention. I'll tell you a terrible secret: they don't make their own cheese, pickles or ice cream either.
It's true that it's not a chain, but they should have checked it out.
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:54 AM on June 12, 2014 [1 favorite]
Heresy! There is nothing lame about the Hickory Burger, and while the patty isn't huge it's way larger than most true 'fast food' burger stores/stands. Smelling like the joint is an added bonus.
Am I supposed to be disappointed that the fries are frozen instead of peeled and sliced in the tiny kitchen? It's an old school burger stand, not some farcical farm-to-table hipster fusion reinvention. I'll tell you a terrible secret: they don't make their own cheese, pickles or ice cream either.
It's true that it's not a chain, but they should have checked it out.
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:54 AM on June 12, 2014 [1 favorite]
Apple Pan is awful.
I know I'm in a tiny minority, but I am not a fan of their burgers (and I grew up with Apple Pan, so it doesn't hit the nostalgia note either.) On the other hand, they make one of the best egg salad sandwiches in the know universe. No doubt it's a beloved institution, though.
Another chain for part 2: Bob's Big Boy
posted by Room 641-A at 8:50 AM on June 12, 2014
I know I'm in a tiny minority, but I am not a fan of their burgers (and I grew up with Apple Pan, so it doesn't hit the nostalgia note either.) On the other hand, they make one of the best egg salad sandwiches in the know universe. No doubt it's a beloved institution, though.
Another chain for part 2: Bob's Big Boy
posted by Room 641-A at 8:50 AM on June 12, 2014
Another thought about the bāgāgami: L DO YOU KNOW GODS OF BURGERS LOVE BURGERS
posted by BiggerJ at 12:20 AM on June 13, 2014
posted by BiggerJ at 12:20 AM on June 13, 2014
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