Latest news with #In-N-Out
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
I ate at Braum's, a beloved Southern fast-food chain. Its chicken strips were as good as Chick-fil-A's.
I visited Braum's, a southern fast-food chain that only has locations in five states. I bought almost every item on the menu, including burgers, fries, chicken strips, and ice cream. The burgers and chicken strips were great, but I still think ice cream is the best thing to order. The West Coast has In-N-Out. The Midwest has Dairy Queen. I'd argue the South has Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Store. In 1933, Henry Braum started a small butter plant in Emporia, Kansas, which expanded to include milk and ice cream production. In 1968, Henry's son Bill opened the first official Braum's store in Oklahoma City. Today, the family-run business has more than 300 locations across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. According to the company, every store is located within a 300-mile radius of its processing plant in Tuttle, Oklahoma. Braum's is best known for its wide range of ice cream and frozen yogurt, from classic flavors like vanilla to stranger concoctions like pineapple upside-down cake. But it's more than an ice cream shop — it also has staples of the American diet like cheeseburgers, chicken strips, shakes, and malts. One of Braum's locations sits about two miles from my childhood home in Fort Worth, Texas. When I was a kid, on Fridays after a long day of work, my dad would bring home a tub of ice cream. If I were really lucky, we'd go to the store. Together, we'd sit, ice-cream cone in hand, in silence, savoring the flavors. I wanted to see if Braum's still had its charm, so my husband and I took a trip to the closest one near us in Dallas. Here are some items I tried from the menu — some I'd order again, and others I'd probably skip. Even though it's a chain, Braum's gives off the vibe of a mom-and-pop shop. Unlike fast food giants like McDonald's and Burger King, which have embraced modernity in both their branding and menu presentation, Braum's has done the opposite. It has retained its cozy, classic vibe, making it feel both familiar and comforting. Maybe that's what makes it special. When I visited the store, I spent a lot of time reminiscing about the times my dad and I shared there. It all felt so nostalgic. It's a convenient place to grab a snack. Braum's has dozens of ice cream flavors to choose from. But it is also a grocery store with a small market. Customers can buy everyday items like bananas, tomatoes, onions, and even hamburger buns if they'd rather grill their own at home. Braum's ice cream is pretty affordable. Braum's sells its ice cream in various sizes, but most tubs contain three pints. Each tub is typically priced under $5 — a steal compared to other brands. A single pint of Blue Bell ice cream is sold for $3.97 (excluding tax) at Walmart, and a single pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream at Target is $4.99, according to both companies' websites. Braum's has more than 100 ice cream flavors. The company sells traditional flavors like vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate, but it also has quirky options like bubble gum and Mother's Circus animal cookies. I wouldn't recommend the latter — it was too sweet for my taste buds, and didn't have enough animal crackers. Braum's also sells frozen yogurt. Ice cream is typically made with dairy from cream, whereas frozen yogurt is made from cultured milk. On most days, I'd choose frozen yogurt — which might be a controversial opinion. While I haven't tried all of Braum's frozen yogurt flavors, their vanilla cone always hits the spot. I doubt I'll ever get around to trying the pineapple upside-down cake flavor, though. Braum's makes several flavors of sugar-free ice cream. Sugar-free ice cream isn't really my cup of tea, but I understand why some people prefer it or choose it for dietary or medical reasons. If that's you, then you're in luck — Braum's offers many sugar-free flavors. I have to admit the vanilla chunk chocolate tub looked pretty tempting. My husband and I ordered a lot of food. To get the full Braum's experience beyond ice cream, we ordered about 10 different items from the menu: A double quarter pound sweet 'n spicy Gouda burger combo meal with medium fries and a large sweet tea — $8.89 A cheeseburger combo meal with medium fries and a large strawberry shake — $8.29 Four-piece chicken strips — $5.19 A grilled chicken sandwich — $4.79 Medium chili cheese fries — $4.64 A medium strawberry malt shake — $1.99 The chicken strips were better than I expected. In the chicken strips war, restaurants like Chick-fil-A and Zaxby's usually reign supreme. But I'm throwing Braum's into the fight. Braum's strips were crispy on the outside, yet still soft inside. I also appreciated that they weren't overly salty — just the right amount. For me, they rivaled Chick-fil-A's. I really wanted to like the chili fries. I was probably most excited to try the chili fries. Crispy potatoes dressed in perfectly melted cheese and sauce— what more could anyone ask for? Well, in my case, a bit more seasoning. Ultimately, they tasted bland, and it felt more like I was eating canned beans on fries than actual chili. Braum's burgers are simple and delicious. My husband and I split the double quarter pound sweet 'n spicy Gouda burger and the cheeseburger. While I thought the Gouda burger was good — and a bit spicy — it didn't quite compare to Braum's traditional cheeseburger. It wasn't fancy — just meat, buns, lettuce, tomato, and cheese — but it felt classic, exactly what I imagine when I think of a good burger. The grilled chicken sandwich was just OK. The grilled chicken sandwich was all right. It didn't quite compare to a sandwich I'd get at Chick-fil-A, but I had no trouble finishing it. For $4.79, I'd say it's worth the price. Dessert was my favorite part of the meal. After dinner, my husband and I went back to the counter to order ice cream. He bought a double scoop sopapilla cheesecake sundae for $3.79, and I got a small chocolate and vanilla frozen yogurt cone for $1.45. His sundae tasted like the real deal. The cinnamon-flavored ice cream sat on top of a spongy cake, draped in golden caramel. I think it's perfect for someone with a sweet tooth. However, the frozen yogurt cone was right up my alley. It was simple and sweet, and the flavors weren't too overpowering. We bought so much food that we had to take it home. I left the restaurant full, but not without taking a to-go bag. The next day, my husband and I devoured our leftovers for lunch. I'll be visiting again soon. While the burgers and sandwiches at Braum's were good, the ice cream and frozen yogurt were what made the visit stand out among other chains. Overall, going back to Braum's was a sweet experience. It was nice to try new-to-me foods, reminisce about my childhood, and create new memories with my husband.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Is this America's best fast food burger? One chain beat out 24 others in a new poll
They made mincemeat out of the competition. In honor of National Hamburger Day on May 28, Yelp has ranked the top 25 fast-food burger chains in the US — with In-N-Out snagging the top spot. They reportedly based this meat-centric Mount Rushmore on Yelp reviews for companies with over 100 branches spanning multiple states, primarily categorized under 'burgers' on the site. 6 Yelp compiled the list in honor of National Burger Day. Mat Hayward – 'From nationwide favorites to iconic staples and emerging brands, the best burger joints are building fan bases by flipping great patties,' they wrote. Without further ado, here are Yelpers' votes for the best burger spots in America. In-N-Out 6 Started in 1948, In-N-Out's offerings have changed little over the years with its Double-Double — a burger with double meat and double cheese — consistently ranking as a fan-favorite. Mustard Assets – In a move that's sure to ignite beef between regional ground meat die-hards, California's In-N-Out was named the best purveyor of beef pucks between two buns. The Golden State burger chain boasts over 119,000 Yelp reviews across more than 400 locations, with most patrons claiming they're generally satisfied. 'We are delighted to learn that In-N-Out was recognized as the top burger chain in the U.S. in Yelp's recent report,' Denny Warnick, chief operating officer, told Fox News Digital. Started in 1948, In-N-Out's offerings have changed little over the years with its Double-Double — a burger with double meat and double cheese — consistently ranking as a fan-favorite. However, the chain recently removed artificial coloring from their Strawberry Shakes and Signature Pink Lemonade in response to the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) plan to phase out synthetic dyes by 2026. Despite gradually moving eastward, the beloved burger depot has yet to open a location in New York. However, Spencer Farrar, 55, a California transplant living in New York, misses his home chain so much that he smuggles dozens of them into Gotham each time he flies back from the Golden State. Habit Burger & Grill 6 A cheeseburger, french fries and beverage at The Habit Burger Grill in San Rafael, California. Getty Images Clocking in second on the pantheon of beloved beef patty hawkers was Habit Burger & Grill, another California company with locations on both the East and West Coasts. This habit-forming chain's signature is the Charburger with caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo on a toasted bun. They also offer a Santa Barbara Char on sourdough with avocado, and the Teriyaki Char with Cheese – a chargrilled patty slathered in teriyaki sauce and topped with a grilled pineapple — and unique sides like tempura green beans. Shake Shack 6 A cheeseburger from Shake Shack. theartofpics – This Danny Meyer passion project has come a long way from its humble origins as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park. Based on Yelp Reviews, Shake Shack is the number-one burger chain in the Northeast while its original New York location boasts more than 5,800 reviews. Their highlights include the ShackBurger with an Angus beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and secret 'Shack Sauce' on a soft potato bun, but it also includes vegetarian options like the Shroom Burger and Veggie Shack. Last week, Shake Shack announced they were adding fried pickles to their menu — the first-ever side that isn't crinkle-cut fries — to rabid fanfare from customers. Culver's 6 A burger and fries at Culver's. James – With over 26 locations across, Culver's is one of the Midwest's preeminent burger mongers. According to Yelp, the Wisconsin-based brand has 'built a reputation for warm hospitality and comfort food done right.' They offer such standouts as the ButterBurger — which derives its name from the lightly buttered, toasted bun — as well as its acclaimed frozen custard. Islands Fine Burgers and Drinks 6 Islands Fine Burgers in Long Beach, California. dbvirago – Big Kahuna Burger might be relegated to 'Pulp Fiction,' but Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks might be the next best thing, at least according to Yelp. Despite being only located in Arizona and California, this brand massages tropical beef hankerings with Hawaiian-inflected noshes like the Maui, which includes guacamole and Swiss cheese, and the Hawaiian, which comes with teriyaki sauce and fresh grilled pineapple. Here are America's top 25 burger chains, according to Yelp: In-N-Out Habit Burger & Grill Shake Shack Culver's Islands Fine Burgers and Drinks Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers Five Guys Burgers & Fries Wayback Burgers MOOYAH Red Robin Jack in the Box Cook Out BurgerFi Whataburger Walhburgers Smashburger Mcdonald's Sonic Drive-in Burger King White Castle Fatburger Wendy's Carl's Jr. Checker's/Rally's Steak 'n Shake
Fox News
3 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
In-N-Out crowned America's favorite burger chain in new Yelp rankings
America loves burgers. In honor of National Burger Day, Yelp compiled a list of the top 25 burger chains in the United States. The methodology is based on Yelp reviews for brands with over 100 locations that operate in multiple states and are primarily categorized under "burgers" on Yelp. Read on for the best burger joints in America, based on Yelp reviews. The beloved California-based fast-food burger chain has more than 120,000 Yelp reviews, with most customers noting they're generally satisfied. The menu has remained mostly consistent through the years. It features In-N-Out's signature Double-Double – a burger with double meat and double cheese. "We are delighted to learn that In-N-Out was recognized as the top burger chain in the U.S. in Yelp's recent report," Denny Warnick, chief operating officer, told Fox News Digital. "It's especially meaningful to hear this special recognition as the feedback comes directly from our customers," he also said. "Their continued support and trust have made us the company we are today, and for that, we're deeply grateful." Situated mainly along the West Coast, In-N-Out has been gradually moving eastward. It's in Texas and will open a new Tennessee location in 2026. Habit Burger & Grill is another California-based establishment known for its chargrilled burgers. The signature Charburger is layered with caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayonnaise on a toasted bun. With the chain's locations split between the western and eastern U.S., Habit customers can enjoy favorites like the Santa Barbara Char – served on sourdough with avocado. They can also enjoy the Teriyaki Char with Cheese – a chargrilled patty covered in teriyaki sauce with a grilled pineapple on top. What started out as a hot dog cart in New York City has become a fast-casual burger chain with locations throughout the U.S. Shake Shack offers a range of burgers, from the ShackBurger to the SmokeShack. It also has vegetarian options, like the Veggie Shack and 'Shroom Burger. Shake Shack is the No. 1 burger joint in the Northeast, based on Yelp reviews. Culver's is a Midwest favorite now available in 26 states. The first location opened in Sauk City, Wisconsin, in 1984; the chain now has 1,000 restaurants nationwide, primarily in the Midwest. Culver's is known for its variety of ButterBurgers, which get their name from the lightly buttered, toasted bun that sandwiches the fresh beef patty. It is Yelp's top burger brand in the Midwest. Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks can only be found in Arizona and California, but the tropical-themed burgers resonate with enough Americans to crack the top 10 of the Yelp list. Among the creative burger names on the menu are the Big Wave, the Longboarder, the Maui and the Hawaiian. Fan favorites are the Maui, which includes guacamole and Swiss cheese, and the Hawaiian, which comes with teriyaki sauce and fresh grilled pineapple. Founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 2002, Freddy's stands out for its steakburgers. Steakburgers rule the menu, among them the BBQ Brisket and Prime Rib offerings. Each patty is thinly pressed to create the crispy edges and finished with Freddy's custom steakburger and fry seasoning, according to its website. Freddy's has grown to over 500 locations in 36 states. Five Guys opened its first location in Arlington, Virginia, in 1986. After opening four more restaurants in the Washington, D.C., area, the family-owned business eventually franchised in Virginia and Maryland before opening franchises throughout the country starting in 2003. The open kitchen allows customers to watch their burgers being made. Don't forget the free bag of peanuts while you wait. There are no fancy names for the burgers, but Yelp customers have high praise when it comes to the flavor. Wayback Burgers was founded in Delaware in 1991 as Jake's Hamburgers. It eventually became Jake's Wayback Burgers and then, simply, Wayback Burgers. In addition to signature burgers like the Classic and Bourbon Bacon, Wayback Burgers also offers customers the choice to craft their own single or double-patty burgers. Wayback Burgers has a presence in 35 states, plus Washington, D.C. Founded in Texas in 2007, Mooyah is home to the Lifestyle Burger. Introduced in 2019, the Lifestyle Burger caters to various dietary needs and preferences, including Paleo, Keto, low-calorie, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Everything at Mooyah is customizable, allowing customers the opportunity to build their own burger with various proteins, buns, cheese options and a wide selection of toppings and sauces, according to Mooyah's website. Red Robin offers an array of gourmet-style burgers. Among the most popular are the Royal Red Robin, served with a sunny-side-up egg on top of the patty, and the Whiskey River BBQ, with crispy onion straws and Red Robin's special barbecue sauce. Founded in Seattle, Red Robin opened its first franchise location in 1979 and is now in 39 states. Below is the rest of the list (ranked 11-25): 11. Jack in the Box 12. Cook Out 13. BurgerFi 14. Whataburger 15. Wahlburgers 16. Smashburger 17. McDonald's 18. Sonic 19. Burger King 20. White Castle 21. Fatburger 22. Wendy's 23. Carl's Jr. 24. Checkers/Rally's 25. Steak 'n Shake
Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
I Tried HighLife Burger: NYC's In-N-Out Dupe
I moved from LA to New York nearly four years ago, and am still pretty happy with that decision. However, when people ask me what I miss most about the West Coast, there is one thing that immediately comes to mind: In-N-Out. In case you aren't familiar with In-N-Out, it's a fast-food chain known for its affordable, freshly made burgers, fries, and shakes. They have locations all throughout California and a few storefronts in Texas, Nevada, and Utah. A few weeks ago, I saw that people online were talking about a new "In-N-Out dupe" that opened back in February of this year in NYC, and I was immediately curious. In a TikTok posted by @johnnyeatsnyc, we see the name of the place in question: HighLife Burger. The joint offers American-style burgers and fries similar to In-N-Out's. Some of the comments were convinced HighLife looked AND tasted better than In-N-Out. I was intrigued. Now, I consider any comparison to In-N-Out a bold claim, because those burgers simply can't be beat. (Sorry to all the other burger chains out there.) Of course, the only way for me to find out if the two were comparable was for me to try it out for myself, so I did. Here's my honest review of HighLife: The store itself was pretty small, with white walls, framed photos, and a no-frills kind of menu. Like In-N-Out, HighLife offers a relatively straightforward menu of burgers and fries, with the option of choosing a single or double patty. They also had a few things In-N-Out doesn't: hot dogs and key lime pie. From what I gathered in various TikToks, the HighLife Burger and Queso Fries were supposed to taste similar to In-N-Out's Double-Double and Animal Style Fries, respectively. A friend and I were going to share everything, so I ordered two double HighLife Burgers, queso fries, a Diet Coke, and a Mexican Coke, with the total coming out to just under $40. Since there were no tables or chairs in the shop (just a small countertop that people could stand over), I decided to walk to a park nearby to enjoy my burger. At first glance, the burgers and fries did indeed look similar to In-N-Out's menu items. According to the menu, the double HighLife burger has two beef patties, cheese, tomato, onion, pickles, and "secret sauce." This lines up closely with In-N-Out's Double-Double, which has the same ingredients minus the pickles. Even though the standard Double-Double doesn't include pickles, you can order them as an additional topping at any In-N-Out, according to one Reddit thread. After taking the first bite of the HighLife Burger, I could see the In-N-Out resemblance. It was delicious. There was a nice ratio of burger to cheese to bun, and the sauce was pretty similar to In-N-Out's special sauce (a purported mix of ketchup, mayonnaise, and sweet pickle relish). All the toppings also tasted incredibly fresh: The lettuce was crisp, the tomatoes thin and ripe, the pickles sweet and sour, and the onions satisfyingly crunchy. I'm also glad I got the double patty because it was the perfect amount of only two complaints: The ingredients were unevenly placed on my burger, but that could also have been my fault because the burger could have moved around in my takeout bag when I walked over to the park. There was also too much onion in some bites, so I had to take some the HighLife Burger is certainly not the best I've ever had, but I genuinely enjoyed it and thought it was a pretty close match to In-N-Out. I would definitely order this again!Rating: 8/10 Next, I tried the queso fries. In-N-Out's Animal Style Fries (with the additional topping of chopped chillies) hold a special place in my heart, so I had high expectations for these. It's safe to say that I was SO impressed by these fries, which had pickle queso, jalapeños, and secret sauce in them. They were the perfect shape, thin enough to act as a vessel for the sauce but not so thick that you were overwhelmed with bites of plain potato. The sauce had a hint of sweetness from the ketchup that balanced out the saltiness of the fries, and the jalapeños added a nice kick to every bite. The cheese also mixed with everything nicely, although I found most of the cheese melted together at the bottom, so I had to mix everything pretty thoroughly to ensure even distribution. My only complaint was that the fries were pretty heavy, and I couldn't finish the whole thing, though that's also the case when I order Animal Style Fries from In-N-Out. Compared to In-N-Out's Animal Style Fries, the Queso Fries had a bit more of a kick, thanks to the jalapeños. Even if you order In-N-Out's Animal Style Fries with chopped chillies, the heat isn't quite as intense, and the chillies have more of a crunch, whereas the jalapeños bring a softer, spicier bite. Rating: 8.5/10 So, the verdict is in: I would recommend HighLife Burger to In-N-Out fans. If you can't get to NYC to try HighLife Burger, download the Tasty app to browse all of the burger recipes you can make no matter where you are in the world — no subscription required.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Applebee's raises prices again on all-you-can-eat wings and shrimp deal
Applebee's raises prices again on all-you-can-eat wings and shrimp deal Show Caption Hide Caption In-N-Out set to continue expansion with 7 new locations The popular fast-food chain In-N-Out has announced that they plan to open seven new stores in the near future. unbranded - Newsworthy Eatin' good in the neighborhood might get a little more expensive the next time you go to Applebee's. The restaurant chain recently announced that its All You Can Eat offer has returned with endless Chicken Tenders, Riblets and Double Crunch Shrimp available for $15.99. But the new promotion has been met with some criticism on Reddit due to the increased price. "So Applebee's came back out with their all you can eat again this year and yet again raising the prices, used to be $9.99, then 12.99, and now a ridiculous 15.99 for subpar food that they don't cook fresh and make in batches," one user said on the subreddit r/fastfood. Press releases by the company in 2022, 2023 and 2024 show that prices have increased from $12.99 in 2022 to $15.99 in 2025. Applebee's did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment on Tuesday, May 27. Price increases not just happening at restaurants Food at Applebee's is not the only place where things are set to get more expensive. As tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump come into effect, various retailers across the U.S. have said they are set to increase prices to respond to the tariffs. On Sunday, May 25, Trump announced he is extending the deadline for a 50% tariff on the European Union until July 9, a measure he had earlier said would go into effect on June 1. Nike, Adidas and Puma have all said they are set to increase their prices due to tariffs. Moreover, Walmart's Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey said in a CNBC interview that shoppers in the U.S. will start to see prices rise at the end of May and certainly in June. And when it comes to consumer electronics, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry projected that prices for U.S. consumers would rise. "While Best Buy only directly imports 2% to 3% of our overall assortment, we expect our vendors across our entire assortment will pass along some level of tariff costs to retailers, making price increases for American consumers highly likely," Barry said in the March 4 call. Contributing: Anthony Robledo and Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
