Burger chain that moves fans to tears ranked favorite in US

(2011, The Dallas Morning News, Inc. All Rights Reserved)

A fast-food burger chain that moves fans to tears and draws crowds willing to wait overnight in line for new openings been ranked the favorite fast-food joint in the US, handily beating out burger giants McDonald's and Burger King.

In-N-Out Burger, which started as a 'ma and pa' burger place in Baldwin Park, California in 1948, pulled in the top marks among the 36,733 readers of a Consumer Reports poll for the chain's food, service, value and speed.

The survey - a Consumer Reports first - was released June 30.

Meanwhile, fast-food giants McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and Taco Bell ranked low on the readers' rankings for their "uninspiring food," and "so-so service," the report said.

The same was said of Arby's, Quiznos, Pizza Hut and Domino's.

When In-N-Out Burger opened its first Texas location in May, the line-up for the drive-thru lane snaked for miles, requiring police to direct traffic. The staggering line-up was documented in a YouTube video.

Another report from the Dallas Morning News interviewed a man who camped out overnight and praised "Lord Jesus" for sending his city an In-N-Out location. They also interviewed a woman who choked back tears as she talked about her love for the place. When her dining companion scrunched up the wrapper, she unfurled it to keep as a souvenir.

"Pinch me, it doesn't feel real," she said crying. "...I love In-N-Out...I can't get over it."

The chain is known for selling only burgers, fries, and milkshakes.

Everything is made to order and nothing is frozen. Hamburger patties are ground from whole chucks by in-house butchers, and fries are cut in the stores, fried in vegetable oil. Buns are also baked in-house.

Burgers start at $1.95.

Meanwhile, readers of Consumer Reports also ranked Chipotle Mexican Grill as the best Mexican food chain for its food, politeness of staff, and speed of service.

Chick-fil-A was voted the favorite chicken chain, while Jason's Deli and Firehouse Subs was voted the favorite submarine maker.

Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza, meanwhile, was also singled out among readers for its take-home pizza that allows diners to bake the ready-made pizza at home.

In-N-Out Burger is currently only in the US.

To watch the video of a woman break down in tears as she waxes on about her love for In-N-Out Burger, go to: http://www.dallasnews.com/video/?bcid=940041320001 .

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm