The World's 50 Best Restaurants -- how many have you eaten at?

[KillerCannibal]

Originally Posted by Josh-da-man

Everyone says In and Out Burger is the bestest, most awesome place to eat in the whole wide world, but wait until they go national and everyone who once sang their praises will start bitching about how they suck ever since opening up everywhere in the US.

They have no plans to go national. It's all about the fresh ingredients.

[Deftones]

Originally Posted by Josh-da-man

Everyone says In and Out Burger is the bestest, most awesome place to eat in the whole wide world, but wait until they go national and everyone who once sang their praises will start bitching about how they suck ever since opening up everywhere in the US.

it'll never happen. they are completely content staying in the SW and being a family owned business.

[whoopdido]

Originally Posted by GoldenJCJ

While I've never eaten at any of those particular 50 restaurants I have eaten at my share of high priced fancy places. And yes, I'd still choose a nice steakhouse over them. If I ever feel the need to pretend I'm living a socialite's life then I'll try one of these top 50. Until then, lighten up, Francis.

I apologize for insulting...food?

Lighten up? All I said is that you shouldn't rip on a restaurant or a type of restaurant that you've never been to.

That would be like me saying that no matter what anybody else says I would rather eat Mexican food over Italian food even though I've never tried Italian food.

[Aphex Twin]

Originally Posted by Josh-da-man

Everyone says In and Out Burger is the bestest, most awesome place to eat in the whole wide world, but wait until they go national and everyone who once sang their praises will start bitching about how they suck ever since opening up everywhere in the US.

That would defeat the point. Their strength is in their ingredients and that is a product of their vertical integration: logistics, supply chain, and proximity to where they are grown. That's why the restaurant locations are mainly located where they are. If they just located randomly anywhere on the map and bought their ingredients from whomever, they wouldn't be In-n-Out.

[whoopdido]

In-N-Out has gotten all the way to Texas. If they can have 3 locations in Texas, what's stopping them from being just about anywhere...assuming that's what they want to do?

[Mabuse]

Originally Posted by whoopdido

what's stopping them

Cold climate. They can't get fresh ingrediants in Nebraska in February.

Also, I eat at In and Out all the time, but people need to calm down. They're not that great. Their fries basicly suck.

Are they better than McDonald's? Yes.
Are they better than all other fast food chain burgers? Yes.
Are they the best burger in America? Not even fucking close by a lightyear.

[Aphex Twin]

Originally Posted by whoopdido

In-N-Out has gotten all the way to Texas. If they can have 3 locations in Texas, what's stopping them from being just about anywhere...assuming that's what they want to do?

Quality and control. Also, their leadership is a mess at the moment.

[Aphex Twin]

Originally Posted by Mabuse

Cold climate. They can't get fresh ingrediants in Nebraska in February.

Also, I eat at In and Out all the time, but people need to calm down. They're not that great. Their fries basicly suck.

Are they better than McDonald's? Yes.
Are they better than all other fast food chain burgers? Yes.
Are they the best burger in America? Not even fucking close by a lightyear.

In Southern California, Father's Office, Golden State, Umami, Comme Ca, The Foundry, and Apple Pan all make better burgers, but they are also 3-4 times as expensive and nowhere as fast.

[whoopdido]

I've only eaten at In-n-Out once in Vegas. I thought it was a very good fast food burger. I think Five Guys is just as good, if not better though and since I can actually get a Five Guys here in Minnesota there's another plus for me at least.

There are many burgers that I can get whenever I want that are better than both of them though.

[big whoppa]

Originally Posted by Aphex Twin

In Southern California, Father's Office, Golden State, Umami, Comme Ca, The Foundry, and Apple Pan all make better burgers, but they are also 3-4 times as expensive and nowhere as fast.

Fast? At I&O, you have to wait a min of 10 - 15 minutes. There is always a line.

I&O is good but overrated by the internet set. Carl's Jr is just as good or better. JITB is OK too.

[jfoobar]

Originally Posted by SterlingBen

Five Guys > In And Out

I'm not especially fond of either of them.

I am also of the opinion that Five Guys is expanding far too quickly for their own good.

[jiggawhat]

Number 17 Oud Sluts. Great place!

[Gunde]

Originally Posted by Mabuse

I find the list dubious because the only USA winners are in NY. Based on that I imagine all the UK winners are in London and the French winners are in Paris. If that is the case I call bullshit on the whole list. Sure Paris has great restaurants, but there are great eats in every corner of france, especially the Alsace region.

Does anyone know where exactly the two Mexican winners are?

Maybe it's like the Michelin stars. Only certain cites are eligible

[spainlinx0]

Originally Posted by jfoobar

I'm not especially fond of either of them.

I am also of the opinion that Five Guys is expanding far too quickly for their own good.

Every now and then I crave one of them, and then it sits in my stomach like a piece of lead, rendering me useless the rest of the day.

I have also heard that the quality has significantly dropped since they expanded out of DC. I don't have a point of reference since I only tried them once they came to the NJ market.

[Cusm]

Originally Posted by whoopdido

In-N-Out has gotten all the way to Texas. If they can have 3 locations in Texas, what's stopping them from being just about anywhere...assuming that's what they want to do?

OMG!! This is the first I am hearing of them moving to Texas (now to get them to go 3 hours north!!). Their website states opening soon, any idea when they are scheduled to open? We are planning a trip down to Dallas for a couple of things and we may wait a few weeks.

[Deftones]

Originally Posted by whoopdido

In-N-Out has gotten all the way to Texas. If they can have 3 locations in Texas, what's stopping them from being just about anywhere...assuming that's what they want to do?

Apex's post right before you is exactly why they won't expand much more than the midwest.

Originally Posted by Aphex Twin

That would defeat the point. Their strength is in their ingredients and that is a product of their vertical integration: logistics, supply chain, and proximity to where they are grown. That's why the restaurant locations are mainly located where they are. If they just located randomly anywhere on the map and bought their ingredients from whomever, they wouldn't be In-n-Out.

[Quatermass]

Originally Posted by Cusm

OMG!! This is the first I am hearing of them moving to Texas (now to get them to go 3 hours north!!). Their website states opening soon, any idea when they are scheduled to open? We are planning a trip down to Dallas for a couple of things and we may wait a few weeks.

Did you know they are opening a Five Guys in Moore and Norman?
I've never tried In-n-Out, but I've had Five Guys. I still think the independents are better and there are so many in OKC.

[whoopdido]

Originally Posted by Cusm

OMG!! This is the first I am hearing of them moving to Texas (now to get them to go 3 hours north!!). Their website states opening soon, any idea when they are scheduled to open? We are planning a trip down to Dallas for a couple of things and we may wait a few weeks.

According to their website, all 4 locations (Allen, Dallas, Frisco and San Carlos) are currently under construction but they started taking applications on April 13th. Without knowing anything about their training policies and pre-opening schedule, I would assume they'd be open within a couple months.

[The Bus]

Originally Posted by Damfino

I'm really disappointed that not a single restaurant in Las Vegas was listed and we've got a lot of big names here: Wolfgang Puck, Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, Roy Yamaguchi and the Circus Circus buffet.

Check again... Joël Robuchon's place is on the list.

Originally Posted by FlickMan

I consider myself to have a pretty good palate for great food as well as the greasey fast foods.. but I have a rule followed by a hunch:


My rule is I dont eat anywhere where 3/4 of the dinner plate is showing with a tiny artistic pretentious design of food in the middle

My hunch is the majority of these places are just like that...maybe not the Italian, but def' the French ones

Your hunch is incredibly wrong. This is not to say fine food is "better" in some way: ultimately, food prepared with good ingredients and care and passion is what matters, and you can find that in a $5-a-plate diner or at a $500 tasting menu.

To say you won't like food you haven't tried because of how it is plated is a ridiculous statement.

Originally Posted by Rockmjd23

[The Bus] All of them, numerous times[/The Bus]

Well, in my dreams, certainly.

Originally Posted by Cusm

I am surprised the French Laundry is not on the list, I thought that was supposed to be the best in the US.

And my count - 0. I have never been in the same area code as any of them.

Per Se is on the list. Perhaps they limit the number of appearances per chef to one, and, like it or not, Per Se is Keller's flagship.

Originally Posted by SterlingBen

Five Guys > In And Out

On what basis, exactly?

Originally Posted by Aphex Twin

In Southern California, Father's Office, Golden State, Umami, Comme Ca, The Foundry, and Apple Pan all make better burgers, but they are also 3-4 times as expensive and nowhere as fast.

Every time I'm in LA, I end up going past Apple Pan and saying, "OK, before my trip ends!" and I never go.

That's not as disappointing as finally deciding to go to Nozawa in Studio City, arriving there, and finding they were closed for the holidays.

---

New list comes out in ten days.

palebluedot, does Quay have a bar, or somewhere were I could have a drink and try one or two items from their tasting menu?

[TimeandTide]

Originally Posted by Aphex Twin

In Southern California, Father's Office, Golden State, Umami, Comme Ca, The Foundry, and Apple Pan all make better burgers, but they are also 3-4 times as expensive and nowhere as fast.

Add The Bowery (best burger in L.A., IMO), The Counter, and Honor Bar to that list.

/offtopic

[Trout]

Originally Posted by The Bus

Per Se is on the list. Perhaps they limit the number of appearances per chef to one, and, like it or not, Per Se is Keller's flagship.

The French Laundry has slipped since Keller isn't in the kitchen like he was back in the early 00's.

The 2012 list comes out on 4-30.

[Buford T Pusser]

37 Amber China (New entry) +852 2132 0066 amberhongkong.com


I ate out a woman named Amber once but she wasn't Chinese.

[Buford T Pusser]

Originally Posted by movie diva

Thats because you are not Abe Forman the sausage king.

It's Abe Froman so you don't stand a chance.

[Red Dog]

They've never had a crabcake at G&M.

[The Bus]

Originally Posted by Buford T Pusser

37 Amber China (New entry) +852 2132 0066 amberhongkong.com

Interesting. Their lunch set menu is only HKD 560. A brunch in Central might run you that same amount, except at Amber I'm guessing for the price you won't leave stuffed and drunk.

I may need to check it out.