*** EZ Take-Out Burger has closed
I was told a while back that this little burger stand on Genesee Avenue, had burgers "as good as In N Out". And even better, they had 99 cent burger nights on Wednesdays and Sundays from 4pm to closing. So hey, what day is it? It’s Wednesday, and any day is a good day for a burger (or two).
This little retro-looking burger stand features a little kitchen and 3-4 tables outside. There are actually people dodging each other in the kitchen area. I noticed alot of descriptions were very "In-N-Outish", like the "Double-Take" (see Double-Double).
I ordered 3 burgers, no spread (we like to actually taste the burger), with all the produce, and 2 orders of fries – it came out to $5.98! Bargain city! We had also wanted one of their Boysenberry Shakes($1.85), but the shake machine was out of order. Bummer. We sat outside and in a few minutes my number was called and our burgers were ready.
Looks pretty good, huh? Unfortunately looks are deceiving. The burger was pretty dry, even though it just came off the grill, and pretty tasteless. The best part of the whole sandwich were the onions and tomatoes. How does it measure up against In N Out? Not even close. The burger is better than one of those major chain fast food burgers, but not by much. Is it worth 99 cents? If you look at it that way, I’d say yes, but again, not by much. The fries look really good but were under cooked, and got soggy really quickly. It’s still better than In-N-Out’s, I really don’t care much for the fries there. I’d actually been here once and had the fries while I waited for Honey Baked Hams who share the same parking lot, to open and thought they were pretty good. The best fries I’ve ever had was at, of all places, a stand called Y-Not Burgers in Torrance. For some reason all the planets were aligned that day, and the fries were golden, perfectly crisp, soft inside, and with a nice potato taste. I remember standing, and holding the "holy fry" up to the light, and exclaiming, "this is amazing, this fry is perfect"…..and was immediately told to "sit down, you’re acting like a fool, people are looking at you". I guess this galvanizing moment was not appreciated by all.
EZ Take Out Burger, 99 cent burgers (cheese extra) on Wednesdays and Sundays. There is usually a long wait in the drive thru, I’d rather take my chances by parking and going inside. Real ice cream shakes, boysenberry is a favorite.
EZ Take Out Burger
4277 Genesee Avenue
San Diego, CA 92117
Hey
, where’s our shake!!!
Hi Kirk,
Shame about the burgers. They would really have to be something special to be better than In-N-Out. Fries look good, but you know why I really like the fries at In-N-Out? It’s because they are fresh cut.
I’ve seen it, I’ve wanted to try it, but could never get myself to visit this place. Now I don’t have to. Thanks for the tip. I am going to have to change the time when I check out your site. I get so hungry early in the morning after reading your posts!
Hi Reid – Yes, the burgers at In N Out are excellent, often imitated, never duplicated. I don’t care much for the fries there, even well done, I like them “oil-blanched” for the crispness.
Hey Jack – Well if it’s Sunday and you’ve got a “tribe” the 99 cent price ain’t too bad, I’d ask for the fries well done though. I’d never pay full price here, though. Maybe I should not post pictures???? Ha, LOL!
Too bad about the burgers, but now I have a hankering for In and Out Burgers. Yummy…I used to hate hate In and Outs fries, but the one on El Camino seems to serve non soggy fries.
Hi Mills – It really wasn’t that bad – we only paid about 6 bucks, and I’d say the burger worth 99 cents. I’d never pay full price here, though.
This part cracks me up!
“I remember standing, and holding the “holy fry” up to the light, and exclaiming, “this is amazing, this fry is perfect”…..and was immediately told to “sit down, you’re acting like a fool, people are looking at you”. I guess this galvanizing moment was not appreciated by all.”
Kirk, you are true Chowhound! And I bow to you!
I’m with Elmo, I would have told you to mount the chair so all could behold the “Fry Fantastique”. I would have encouraged huzzahs and applause, there would have been glorious uplifting music in the background… But, then, I’m an old fan of Y-Not. An old boyfriend had an apartment around the corner from the original shop. That was centuries ago. I love the pic of the Boyz. Pepper didn’t recognize them though…
Hi Emlo – I guess I get carried away some times – not so much that I’d do the delici-yoso dance, but pretty close.
Hi Jo – If I mounted the chair, there would have been a response all right – I’d be spending time in our favorite B&B, with one of those special jackets on! Don’t know how “uplifting” that would be! I didn’t really care for the burgers at Y-Not (I tried the ostrich – too dry), but those fries were great! I think Pepper’s too busy enjoying the “high-life”, and we’re just a faded memory….:)
hi, i am the owner of ez take out burger it feels preety bad getting slammed by you but all i have to say is you didn`t try our spread without it it`s just a a plain burger anybody can make those!so next time you want to talk smack about my buisness that i work hard to keep running don`t forget the spread!
Hi Brandon – Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Let’s be clear on a couple of things; I’m not slamming you, I’m relating my observations on my visit. BTW, I’d been there a few times with the same results – too bad your shake machine was inoperable, because I think your shakes are pretty good, but if you managed to read to the end you’d realize I said that. So let me ask you; do you require that all burgers come with “spread”? I get burgers without “spread” at In-N-Out and Fatburger, and IMHO they taste better, they don’t all taste the same. You write about working hard, and obviously take pride in your hard work; but nowhere in your post do you mention the quality of your product, instead you take the strategy of mentioning how it “just a plain burger and anybody can make those”, I think it’s pretty condescending and arrogant to think your customers don’t know better! Your comments make me wonder what would happen if a Customer came in with a complaint; because it seems that instead of looking within, you look to lash out! I’ll make sure that your complaint get’s the attention it deserves, and will email this back to you as well. Regards.
Ah, I remember when I was finishing up my BA at UCSD my friend showed me this place. It was allright, but a bit out of the way for a burger. The Boysenberry shake was pretty good.
Also in the store I remember seeing pictures of other EZ Take Out Burger locations, didn’t know the place was a chain. Has anyone here been to one of them?
Hi James – Welcome and thanks for commenting. EZ Takeout has a website:
http://www.eztakeoutburger1.com/
In case you’re interested.
Hey, I had always heard that EZ Take-Out Burgers were always located across the street from In-n-Out Burgers. It was something about EZ being started by a former In-N-Outer who was pissed that they wouldn’t add new shake flavors. I know the one in Upland is across the street from an In-n-out and my friend Derek (a man with chronic munchies) swore by it.
Hi Patrick – Thanks for stopping by and commenting. That’s a interesting tidbit. The location here in San Diego isn’t close to an In-N-Out, but sure looks like it’s trying to copy the formula.
EZ take out burger in my opinion is better then In-and-out, and way better then mcdonalds, burger king etc… You just have to try it don’t listen to anyone! Nothing is frozen and everything is fresh! They receive a new shipment of supplies every 2 days! How can you compare a 99cent hamburger from ez take out to mcdonalds or burger king? YOU CAN’T! Unless you like microwaved food!
Hi Harry – Huh? I’ve never had or seen a microwaved burger at In-N-out, nor Fatburger….are you saying they microwave their burgers? Also, I never compared the burgers from EZ Take-out to Mickey D’s or Burger King. Infact to quote the post “The burger is better than one of those major chain fast food burgers, but not by much.” I believe that I show everyone respect by reading and responding to their posts – please show me some by actually reading the post before commenting!
Hello Kirk,
Not trying to disrespect you or your opinion. But look at your quote closely “The burger is better than one of those major chain fast food burgers, but not by much.” – but not by much? – c’mon Kirk you know very well its better then any burger at Mcdonalds and Burger King.
In-and-Out is great!, Fatburger – Never had it – Ez-take-out is great too… and Mcdonalds and Burger King – you wont catch me eating there food.
Hi Harry – I do appreciate your comments and opinions. I think you need to take a closer look at my post! I never mention BK or Mickey D’s in it – you are the one that mention them. Seems like you are really attached to EZ Take-Out burgers, I think that’s great. But my opinion stands; not much better then fast food burgers. Do you actually think that you can change my mind? Good shakes, though, but the machine always seems to be broken there – so we’ve stopped going. I’d say the burger is worth 99 cents, but not much more….
Nice to see a review for EZ Take Out–in fact I just found your webpage and am amazed at how comprehensive it is (especially when it comes to the under-appreciated Convoy area). Re: the review, I actually prefer EZ Take Out to In-N-Out. In-N-Out’s burgers are good, but I think a bit over-hyped. In my opinion they tend to be way too greasy–it’s kind of nasty when the lettuce gets partially cooked from all the grease dripping off the burger. The In-N-Out fry worship also blows my mind–they always tasted stale to me. I like EZ Take Out because the burgers are a little less greasy and ingredients taste fresher–the shakes are great too, and while the fries aren’t exactly novel in any way I like them a lot better than In-N-Out. Just my two cents. Keep up the good work!
Hi Ross – You must be in heaven on Wed & Sundays. I still enjoy In-N-Out for burgers, but I really don’t like the fries at In-N-Out. Thanks for the kind words.
i’ve been to both i prefer ez take out.
in n out is good too but i think too expensive. i went to in n out because no ez takeout her in san bernardino and was sort of disapointed… so to each his own.
Hi Brandon – As you say – to each His own. I never tell anyone what to eat or not eat.
Sometimes, when you walk into In-N-Out you’ll see that special someone. A man or woman with agile hands tossing potatoes into the slicer and pulling the handle in a rythmic way, some without looking. Some special In-N-Out person will have that fry station under their command and they own it. These Fry-Mamas and Fry-Daddies are the only ones that seem to really know how to get those fries out right. They place the potatoes properly so no short cuts. They time it just right with the burgers, flowing with the grill people. I know it the second I walk in. Look at the other baskets? Are the fries short? The fry person may be inexperienced. Long fries, and a really confident worker at the friers that flows from slicing, frying and salting with ease means order the fries and be amazed.
This place is not recommeded! If you have a problem they dont stand behind there problem and fix the problem. The company in san diego is owned by a corpration Gods Second Chance. Try to find a phone number to call and complain. Try to call the store. The manager Jamie need to be replaced she is most unhelpfull
i’ve been here several times and always had a good experience. at least as good if not better than in n out. maybe you caught them on an off day.
I live in Alaska, and every time I visit San Diego, In-N-Out is a must stop. Last week, I did have short fries. Sorta disappointed, but glad to finally know the reason why. The burgers are a bit greasy, but if you want taste, sometimes you must sacrifice. I just wish the owners would allow for franchising because all I hear are people in Alaska raving about In-N-Out. We need one badly up here. Next time I visit Diego, I will definitely give EZ Take Out a try (on wednesdays and sundays), right after I mow down on an “animal style 4×4”.
I Love Ez take Out our fries are way better then In N Out trust me i used to work there!
OK Drew. We all have our opinions about fries everywhere. Glad you liked the frozen ones. The In-n-Out fries are made from fresh potatoes, so have a different taste. I would have to compare fresh to fresh and frozen to frozen to give an overall opinion. Thanks for stopping by, reading the blog and commenting.
This is an update. Sadly, EZ Take-Out Burger has closed. I’m wodnering if the whole chain didn’t close because the website is down too. Anyway, no more burgers after a Home Depot run.