[fintstone]

I think that when we mix comparisons of fast food with other choices (homemade or some of the frou-frou and elaborate/expensive burgers) we risk confusing the issue. For me, they are entirely different things. I can order my $2 chain broiled whopper minus mayo from the local Burger King from my phone ap and and be eating it $2 and 2 minutes later. I cannot even make it at home for that price...or that fast. If I am really hungry, I can add an order of 8 ghost pepper chicken nuggets for another $1.49. I can do the same almost anywhere in the country and it is uniformly the same. I do not compare that with gong to a restaurant and spending $20 and a hour. My time is valuable as well...and If I am making $80hr, the fancy sit down burger cost me almost $100 more than the Whopper. So, it depends on situation for me.

I have had good food at a 5 Guys, but the one closest to me is not very good...and they are expensive compared to McD or BK. I try to mix it up with some chicken sandwiches from Popeyes or Chikfil A when I am in the city about 30 minutes away (non locally) and when I travel, places I can't eat at home like Bob's Burgers, Rex's and Lotaburger in NM , Krystals, in the SE, White Castle in the NE, In N Out, FatBurger, or even Wienerschnitzel for hot dogs and chili cheese fries (don't have them here) out west.

Lots of small, local places make great burgers. Red Robin makes a pretty good burger for a sit down chain. Places like Smashburger are good as well, but not as common. Juts need more time and more money.