Stop me if I've told this story before...

Back when I was married, the wife took the kids on a Braum's tour for something to do during summer. This was about 18 years ago. One of the other moms in the group asked, "I can't help but notice that everything in this facility is immaculately clean. Yet all the restaurants are so dirty. Why?" The tour guide said that was not the first time they'd been asked that same question.

Amazing. If Buccees can keep 100 toilets spotless....why can't Braums keep 12 tabletops clean? It seems their on premise management gives no priority to keeping the tables and floors clean. That is an institutional problem within the system

Amazing. If Buccees can keep 100 toilets spotless....why can't Braums keep 12 tabletops clean? It seems their on premise management gives no priority to keeping the tables and floors clean. That is an institutional problem within the system

You can't really compare the two. One's a gas station and the other is a fast food chain. There's a designated group of staff members at Buc-ees that can clean the restrooms and not worry about a drive-through lunch rush. Braums has to utilize the same few staff members to do everything, even during peak hours. Braums is generally clean when I go between lunch and dinner too. Not to mention that Buc-ees staff members get paid way more than Braums employees do.

You can't really compare the two. One's a gas station and the other is a fast food chain. There's a designated group of staff members at Buc-ees that can clean the restrooms and not worry about a drive-through lunch rush. Braums has to utilize the same few staff members to do everything, even during peak hours. Braums is generally clean when I go between lunch and dinner too. Not to mention that Buc-ees staff members get paid way more than Braums employees do.

Wait, you can't compare the two because one has dedicated staff to clean the bathroom but the other doesn't have dedicated staff to clean the bathroom?

While one is a gas station and one is a fast-food chain, both have to accommodate drive thrus and a large amount of foot traffic, both sell groceries, both sell burgers, both sell fries, both sell ice cream. One of them just also sells fuel.....

Wait, you can't compare the two because one has dedicated staff to clean the bathroom but the other doesn't have dedicated staff to clean the bathroom?

While one is a gas station and one is a fast-food chain, both have to accommodate drive thrus and a large amount of foot traffic, both sell groceries, both sell burgers, both sell fries, both sell ice cream. One of them just also sells fuel.....

It’s not crazy to say that these are two very different types of establishments with different structures lol. It’s not the products being sold.

I'm not sure if there is any commercial endeavor in Oklahoma that is more subjective and judgmental than food service. Best I can figure, Oklahoma is filled with idiots that frequent filthy, incompetent restaurants that serve inedible and unsafe food. Okies are stupid and visit again and again, and the crooked, almost criminal operators sell us dreck. I can only thank our faith in the saving power of Jesus that we have not all died of food poising or starvation!

You can't really compare the two. One's a gas station and the other is a fast food chain. There's a designated group of staff members at Buc-ees that can clean the restrooms and not worry about a drive-through lunch rush. Braums has to utilize the same few staff members to do everything, even during peak hours. Braums is generally clean when I go between lunch and dinner too. Not to mention that Buc-ees staff members get paid way more than Braums employees do.

This is exactly what I mean by an institutional problem. They don't value clean dining areas. Buc-ees places value on clean restrooms. Braums does not appear to place value on clean dining rooms. Braums should have an assigned person to the dining room during busy times instead of it being an afterthought for the drive thru people. May be different type of businesses but they are both customer service driven and providing a public space. I sell legal services but there is a person assigned in my office to walk the parking lot every day to clean it as that is important and I place value on presenting a clean first impression.

This is exactly what I mean by an institutional problem. They don't value clean dining areas. Buc-ees places value on clean restrooms. Braums does not appear to place value on clean dining rooms. Braums should have an assigned person to the dining room during busy times instead of it being an afterthought for the drive thru people. May be different type of businesses but they are both customer service driven and providing a public space. I sell legal services but there is a person assigned in my office to walk the parking lot every day to clean it as that is important and I place value on presenting a clean first impression.
I’m just thinking staffing a law firm and a restaurant may be two different challenges. I’m thinking the scale of a Bucees operations may pose different staffing challenges than a Braums. I’m not sure how i feel about someone cleaning the bathroom then rushing back to their station making my lunch.
The comparisons and judgement should be to like operations. Walking a parking lot and then going back and filing papers is way different than cleaning up people’s waste and sloppiness and then preparing food. Judgements are easy… analysis is not.

This is exactly what I mean by an institutional problem. They don't value clean dining areas. Buc-ees places value on clean restrooms. Braums does not appear to place value on clean dining rooms. Braums should have an assigned person to the dining room during busy times instead of it being an afterthought for the drive thru people. May be different type of businesses but they are both customer service driven and providing a public space. I sell legal services but there is a person assigned in my office to walk the parking lot every day to clean it as that is important and I place value on presenting a clean first impression.

I guessing you do not, on a daily basis, employ a large number of low wage employees in a relatively transitory work force? Absenteeism is a real issue with no easy and cost effective solution. Of course Braum's wants to have clean tables. But when they have 8 employees working a shift, 2 don't show up, and our current job market doesn't allow for a pool of spot shift workers, then store management has to make decisions about service priorities. When most people are at the counter, or in the drive-in waiting on service, they don't want to hear that they have to wait so that employees can clean tables and sweep the floor.

I guessing you do not, on a daily basis, employ a large number of low wage employees in a relatively transitory work force? Absenteeism is a real issue with no easy and cost effective solution. Of course Braum's wants to have clean tables. But when they have 8 employees working a shift, 2 don't show up, and our current job market doesn't allow for a pool of spot shift workers, then store management has to make decisions about service priorities. When most people are at the counter, or in the drive-in waiting on service, they don't want to hear that they have to wait so that employees can clean tables and sweep the floor.

I think you're spot on. We very rarely eat in there we're usually getting it to go when we do go or getting a quick grocery item or two, so dirty tables do not really bother me. Our experiences in eating at tables are pretty much after football games late at night during football season we'll take the kids and go get a scoop of ice cream, sit and eat, and there's usually an employee in the eating area wiping off tables after everyone hits the place up for ice cream.

I guessing you do not, on a daily basis, employ a large number of low wage employees in a relatively transitory work force? Absenteeism is a real issue with no easy and cost effective solution. Of course Braum's wants to have clean tables. But when they have 8 employees working a shift, 2 don't show up, and our current job market doesn't allow for a pool of spot shift workers, then store management has to make decisions about service priorities. When most people are at the counter, or in the drive-in waiting on service, they don't want to hear that they have to wait so that employees can clean tables and sweep the floor.

This is exactly what I’m getting at. One company isn’t refusing to value interior cleanliness. They have different capacities and one has gained a higher reputation for that reason.

Anyway, back to In-n-Out…

What-A-Burger lost me when they discontinued the Monterey Melt.......

This'll get you close enough to scratch the itch: Start with a Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger, then ask for no Sweet & Spicy sauce, extra grilled onions, add grilled jalapenos, add jalapeno ranch. If you don't want bacon, then start with a double meat Whataburger instead, remove all veggies, add monterey jack, extra grilled onion, grilled jalapenos, and jalapeno ranch (it comes out 30 cents cheaper that way). The jalapeno ranch will come in a dipping cup and you'll have to put it on your burger yourself. Strongly recommend only ordering this amount of customization when they aren't overly busy, but it's 100% worth it imo. It tastes very close to what I remember.

I really do wish they'd bring it back on the permanent menu though.

I was in Texas for the weekend and finally tried In-n-Out. I think I might be spoiled by growing up with a Braum's. The burger was okay and the tomato was bigger than the meat patty. The fries had no taste at all unless you smothered them in the sauce and cheese. The chocolate shake didn't even taste like chocolate. I really do not understand the appeal of this place. The only things I liked was the service, price, and the nostalgia of an old school looking burger joint. It was a well oiled machine and the staff was working well together. It reminded me of Chick-fil-a.

I was in Texas for the weekend and finally tried In-n-Out. I think I might be spoiled by growing up with a Braum's. The burger was okay and the tomato was bigger than the meat patty. The fries had no taste at all unless you smothered them in the sauce and cheese. The chocolate shake didn't even taste like chocolate. I really do not understand the appeal of this place. The only things I liked was the service, price, and the nostalgia of an old school looking burger joint. It was a well oiled machine and the staff was working well together. It reminded me of Chick-fil-a.

Ive eaten at several Austin,dallas area and LA area restaurants. The burger patties are ok, on par with whataburger. I thought the chocolate shakes were ok. But the food quality doesn’t match up to several places locally. They’re operating solely on gimmick at this point. In a way it’s cooler that we don’t have them here. I really don’t see a benefit of them coming here unless we’re getting them before other states. And I don’t see that happening

The location at Firewheel Parkway in Garland on Hwy 78 just off the GBTP has people lined up out of the parking lot pretty much from open to close.... It's insane! No way I wait in a line that long for a fast food burger but it's like that every time I drive by.

The location in Plano, along Us 75, stays busy but never like that Firewheel location on Hwy 78.

Ive eaten at several Austin,dallas area and LA area restaurants. The burger patties are ok, on par with whataburger. I thought the chocolate shakes were ok. But the food quality doesn’t match up to several places locally. They’re operating solely on gimmick at this point. In a way it’s cooler that we don’t have them here. I really don’t see a benefit of them coming here unless we’re getting them before other states. And I don’t see that happening

Again In-n-out is cheap. That is why people go back. A double double combo is $11.05. $12.99 for a whataburger #1 combo and $9.89 combo at Braums for the number 1.

The location at Firewheel Parkway in Garland on Hwy 78 just off the GBTP has people lined up out of the parking lot pretty much from open to close.... It's insane! No way I wait in a line that long for a fast food burger but it's like that every time I drive by.

The location in Plano, along Us 75, stays busy but never like that Firewheel location on Hwy 78.

We were in the Rockwall area and while sitting we looked out the window and the Cain's next door was just as busy if not more busy. We then drove past a Braum's that was a mile down the road and it was packed and the drive thru was super busy. I think in Texas they just eat a lot of fast food and like cheap prices. This area reminded me of Penn and Memorial and how crazy busy it was.

To each their own, but I flipping love In-n-Out.

To each their own, but I flipping love In-n-Out.

I love White Castle but I'm not sitting in line 30+ minutes to get it.

But the food quality doesn’t match up to several places locally.

In and Out doesn't need to be compared to other "local" places. In and Out is fast food to be compared with Whataburger, Wendy's, McDonald's, etc., not Nic's, Biglow's, Ron's, New State, etc.

In and Out doesn't need to be compared to other "local" places. In and Out is fast food to be compared with Whataburger, Wendy's, McDonald's, etc., not Nic's, Biglow's, Ron's, New State, etc.

I would choose In-n-Out over McDonald's, but not over Wendy's or Whataburger. It would be unfair to compare it to those locations, but Braum's and to a certain point even Spark have much better flavor. Spark probably isn't really considered fast food, but it has a similar feel to fast food. Braum's is even cheaper and to me the better flavor. If Braum's had the service and staff of an In-n-Out and it expanded farther outward, it would be no contest.

In and Out doesn't need to be compared to other "local" places. In and Out is fast food to be compared with Whataburger, Wendy's, McDonald's, etc., not Nic's, Biglow's, Ron's, New State, etc.

this is correct ..

In-N-out is great. I've only had it in California but it was amazing when I had it. Quality better than Braums and I love Braums. Maybe the Texas locations aren't as good.

In-N-out is great. I've only had it in California but it was amazing when I had it. Quality better than Braums and I love Braums. Maybe the Texas locations aren't as good.

I've eaten at the Dallas location and found it to be exactly like those in California.


Like anything else, something with a huge, enthusiastic following leads to expectations that can never be realized.

I remember the first time I had it in Cali I didn't understand all the hype. But over time I learned to love it.

Since the first time I have tried In-N-Out, and pretty much every time after that, I thought it was nothing more than a glorified McDonald's (and McD's may even be better food, just not service). Now that I typed this, it's like McD's (food) and CFA (service) and an offspring.

Since the first time I have tried In-N-Out, and pretty much every time after that, I thought it was nothing more than a glorified McDonald's (and McD's may even be better food, just not service). Now that I typed this, it's like McD's (food) and CFA (service) and an offspring.

Its fine to not think In n Out doesnt live up to the hype but to not just compare it to Mcdonalds but to say McD's might be better is absolutely wild IMO. The burgers are so different that they're almost not in the same category.
Compare it to In n Out, Culvers...sure but a McD's burger is so much more different and less fresh tasting to me.

In n Out did actually look around OKC but i've heard they've paused any OKC expansion for now.

This'll get you close enough to scratch the itch: Start with a Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger, then ask for no Sweet & Spicy sauce, extra grilled onions, add grilled jalapenos, add jalapeno ranch. If you don't want bacon, then start with a double meat Whataburger instead, remove all veggies, add monterey jack, extra grilled onion, grilled jalapenos, and jalapeno ranch (it comes out 30 cents cheaper that way). The jalapeno ranch will come in a dipping cup and you'll have to put it on your burger yourself. Strongly recommend only ordering this amount of customization when they aren't overly busy, but it's 100% worth it imo. It tastes very close to what I remember.

I really do wish they'd bring it back on the permanent menu though.

I haven't verified at the local restaurants, but the WB website lists the Monterey Melt as being back, for a limited time.

I literally live next to an In-N-Out here in Hollywood. It is a great place and you can’t beat the prices. It is coming to OKC. It’s a matter of time.

... a McD's burger is so much more different and less fresh tasting to me.

McDs is definitely less fresh. I think everything at McDs except the Quarter Pounder is frozen. I don't think In N Out freezes anything. I think that what dictates their expansion models. Since they don't freeze anything, locations can't be too far from distribution.

McDs is definitely less fresh. I think everything at McDs except the Quarter Pounder is frozen. I don't think In N Out freezes anything. I think that what dictates their expansion models. Since they don't freeze anything, locations can't be too far from distribution.

OKC is in the dallas distro location footprint ..

To each their own, but I flipping love In-n-Out.

The only correct answer.

I literally live next to an In-N-Out here in Hollywood. It is a great place and you can’t beat the prices. It is coming to OKC. It’s a matter of time.

One would KILL IT at Covell/35.

I haven't verified at the local restaurants, but the WB website lists the Monterey Melt as being back, for a limited time.

!!!! Definitely going looking for a Monterey Melt this week. Thanks for the heads up. IMHO the Monterey Melt is the best true fast food burger there is.....I may have already said that on there somewhere come to think of it. Lol.

The only correct answer.

Agreed - I always go at least once when in CA and often when in the DFW area.

Even if I didn't like it personally seeing how busy it was in Rockwall Texas, it is clear it would be a major Success in OKC.

Even if I didn't like it personally seeing how busy it was in Rockwall Texas, it is clear it would be a major Success in OKC.

Yes it would be. If Jack in the Box has a line each day I can't imagine InNOut wouldn't

I was in Texas for the weekend and finally tried In-n-Out. I think I might be spoiled by growing up with a Braum's. The burger was okay and the tomato was bigger than the meat patty. The fries had no taste at all unless you smothered them in the sauce and cheese. The chocolate shake didn't even taste like chocolate. I really do not understand the appeal of this place. The only things I liked was the service, price, and the nostalgia of an old school looking burger joint. It was a well oiled machine and the staff was working well together. It reminded me of Chick-fil-a.

Braums?? Someone at work told me that Braums burgers were good and at a good price. I tried it but way too salty for me. Even at a cheap price, which I love, it's not something for me to return to get. I am not from here (OKC) and have lived a lot of places in the US including California and every local has their own palette and based on some of the most popular places I've been in OKC I feel ppl here like it heavy on the salt. Having said that I really do like Raising Cane's every once in a while.

To each their own, but I flipping love In-n-Out.

Yep, me too. When I lived in California I really loved Del Taco as well but that was I different time/era. Sill good but a little different, not quite the same. Fat Burger in California was good as well as Rubio's, Wahoo's, and La Salsa Fish Tacos.

Yep, me too. When I lived in California I really loved Del Taco as well but that was I different time/era. Sill good but a little different, not quite the same. Fat Burger in California was good as well as Rubio's, Wahoo's, and La Salsa Fist Tacos.

There is also Sharky's which is similar to La Salsa and the others, and I thought it was the best of the bunch.

El Pollo Loco is the California chain I'd most like to see here. It's all very fresh, not fried, and some tasty and healthy menu options. I love the combo of grilled chicken and the big salsa bar.

A couple of years ago EPL announced they were looking at OKC, but crickets ever since.

To each their own, but I flipping love In-n-Out.

Me too. I don't understand the strong negatives some people have with it. Good concept. Good execution. Simple menu. Fresh and good ingredients. I spent many years frequently in SoCal and it was a regular for me.

I do find it strange we don't have a Shake Shack here as well. Those do pretty well in Dallas.

I do find it strange we don't have a Shake Shack here as well. Those do pretty well in Dallas.

Hold that thought.

Braums?? Someone at work told me that Braums burgers were good and at a good price. I tried it but way too salty for me. Even at a cheap price, which I love, it's not something for me to return to get. I am not from here (OKC) and have lived a lot of places in the US including California and every local has their own palette and based on some of the most popular places I've been in OKC I feel ppl here like it heavy on the salt. Having said that I really do like Raising Cane's every once in a while.

I really do believe it is all about where you are raised and the burger joint you grew up going to. If I grew up with an In-n-Out I would probably love it.

I also grew up going to Big Ed's and went back a few years ago and loved the burger there.

^

Yes, there is always loyalty and nostalgia to factor in.

I never thought much of Whataburger and when I moved back I tried it again since there is such an avid following. I much prefer In-n-Out and I suspect it's due to the many positive associations I had with it over 25 years. Many road trips up and down the West Coast, storming in there with friends after a late night out, etc.

^

Yes, there is always loyalty and nostalgia to factor in.

I never thought much of Whataburger and when I moved back I tried it again since there is such an avid following. I much prefer In-n-Out and I suspect it's due to the many positive associations I had with it over 25 years. Many road trips up and down the West Coast, storming in there with friends after a late night out, etc.

Whataburger was fantastic when I was a kid/teenager, but they have kinda devolved to average for me. Don't go there very often TBH so maybe that's not a fair assessment. I have only been to the In and Out in Ontario CA and it was very good

For me Garage makes a darned good burger but their fries stink. Braum's is decent too.

I don’t hate the fries at Garage, but lately I’ve switched to onion rings and I’m feeling pretty good about the change

In-N-Out is just a ridiculously consistent, fresh, cheap experience. It's hard to beat an Animal Style Double Double and their fries are always fresh and good. I have learned that the fries really need to be eaten fresh. You put any time on them and they aren't great. I think it's because they are actually so fresh and don't have any processing on them so that's why they don't hold up to time.

I love Braum's but it can be hit or miss with locations. Living in Florida now I can tell you I sure do miss Braum's.

Whataburger is consistently one of my favorites but with a caveat. I've found that I enjoy it MUCH MORE when I order a double meat JUNIOR burger instead of one of their normal sized burgers. The ratios on meat/toppings/buns comes out so much better and makes it a far better burger to me. Just my opinion. Oh, and I have found the same with Braum's as I order the 1/6th pound burger instead and sometimes double it up rather than getting the full sized burgers.

Here in Central Florida we don't have ANY of these mentioned and I miss them. We DO have a brand new Culver's next to the new house and they are very good so far, service and food. We also have a Sonic very close and so far the food from there has been VERY good, which warms my Okie heart, for sure. Their new Smasher burgers are pretty good.

We had Whataburger in Jacksonville we would go to when we lived in SE Georgia so that was nice, but JAX is the furthest into Florida they go at the moment, so I'm hoping they expand to the Orlando/Tampa area soon. No way I'm ever counting on getting a Braum's (given their radius policy) or an In-N-Out so those will just have to be things I enjoy when I'm back in OKC or Dallas.

Whataburger is consistently one of my favorites but with a caveat. I've found that I enjoy it MUCH MORE when I order a double meat JUNIOR burger instead of one of their normal sized burgers. The ratios on meat/toppings/buns comes out so much better and makes it a far better burger to me. Just my opinion. Oh, and I have found the same with Braum's as I order the 1/6th pound burger instead and sometimes double it up rather than getting the full sized burgers.


Haha! I do this exact same thing at McDonald's when I have to go there... the smaller double or triple just seems better to me than the QP.

Braums?? Someone at work told me that Braums burgers were good and at a good price. I tried it but way too salty for me. Even at a cheap price, which I love, it's not something for me to return to get. I am not from here (OKC) and have lived a lot of places in the US including California and every local has their own palette and based on some of the most popular places I've been in OKC I feel ppl here like it heavy on the salt. Having said that I really do like Raising Cane's every once in a while.

Braums is experiencing a system wide outage .... all stores are Cash only (this started on Tuesday and this may last a while)

Braums is experiencing a system wide outage .... all stores are Cash only (this started on Tuesday and this may last a while)

I went thru the drive-thru normally on Tuesday morning but Wednesday morning, I encountered the outage. I assumed it would be a very temporary thing. I wonder what is going on?

Something extended like that might be ransomware.

Something extended like that might be ransomware.

a cyber attack is my understanding