Month: June 2024

At Upworthy, we love sharing the “best of humanity” with our audience, and this story out of Utah, originally reported by CBS News’ Steve Hartman, shows the power of love to break down barriers.

When Schauna Austin, 48, was 20 years old, she got pregnant and knew she wasn’t ready to raise a child, so she made the difficult decision to give the baby up for adoption. She gave birth to a son she named Riley and only had 3 days to spend with him before surrendering him to his new family.

So, she held him tight for 72 hours straight.

“It was perfect,” Austin said about those 3 emotionally-charged days. “I knew I would have him for a short time, so I made every minute count of it. I didn’t sleep for three days.” It must have been tough for Austin to give up her son because the grieving process can be incredibly difficult.

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Riley, renamed Steven, was given to Chris and Jennifer Schoebinger in a closed adoption, where Austin was not to be informed about the adoptive family. In Utah, closed adoptions are a rarity these days, with about 95% allowing some exchange of information between the birth and adoptive parents.

However, about a week later, the Schoebingers had a change of heart.

The Schoebingers decided Austin should be involved in Steven’s life. “It was like, ‘OK, this is the way it should be. She was part of our family,'” Jennifer told CBS News. “You know, you can’t have too many people loving you, right? Why couldn’t he be both of ours?” Chris added.

Every year, the Schoebingers sent Austin pictures and bound journals showing Steven’s journey in deep detail. They even had lists of all the new words he learned each year. The books were titled “The Life and Times of ‘Riley,’” paying homage to Steven’s original name.

The hope was that one day when the biological mother and son were ready, they could pick up where they left off. That moment came when Steven was 7 years old and Austin taught him to fish.

He’s heeere!!! 🥹 Our first grandchild. Welcome, Riley. You don’t know me yet, but our home will always be your home. No matter what life throws your way, you will be loved and accepted and we’ll eat pie! And ice cream. And you’ll wonder if that’s the only thing grandpa eats? 🤣 pic.twitter.com/7ac8A0GVKI

— Chris Schoebinger (@PUBGUY) August 19, 2022

The unique arrangement has been fantastic for both Austin and her biological son. “I was blessed beyond words,” Austin said. “I kind of got the best of both worlds, for sure,” Steven agreed. It may seem like relationships between children and those who gave them up for adoption would be complicated. But studies show that 84% of adoptees reported high levels of satisfaction when maintaining ongoing contact with their birth parents.

Steven is now 27 and in August 2022, he and his wife, Kayla, had their first child, a boy they named Riley—the name Steven was originally given by his biological mother. Austin is now a grandmother.

The remarkable story of Austin and the Schoebinger family proves that when we put walls between ourselves and others, we are often blocking everyone off from more love and support. “I think the lesson we learned is that sometimes we create barriers where barriers don’t need to be. And when we pull down those barriers, we really find love on the other side,” Chris said.

Donald Glover and Francesca Sloane’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith concluded its first season by leaving viewers wondering who died and who lived. Their pension for mystery is not limited to the Amazon Prime Video series adaptation’s first eight episodes, however.

Are Donald Glover & Maya Erskine Coming Back For Mr. & Mrs. Smith Season 2 Or Not?

On May 14, Variety reported that Mr. & Mrs. Smith had been renewed for a second season at Amazon Prime Video, but “sources say that Season 1 stars Donald Glover and Maya Erskine are not expected to return to star in Season 2. Glover is still credited as a co-creator and executive producer on the series alongside Francesca Sloane, who will return as showrunner.”

Pretty straightforward. But then, Glover and Erskine appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week, and we’re back to not knowing what’s going on with this show. Kimmel asked Glover and Erskine about the Variety report, and Erskine shrugged. “You know, I don’t know,” Glover said. “It’s like November 28, and the kids know there’s a Christmas present, and they’re like, ‘Mom, where’s the Christmas present?’” Kimmel interrupted Glover’s attempt to skirt the question, saying, “No, it’s not like that. It’s like it’s November 28, and the kids don’t know if Santa is even coming.”

Glover laughed and offered that, within the same metaphor, “you might ruin Christmas” if you tell the kids anything too early. Erskine added, “It’ll be more fun if you see the second season — you wanna wait!” Then, Glover concluded (sort of), “Who says we’re not in it? Maybe we are, maybe we aren’t.”

Additionally, Sloane addressed the Variety report on Entertainment Weekly’s The Awardist podcast last month.

“I was just talking to Donald last night about this, and we were laughing because one of the pieces of press said, ‘According to our sources,’ and we’re like, ‘Who are these sources?’ said the Mr. & Mrs. Smith showrunner, who also served as a supervising producer on Atlanta. “We wrote a cliffhanger, we thought about it long and hard. It was one of the first things that we wrote. Why in the world — we haven’t said anything — but why in the world would we ruin a cliffhanger based on a headline?”

The Boston Celtics will have to lean on their experience playing without Kristaps Porzingis during Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals. In the lead-up to Wednesday night’s game, the Celtics announced that Porzingis was ruled out due to a left posterior tibialis dislocation, an injury that is not related to the calf injury that cost him most of the first round and all of the conference semifinals and conference finals.

The injury was announced on Tuesday afternoon, and while Porzingis told the press that he was optimistic he’d be able to go, the team called the injury “rare” in their release announcing the news, while Boston coach Joe Mazzulla described it as a “serious injury.”

Porzingis returned to the Celtics at the very start of the Finals after hurting his calf against the Miami Heat. He’s been excellent so far against the Dallas Mavericks, as they haven’t really had an answer for his size, shooting, and ability to protect the rim. Presumably, Al Horford will slide into the starting line, which he did when Porzingis was sidelined earlier in the playoffs, while one of Luke Kornet or Xavier Tillman should see a bigger role off the bench.

The Celtics currently hold a 2-0 series lead on the Mavs, but Games 3 and 4 will be the first ones in the series that take place in Dallas.

(WARNING: Spoilers for Power Book II: Ghost will be found below.)

Tariq and Brayden barely made it out alive in the season four premiere episode of Power Book II: Ghost. “I Don’t Die Easy” lived up to its name as the duo barely escaped the grasp of Noma who desperately sought to kill Tariq and Brayden. Luckily, they were both found away to escape death, but it came at a hefty price. Tariq and Brayden can no longer sell drugs as Noma warned the worst would happen to them if she caught them doing so. In episode two, we see how Tariq and Brayden move forward. Additionally, Monet is out of her coma which will only bring more drama to the show.

When Will Power Book II: Ghost Season 4, Episode 2 Come Out?

The second episode of Power Book II: Ghost season four, titled “To Thine Own Self,” will arrive on June 14. The episode will be available on Friday, 6/14 on the STARZ app starting at midnight EST/PST. The episode will later air on the STARZ TV channel at 8 pm ET/PT. A synopsis for “To Thine Own Self” can be found below:

Tariq and Brayden struggle to adjust to life as normal, broke college students; Monet wants back into the game and answers about who took shots at her; Noma seeks out an opportunity to expand with the Russians.

You can also watch a pair of teasers for Power Book II: Ghost season four, episode two below:

New episodes of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ season four are available on the STARZ app on Fridays at 12:00 am ET/PT and on the STARZ TV channel at 8:00 pm ET/PT.

It’s been a strangely big news week in the world of competitive eating, as Major League Eating and the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest announced on Tuesday that Joey Chestnut had been banned from the July 4 event after signing an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods as they launch a line of vegan hot dogs.

The reasoning for him being banned was Nathan’s deemed Impossible Foods a competitor, and as such they wouldn’t let Chestnut compete, which apparently surprised the hot dog eating world record holder.

His final note of “you will see me eating again soon” was a hint at the news that dropped on Wednesday, in which Netflix announced they would be pitting Chestnut against his former rival and 6-time Nathan’s contest champ, Takeru Kobayashi, who was similarly banned from Major League Eating competitions years ago and recently announced his retirement from competitive eating.

Netflix was able to get Kobayashi to get back in the game and he and Chestnut will go head-to-head on Labor Day for the first time in 15 years, when Chestnut beat him in a sudden-death 5 dog eat-off in the 2009 Nathan’s contest. The two released statements on the special showdown via press release.

“Through all of my years in competitive eating, Kobayashi stands out as my fiercest rival,” said Chestnut. “Competing against him pushed me to be so much better. I know that fans have waited a long time for another chapter of our rivalry and I can’t wait for our massive showdown live on Netflix! It’s time to give the people what they want!”

“Retiring for me will only happen after I take him down one last time,” said Kobayashi. “This rivalry has been brewing for a long time. Competing against Joey live on Netflix means fans all over the world can watch me knock him out.”

The exact time for the contest is still TBD on September 2, but it will be fascinating to see how Chestnut-Kobayashi performs in terms of viewership compared to a Nathan’s July 4th contest without either in the field.

Jpegmafia heading back on the road. After touring with Danny Brown last year, the genre-bending rapper is heading out on a solo tour in August. The Lay Down My Life Tour is billed to begin on in Pomona, California and hit a string of venues in Las Vegas, Reno, Tempe, and more.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, June 14, with a presale beginning tomorrow, June 13. You can see the tour dates below.

Jpegmafia 2024 Tour Dates:

06/28 – Manchester, UK @ Outbreak Fest
06/30 – Brussels, BE @ Couleur Café Festival
08/07 – Pomona, CA @ Fox Theater Pomona
08/08 – Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl
08/10 – Denver, CO @ The Fillmore Auditorium
08/11 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
08/13 – Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theatre
08/15 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
08/16 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
08/17 – Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre
08/19 – Reno, NV @ Virginia Street Brewhouse
08/20 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
08/23 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
08/24 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
08/27 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Tower Theatre
08/29 – Dallas, TX @ South Side Ballroom
08/30 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
08/31 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
09/03 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution Live
09/05 – Raleigh, NC @ Hopscotch Music Festival
09/06 – Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern
09/07 – Orlando, FL @ The Beacham
09/10 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
09/11 – Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
09/13 – Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall
09/14 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
09/15 – Boston, MA @ Roadrunner
09/17 – Providence, RI @ Fête Music Hall
09/19 – Toronto, ON @ Rebel
09/20 – Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
09/21 – Chicago, IL @ Radius

(WARNING: Spoilers for The Chi season 6 will be found below.)

As The Chi nears a conclusion for season six, we’re left to wonder what will Victor’s fate be when it’s all said and done. The councilman was officially charged in the death of Q. Investigators are offering to drop the charges against him if he testifies that the murder was done by Douda (which it was). This leaves Victor with an extremely tough decision to make. Elsewhere, Rob comes around to reconnecting with his father, but that chance is quickly taken away as he’s murdered at the end of the episode. Kiesha discovers that her son not only has sickle cell disease, but that Nuk is his father, something Emmett will have to get around to accepting despite his dislike for Nuk. Finally, Jada gets visited by an old friend after they learned about her breakup.

Here’s what to expect on the next episode in The Chi season six:

When Will The Chi Season 6, Episode 14 Come Out?

The fourteenth episode of The Chi season six, titled “Smoke & Mirrors,” will arrive on June 14. The episode will be available on Friday, 6/14 on the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME app starting at midnight EST/PST. The episode will later air on the SHOWTIME TV channel on June 16 at 9 pm ET/PT. A synopsis for “Smoke & Mirrors” can be found below:

Jake does his best to distract a restless Victor. Alicia makes a deal and issues a warning. Papa takes center stage while Britney confides in Maisha and Jemma.

‘The Chi’ season 6, part 2 is now streaming on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. Seasons 1-5 as well as season 6, part 1 are available now to stream on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME

Miley Cyrus recently appeared on Dave Letterman’s Netflix show My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, where she and the host enjoyed an in-depth conversation about the pop star’s life and music. During the interview, the “Flowers” singer talked about her family, including her country star father, Billy Ray Cyrus.

According to TMZ, she credited her dad with one of her less-flattering traits. Although she acknowledged that he’d had a very rough childhood, she said she inherited her “narcissism” from him, saying she was selfish as a child. Still, she was willing to admit, “Without my dad, I know … who I am as a person wouldn’t exist. Because my dad, as a creative and as an artist, and the way his brain works, has always made me feel safer in my own mind.”

The relationship between the two has been fraught ever since Billy Ray divorced Miley’s mom Tish, leading to the kids allegedly choosing sides between them and freezing each other out. However, both parents have seemingly made efforts to remind the squabbling sibs that they are family (and therefore, pretty much stuck together) and encourage them to make amends. Billy Ray recently posted a nostalgic tribute to Miley on Instagram amid his ongoing divorce from his new paramour, the 37-year-old Firerose.

The basketball world suffered a gigantic loss on Wednesday morning, as the Los Angeles Clippers announced the passing of Hall of Fame inductee Jerry West at 86 years old. While West was a member of the Clipper front office, he’s most well known for his time as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, where he turned into one of the best players in franchise history before becoming their head coach and, eventually, started his decorated executive career.

A number of tributes poured in immediately after word of his passing, and later in the day on Wednesday, two of the most prominent individuals in NBA and Laker history celebrated West’s life and legacy. Pat Riley, who was a teammate alongside West on the 1972 NBA Finals team before coaching under him during West’s time as the team’s general manager, released a statement which looked back on their time as teammates, colleagues, and friends.

Magic Johnson, one of the pillars of the “Showtime” Lakers era for which West was the general manager, posted a lengthy tribute to West onto Twitter and shared a number of pictures of the two of them.

I met Jerry West for the first time in 1979 at the Forum where he introduced me to Bill Sharman, Chick Hearn, and then Laker owner Jack Kent Cooke. My father, agent and I negotiated over lunch then Jerry took me to the locker room to show me my Lakers jersey. I started to cry and Jerry explained to me the expectation of wearing the purple and gold, how he saw my role, and how he envisioned me fitting into the organization. I’ll never forget that moment.
 
When training camp began, he gave me so many golden nuggets and really critiqued every facet of my game. After every practice he would give me notes on how I could get better and those sessions carried over to the regular season. Once a week we went over what I needed to improve and how I could dominate in the league. Those meetings meant everything to me because I learned so much from him.
 
We had a basketball camp in Hawaii called the Jerry West Magic Johnson Fantasy Camp for 20 years. At the camp we shared every meal together and that’s when we really bonded and solidified our great friendship outside of the Lakers. Jerry West was more than a general manager, he was a great friend and confidante. He was there in my highest moments, winning 5 NBA Championships, and in my lowest moment when I announced my HIV diagnosis and we cried together for hours in his office.
 
Every time I achieved a goal or crossed a milestone, one of the first calls I received was from Jerry West. When I started my business, was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, was named Lakers President of Basketball Operations – he would always pick up the phone and give me a personalized call to congratulate me. 
 
Beyond his basketball accolades as a basketball player and NBA executive, Jerry West was a great man, a leader of men, fiercely loved his family and friends, and despite holding jobs with other franchises, he was a Lakers fan for life. Laker Nation, the only reason we have 17 NBA championships is because of Jerry West and his expertise drafting players, trading for players, and hiring the right coaches. Today is a sad day for basketball fans and sports fans across the globe.
 
Cookie and I are just devastated and continue to lift up his beautiful wife Karen; sons David, Mark, Michael, Ryan and Jonnie, extended family, and loved ones in prayer.

West won nine championships during his NBA career, with eight of them coming as an executive. Of those nine, seven came as a member of the Lakers.

What’s better than a big, juicy, flavor-bomb of a cheeseburger? It’s simple really — a cheeseburger and a side of fries. It’s the ultimate one-two punch of fast food. Sure, the chicken sandwich is taking all the burger’s shine these days, but nothing hits like the classic combination of buttery potato and mouthwatering beef.

On the days I feel like eating a cheeseburger (every day) I’m not just asking myself where I can get the best burger — I can answer that question relatively easily — but where can I get the best burger and fries.

Surprisingly, There are many fast food chains out there where I love the burger but don’t love the fries, or love the fries and think the burger is pretty mid. It makes deciding where to eat way harder than it needs to be as I’m busy asking myself: “What do I want more, the fries or the burger?” But dammit, I want both to be delicious and if I go through this, I’m willing to bet you do too.

So for the first time in Uproxx history, we’re doing a combined burger and fries ranking. We’ll be giving a score for each burger and each order of fries, adding them together, and ranking them. I’ll also be adding half-points where applicable, because otherwise I have a feeling too many of these combinations would end in a tie, and we can’t have that. This is a fast food ranking, not soccer!

Hopefully, we can make your decision on where to eat just a little bit easier. Let’s eat!

10. Burger King

The Burger: The Whopper — 2/5

I don’t want to be mean to Burger King but it’s just so easy when the burger is this bad. Now, I know there are Whopper fans out there, and I accept that you and I won’t see eye to eye, but I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve tried with this burger and it just isn’t working for me.

The beef here is charbroiled to the point it’s crispy and dry, I like the flavor of it but chewing through it feels like chewing through grain and sand. On top of the beef patties, you’ve got American cheese, pickles, raw onion, tomato, a single leaf of lettuce, and a smear of ketchup and mayo. The produce is fine, no complaints there, but the bun is way too thick and bready.

The Whopper is a big burger, but there isn’t enough beef for it to matter. Overall, this burger is too dry an experience to fall in love with.

The Fries: French Fries — 2/5

When piping hot and fresh, these fries are pretty good, but more often than not I’m getting soggy, stale, or over-salted fries when I roll through the Burger King drive-thru. Burger King, lot a lot of fast food restaurants, is having an issue with consistency these days so I can’t rate these fries any higher based on recent taste tests.

Total Score: 4

Not bad, but not good either, and that’s a problem.

9. McDonald’s

The Burger: Quarter Pounder w/ Cheese 2/5

McDonald’s Quarter Pounder is the fast food chain’s best burger, but unfortunately, that’s not saying much. McDonald’s burgers are weird, they hit the spot when you specifically want a McDonald’s cheeseburger. They have this signature flavor that you could easily pick out in a blind taste test. The burgers taste like McDonald’s. But when you’re just looking for a great cheeseburger? This misses the mark.

The meat is tough, and the burger has this weird tangy and spicy flavor thanks to the combination of onions, pickles, and ketchup that somehow tastes signature to McDonald’s, even though they are the most common burger ingredients.

The Fries: French Fries 4/5

I’m knocking a point off of McDonald’s fries because they are rarely consistent. Look, if you are lucky enough to get a fresh order of fries from McDonald’s, you’ll be eating the best french fries in all of fast food. When they’re fresh, they’re buttery, salty, and crispy with a slightly sweet aftertaste, but think of how many times you’ve been to McDonald’s — how many of those times did you receive fresh French fries?

The only way to enjoy McDonald’s is to eat it immediately, even the food sits in a bag for even a minute, the structural integrity of the food completely changes. The fries become soggy and can’t hold their temperature for very long. If McDonald’s could find a way to give you fresh fries every time, people wouldn’t complain about the rising prices so much.

Total Score: 6

McDonald’s hits the spot when you want McDonald’s specifically. But if you’re just looking for a great cheeseburger served with great fries, you’re not
going to find it here.

8. Rallys/Checkers

The Burger: Big Buford 3/5

It’s a good burger, but far from great. The meat is beefy but not quite as juicy as I’d want it to be. I applaud the use of red onions, which have a milder bite than white onions and a bit more sweetness, which pairs very nicely with the umami-rich tomato, dill pickles, and salty American cheese. This burger has mustard in addition to the usual mix of mayo and ketchup, which gives the burger a nice sense of earthy tang.

The Fries: Famous Seasoned Fries 3.5/5

I get the allure of these fries, they’re breaded and well seasoned with a mix of onion and garlic powder, and black pepper. But rarely do they deliver, if you want the best battered and seasoned fries in the game, you’ll have to go to Popeyes.

The issue here is that the oil often tastes dirty and a bit rancid. It makes these fries come across as off-putting, and too greasy. In addition to the bad oil, the fries are often overcooked to death, resulting in a flavor that just tastes straight-up dirty.

But occasionally you get a good, fresh order, and when these are fresh they’re some of the best fries in all of fast food. But I have to knock off a full point for the lack of consistency.

Total Score: 6.5

A so-so burger coupled with fries that are occasionally great, but more often than not, straight-up bad.

7. Wendy’s

The Burger: Baconator — 4/5

I love the Baconator, it’s Wendy’s best burger. In the Baconator, you’ve got a 1/2 pound of thick beef topped with two layers of bacon and two layers of cheese all sandwiched between a buttery bun that has been slathered with ketchup and mayo.

This burger is a smokey and savory meat bomb that is, yes, way too f*cking salty, but delicious enough for you not to care. Wendy’s beef isn’t frozen and that makes a huge difference, resulting in a burger that’s juicier than the competition. As good as this burger is though, it doesn’t quite reach fast casual levels of deliciousness.

The Fries: Hot and Crispy Fries — 2.5/5

Unfortunately, my praise for Wendy’s Baconator does not extend to the fries. What I like about these fries is that they live up to their name, they are indeed hot and crispy. But the flavor is lacking. Aside from being incredibly over-salted, these french fries have a dirty bitter potato flavor.

If we were able to include Wendy’s breakfast-only potato wedges, this burger and potato combo just might take the top spot on this list. But unfortunately, that’s not the world we live in.

Total Score: 6.5

A great burger, dragged down by some seriously mediocre fries. The Baconator deserves better.

6. Carl’s Jr.

The Burger: Double Western Cheeseburger 3/5

I love the flavor here, it’s an explosion of charbroiled beef, tangy barbecue, and savory fried onions. The combination of bacon and fried onions gives the burger a pleasing audible crunch, but the rest of the burger is pretty soggy. It’s doused in so much BBQ sauce that it can become overwhelming after a few bites.

Also, that BBQ gives me pause — what is this burger trying to hide? I suspect it’s the meat. It has a charred flavor, but suffers the same issue as BK’s Whopper. It’s dry as hell.

The Fries: Waffle Fries 4/5

Carl’s Jr has the best waffle fries in all of fast food. These fries work because they are a waffle fry in form but a curly fry in flavor. They are heavily seasoned with a mix of onion, garlic, and pepper flavors and lightly breaded, giving each waffle fry a wonderful flavorful crunch.

Total Score: 7

I’m surprised Carl’s Jr. beat Wendy’s here. Overall, I value burgers over fries, so If I had to pick, I’d probably rather eat at Wendy’s. But if you value fries and burgers in equal measure, you’re probably going to have a better experience at Carl’s Jr.

5. Shake Shack

The Burger: Double Shack Burger 5/5

The Double Shack Burger is easily the best cheeseburger in all of fast food. The reason is the perfect hamburger patty, and trust me on this one, I went through the trouble of ranking hamburger patties completely dry, and this one came out on top far above the rest.

The meat alone has an amazing depth of flavor, it’s meaty, juicy, fatty, savory, and has these wonderful slightly sweet lacy edges that have been caramelized via the Maillard reaction. Add to that some of the best produce in fast food, and you have a perfect burger. The tomatoes are juicy, the green leaf lettuce has texture and a slight bitter complexity, and the burger sauce is a perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and rich flavors. If all of that wasn’t enough, the Shack Burger is served on a spongey potato bun.

It’s perfect!

The Fries: Crinkle Cut Fries 2/5

Shake Shack deserves to be on the top of any burger list, but this isn’t any burger list. It’s a burgers and fries list, and Shake Shack’s fries are some of the worst in all of fast food. I actually find these fries to be offensive. They have virtually no flavor, it’s all texture, and that texture is so crispy it’s almost abrasive to the roof of your mouth.

I don’t think ketchup is always necessary when it comes to fries, but at Shake Shack, it absolutely is.

Total Score: 7

A great cheeseburger dragged down into the dirt by some of the worst fries in all of fast food.

4. In-N-Out/Fries

The Burger: Double Double 5/5

The people who say sh*t like “In-N-Out is overrated” are the same type of people who hate on the Beatles. It’s just hard to take seriously, this is simply one of the best burgers in fast food. Add on top of that the fact that it’s also one of the most affordable cheeseburgers and I don’t see what’s not to like here.

The meat patties are perfectly seasoned, juicy, mouthwatering, and cooked to a medium well state. Not only is this one of the best meat patties in fast food, but the cheese is hands down the best American cheese I’ve ever had. It melts perfectly, it’s salty, and it’s creamy. Add to that crispy and fresh lettuce, juicy thick tomatoes, and a complex special sauce and you have a perfect cheeseburger.

The Fries: French Fries 2.5/5

I also think In-N-Out’s French fries get way too much undeserved hate. These are fresh potatoes, peeled and fried on-site, what’s the issue here? They taste like potatoes, they’re buttery, earthy, and taste great dipped in ketchup or dusted in black pepper and salt. Are they life-changing? No. Do they live up to the delicious burger? Not quite. But they’re certainly not “bad.”

Total Score: 7.5

It pains me to see In-N-Out this low, but it is what it is. A great burger joined by perfectly passable french fries. If you order Animal Style Fries, I
think it bumps the fries up one point, but it also raises the price considerably.

3. Jack in the Box

The Burger: Bacon Double Smashed Jack 4/5

Not only is this Jack in the Box’s best burger, but it’s also the best option on the entire menu. The beef is juicy and savory with a nice caramelized edge, topped with two slices of cheese, sweet grilled onions, crispy bacon, and a heavy dose of smokey and tangy burger sauce atop a buttery brioche bun.
If you haven’t had the Bacon Double Smashed Jack yet, get on it. It’s not quite at the level of a Shake Shack or In-N-Out burger, but its better than the other drive-thru chains.

The Fries: Curly Fries 4/5

The Curly Fries are great, they’re onion and garlic forward with a buttery potato flavor that is incredibly addictive. My only complaint is that they’re way too greasy. So greasy that if they sit in the brown bag too long, it’ll turn translucent.

They also don’t hold up well, so eat them immediately for best results.

Total Score: 8

Too high for Jack in the Box? Any other year and I’d agree with you, but since the launch of the Bacon Double Smashed Jack I have to admit that JiB is experiencing a glow up. Let’s hope it extends to the rest of the menu.

2. Fatburger

The Burger: Double Kingburger — 5/5

I’m a born and raised Southern Californian, so it’s hardwired into my DNA to be an In-N-Out fan. But a thing that hardcore In-N-Out fans can’t admit is that Fatburger is, at the very least, just as good. The beef patties are juicy and well seasoned with a mix of salt and pepper sandwiched together by two slices of melted American cheese, thin and wet pickles, tomato and chopped onions that bring a sharp sense of tang and mild spice to each bite.

You may look at the mountain of lettuce on this burger and think “that’s way too much f*cking lettuce,” but somehow it works. It’s non-intrusive (despite how much there is) but still provides that crunch and texture that makes lettuce such a key ingredient in a burger build.

The Fries: Skinny Fries — 3.5/5

The fries are just fine. They have a nice buttery flavor and a great crispy texture. They’re a step above In-N-Out, but not exactly a leap.

Total Score: 8.5

A great burger, with good fries. You can’t go wrong here. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty close.

1. Five Guys

The Burger: Custom Patty Melt 5/5

At $15 the price of this burger is absolutely ridiculous, I can admit that. But god damn is it good. You won’t find hte patty melt on the menu, but ordering it is easy. Simply ask for a grilled cheese, and add as many patties as you’d like, in addition to any toppings. The best combination in our opinion is two patties, two slices of American cheese, grilled onions, and grilled mushrooms. If I’m feeling especially adventurous, I’ll add grilled jalapeños to the burger for a strong kick of vegetal heat.

The buns (which are just burger buns flipped inside out) are well buttered, giving a buttery top note that hovers above a wonderful juicy beefy flavor. The grilled onions enhance the savoriness while the mushrooms bring in some sumptuous umami notes.

It’s a perfect burger. Prohibitively expensive, but worth every penny.

The Fries: Salted/Cajun Fries 5/5

Absolutely perfect. Every day, Five Guys receives an order of potatoes sourced from different farms across Idaho (and on rare occasions, Washington), also known as the potato capital of the world. The fries are cut-in restaurant and cooked to order, twice fried in peanut oil giving them a perfectly crunchy exterior that houses warm and buttery potatoes. They’re buttery, complex, and earthy, everything a perfectly French fry should be.

I like to be difficult and order these salted, with a side of cajun seasoning so that I can perfectly season them to taste. But you don’t have to be insane like me. Simply ask for these “cajun style” and you’ll get a mix of delicious spices chaotically dusted all over your fries.
French fries don’t get better than this!

Total Score: 10

Perfect fries and a perfect burger. But it’s expensive. Consider it a treat and you’ll be satisfied every time, but if you make a habit of eating here,
you’re essentially lighting money on fire.