It’s a battle that stems from west coast versus east coast. It’s In-N-Out versus Shake Shack. Nothing that hasn’t been compared before. However, it still is a discussion to be had, no matter the audience. You’re either one or the other, right? Wrong. Who says you can’t be an appreciator of both? The comparison of In-N-Out and Shake Shack has been going on for quite some time and it will most likely continue for years.

In-N-Out is praised and adored by the west coast culture. If you want to find out if someone is from California, insult In-N-Out and you’ll find out pretty quickly whether they are or not. In-N-Out has been synonymous with California for a long time but over the years, the restaurant has expanded into nearby states. For me, In-N-Out is more than just food, its an experience. The simplicity of the menu makes it so easy to order and you know you’re going to have your food in no time, the service is going to be top-notch, and that your food will be fresh. Knowing your fries were potatoes just moments before you ordered them is reassuring and provides a high level of satisfaction.

Shake Shack, originally an east coast specialty, has made its way west which has, in turn, met In-N-Out head on. Shake Shack provides a similar experience, in that you can expect freshness as well as good service. They have a much larger menu and even offer chicken options, whereas In-N-Out does not. They also offer limited time only shake flavors that keep the menu fresh and exciting.

So which one is better? Well, they are both delicious. You can’t really go wrong with either one, in my opinion. However, let’s say you have to choose between the two. My instincts as a native Californian gives this one to In-N-Out. The consistency alone helps in this decision for me. Never have I experienced such consistently good food and service anywhere as I have at In-N-Out. Not to mention, their prices are hard to beat. There is just something about their fries paired with their burger. If you were to take their fries and pair it with another restaurants burger, it just wouldn’t taste right. Something that I think is underrated about In-N-Out is their salt. I know, sounds weird. But their salt is so fine that it coats the fries very evenly. Compare this to the large grains of salt that are typically found at other restaurants that just bounce off the fries. Believe me, it makes a difference.

Now, it wouldn’t be right to leave this comparison at that without highlighting Shake Shack’s food. First off, their bun has to be the softest out there. It nearly melts in your mouth with each bite. I would also consider them to have some of the freshest food out there when it comes to fast food. Let’s not forget their shakes either. I’d argue that their shakes are some of the best you can get.

With all that being said, In-N-Out is my choice between the two.