The Habit Burger Grill -- Torrance, CA

http://www.habitburger.com/
26 Locations in Southern California

Here is where I start feeling like the bad guy, because the people and service in this joint were top notch. I don't really want to talk smack about these happy people, but they all have this beaming grin as if though they KNOW they are serving the best burger on planet earth. When I jokingly asked the cashier if their burger was better then In-N-Out he unsurprisingly responded with "Habit Burger is the best of course." It was not the answer that irked me, but more so the cheesy "Wink and the Gun" that followed it. That was my first warning. However, I ordered the double charburger with cheese and a side of fries and went about my business. The overall ambiance and ordering methodology reminded me of In-n-Out, which would become a recurring theme. As a matter of historical reference In-N-Out Burger was started in 1948, and Habit Burger Grill came along much later in 1973.

As I sat down with my food it seemed promising, but after a few bites I realized that this was just a second rate version of the In-n-Out masterpiece. The flaky bun really annoyed me. On the soda cups they have a slogan that says, "There is no substitute for Qualtiy," and I was thinking to myself "There is no substitute for In-n-out." It's an average chain burger at best. Unless your car is stuck in front of HABIT in a blizzard with 10 inches of snow and you are experiencing the early stages of frost bite, then get your ass to an In-n-Out a mile away.

Overview: If there is an In-n-Out nearby then don't make a HABIT of this burger!

Rating...2 Bites 

Editor's Note: This cheeseburger was more thoroughly reviewed again on 27NOV10, and it earned a better rating.