The
country's top chefs tell "Esquire" magazine readers about 21 take-out joints they're not ashamed to love, from a California burger chain to the taco shack down the street.
The Winner: In-N-Out Burger
"The hamburger is definitive, greasy but oddly clean-tasting at the
same time and the sauce actually is 'special.' And the shake tastes the
way shakes tasted back when I was a kid. It makes me tear up just
thinkin' about it." — Alton Brown, host of Iron Chef America
Order: One hamburger "Animal Style" and a chocolate shake
Honorable Mentions:
Chipotle: "I love their big, fat burritos. Sometimes we'll have them as a fast Sunday night dinner." — Brian Bistrong, Braeburn, New York City
Order: Burrito with extra guacamole and sour cream
Ted's Hot Dogs: "They have a charcoal grill right next to the register where they grill
the dogs. I go to Ted's every time I visit my relatives in Buffalo." — Alfred Portale, Gotham Bar and Grill, New York City and Gotham Steak, Miami
Order: Foot-long dog with chili or mustard and relish, fries, and a chocolate shake
Mighty Taco: "My favorite fast-food memory is probably of Mighty Taco. It's a local
[Buffalo] chain that I started going to when I was in high school, and
we'd hang out there at 2 and 3 A.M. It was the first time I'd had a
taco or any kind of Mexican food." —
Alfred Portale, Gotham Bar and Grill, New York City and Gotham Steak, Miami
Dairy Queen: "I've been going there since I was a kid." — Alfred Portale, Gotham Bar and Grill, New York City and Gotham Steak, Miami
Order: Buster Bar, Mr. Misty slush, or hot fudge sundae
Burger King: "Burger King is king! I think overall their fast food packs in the most flavor." — Laurent Tourondel, BLT Restaurants, multiple locations
Order: Whopper
Wow Bao: "The food is light, healthier, and the space is designed well." — Laurent Gras, L2O, Chicago
Order: Six-pack of steamed bao (Asian bun)
El Taurino: "It might not sound pretty or look pretty, but I can't get enough of them." — Govind Armstrong, Table 8, multiple locations
Order: Brain tacos or carnitas.
Popeyes: "Who doesn't like spicy, delicious, perfectly greasy, crunchy fried chicken? Duh." — Michael Schlow, Radius and Via Matta, Boston
Five Guys: "I ate from Five Guys in Brooklyn Heights last month with my son Luca.
He is almost two years old. If my wife isn't home, we'll have a guys'
night together and pick up burgers and fries." — Brian Bistrong, Braeburn, New York City
Lenny's: "I have my own creation that I order: a chicken cutlet hero with
lettuce, tomato, mayo, and loads of Tabasco sauce, which I add myself."
—
Scott Conant, Scarpetta, New York City and Miami
Capriotti's and Wahoo's: Kerry Simon, Simon at Palms Palace and CatHouse, Las Vegas
Order at Capriotti's: The Bobby sandwich (wild turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing)
Order at Wahoo's: Grilled fish taco
Jack in the Box: "Crunchy, rich, creamy, totally not good for you, delicious." —
Craig Hopson, Le Cirque, New York City
Order: Curly fries with buttermilk sauce
Kentucky Fried Chicken: "I treat myself to KFC about three times a year. I love that crunchy
fried crust. It's like the crumb on top of crumb cake; the chicken is
an afterthought, really." —
Michael Psilakis, Anthos and Kefi, New York City
Order: A bucket of fried chicken
Taco Cabana: "I only order the rotisserie chicken (flameante) which is pleasantly seasoned, properly cooked, and comes with some very good ranchero-style pinto beans." — Stephan Pyles, Stephan Pyles Restaurant, Dallas