Last night I was suddenly craving a burger.
It helped that my girlfriend suggested Teddy’s Bigger Burger, which ignited my salivary glands.
So I ordered the 5-ounce teri burger with Teddy’s special sauce, onions and lettuce. (No tomatoes.) And it hit the spot.
But when I posted the photo on Instagram and Facebook, the question came up: does Teddy’s have the best burgers?
Well, I guess it depends on what you like and what you’re comparing it to.
Better than In ‘N Out or Five Guys? Maybe not. Better than most burger joints in Hawaii? Possible.
Three are lots of burger shops and restaurants them at serve stellar sandwiches, from Village Burger in Waimea to the signature burger at The Pineapple Room in Ala Moana Center.
So I’m throwing it out there: who’s got the best burgers in Hawaii? Post ’em here and I’ll see if I can try them all.
In the next year or so. Lol
42 Comments
CAT: I like Teddy’s but they are now franchising so it may be different at different locations. Honolulu Burger Co. is also guud…I like the one with bleu cheese. I always ask for no sauce and request that the burger be put on the lettuce…that way the bun doesn’t get soaked with meat juices and become overly soggy.
OK…please tell me what is so guud about In and Out burgers..I have tried it and find it average in taste. I don’t get it.
Average in taste? Oh, no! I love In ‘N Out. Where did you go?
Aloha Everyone.
This is Ted from Teddys Bigger Burgers. Thank you for all of your support and I assure you all that despite our franchising efforts after 14 years of building our foundation, everything will continue to be SOP.
A few differences between Teddy’s and its competitors: Our Beef is 100% ground chuck…the best for the juiciest for burgers. Teddy’s ONLY FLAME broil all of them to order which is a far superior from griddle system used by In N Out. Our product side by side, outperforms not only in taste but also in QUALITY, based on the simple truth that Teddy’s serves 100% ground chuck and NOT simple ground beef. We also have a proprietary grinding method yielding the most loosely bound beef possible. I believe the lore of In N Out is well deserved though being a tradition in California for over 40 years, cool T shirts, low prices and simple menu. There product is inexpensive because they use inexpensive ingredients: sponge bun, iceberg lettuce, thousand island dressing and standard ground beef.
HOWEVER…..I love how clean they are. Something that we at Teddys Idolize! lol
Thanks you for Making us No 1 in Hawaii for 13 years!
Regards
Ted Tsakiris
ps……We are in lease negotiations with a location in Long Beach California and we can actually see an In N Out from our location. We are ready for the Double Battle!
I agree that Teddy’s Burgers are superior to In N Out of which I’ve eaten at several locations on the Mainland always with locals from Hawaii who are first timers and are curious about the mystique. All of my visits to In N Out are disappointing. I just don’t get what’s so good about their burgers. Even their fries are junk. BUT, I love their concept…the simplicity of the operation, how quickly they produce each order and how easy their menu is to navigate.
In my opinion, if Teddy’s could simplify their menu and try not to be all things to everybody and instead focus on speed, accuracy and quality, they’ll succeed immeasurably here and on the Mainland. Their menu is just too much to take in.
I don’t really eat burgers in Hawaii since I live in california now and my appetite is better served eating other great local food that I can’t find up here (korean places don’t even make meat jun up here). I have to say, though, that nostalgia certainly clouds things when I pass by W&M. their burgers are kinda standard when taken as, simply, a burger, but add in almost 40 years of eating there, and it becomes the best burger I’ve ever eaten, every time.
also, up here, I’ve taken to categorizing the bugers when rating them. it’s not fair to rank in-n-out with the counter. In-n-out clearly belongs in a “fast food” category with BK and McD’s (where it blows the competition out of the water, ldo). The Counter is more of a “burger joint” category (lots of them in and around the SF peninsula if anyone wants to do a burger crawl). 5 guys kind of straddles the line. clearly more upscale than fast food and more fast food than burger joints. great product, though.
I agree. There has to be a ranking system. For example, you can get a really good burger from Rainbow Drive-In and while it won’t compare to the $20 ones you’ll find at high-end restaurants, it’s still awesome and a great deal. So you’re right about that!
This question can also be asked: plate lunch/bento burger, or American style burger sandwich? As a kid, one of my favorite places for a burger was at a restuarant in Ala Moana on the mauka side, Jon’s. They made plate lunches too, but their burgers and fries were hard to beat. As far as plate lunches, on the top of my list would be the Tsukenjo Lunch Wagon on Ward. I know the lunch house in Kaka’ako recently closed down, and I’m honestly heartbroken that I didn’t get a chance to have my hamburger steak plate lunch at least one more time. Mandatory eating for me.
As far as a basic American-style burger, I’d have to go for W&M in Kaimuki. They are described as being BBQ, but BBQ in Hawai’i can mean a number of things and in this case it means teriyaki. I remember the original location in Kaimuki, a few weeks (if not days) before they were to shut down. It was my mom’s spot for burgers and fries after school or with a date. I’ve never gone all out and had their biggest burger, but even their plain burger is good as is. You may have to have someone park at the City Mill next door while someone runs to get the order, but it is worth it.
I don’t remember Jon’s……….
Although known for their home made noodles, Shige’s Saimin also has great home made burgers! Out in Wahiawa, it’s worth a drive…or be smart about it and stop there before/after heading to the North Shore! 🙂
I’m SO curious to try Shige’s burgers now! Thanks for the tip!
Jane’s Fountain Liliha St.
I’ve heard this… I gotta try it. I just had the fried rice there. Delish!
W&M Kaimuki is awesome but never tried the place of which you speak. Had ‘In and Out’ in Cali and loved it too. But I think my favorite is still the Chargrill here in Raleigh, NC. The one on Hillsborough Street is the best. No franchises outside NC or the RTP for that matter. Probably get the same reaction when I asked Bojangles if I could get a franchise in Ewa Beach. The reaction is ‘no way… why a chicken place in Hawaii?’ Mainland folk got no clue.
The thing about places like W&M versus others like Village Burger or Honolulu Burger Co. is the latter use local beef — or at the very least, high-quality beef. But I still love me some W&M. Mmm.
With you there, when I worked at Chaminade it was a frequent stop. And you know without me telling where I ate dinner 🙂 Occasionally stayed on the Chaminade side and had Bostons though.
Hello Cat,
Now that’s a tuff one to answer, I think each burger places mentioned already is the best in it’s own way. Each of us has different opinions, tastes, likes and dislikes. You have the the best part in trying each one of those places and letting us know which place you think has the best burger in your opinion. (I’ll go with you) lol
Maybe I shoulda asked what burgers do you NOT like! LOL
Hi Cat,
I like The Honolulu Burger Company and Teddy’s Bigger Burger here in the 808.
Love ur food pics on IG
G,
Ig@808optics
Thanks for the IG shout-out!
Yep, those two rank high for me as well. I haven’t been to Honolulu Burger Co. in awhile… Maybe it’s time to make a visit!
Best one i’ve had was at Stage. Nice & juicy Kobe style ground beef. Now if someone had some thick Belgian style fries with Burbon/Mayo dip like Monk’s in Philadelphia to go with that and a Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda, it would be perfect!
Never had the burger there! Thanks for the tip!
W&M. Simple, basic. Delicious.
Agreed!
I just came back from visiting Maui and the stacked burger at Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop was very good…but expensive. I’m willing to pay more when I’m on vacation. I even had the burger at Sam Sato’s (with the dry mein) and that was like old time bowling alley type burger.
OoooOoo, I lovelovelove Leoda’s! How much was the burger??
W&M. However, their sauce changed some about 5 years ago so it has a slightly different taste. I prefer the original sauce.
I just ate at Teddy’s burgers today!! I think Kailua is the best of the locations. They have the best burgers I think. And I love burgers to. So I try burgers all over the place. Kanohe Teddy’s is opening soon!! I’m excited I just moved to the windward side:)
I think Wolfgang Steak has the best burger in Hawaii by far. Yes it is expensive, but the meat is made with dry aged ribeye. It is topped with lump crab meat and asparagus. And then it is topped with Hollandaise sauce. Add a side of both fries and onion rings, and you got the champ.
I think In and Out is far over-rated. I prefer Five Guys. THe Five Guys Burger seems to sear it’s burger to lock in the juices far better than In and Out.
I think Teddy’s is not that good. Often, the burger is over-cooked and it seems dry at best.
Epic Restaurant in downtown to me has the best restaurant quality burger on the island. So ono.
I like Umeke Market’s offerings too. Lots of free range, grass fed options. Good execution, no pun intended.
I love Teddy’s (there is gonna be a new one close to me in Ewa Beach soon! Yea!)
….but I like Kua’aina just a bit more because they have the “char-broiled” flavor that i like.
Another place with that delicious “char-broiled” taste was Kiawe Grill….but alas they closed down! 🙁
They’re on Makaloa St. across Walgreens!
I have eaten In N Out a half dozen times in Vegas and California, I am truly unimpressed with their burger… The fries are good… But that’s about it.
I love Teddy’s!! Teddy’s Teri burger is great, their hot sauce is good, I had it with ‘the hot mess’ and ‘the hot lava’ (a Teri burger with pepper jack and the hot sauce)…
But If you can get on base or on the mainland you got to go to Fatburger!! I love Fatburger about as much as I love Five Guys… Fatburger got all the toppings and fat fries too!! Almost as addicting as Five Guys Cajun Fries!!’ And lastly I also kinda liked Fuddruckers… But it may be because I was craving a bleu cheese burger and Fuddruckers had one… With their buffalo or elk burgers…
Still don’t get the In N Out thing though…
i live in houston and i had my first teddy’s burger (teriyaki spud) in 2001 when i visited hawaii to attend my friend’s wedding. i have been back to hawaii 6 times since then and i ALWAYS have to eat at teddy’s at least twice during the week that i’m there. teddy’s is my favorite burger place on the island as well as on the mainland!
I would mention my addiction to White Castles, but I don’t think those really qualify as burgers.
Okay, I was gonna stay outta this, but since White Castle came up. I came here a little north of 30 years ago, and cannot shake my craving (sometimes) for the belly bombs. One of the first places I head to, off the plane, is White Castle. Then I wonder why. Then, on the way out I go again… So confused.
W&M: pretty darn good
Kua Aina? something is fishy with that beef…just seems overcooked even when it’s med/rare.
Counter? rubbish….too expensive and lost it’s way…
Teddy’s? mixed results….somedays it’s impressive, some are just plain sloppy (soggy buns), lack of seasonings…and the cooks are just filthy/sweaty looking. I can see drips of sweat on my burger (so u’d think the seasonings will be better, but not!)
Honolulu Burger? now i’m impressed. awesome seasonings, local beef. Now, only if their shakes was as good as Teddy’s.
btw: Cheesecake factory makes a pretty mean smokehouse burger….%6 shake is pretty awesome too (think: pulp fiction).
I like Teddy’s. I can have something different every time, which is cool. Best of all?? They have tater tots – get ’em extra crispy and game on!
Teddy’s is the best!!!! Hands down.
I like the Hukilau’s burger. Even more so than Teddy’s. And I’m a burger fiend!
https://dahukilau.com/honolulu/about-us
Kahuku Grill at Kahuku Sugar Mill Center has great big juicy burgers.
I love Teddy’s but W&M hits the spot on both taste and price. Definitely Teddy’s or The Counter if I want a larger burger. Guilty pleasure: I miss the hamburgers from the original Diner’s.
Cat, what did you think of Shake Shack, when you came to NYC, compared to the burgers in Hawaii? I love the above burger from Teddy’s and the Honolulu Burger Co.’s unique offerings.. but also Shake Shack seems someone more classic and perfect, to me at least.