I've tried both, and while CaliBurger tastes decent, it's a monumental rip off. Diehard lovers of In and Out might make the trek to Jing An for it on a weekly or monthly basis, but not me. It's about twice as much than Carl's Jr. for the same quality.

If you really want to do it right, do it yourself!

Follow this article and you'll get a damn tasty burger:

http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/201 ... style.html

The truth is the real secret is in the spread, the right fat content in your beef, mustard grilling, and getting the right bun. It ain't hard! It ain't rocket science!

My brother is a manager for In N Out and I had him do a taste test with mine. Spot on? No...but pretty damn close. Not bad for China!

Happy Munching. It's a damn burger, not fine dining so don't pay these fools at Cali Burger.

Cali about the the same in price and quality as Carl's. But with Munchies just around the corner there's really no need to go there. Know nothing about In-and-Out so can't compare.

Matteroffact, what did they charge you? I seem to remember Carls being slightly more expensive.

Caliburger combo is 55 rmb for the double patty with fries and coke. Carl's most expensive combo (with bacon or portobello mushrooms and onion rings toppings) is 46 I think, and you get unlimited soft drink refills. Also, Carl's is better tasting.

Also, Caliburger only introduced the combos a few days ago, after some outcry apparently. It used to run you 78 rmb to order the same items separately when they first opened.

* Edited to correct the price of ordering the Meal C items separately.

Not sure these prices are right. Only been to Cali once but two of us each had the double burger with fries and a drink and I got change from 100. That was two weeks ago. Still, like Carl's, not good enough to make me want to return.

I am dead sure, as I was there yesterday. Besides, here it is:

http://www.caliburger.asia/menu.php

A plain cheeseburger (no combo) is 33, that's bloody expensive considering the size is between McD and Carl's.

btw, none of the "Caliburger Girls" was there when I went

Take your word for it. I was obviously undercharged or prices have gone up since. Still can't understand why anyone would want to pay a return visit.

Now, looking at the menu again online, a cali double combo is 55 rmb, while the items' prices are 48 (cali double) + 18 (fries) + 12 (coke). Isn't that a bit strange? Terrible initial pricing strategy and desperate damage control I say. It would have been more sincere to reduce the item prices and take the criticism one week in, than have the combo prices to remind everyone forever.

Example, Piro adjusted the price of Stella from 60 (!) to 35 rmb after online outcry. People appreciated it.

you might as well go to new york steak and burger! can get burgers for around 50 there.

Very true. 50 or 55 rmb at NY Style vs. 48 at Cali, and the burger is literally double in size. Quality/taste in a totally different league.

Quality, taste, sides, environment can not even begin to compete on any level.

I eat a burger a month. Have for years here. I've tried them all. Caliburger was spot on what I like in a burger. Simple, easy to eat, fresh.

Ordered the single cheeseburger w/fresh onion. Cleansed my palet with a coke. Waited five minutes for the burger. Presentation in the waxed paper, check. Thick slice of white onion, check. Crispy iceberg lettuce, check. Fresh decent tomato slice, check. Yellow processed american cheese, check. Toasted bun that is correct size for the burger, check. Greasy gound beef patty, check. Pink sauce, check.

So far so good... swirled a good draught of coke in preperation then took a bite. First impressions; it fit in my mouth without having to struggle. Stayed together well wrapped in the wax paper. The bun was toasted just right, slight crunch. Cheese was gooey and salty, real deal. Meat was fatty taste. Vegetables crunched. Sauce, didn't overpower. It was the most authentic tasting greasy spoon burger joint burger I've tasted in China.

It will all turn to **it in a few weeks so will go back soon before the honeymoon phase wears off. Might try the fries next time. If they manage to do the fries properly I will give them a 5 out of 5 for authenticy.

Cheers

Why is it that every thread about burgers or any other comfort food automatically gets hundreds of views? Fat bastards we lots are.

Kief wrote:Why is it that every thread about burgers or any other comfort food automatically gets hundreds of views? Fat bastards we lots are.

Noticed that too. Any thread about burgers seems to do great business. I'm no longer amazed that there is such interest, but where I come from, burger places are for spotty teenagers, not the mature and educated sophisticates that inhabit these forums.

^ It's true, and I don't know why that is. I was never that crazy about burgers back in Canada (pizza was always my thing), but ever since living in Shanghai, I crave them, seeking out each new spot with a decent amount of fervour.

Same here, rarely had burgers back home, killing them here. I guess it's because a)they re everywhere, b)it's comfort food and we need some comfort, c)they re better executed compared to other western food here and d)they re more reasonably priced than other western food here.

I go past Caliburger at least twice a day, and it doesn't look as if business is exactly booming...

Subordinate Claws wrote:I go past Caliburger at least twice a day, and it doesn't look as if business is exactly booming...

There's a fantastic Chinese self-service place just down the street that gets my vote. Who needs burgers?

Copy cat burger has a different meaning in China

rickettyrabbit wrote:

tihZ_hO wrote:Copy cat burger has a different meaning in China

catburger_RE_best_burger_joint-s250x300-30522.jpg

haha yeaaaa

Same as hot dog

^ Like this?

I have to agree - not much cop. Compared to Carl's Jr this place is pretty average. And compared to Munchies or the place in the Shanghai Centre who's name escapes me it's really not worth the effort.

^ Gourmet Burger? It was great in its old location but seems to have dropped the ball since its move upmarket.

In Gerany, the Standard is McD or Burgerking. In most Citys you dont find any decent burgers. For me places like Carl Jr. are great (because way better than the two above mentioned) but NY Steak and burger was like a revalation especially for that price. Non the less I wouldn't eat it often ... Just now I'm fighting with a pizza (time for a pizza thread?)