EZ Take-Out Burger - CLOSED
4277 Genesee Ave
(between Balboa Ave & Mount Etna Dr)
San Diego, CA 92117
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: None
29 Reviews for EZ Take-Out Burger
Boo! Why did they close this place...?! EZ Take-Out was awesome- think In-N-Out but greasier which is exactly what you need the day after a night of drinking. And they had onion rings!!! Damn. Come back EZ Take-Out!
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I am so upset this place closed. I hope they come back when Target is finished their remodel. Who else has Boysenberry shakes?? No body!
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Really good burgers, fries and shakes. They started serving chicken strips, happy day for my kids. BUT! We drove past there the other day and it was closed with yellow tape blocking the drive through and no tresspassing signs posted. When did this happen? Is it forever? I emailed the company to find out if it was a permanent closure, but haven't heard back from them yet. I am hoping they're just remodeling just as the Target in the shopping center is getting ready to do.
With all the comparisons in the EZ Take Out reviews, you'd think only one other restaurant in history had ever had the genius and chutzpah to conceive of selling burgers and shakes at a drive-through. Sheesh.
EZ Take Out Burger is delicious. The place isn't fancy--in fact, it's barely even clean--but it gets the job done well at a reasonable price. The burgers are tasty and the milkshakes? Yum! And while it takes a little time for them to prepare this stuff, you're not typically the 25th person in line, so the wait isn't unreasonable. I mean come on people, are you in THAT much of a hurry? And if so, why are you wasting any time at all picking up junk food? GO! GO! GO!
My one complaint (besides the place being located in Clairemont, which is no longer convenient for me. Yes, I'm self-centered) is that the service isn't exactly as on the ball as it could be. Last time I was there I sat at the drive through order station thing for about 5 minutes. I finally had to say "Hello? Anyone there?" into the intercom before the guy gave me an "Oh, hi, sorry can I take your order?" *sigh* Still, the cheeseburger and vanilla shake were perfect. And that's all that really matters.
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Clean is overrated. Good burgers to go isn't. I eat here probably once a week and yah, they use alot of the in-n-out menu choices, it's good so who cares? Close to home and killer chocolate shakes.
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No frills burgers, like In N Out, but somehow sexier, cause you're not even pretending it's good for you.
Try their shakes, comes in way better high fat flavors.
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Things to note about EZ...the building looks dumpy, but I'm not there to eat the building. Now the burgers...they be looking pretty damn fine. Many say EZ is a copy of that other burger place called IN-N-We like to put bible references on the bottom of our soda cups. Whatever...EZ has been around longer from what I have heard. So it sounds more like IN-N-We only offer one size of fries may be the copy cat. Plus EZ has 99 cent hamburgers on Wed and Sun nights, FTW! So if you find yourself on a scenic drive through Clairemont and you see the sign for EZ make the stop.
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I love this place and always have since I was a kid. I grew up in CLMT, so this place was always so concenient for my family and I.
I absolutely dig their Boysenberry shake! Well maybe not so much last time I was there (too much syrup and wasn't mixed well enough) but I can't think back even once when I had a bad burger. The fries are good too.
I do think it's funny how similar it is with IN-N-OUT, but whatever.
I've read people commenting on the mystery of which was first, so I decided to use the resourceful internet, lol and look for myself.
IN-N-OUT was established in 1948, while EZ TAKE OUT was established quite a few years later in 1969. Now that that's out of the way.... I wish there more locations for EZ because that's the ONLY complaint I have. For that very reason, I just go with what's around and hit up IN-N-OUT instead.
I love that EZ isn't all mainstream and super commercialized like the other places. In my opinion it says alot.... why spend so much effort and waste money on advertisment? The most powerful type of advertisment is 'word of mouth' anyways :) They just let the food speak for itself, and apperantly it's worked for them this long.
For those who may have read all these reviews and are thinking whether or not they should go check this place out: You really should give it a shot.
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The best thing about EZ Take Out Burger is their blatant, unapologetic effort to copy IN-N-OUT Burger in every way possible.
A hamburger at EZ's consists of a freshly grilled meat patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, and "special" thousand island sauce. They freshly cut their fries from potatoes and serve them in cardboard caddies. You can request your burger "wild thing" style that consists of grilled the patty in fried mustard, grilling onions, adding pickle, and extra special sauce.
Sound familiar? Oh there's more. Ever notice the hidden "John 3:16" and "Revelations 3:20" on IN-N-OUT packaging? Well, EZ's takes the guesswork out of religious messages in Fast Food and simply puts "Jesus loves you!" right on the bag. Take that McDonalds, you anti-christ chain.
Since EZ's was less than a mile from my house and stays open until 1AM every morning, I quickly developed a love-hate relationship with this convenient IN-N-OUT clone.
Things I love:
1. The squeaky, pimply kid running the drive-thru window who never understood why everything he said made us laugh. I think he spit in our burgers once. Otherwise, he was awesome.
2. The extended menu and BLT you can only order "during breakfast hours."
3. The sign of creepy waving cartoons smiling at you as you exit the drive-thru
4. The "wild thing" fries.
5. The Jesus reference right on the bag. (see above).
Things I hate:
1. The bathroom consequences from the "wild thing" fries.
2. The time I accidentally ordered a boysenberry milkshake. Its horrendous flavor compelled me to throw it out the window of a moving vehicle.
3. Following a series of visits, the lbs. that appeared on my thighs without my approval.
4. Waking up at 7AM for work to find an empty, greasy bag of EZs lying next to you.
5. The slow and painful realization that IN-N-OUT is indeed better and worth the 1.2 mile drive.
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One reviewer says, "The best thing about EZ Take Out Burger is their blatant, unapologetic effort to copy IN-N-OUT Burger in every way possible. "
Okay, they pretty much copy it, BUT there is MEAT on the EZ burgers. In all the times I've been to "the other place" I am left wondering two things: is there meat under the lettuce, and is there any salt left on the planet after those fries? But this ain't about "them", it's about the best dang greasy joint burgers in San Diego.
Okay, I've been lucky enough not to eat there on what one guy calls "a bad day". Does the burger have after effects? Yeah, but most beef does. Another poster complains that there's no bathroom to use or tables to sit inside. Hence the name, E Z Take Out. Can I get a duh? (all in fun, man, don't get mad) The only thing I've ever found that I don't like about this place--they shouldn't call it a grilled cheese sandwhich if it's really just a chesse burger with no meat. Not grilled, plus lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sauce. NOT a grilled cheese sandwich. That's what I get for not gettin a Burger at a Burger joint. haha!!
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Yes it's true, EZ Take-Out is the long lost abandoned twin of In-n-Out. But these twins are very different: In-n-Out received an Ivy League education and was the top graduate of the hamburger academy and secured the top internship as well. EZ Take-Out did not receive as good of an upbringing which is why EZ is no where near perfection as compared to In-n-Out.
EZ Take-Out tries to mimic its upper-class twin but cannot compete with it. Since In-n-Out is nice and humble, it will not sue EZ although it tries to be like In-n-Out in every single aspect - the burgers, shakes, the "wild style", etc.
Even on Wednesday's and Sunday's, avoid EZ because it's not worth waiting 20 minutes to pay $1 for a hamburger.
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Excellent ersatz double-double. And you could probably roundtrip from In-N-Out to Genessee in the time it takes that line to move 4 cars. I'll take the over every time.
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Now this place is very good, it reminds me of In-N-Out and I still can't decide which one is better. In-N-Out does have better fries. Ez take out burger is a small place, they don't have restroom for you to use, and the tables are outside for you to use. They are not always clean and they have several bird walking around you looking for food. So I would just take that burger home and enjoy it.
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Damn. I've missed you, EZ Take-Out. I can't count all the times your double-take burgers kept me alive and satisfied another day.
I went back to EZ after a two year haitus, mainly because the drive to In N Out or Rally's is much shorter than to Clairemont's EZ Take-Out, but oh, how I've missed those milkshakes. And, could their fries be any crispier?
Everytime I come in here, I get wide-eyed whenever someone walks in and orders 5 patties. It's never happened in my presence at In N Out. Really? Are they that good? Hell yes they are.
Minus a star for closing off the back way through the parking lot to get there. What the hell is up with that?
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EZ Take-Out or In-N-Out?
Who Cares, I go to both!!
I do wish there were more EZ's around though. I only go when I have an errand to run at Home Depot.
One day I'll be there early enough to actually try a breakfast sandwich. Yes.
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EZ take-out Burger is the only thing I like about Clairemont.
...I don't even like it that much
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Whenever I check on my old 'hood, I hits the EZ out ( or EZ take out since the nasty letter scare) If it's the wrong time of day I have to say sayonara my son and drive on or piss off the Home Dump flys. I generally piss off the yuppies.
"F*** you, you Lexus driving fake boobed c***s***er."
It's not always consistent. The burgers are either an orgasm for the mouth or a bad day at In-N-Out. Actually a bad burger there is burned on the edge of the bun or dry.
Good shakes. I remember they used to have a huge selection of sodas to choose from. I don't drink soda much any more. I like their fries better than those friggin' cottonseed oil cooked batches from the model.
They've been there a long time. It's good to see good food last in that space.
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Has been in business longer that In-n-Out and tastes better. Bad service, but who cares? It is cheap and tasty.
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EZ Take-Out has some great burgers. I thought it to be better than In-n-Out, and the prices weren't so bad.
The building is certainly a humble little place, but that's fine with me.
I went drive-thru, and the wait time wasn't long. Everything about my burger and fries meal was great, and the boysenberry shakes are to die for!
I just wish it wasn't so far from me (downtown), and there's only ONE location!
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One of my lunchtime go-to spots if I've got no bright ideas. It's like In-And-Out without a multi-million dollar marketing campaign. Fresh and good. I think it tastes better too. Sometimes I get a little extra something with my fries. I want to believe they are grill bits.
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Friends used to joke that if a family owned In-N-Out, EZ Take-Out must be owned by the black sheep of the family who still had the secret recipe. The burgers are pretty much identical..
except...
EZ Take-Out
* has a burger called "Wild Thing"
* offers breakfast!
* has boysenberry shakes!
* Wed/Sun 99 cent hamburger specials
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After reading positive reviews on various sites, my boyfriend and I decided to try this place (after making fun of the name for months). The burgers are actually okay. I would describe then as the same as In N Out but a little more ghetto. What freaked me out though, were the fries: THEY WERE COVERED IN FUZZ. I don't know where the fuzz came from or why ALL of the fries were covered in it. Were they dropped on the floor? Dumped on a towel? No idea. Gross.
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Do yourself a favor, just drive the extra mile and go to In-N-Out. This place is so dirty.
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There is nothing fancy about Ez Take Out, but if you want a good burger at a reasonable price, this is the place to go! At first I thought of it as an "In and Out knock off" but it turns out these guys have been around for a good 35 years themselves. They will put as many patties on a burger as you're able to handle. The fries are fresh and taste like potatos, not grease (hello, McDonalds). On Wednesday and Sunday evenings you can get burgers for a whopping .99. My wife and I would go after class on Wednesdays and get an entire meal for two for $5. Good food, good value.
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ez take-out burger is absolutely a piece of junk.
the "eat-in" area is two benches inside (no tables) and some outdoor seating. the floor inside is metal or something?
HOWEVER
damn, their burgers are good!
their fries are good, and there is a drive thru.
on wednesday and sunday evenings, burgers are 99cents, and on regular days, they aren't any more expensive than other burger places... but they taste a zillion times better.
a friend of mine says they have really good pink lemonade, but i haven't tried that.
it's pretty much in-n-out without the hype.
the food is so good you don't care how it looks or how service is or anything.
if you're really a burger eater, you can order your burger with as many patties as you like. there is a picture on the wall with a huge burger that someone won a contest for eating! their regular menu goes up to four patties, i believe.
bottom line:
go sunday or wednesday after 4pm and get a 99cent burger that will for sure fulfill your craving for a tasty burger.
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A less mainstream and independent version of In-N-Out. Even the names of the burgers are similar. Its kind of funny when you go in and notice it. A normal burger joint with a hot Wed and Sun after 4pm special. Nice quality hamburgers for 1 buck. Though I have to add, the fries here in my opinion taste better than In-N-Out. I cant stand the scrawny dried soft fries at In-N-Out no matter how much better healthwise it is for me. If you are health conscience and you are going to a burger joint theres already something wrong with you.
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The poor man's In-N-Out. 99 cent hamburgers on Wed and Sun nights, and by no means inferior. You still get the whole shebang: Christian/Biblical references on the packaging, milkshakes, and the very same multiple-patty burgers.
I quit eating burgers a while ago. I didn't really like the idea of developing atherosclerotic plaque deposits in my aorta .. eating 99 cent burgers. I mean if I'm going to die of a heat attack, it had better be the most high-class, expensive heart attack ever .. you know, from daily servings of filet mignon, foie gras .. smoking the nicest cigars on the planet, everyday. The finer things in life. Regardless ... back, way back, when I still ate this sort of stuff, EZ Take-Out had my approval.
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Awesome local burgers just like In n Out, with out the long line, price and name brand. You can usually find me there on Weds and Sundays after 4pm hahaha. The milkshakes are pretty awesome too.
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EZ Take out is about the basics: burgers, fries, and shakes, and the do them all wonderfully. A real ice cream shake is a necessary indulgence here, they're made the right way, with chocolate syrup added to vanilla ice cream to make a chocolate shake. Theburgers can be doubled, tripled, etc. according to your appetite, and they will grill the onions if you ask. The fries are thinm fresh cut and flawless. On $.99 night, you can't beat it with a stick.
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