Fresh-N-Fast
I told myself that I’d never do this, but here I am reviewing a fast food restaurant. Fresh-N-Fast is a brand new restaurant setting up shop in Manhattan to see if popularity grows and an eventual chain is possible.
They are blatantly modeled after In-N-Out Burger which is a massively popular burger chain on the west coast. I’ve never been to In-N-Out in my life, but every single one of my Californian friends rave about it as a junkie would about crack.
The most obvious similarity between In-N-Out and Fresh-N-Fast is the menu: Double Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Soda, Fries, Shakes. That’s all they both have. And oh yeah, the name.
They kind of look alike, don’t they?
What Fresh-N-Fast has done to try and separate themselves from In-N-Out is with preparation and quality. First off, the fries are hand cut everyday. No factory processed potatoes here. The beef they say is never frozen. Fresh beef on a fresh burger. They even tout, “We don’t even own a freezer!” right on the menu. Word.
Going into this with low expectations because I really don’t like fast food, may have helped. But it seems I enjoyed this meal. The fries sure did taste fresh.
None of that french fry mixed with burnt and decaying cat smell that emanates from McDonalds. Fresh as Idaho or Ireland. Your Pick.
No doubt the shakes aren’t real. They claim to not have a freezer, so how could they have ice cream? They don’t. However, I must say this is decent processed milkshake mixture. Nice thickness complemented by a strong chocolate taste.
Not bad.
I was mostly impressed by the Double Cheeseburger. It reminds me a bit of Shake Shack. Small in stature, but big in beefy taste.
The burger consists of two beef patties, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a “special sauce”. It’s funny to me how many different chains offer a “special sauce” they put on their burgers, yet they somehow all taste similar to each others. Not that it’s a bad thing, the sauce is delicious, it’s just funny how a tweaked Thousand Island Dressing came to be.
Copy or not of In-N-Out, Fresh-N-Fast was still pretty good even for fast food. Yet therein lies the problem. It is just fast food. Those with lofty expectations may be disappointed, but those just looking for a quick bite and a decent burger, would be pleased I’m sure. It’s located a little over a block away from Shake Shack and sometimes the line there is ridiculous. In a situation like that, Fresh-N-Fast would be a good substitute.
Fresh-N-Fast
111 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
Prices: Double Cheeseburger $7.29, French Fries $2.60, Milkshake $4.89
Hours: (Unposted)
Access: F,V,R,W,6,Path Trains To 23rd Street
They remind me of Five Guys. All they serve is burgers and fries too, and fresh-cut. And they have Cajun fries, yum. This sounds pretty good for fast food – the burger looks huge – how did you get your mouth around that?
wow this looks good where wonder if there are any in Florida, we just go to Johnny Rockets
Oh, awesome review post. Great photos, too. I loves me my Shake Shake burgers but the long lines make me crazy. I didn’t know about Fresh-N-Fast. It sure looks like a worthy alternative to Shake Shake and in the same neighborhood, too. Definitely worth checking out! Thank you fom me (and my burger-lovin’ husband), and congrats on your FoodBuzz Top 9. Woot!
~ Cleo Coyle
author of The Coffeehouse Mysteries
(set in NYC, of course!)
I know my boys would love this burger. They live to eat fast food! We only have Macdonalds and Burger King here. Aside from Kentucky Fried Chicken who also have their own version of chicken burgers.
Great pictures.
“What Fresh-N-Fast has done to try and separate themselves from In-N-Out is with preparation and quality. First off, the fries are hand cut everyday. No factory processed potatoes here. The beef they say is never frozen. Fresh beef on a fresh burger. They even tout, “We don’t even own a freezer!” right on the menu.”
I think these things are all actually said or printed on the In-N-Out menu. It’s actually quite a blatant rip-off, I wonder if In-N-Out will do anything about it.
On your end though, a good posting.
Alex pointed out what I was going to about the hand cut fries, no freezers, etc. In-N-Out was the originator of all that freshness, IMO. In-N-Out is really the bomb. The best fast food burger you can get.
Sometimes a burger and fries just tastes great! ; )