For fast food, though, I would still grab a Big Boy over either of these two.
Credibility gone.a) Big Boy is not fast food.
b) Big Boy is disgusting. I worked in the Big Boy Commissary for a few months and will never step foot into one again :X
Big Boy is no different than Shoney's or Ponderosa to me. Very below average food. I don't see how anyone could compare the two.
I just don't see I&O as the end all-be all burger place that west coasters make it out to be. I think it is a good burger, and a decent price.5G just blows. Reminds me of a fast food Fudruckers. I hate Fudruckers.
I had this convo with my GF about why I&O is so glorified out here. She is from Cali and I&O didn't use to be everywhere. When she was growing up, going to I&O was a "trip". 30 minutes to get there and 30 minutes back, so it was a rarity and a treat. Now that they are at every exit in San Diego, I think some of that is lost, but people still hold onto that feeling of going there. Probably the same psychological reason why I would choose a BB. In Cincy, BB was that kind of place for me growing up.