Tell me about In-n-Out Burger

[footballisplayedwithyourfeet]

Hi you California dopers (or any other that want to chip in),

In a couple of months I'll be spending some time in LA, and while I don't plan to eat a whole lot of fast food, I am kind of interested in In-n-out Burger. This is mainly because of the many backpackers from california I've met over the years, and who all have been quick to say it is totally different from Mcdonals and such and also really great/good/briljant/etc.

So what's the straight dope about In-n-out burger?

[guizot]

In-n-Out is pretty cheap, and it doesn't make you feel sick to your stomach the way the big fast food franchises do. Personally I think a turkey burger at Fat Burger is much better, but costs more. But if you're in L.A., there's a cornucopia of great things to eat from cuisines across the world that isn't fast food burger stuff, much of it vegetarian, and if you know where to go, it isn't expensive. Go to Thai Town/Little Armenia, or Korea Town, or the Iranian district, or try Dino's Greek chicken.

[The Hamster King]

In-n-Out is halfway between fast food and a classic burger joint burger. If you really want the L.A. burger joint experience, try The Apple Pan (http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2005/08/apple_pan_quali.html). There's only one, it only has counter service, and it's been around forever.

[beowulff]

Animal Style.

That's all I have to say.

[garygnu]

Animal Style means grilled onions on it, so if you don't like grilled onions, don't bother.

I say go for a 4x4, fries well done, and ask for a packet of the special sauce to dip the fries in.

[Yorikke]

Animal Style.

That's all I have to say.

That's what I came in to say.

Burgers Animal Style, no lettuce, and Animal Fries. The best fast food lunch, period.

In-N-Out secret Menu (http://www.tiburon-belvedere.com/cgi/home.cgi?c=In_N_Out).

Joe

[FriarTed]

I like In-n-Out, and you do need to get a burger & fries there. However, I gotta give a shout-out to Tommy's also. There, you must have a Chili Cheeseburger and Chili Cheese Fries. You just must.

For a high-end hamburger restaurant, Hamburger Hamlet- especially for the French Onion Soup!

Oh hell, Canter's Deli/Bakery also. I recommend the Reuben. Corned beef preferred but turkey acceptable. IF you get a lump of fat in the c... beef (it has happened once to us in many times of eating there), let them know. The one time it happened, it ruined my brother's meal & I think if he'd have fussed & given them a chance to make it right, it would have improved our mood for that evening.

Oh, Canter's homemade dill pickle spears alone are worth going there!

I just read the link about The Apple Pan. I can't believe I haven't been there. *Adding to the list for April's trip, in which I also plan to see Mamma Mia! at the Panteges AND L.A. Opera's Der Walkure WITH Placido Domingo!*

[Gangster Octopus]

The thing about the APple Pan is to make sure it is open. It has some pretty strange hours, if I recall.

[jsc1953]

Typical SD...somebody comes in asking about "X", and gets 8 responses on why "Y" is better.

In-n-Out is by far my favorite fast-food chain burger. (The fries are nothing particularly special, imho). And I think the best thing about the burger is the bun. They're kind of crispy around the edges, which makes for a wonderfully satisfying crunchy beefy cheesy experience.

[NAF1138]

The thing about the APple Pan is to make sure it is open. It has some pretty strange hours, if I recall.

Closed on Mondays and cash only (or it was the last time I went, about 3 years ago). The Apple Pan is the best restaurant burger in the city. In fact, it's one of my favorite restaurants hands down.

In-N-Out is the best fast food hamburger in existence. But it's important to remember that it's still a fast food burger. My wife, who is from Pennsilvania, wasn't able to reconcile that and hates In-N-Out because "It's just a fast food burger." I tried explaining that they have taken the fast food burger and turned it into a work of art, that In-N-Out is the pinnicle of the fast food art, but she doesn't get it. In-N-Out is good and it's cheep and they have great milkshakes. I like mine Double Double Animal Style with Ketchup and Mustard instead of spread, with animal fries. Be prepared to wait in line to order, most places are fairly busy all the time, and I personally think that In-N-Out tastes best at about 12am after a few beers, but that's just me.

If you want the best fast burger in a non fast food style, Fatburger is the way to go. Fatburger is the best hamburger chain in California. It isn't as much fast food as it is a really fast burger stand (if you can understand the difference.) If you are looking for a really tastey burger that is more like something that you would make yourself go there. It isn't cheep, but it isn't too expensive either, and you can get your burger served with a fried egg, which is way better than it sounds.

Tommy's is an institution. They invented the chilli burger and an entire style of chili that has spread nation wide. There are so many imitators of Tommys chili that it's stupid. It's probably worth your time to go to a Tommy's just so you can know.

Then there is Astro Burger, and Fathers Office, and and and. We do burgers really well in LA.

Come to LA, eat our burgers, they rock. Then let me show you the Mexican food.

[Hi, Neighbor!]

In-N-Out is the best fast food hamburger in existence. But it's important to remember that it's still a fast food burger. My wife, who is from Pennsilvania, wasn't able to reconcile that and hates In-N-Out because "It's just a fast food burger."

If she's from PA, she must know about Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries. Now, I've never eaten an In-N-Out Burger, but Five Guys are definitely the best fast food burgers on the East Coast.

[even sven]

You gotta order off the secret menu for it to be worth it. In-N-Out fries are a little on the soggy and tasteless side. But animal fries well done are one of the wonders of the world.

It is my favorite fast food, and it is worth eating at. Probably not the best burger in the whole world, but it is a part of being in California. We used to drive an hour and half just to get it.

Man, right now I am so far from a good burger it isn't even funny. California, I miss you!

[NAF1138]

If she's from PA, she must know about Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries. Now, I've never eaten an In-N-Out Burger, but Five Guys are definitely the best fast food burgers on the East Coast.

Good question, I will have to ask her about Five Guys. She did recently introduce me to the wonders of Tastey Kakes and Wilbur's Chocolate though. (Via mailorder). Why don't they sell Tastey Kakes out this way? I am not big on snack cakes, but damn, that is what a snack cake should be!

[garygnu]

A note about the milkshakes: you can order them in any size.
And they're really damn good.

Two! Two notes about the milkshakes...

[Stranger On A Train]

Animal Style.

That's all I have to say.Meh.

In-n-Out is good for serving up with quotes from The Big Lebowski ("Those are good burgers, Walter." "Donnie, shut the fuck up!") but Mo's in Burbank or the Apple Pan on W. Pico are the places to do. (I prefer Fatburger over In-n-Out, but the latter is more widely available.)

I'm not a fan of Canter's (mentioned by FriarTed) as it always seems greasy and the waitstaff seems to be all surly 50-something year olds, but it is an iconic LA landmark. For greasy spoon I prefer Original Pantry (http://www.pantrycafe.com/) downtown, which seems to employ nothing but ex-cons. My real preference for late night diner food though is Fred 62 (http://www.fred62.com/), over in Los Feliz, and Swingers (http://www.swingersdiner.com/) in West Hollywood.

However, if you want the real, Mildred Pierce-esque Los Angeles experience, you need to get fried chicken and waffles. It doesn't really matter where, although Roscoe's is quite popular.

Stranger

[NAF1138]

For greasy spoon I prefer Original Pantry (http://www.pantrycafe.com/) downtown, which seems to employ nothing but ex-cons. My real preference for late night diner food though is Fred 62 (http://www.fred62.com/), over in Los Feliz, and Swingers (http://www.swingersdiner.com/) in West Hollywood.

I don't dig on Swingers (I prefer Cafe 101 (http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/11651711/) in Hollywood) but I used to live at Fred's when I had an apartment in Loz Feliz. And the Pantry is great, though at 3am (and really you shouldn't go to Canters unless it is past midnight) I think Canters has better people watching.

However, if you want the real, Mildred Pierce-esque Los Angeles experience, you need to get fried chicken and waffles. It doesn't really matter where, although Roscoe's is quite popular.



Roscoe's. Yes, Roscoe's. You must eat there when visiting LA. You must also get a cupcake from Sprinkles (http://www.sprinklescupcakes.com/)at some point in time. If you have to choose only one, go for Red Velvet. We served them at my wedding.

[ShibbOleth]

If she's from PA, she must know about Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries. Now, I've never eaten an In-N-Out Burger, but Five Guys are definitely the best fast food burgers on the East Coast.

See, I think Five Guys sucks because their burgers are thick and they only do them WELL DONE. On thinner burgers I don't mind, but if a burger has any heft to it then I greatly prefer it medium. The thing people seem to like about Five Guys is all the crap, er toppings, they load on top. I'm also underwhelmed by their fries, which seem to me a pale imitation of the ones I used to get in Baltimore.

Of course everyone's mileage varies. I'd take In-n-Out over Five Guys any day of the week. In-n-Out has the advantage of costing (a lot?) less, iirc.

One nice thing about In-n-Out is that there food is always extremely fresh for a fast food place. For example they cut their own fries for each batch.

[suranyi]

In-n-Out is the best of the fast food burgers, but it's still just fast food.

Ed

[ShibbOleth]

Good question, I will have to ask her about Five Guys. She did recently introduce me to the wonders of Tastey Kakes and Wilbur's Chocolate though. (Via mailorder). Why don't they sell Tastey Kakes out this way? I am not big on snack cakes, but damn, that is what a snack cake should be!


They don't sell Tasty Kakes in California for the same reason you don't get In-n-Out in the west. They want to control freshness.

[pulykamell]

I would just say manage your expectations. In n Out has such a devoted following and giant hype behind it, that it might be difficult for the burger to live up to those expectations. That said, I think it's an awesome, awesome hamburger. I remember liking Fatburger slightly more, but I just keep coming back to In n Out when I'm in the area. I'm addicted.

But, remember, the main thing with In n Out is that it's a very basic burger cooked on a flat top grill/griddle. The beauty is in the perfect simplicity. The meat is good quality and freshly formed into patties (never frozen). It's griddled to a perfect, slightly crispy and caramelized edge. These are small patties (either 1/6 pound or 3 oz, I think), so they generally cook up to well doneness, which I think is appropriate for this style. Cooking it to a lesser doneness would not allow for that outside caramelization to occur fully--at least in my experience it would be difficult. That said, looking on the web, it appears that it is possible to request the burger at a lower level of doneness.

The buns they use are just the right fluffiness and lightness to complement the burger and, if I'm remembering correctly, they're briefly griddled, too, so they get a slightly crispy edge, as well. I think a double is the right ratio of bread to meat. The rest of the ingredients are just the typical onions, lettuce, tomato, and "spread," which is a Thousand-Island-like special sauce. All taste as fresh as the burger.

So, don't go in there expecting a giganto half-pound patty, grilled over an open fire, topped with Roquefort, truffles, and cracked black pepper aioli. Just think simple, basic California/diner-style burger, and think of In N Out as quintessence of this style of burger.

As for the fries, they're solid. Very fresh-tasting and potatoey. I like my fries to have a bit of skin on them, but that's a personal preference. Like the burger, the fries are cleanly and impeccably executed.

Oh, and the service. In n Out may be the only fast food chain I've been to that, no matter which outlet I go to, all the employees act like they actually want to be there. I mean, they look positively happy to be working there.

[kasuo]

Good question, I will have to ask her about Five Guys. She did recently introduce me to the wonders of Tastey Kakes and Wilbur's Chocolate though. (Via mailorder). Why don't they sell Tastey Kakes out this way? I am not big on snack cakes, but damn, that is what a snack cake should be!

There are two Five Guys Burgers listed in the area, one in Cerritos and the other in Carson.

[Elyanna]

I grew up on In-n-Out Burger. I go every few weeks for a burger with animal style fries. Mm! It's one of my few indulgences. It's fast-food, yeah, and some guys I know complain that even the double-double is too small.

[tr0psn4j]

I usually get a 3x3 with animal style fries. The burgers are really good but their fries kind of suck. When you order them animal style, they add grilled onions, cheese and thousand island sauce on the fries. It is only then that the fries become delicious.

[levdrakon]

In-n-out is what McDonald's probably was when it first opened. It's fast food, but it's fresh fast food, made right there before your eyes. Okay, they don't slaughter cows right in front of you, but it's almost that fresh. They don't ship in pallets of frozen stuff.

Your fries will be cut and fried right there in front of you. They don't soak in sugar, coat, soak some more, fry, soak in something else, fry again, and the fries you eventually get have been processed and fried and frozen and processed and fried again God knows how many times.

[Labrador Deceiver]

See, I think Five Guys sucks because their burgers are thick and they only do them WELL DONE.

Every burger patty I've ever seen at Five Guys has been relatively thin, they just stack 2 on top of each other.

[Labrador Deceiver]

Your fries will be cut and fried right there in front of you. They don't soak in sugar, coat, soak some more, fry, soak in something else, fry again, and the fries you eventually get have been processed and fried and frozen and processed and fried again God knows how many times.

They don't fry their potatoes twice? Their fries must be crap, then. It's nearly impossible to get a decent product if they're only fried one time.

[Gangster Octopus]

They don't fry their potatoes twice? Their fries must be crap, then. It's nearly impossible to get a decent product if they're only fried one time.

Actually I am not a big fan of their fries, they seem to get cold really fast.

[pulykamell]

They don't fry their potatoes twice? Their fries must be crap, then. It's nearly impossible to get a decent product if they're only fried one time.

You can ask for them well-done, and they will fry it twice for you. I totally forgot about that. Definitely ask for the fries well done.

[pulykamell]

Every burger patty I've ever seen at Five Guys has been relatively thin, they just stack 2 on top of each other.

Yeah, 5 Guys patties are about 1/4 pound, not what I would consider thick, but thicker than In N Out and McDonald's regular patty size. Still, they'd be on the thin side of the spectrum. It's 1/2 patties and up that I'd consider thick, and I have a strong preference for smaller patties in my burger.

[levdrakon]

They don't fry their potatoes twice? Their fries must be crap, then. It's nearly impossible to get a decent product if they're only fried one time.Their fries taste like a potato. A silicon injected boob looks good, but it's not a real boob.

I like the taste of a potato that hasn't gotten a boob job, so to speak.

[NAF1138]

They don't fry their potatoes twice? Their fries must be crap, then. It's nearly impossible to get a decent product if they're only fried one time.

Yeah, In-N-Out fries are a love em or hate em sort of thing. I like them just as they come (and smothered in ketchup, in fact they are the only food item that I will willingly smother in ketchup, but they are damn good that way) but many will only eat them well done or animal style or both.

The fries are very potato-y and it can take some getting used to since they aren't like "regular" fries. They sort of taste like thin crispy steak fries. Sort of.

[YamatoTwinkie]

In-n-out is probably my favorite burger & fries place, period.
If it's your first time going, you probably want to stick with a double-double (animal style if you like grilled onions and the bun grilled in mustard), normal fries and a shake.

The fries taste different than most other fast-food places, think of them more like potato-chips with a soft center. I think they're perfect, but other people aren't as much of a fan.
You might want to avoid the "4x4" (a quadruple cheeseburger) and "animal style fries" (fries covered in cheese, grilled onions, and thousand island sauce) suggestions your first time there, as they can get a little intimidating and messy. Save them for the second trip, when you know what you're getting into.

[not_alice]

Okay, they don't slaughter cows right in front of you, but it's almost that fresh. They don't ship in pallets of frozen stuff.


But after they cook it, you won't be able to tell the difference. Really.

BTW, someone upthread said there is always a line.

True, but that doesn't mean it is always busy.

I worked at a local burger joint, much smaller then a typical In and Out, while in high school. I was a grill guy, our menu was way more complex then an in and out menu (klndergarten arithmetic is more complex then that menu). I worked on the same size/style grill as In and Out has, and I could keep it filled with orders all the time as needed.

These kids today, all they have to do is cook freakin burger, the same way every time, and when if the line stacks up, it is because they can't have more then 3-5 burgers working simultaneously. This causes a huge backup, and if you are in any kind of rush whatsoever, the name of the joint is a LIE! Apparently by design, because this training in the kitchen seems universal.

[rockle]

Just FYI -- Five Guys (http://www.fiveguys.com/home.aspx)' website, and also Tastykake (http://www.tastykake.com/)'s. FAQ's and info on where and how to get them. Nobody bakes a cake as tasty as a Tastykake -- and I made over $1500 one semester selling them to Philly-area natives at my upstate NY university. (Close to 20 years ago, now, but I think they are still hard to come by in those parts outside care packages.) If you've never had them before and are interested in trying them out, the Butterscotch Krimpets and the Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes are the signature snacks, but I am partial to the Coconut Juniors myself.

Anyway ... not sure whether all In-N-Out's are the same everywhere, but when my sister lived in Phoenix I made it a point to try all the fast food places that we did not have here in the Philly area at the time -- In-N-Out, Sonic, Jack in the Box. There might have been others, but now I don't remember. In-N-Out was far and away my favorite. (At the time, I actually called it "God's Own Cheeseburger" on my blog, but in my defense, I was my first In-N-Out burger.) The burgers were fresh and I think the buns were grilled. I thought the presentation was nice, too: love the palm trees on the wrappers. I think it's cool that you can watch potatoes being turned into fries. IIRC, it was more expensive than your standard McDonald's meal, but that could be because Phoenix is more expensive than the Philly 'burbs. FWIW, I had the "Easy #2 Combo," which is a cheeseburger, medium fries, and a medium soda.

In short: I can see why some people are very devoted followers, although this is definitely a YMMV type of situation.

[levdrakon]

Plus, there's something really pleasing about ordering your meal "double-double animal style." That's so much more fun than saying "super size it," or, "fried onions please."

[MaxTheVool]

In addition to what people have said (damn good fast food burger, but still a burger, fries are kinda weird) I read in Fast Food Nation that In n Out is way above the curve in:
-using natural not-totally-processed ingredients
and
-paying their staff well.

[beowulff]

Meh.

In-n-Out is good for serving up with quotes from The Big Lebowski ("Those are good burgers, Walter." "Donnie, shut the fuck up!") but Mo's in Burbank or the Apple Pan on W. Pico are the places to do. (I prefer Fatburger over In-n-Out, but the latter is more widely available.)

I'm not a fan of Canter's (mentioned by FriarTed) as it always seems greasy and the waitstaff seems to be all surly 50-something year olds, but it is an iconic LA landmark. For greasy spoon I prefer Original Pantry (http://www.pantrycafe.com/) downtown, which seems to employ nothing but ex-cons. My real preference for late night diner food though is Fred 62 (http://www.fred62.com/), over in Los Feliz, and Swingers (http://www.swingersdiner.com/) in West Hollywood.

However, if you want the real, Mildred Pierce-esque Los Angeles experience, you need to get fried chicken and waffles. It doesn't really matter where, although Roscoe's is quite popular.

Stranger
To be fair, I didn't say that In-N-Out was the best burger place, just that Animal Style was the way to order their burgers.

For the record, I think that Fat Burger is better, and out here, the Chuckbox is superior to both. When the first In-N-Out opened in Scottsdale, the lines were so long they had police managing the traffic. I don't really get the religious devotion to them, but they are pretty good as chains go.

[Cliffy]

I'd take In-n-Out over Five Guys any day of the week.

Me too, although I like Five Guys a lot. (The secret is to get the Little Cheeseburger.) Sadly, I live three thousand miles away from the nearest In-N-Out.

--Cliffy

[Labrador Deceiver]

Their fries taste like a potato. A silicon injected boob looks good, but it's not a real boob.

I like the taste of a potato that hasn't gotten a boob job, so to speak.

I have no idea what you're talking about, honestly. Go to any bistro in France and ask the chef how they cook their fries.

[Labrador Deceiver]

You can ask for them well-done, and they will fry it twice for you. I totally forgot about that. Definitely ask for the fries well done.

That explains some of the pictures I saw online.

I've always wanted to try In n Out. Trying to think of the next time I'll be in LA...

[kaylasdad99]

An interesting way in which In-n-Out departs from the fast food chain norm: If you order a combo meal at a McDonalds, or a Burger King, or some such, the price will be slightly lower than if you order each item individually. In-n-Out posts combo meals on their menu board, but they charge the aggregate price for them.

And their fries are not worth eating, so you might as well save your money.

And Fatburger is AWESOME!

[levdrakon]

I have no idea what you're talking about, honestly. Go to any bistro in France and ask the chef how they cook their fries.I suppose there was a joke there somewhere, but I suggest you go to any McDonald's in France and ask the cooks how their fries are made.

[Labrador Deceiver]

I suppose there was a joke there somewhere, but I suggest you go to any McDonald's in France and ask the cooks how their fries are made.

Again, I'm not sure what you're talking about. I get that you don't like McDonald's fries (understandable, and I don't dispute that they are an inferior product), but you seem to equate the method of frying potatoes twice with cheap fast food. You are grossly mistaken.

[levdrakon]

Again, I'm not sure what you're talking about. I get that you don't like McDonald's fries (understandable, and I don't dispute that they are an inferior product), but you seem to equate the method of frying potatoes twice with cheap fast food. You are grossly mistaken.Ah, I see. No, I don't think sugar solution soaked and fried and then fried again then frozen fries are "inferior." They are simply not the same thing as a piece of potato that has been cut and fried right before your eyes without similar processing.

I actually like McDonald's & Burger King fries. I don't think they are the same product at all as an In n Out fry.

[Duke]

If she's from PA, she must know about Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries. Now, I've never eaten an In-N-Out Burger, but Five Guys are definitely the best fast food burgers on the East Coast.

I don't think Five Guys came to PA until relatively recently. Their first York location opened in 2006 and my folks who live in York had never heard of them before that. They've expanded like a weed since then (three locations in York alone), but for some reason it took a long time to get there.

I preferred Fatburger to In-n-Out when I lived near LA, myself. But it was relatively close.

[Labrador Deceiver]

Ah, I see. No, I don't think sugar solution soaked and fried and then fried again then frozen fries are "inferior." They are simply not the same thing as a piece of potato that has been cut and fried right before your eyes without similar processing.

I actually like McDonald's & Burger King fries. I don't think they are the same product at all as an In n Out fry.

I'm with you. It's amazing just how different two identical potatoes can taste.

[NAF1138]

I'm with you. It's amazing just how different two identical potatoes can taste.

Keep this thought in mind the first time you have an In-N-Out fry. Don't judge it against regular french fries, or it will suck a lot. But juged on its own merits and it is quite tasty. It is also the only fry I have ever had that was still good eating after they got cold.

[The Devil's Grandmother]

They don't sell Tasty Kakes in California for the same reason you don't get In-n-Out in the west. They want to control freshness.
You can buy Tasty Kakes in CA. They are hard to find, but I know you can get them in Sacramento. In-n-Out has been expanding their operations in the last decade, I would not be surprised if they get out of California soon. Hey, they already have! (http://www.in-n-out.com/locations.asp)

I really like In-n-Out burgers and fries, but I grew up in California so it's a happy college-time memory for me. They are not the best burgers in the world, but they are the best big-chain burgers you can get in California.

[ekweizn]

I remember eating In-n-Out for my first time in college and not being impressed (we had someone drive thru a huge order and bring it back to campus)--the fries were limp and the cheese was coagulated in one amorphous blob.

Only later, when I ate it on location, did I fall in love--eat it while it's hot! (quickly, with grilled onions, preferably)

[ShibbOleth]

For the sake of fairness I went up to Five Guys for a late second lunch (my first lunch was small and early).

I ordered the smallest possible meal. Counter-dude told me that the difference between their "Little Hamburger" and "Hamburger" is the number of patties. Little = one 1/4 pound patty, regular is two. Order the smallest fries and drink.

Cost:

Burger = $3.39
Fries = $2.69
Drink = $1.79

total, with tax was $8.43

Burger was smaller and better than I remembered. I went easier on the toppings this time, just tomato, lettuce, pickle, ketchup and mustard. I had them give me mayo on the side in case it was dry again, but it was fine with out.

Fries were not as soggy as I remembered, and were actually pretty good, although they really need to give the option of Old Bay Seasoning on that style fries. There was no salt in the condiment area, but fortunately they were well salted and did not need extra.

Drink area was out of cherry coke so I went with regular coke. Sign on the machine said how they were all about the customer, so I let them know that they were out of cherry coke and the guy asked did I want that "right now?" I thought, nah, maybe next Tuesday would be good. Anyway, they did correct it before I left, although they initially told me they were totally out, then they said that they found some.

Burger was good, fries were good, drink was a drink. Price seemed a bit much for the smallest possible (combo) meal.

I stand by my assertion that people who like BIG will get more out of Five Guys than if you're going by pure taste. Nothing wrong with the fare, just nothing spectacular, unless you really like toppings. The bigger burger is a better value, but I am 6' and 200lbs, give or take a couple, and I really don't need a bigger burger or all of those fries. The "small fries" would have been enough for my whole family, which it should be at almost $3. I'd like them better with smaller options on the fries and cheaper drink choices. Would probably have just gone with water on another day, but wanted to get the full experience. I do like that they had a couple of other things like hot dogs, etc., but didn't see anyone eating them.

FWIW I have no idea how that price compares with In-n-Out, but I don't remember it being that much. I am typically on expense when I am out of Florida, so don't tend to notice price as much.

[Zeriel]

See, I think Five Guys sucks because their burgers are thick and they only do them WELL DONE. On thinner burgers I don't mind, but if a burger has any heft to it then I greatly prefer it medium. The thing people seem to like about Five Guys is all the crap, er toppings, they load on top. I'm also underwhelmed by their fries, which seem to me a pale imitation of the ones I used to get in Baltimore.


Five Guys gets worse on a geometric progression the further you get from DC--the ones in Northern Virginia are great, the one in State College PA is abysmal.

[silenus]

Dude, just go to The Hat. (http://www.thehat.com/) Just be aware that a large anything will feed 4-5 people. Better fries than In-N-Out, better burgers than Five Guys, and pretty decent pastrami.

[Labrador Deceiver]

Five Guys gets worse on a geometric progression the further you get from DC--the ones in Northern Virginia are great, the one in State College PA is abysmal.

The Athens, GA & Roswell Rd. location in Atlanta have both been great when I've eaten at them. Just an FYI.

[Zeriel]

Maybe it's a "further north" thing then.

[ShibbOleth]

Five Guys gets worse on a geometric progression the further you get from DC--the ones in Northern Virginia are great, the one in State College PA is abysmal.

Outback Steakhouses are kind of like that. Decent around here (their home), less so the farther away one gets. In Canada they even had an amended menu, which was sort of odd. I don't know if I mentioned that the Five Guys I ate at today was different than the first one I tried, and it has been open longer than the other had, so more time to work out the kinks. Net Jake's hamburgers here is about the same but they have all kinds of weird milkshakes and malts, which gives them a leg up in my book. 5Guys fries were better than Jake's, though.

[Darryl Lict]

In-n-Out makes a delicious dependable basic burger with carefully chosen fresh ingredients. Since it is so basic, it is understandable that many people are underwhelmed. The ground beef is never frozen, the buns are some special "sponge-type" bread. I grew up eating them since around 35 years ago in the Valley. The fries are freshly cut, but I don't consider them all that great. If they cooked them in lard, well then they would be fantastic.

I think another reason that people don't like In-n-Out is that they cook the burgers fresh to order. During the dinner rush, it can take friggin' forever to get your burger. This causes many people to wonder what the hype is about. I tend to try to go off hours to avoid the crowd.

I'd like to second Tommy's, Apple Pan, Fatburger and the Hat. I think it is your responsible to hit everyone of these joints and decide for yourself. Report back in a new thread.

The one thing about Tommy's (http://www.originaltommys.com/), it's all about the chili. You need to go to a very high volume joint, in other words, the original shack on Beverly and Rampart in Hollywood. If you go to a low volume outlet, the chili will congeal and be pretty mediocre. The actual name is "Original Tommy's", so don't be fooled by the countless imitators.

If you make it to Vegas, there's an In-n-Out, a Fatburger, and a Tommy's (way off the strip though). Unfortunately, the Fatburger in Santa Barbara just closed. I should have patronized it more often.

[TWDuke]

In-N-Out secret Menu (http://www.tiburon-belvedere.com/cgi/home.cgi?c=In_N_Out).I was in an In-N-Out in Sherman Oaks and some of the costumers asked for and received chili peppers - not on the burgers, but packaged separately. I'd been going to INO for years and never seen this before so I don't know if it's some double-secret thing they do at all locations or just that one.


Tommy's is an institution. They invented the chilli burger and an entire style of chili that has spread nation wide. There are so many imitators of Tommys chili that it's stupid.To avoid the pseudo-Tommy's (and Tomy's, Tommi's, Tomi's, Tomboy's, etc.) look for a picture of a shack on the sign.

[NAF1138]

To avoid the pseudo-Tommy's (and Tomy's, Tommi's, Tomi's, Tomboy's, etc.) look for a picture of a shack on the sign.

Good advice in this post and the one before it. Make the trip to to go to the Original Original Tommy's. The food really is better there.

[Jeff]

Typical SD...somebody comes in asking about "X", and gets 8 responses on why "Y" is better.

Just like real life. Suck it up. :P

I've never eaten at In-and-Out (there are none up north here), but I have eaten at Fatburger, and if most people rate Fatburger higher than In-and-Out, I can't be missing much. IMO White Spot/Triple O's (don't think there are any south of the border) makes a better burger for the same price.

[footballisplayedwithyourfeet]

Thanks for all the advice, I'll make sure to take a good look at the secret menu before I go. I might try one of the alternative (non fast food) burger joints as well, but I don't want to be eating burgers all the time...there is also the mexican stuff (and probably every other kind of food imaginable)! So much possibilities and so little time...;)

[NAF1138]

Just like real life. Suck it up. :P

I've never eaten at In-and-Out (there are none up north here), but I have eaten at Fatburger, and if most people rate Fatburger higher than In-and-Out, I can't be missing much. IMO White Spot/Triple O's (don't think there are any south of the border) makes a better burger for the same price.

One last note, In-N-Out costs less than McDonalds. A quarter pounder with cheese meal will run me $6 at McDonalds and I can get a double double with fries and a drink for $5.25. The price is part of the appeal. Also, note what I said above, Fatburger and In-N-Out make different products, they just both share the name hamburger. They aren't really the same foodstuff.

[want2know]

That's what I came in to say.

Burgers Animal Style, no lettuce, and Animal Fries. The best fast food lunch, period.

In-N-Out secret Menu (http://www.tiburon-belvedere.com/cgi/home.cgi?c=In_N_Out).

Joe
Wow, thanks for the link! The only secret thing I knew about was "Animal Style". I like lots of cheese on my burger, so it'll be the 2x4 from now on. And I always felt that the fries, while good, had just a bit of a mealy consistency to them. "Well done" fries sounds like the way to go.
I had always avoided "Animal Style" because I'm not crazy about thousand-island dressing, but on an In-&-Out, it actually works! "Animal Style" on the fries is a bit much, tho'.
Fatburger used to be a lot better years ago, IMO. Still better than most, but it pales in comparison to I&O.
We have several I&O's here in Vegas, and two within a mile of my house. It mystifies me that anyone would even consider Mac's, BK, etc. with all this good burger action here.

Crap! It's only 8:40 AM, and now I've got the In-&-Out jones big time! Thanks a lot, guys! ;)

[want2know]

Thanks for all the advice, I'll make sure to take a good look at the secret menu before I go. I might try one of the alternative (non fast food) burger joints as well, but I don't want to be eating burgers all the time...there is also the mexican stuff (and probably every other kind of food imaginable)! So much possibilities and so little time...;)
Just one more hijack...

You cannot visit LA without stopping at least once at Barney's Beanery (http://www.barneysbeanery.com/#). Best chili in the world, guacamole that will knock your socks off, and burgers that will make you weep with joy (go to page 5 on the online pdf menu). There are apparently now 4 locations, but for the true BB experience, you must go to the West Hollywood location (the original).

And did I mention at least 150 different brands of BEER?