Many of my Canadian friends find it difficult to understand why someone would want to move away from California. There were good reasons to stay and, in our case, better reasons to leave, but there are definitely things about California that I miss. Foremost among these are dear friends, the meyer lemon and fuyu persimmon trees in my yard, and the beautiful winter weather (summers I wasn’t too crazy about — blasted hot). And I miss my favorite fast meal there, at In ‘n Out Burger.
(a simple menu and with excellent prices!)
Located in the Southwestern USA is a family run chain of 50s style hamburger joints that have a very limited menu. Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, french fries, milkshakes and beverages. That’s about it. There are no freezers, just refrigerators — everything is fresh and cooked to order. The family builds new restaurants when there’s enough money in profits, so expansion is relatively slow, although they’ve opened restaurant #300 recently. Fortunately they’ve resisted the many buy-out offers they must receive, so there are some things you still can count on to be consistently good. In ‘n Out restaurants are really, really popular and very busy during lunch and dinner hours. You can drive thru, take out, or dine in.
(getting fresh potatoes ready to slice)
(Working the grill)
The staff at In ‘n Out is young, energetic, paid a little better than the kids at McDonalds (and it shows in the quality of the employee). Their uniform, a red apron on white slacks and top, and cap or hat, is snappy. You’ll get an inexpensive meal that’s delicious! Vegetarians have limited options but can enjoy the fries made from fresh cut Idaho potatoes (you can watch the potatoes being cut) and a milkshake. Vegan options — well, sorry, this is not a place that caters to you.
I know people who, when traveling through LAX, try to arrange a four hour layover so that they can walk over to the In ‘n Out Burger nearby on Sepulveda, enjoy a great burger meal, then return in time to make their connecting flight. No kidding. The burgers are that good.
So when in California or Nevada or Arizona (or a few other states), check the location of the nearest In ‘n Out. A better cheaper meal is hard to find. Those of you who’ve visited an In ‘n Out know what I mean — those who haven’t will when you have your first bite.
(a bite of paradise….)
Thanks for making me miss one of my favorite eateries in CA, lol Wish they would bring them out here to CO. Maybe someday. In the meantime, we usually hit them as soon as we land in LA, lol.
I’m gonna get killed, here, I know it, but I would rank In-n-Out in a class with Wendy’s. Thin patties, no juiciness, nothing to write home about.
After years of hearing about them from West Coast friends, the reality was so disappointing…
Pheymont, when I was in CA I could take it or leave it, but now that I am away I want it all the time So annoying, lol.
I grew up on the burgers and they always have been consistently good. It’s been interesting to see how popular they’ve have become attracting visitors from all over as a must see stop.
I love In-n-out burgers. My ongoing comparison and self-argument is whether or not In-n-Out is better than Five Guys burgers on the east coast. Also a very limited menu – burgers and fries, that is it. Both are real good
Thanks for all of your comments. I agree with Samantha. In-n-out as soon as you can, although a good Mexican food meal might beat it out once in awhile!
That analogy, PHeymont, is like equating the quality of pineapple or papaya picked and consumed in the tropics with the stuff you buy at your corner grocery store in Brooklyn. If it’s a thicker patty you’re looking for, I suggest the meatloaf sandwich at a local deli.
Sorry Paul, I disagree. First let’s remember that we a talking fast food, not a burger from a bistro or steak house. But Wendy’s – home of the hot and greasy? No way!
On my recent trip to the US I found 5 Guys fast and good. An attractive young lady on roller skates brings your order out to your car. I’m sure she works in Hooters too !
In Wendys I had to get more napkins to catch all the grease running down my arm.
Awful place.
In Cracker Barrel – which has always been great – the meatloaf went back with cardboard and sellotape in it. The Waitress noticed my English accent -apologized – and said “Well, you’re only passing through” The Manager came out too “We don’t normally put those things in the meatloaf” A budding Sherlock Holmes maybe ? That’s off my list now as a “Safe House” to eat in.
But after 2 weeks of fast food – my stomach was glugging like an “Irish Poitín Whiskey Still” – begging for real home cooking !
DrFumblefinger, I’m not sure we agree on which is which in your analogy…but I certainly wouldn’t compare In-n-Out with a roadside fruitstand on the Big Island!
Well, as they say, “À chacun son goût!”
#&^%@! Now I want In N Out! I’m fortunate to have one less than a mile from me. I actually don’t eat there that often, but when I get that craving, its all over!
I like Five Guys as well. What I like about them is that you do seem to get more for your buck as a “small” fry is practically half a bag and the small burgers are huge.
Heading off to eat a salad. How boring.
PHeymont. Everyone is entitled to their opinion about food, although in this case yours is a minority view. The title was a bit of an inside joke. In-n-Out uses this in its promotional material….as in this brief video clip.
My California friends always spoke o
f it with reverence, not as fast or junk food, and thatbset my expectations. And note that the headline of this blog sets the same view. But now it sounds as if it is being offered as best of a generally bad lot, NOT what a hamburger is “all about!”
I looked on a comparison site for Burgers.
It seems that most people who have a passion for In-N-Out are from California.
One 5* Review guy wrote ” I go to bed at night I dreaming of In-N-Out burgers”
Wonderful passion for a Football Team maybe. But a burger ? Very sad.
I had a lot of fun eating at In -N -Out last couple of months. Don’t forget to ask for “animal style fries” at least once.