In-N-Out Burger
[flickr]
It’s probably safe to say that anyone who’s ever had In-N-Out Burger suddenly just got very hungry! Truth be told, Alicia can keep her Chik-Fil-A (which Vegas is, admittedly, sorely lacking) because I have In-N-Out!
In-N-Out Burger is, without exception, something everyone in my family can agree on when we need a quick lunch or dinner. It’s also the first place visiting friends and family want to go - in fact, one brother-in-law loves it so much we were waiting at the front door for them to open at 10:30am during his last visit!
In-N-Out began in 1948 by Harry and Esther Snyder in Baldwin Park, California. Their first shop has the distinction of being the first drive-thru fast food stand in the state! Their philosphy is one that has lived on for decades now: “Give customers the freshest, highest quality foods you can buy and provide them with friendly service in a sparkling clean environment.”
Two other simple things speak volumes about In-N-Out: They don’t advertise on TV (in Vegas anyway - my husband says they used to in California), and their food is the only fast food I have ever had that looks exactly the same as the pictures on the order board. Most sit-down restaurants can’t even claim that! Their fries are also made from actual whole potatoes, cut right there in the restaurant which makes them some of the best I’ve ever had.
[flickr]
In-N-Out also has a kind of “secret” ordering menu that’s not actually printed and really isn’t kept secret on purpose - it’s just something that’s evolved over the years and people who eat there often know they can change things up the basic menu of hamburgers and cheeseburgers now and then:
- Animal Style (burger and/or fries): The fries are topped with two slices of melted cheese, spread, and grilled onions. The burgers are cooked using mustard, and are then topped with pickles, extra spread, and grilled onions.
- Grilled Cheese: Everything that the cheeseburger includes, minus the meat patty. Can be ordered with or without onions as well as “animal style”.
- Protein Style: Any burger that is offered on the menu will be wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun.
- M x C (3×3, 4×4): “M” meaning number of meat patties and “C” meaning number of cheese slices. Therefore, the 3×3 is three meat patties and three slices of cheese. The 4×4 is four meat patties and four slices of cheese. The biggest burger is a 4×4.
- Double Meat: Simply the Double Double without cheese.
- Veggie Burger: A burger without meat or cheese- only vegetables are used.
- The Flying Dutchman: Two meat patties and two slices of cheese. No bun, vegetables, or spread are inlcuded.
- Well Done Fries: Fries are cooked longer than others, resulting in a crispy fry.
- Lite Fries: Fries are not cooked as long, resulting in a softer fry.
- Neapolitan Shake: Combination of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry shakes.
To order, you’d just ask for “a double double animal style,” etc. My favorite is the single patty animal style with well done fries! What’s yours?
There are dozens of locations throughout California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. The most popular one in Vegas (because of its close proximity to the Strip) is located at 4888 Dean Martin Dr. (formerly Industrial Rd). The remaining locations are at:
5690 Centennial Center Blvd.
1960 Rock Springs Dr.
51 N. Nellis Blvd.
2900 W. Sahara Ave.
4705 S. Maryland Pkwy.
9230 S. Eastern Ave.
All locations are open Sunday through Thursday 10:30am-1:00am, and Friday and Saturday 10:30am-1:30am.
(For the fun of it, check out this page about the customer who ordered a 100×100!)
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North Las Vegas, NV
May 16th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
mmm…looks good. If I’m ever in the area I’ll have to remember to stop by and get some of that!
May 17th, 2008 at 7:54 am
I WILL keep Chik-Fil-A, thank you kindly.
I do miss In N Out burger, and I can attest to the zeal of people who come into town. Every time my sister came to town, the first place she stopped was In N Out on her way from the airport.
May 18th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Yes, I LOVE me some In N Out. Every time I go back to Vegas for a visit the first place I stop is the In N Out on Tropicana and I guess now Dean Martin Dr.
If there was one reason for me to move back to Vegas, it would be for In N Out. I wish they’d franchise so I could build one in Texas.
Well Done fries are my fave “secret way” to order anything. My husband was also too chicken to order an animal style burger because he thought I was playing a trick on him and they would serve him kangaroo instead of beef.
I’ve tried several attempts at recreating the burgers in my own kitchen, but they always taste like sh*t.
I also have some claim to fame as my Father In-Law painted one of their signature shirts and had never actually eaten a Double Double until I married his son.
So yes, In N Out is THE best fast food EVER.
September 21st, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Hey you forgot the chili they sell, at least in california.
October 8th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
[...] rumors making the rounds that I’m sad to say isn’t true. The email being forwarded to In-N-Out fans everywhere says: “In-N-Out’s 60th Anniversary is Wednesday, October 22nd. All [...]
October 18th, 2008 at 9:47 am
[...] anyone who’s eaten at In-N-Out this is really no surprise: AOL’s Cityguide has just named their fries among the best in the [...]