In and Out Burger
 

A number of our friends have told us to eat at In and Out Burger. Where are they located. We will not be in LA but we will be in San Fran and then driving down the coast to San Diego but we were not planning on stopping in LA. Are there other locations?

Check out their web site for locations at
http://www.in-n-out.com/

Do your friends own a franchise? It is simply a fast food / hamburger chain restaurant. Yes one of the better, but still a chain.

no they do not own a piece of the franchise. But we have young kids and they say it is way better than a mcdonalds etc.

If you're gonna be in CA, you've got to try in and out. Yes, it's fast food, but it's good, and you can't get it at home, so may as well give it a shot.

Why would you come to California and NOT go to In-N-Out? And, don't forget to take home a T-shirt.

Quick rave on In-n-Out!! The menus are short and sweet-- burgers, fries, shakes, soft drinks. Everything is made fresh, it's served quickly, and you can tell from the taste that it's something special.

Be sure to order your fries "well done" to get that crispiness people expect. If you're a strict Atkins wonk, you can order the burgers "protein style" and get the meat sandwiched between two lettuce leaves (hand-leafed iceberg, local produce).

Enjoy your trip, and make at least one stop at In-n-Out, cuz "that's what a hamburger's all about!" ;)

Here's an odd story...

On the plane to San Fransisco a few weeks ago, I had read an article in Business 2.0 magazine about how well run and good the In and Out franchise was.

When we were in San Fran, I saw one down near Fisherman's Wharf...it intrigued me so I went in and my wife and I split a burger.

It is one of the better fast food burgers I've had...very fresh. I didn't have the fries since we just wanted to go in and sample, but the ones on the tables around us looked good.

The thing I found the most facisnating (and refreshing) was how poilite and intellegent the employees were (for a fast food restaurant)

The menu is very limited, but they focus on certain items and do them well.

...also, one thing that I read in the magazine was that there is a "secret" menu with around 6 or 8 items you can order...like 1 burger with 12 patties on it, one without a bun, etc...these all have names, but I can't remember what they are.

I'm sure they have a website with info on it.

BTW...I'm not condoning the In and Out burger as a dinner choice for Fisherman's Wharf...there are better ways to have a good meal...it would be good place for a snack though

A"double-double with", and, now that I'm on Atkins, "protein style"! What's you're favorite In-N-Out burger?

I'm a big fan of In and Out burgers!! They really are very good. And they are so cheap! I like the way they do their buns and the french fries are so fresh!!

I must confess we have this about once a week, one just opened about ten minutes from our home. It's a hot spot for all ages. I still get excited when my husband says, "I"m bringing home In and Out tonight!!" Enjoy!!

The only comprable place I have found like this is the Burgerville chain around Portland,OR. Their walla walla onion rings are out of this world! Enjoy!! ***kim***

Great, you guys are making me hungry. I guess it's In and Out Burgers tonight for dinner!

Here's one web site for the secret menu.
http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/sleuth/sleuth2a.htm

Oh yes, certainly do the In and Out Burger thing! Even if I'm not all that hungry, when some one mentions In and Out, I'm down with it! The burgers are good, but the fries are terrific! Taste like what you would make at home, if you want the hassle and time.

As stated, the menu is very limited, but what they do, they do well. And besides the "protein burger" they also have what I think is called "animal style" - which amounts to a grilled cheese sandwich for our vegetarian friends. This a place where you can truly get it "your way!"

Enjoy!

There is an In and Out in San Francisco at Fisherman's Wharf. Good food!!! It is not franchised so all the restaurants are owned by the same family (hence the random bible quotes on the packaging).

Animal style is the way the burger is cooked with mustard. "Animal Style: Burgers are cooked with mustard. Pickles, extra spread and grilled onions are added."
The grilled Cheese is without the burger.
Veggie Burger is a hamburger without the beef patty or cheese. Is there any burger there?

I am a fan of In and Out too. Their hamburgers are tasty.

The reason that they have such great employees is that they pay them well and treat them like actual people. Whereas most fast food employees make minimum wage or just above that, In and Out pays their employees a few dollars more an hour.

I had to add my two cents worth - In & Out is great! When I'm on Atkins I love being able to drive thru and ask for the protein style - don't forget to tell them no "secret" sauce, mustard instead - it's a yummy burger and totally legal. When I'm not following Atkins I can't resist the fries and a chocolate shake.

kgn,
I just had an In-n-Out burger yesterday for lunch. I love onions, so if you ask, they will give you not only a thin slice of raw onion, but also a little pile of sauteed onion in there too. There must be a name for this, does anyone know? Whatever... it's delicious.

Burgerville???? That's one chain I'd love to see expand to California. Their halibut fish & chips are terrific, and they make the best red raspberry ice cream sundae with real Oregon raspberries!

Forget lunch--what time do they open?

Grilled onions is called "with grilled". Yummy!

That would be "forget dinner..." I'm so hungry for a burger I can't think straight.

A double double for me, please!

Oh, yes, and an order of fries!

No "diet" for me - Atkins or otherwise - just a great American hamburger! YUM! :)

Sounds like White Castles.... ????

White Castles were/are awful! In-n-Out burgers are so much better than White Castle's gristleburgers, it's hardly worth the effort to compare....

Maybe I'm not a fast food/hamburger expert, but we were taken to an In and Out Burger on the long drive from Tahoe to San Jose area. "What you've never been to one? Wait till you taste them, you'll go crazy!" The hamburger was OK, the fries were soft and greasy (didn't know about that "order them well done" idea, maybe that would have helped.
I sure didn't see anything special about them, but maybe I'm missing something here -- like an addiction to fast food hamburgers. I'm spoiled by really good hamburgers at a few local places (Cheeburger, Cheeburger especially), but admittedly they're a lot cheaper at In and Out, so maybe that's the point.

Thanks Kimamom!!! Now I don't feel so bad..Had always heard In and Out burgers were good, and always wanted to try. Always on the lookout for a good burger!! Drove by the one on Sunset several times on a trip to LA, but never at the right time to eat.
But you say that Burgerville's are close..Been eating them since 1967, so I guess I haven't missed anything..
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh that secret sauce!!

In and Out Burgers are nothing like White Castles. However, I do like White Castles.

THanks everyone!!!!!!!! I have been on the web site and there are a few on our way. I did not relize they had such a following. I thought it was just a kids alternative to McDs! Now I want a Burger!

It is a good burger. But they must be eaten quickly as they do not travel well.
Southern California is also home to a plethora of flame grilled burger joints where the real prizes are to be had.
Many with good ethnic on the menu as well.

The burgers are good (especially with the grilled onions), but unless you eat the fries right away, and I mean in the first minute after you receive them, they suck.

I had the fries once and I agree with the posters who say they're just too soft--I haven't had them again. The "well-done" suggestion is a must.

Keep in mind these are fast food and are not the same as a big, thick restaurant Kobe or Angus beef burger. But they are tasty fast food, for when I don't have time, but still want something good. There are times on a trip with kids, when that is just what you need.

In-n-out, figured it out! Of course, who knows what they'd be like without California law.

Because they use machines to slice their tomatoes and onions FRESH, by law they can only employ 18 and up yr olds. Therefore, I think they have to pay a bit more to get an adult (that's not on SSI or welfare) to work in their joint.

I've been to many an In-n-out and it's always in relatively tip top shape with clean and courteous employees. Even the busiest spots (try the one off the 5 in National City - always packed) are cleaner than a McDonald's on it's best day.

RE: Eating In-n-Out fresh and immediately-- who would want to WAIT?! The entire point is you're there, you're either starving or hammered (I've been both), and it's just too good to delay. As Carrie Fisher once wrote: "Instant gratification takes too long."

Now, as far as the other burger joints in the LA area, I think we're thinking about Tomy's, or Fatburger, or the other smaller chains. Some of those have great sidelines into Mexican (or even Chinese or Japanese) fast food, and when you need a break from burgers, a burrito or a teriyaki chicken bowl can be just the ticket! Welcome to California.... ;)

OMG! Tommy's!! Yes! Not as common as other places, but I could kill for one of their chili hot dogs or chili hamburgers!

And I just discovered Fatburger this past weekend. Definitely a fan! My S/O thinks they are better than In and Out, but that's only because they serve mustard on the burgers and have terrific onion rings.

Dang! An hour and a half till lunch and I'm already hungry!

OK OK, I'm down with a Fatburger. But Tommy's??!! No friggin' way. That chili is NASTY! I'd rather put 7-11's nacho chili on my burgers.

What about Crystal burgers ??

I remember an In and Out Burger stand in Vancouver, WA, that left us totally unimpressed. I think it closed. Burgerville is good, but it's probably the *slowest* fast food around. Don't be in a rush to get your order, especially in the drive-thru. Bring a book, or at least the paper.

btilke,
i really doubt in-n-out had a store in vancouver, of all places. someone could well prove me wrong, but in-n-out has been a southern california forever and only in the last few years expanded to arizona and vegas. your 'in-n-out' in vancouver may have been shut down for trademark infringement of some sort.

I live in Vancouver, Btilke is thinking of the "Hot and Now" on Mill Plain I imagine. Not in and out

kgn, while in So Cal also be sure to eat at a Rubio's, fast and fresh Mexican food. I understand they are franchising outside the state now, but it will always be a San Diego tradition!