In n Out Burger in SF
 

Ok, tell me the truth. Are they really that good? Should they be on my must do list?

They're very good, but not so special that you need to have them on a must-do (or must-eat) list.

Besides - you need to know the super secret, decoder ring version of the menu to get the best stuff :D

(If you see one and its lunch time - great. But don't make a special effort to find one)

Janis, SO if I manage to get a hold of one of those rings before I get there, I'll be sure to go out of my way . Otherwise I'll just pop in if I see one!!

thanks

kodi, there is one on Fisherman's Wharf; didn't try it though.
Deb

Here's a list of In-n-Out Burger's "secret" menu:

http://www.rajuabju.com/literature/innoutmenu.htm


In-N-Out burgers are 100% pure beef - no sinus, tongue, brains, or other parts of the cow, just pure chuck. Also no additives nor preservatives. Their milk shakes are so creamy and additive because all their ingredients are REAL. Taste is a little above average.

http://www.in-n-out.com/freshness.asp

If you come from someplace where you can get a fresh ground burger locally, then the answer is no, especially in a city with the food choices of SF.

If I was at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, I'd get those great seafood rolls they sell along the sidewalks (not a burger, in & out or otherwise!).

Hi kodi, I personally wouldn't waste my time and appetite on a In-N-Out burger when in SF unless that is a burger you have been wanting to experience. It is a chain place, I have one just a few blocks from me. I would encourage you two to go to local independent places in SF and truly experience being in SF.

Have a "Slanted Door" carryout from the Ferry Building instead. If you like Burgers, go to Taylors Refresher at the Ferry Building instead. I'm not a burger fan, but I had an In&Out earlier this year & thought it was average. Taylors burgers AND fries were much better. Barney's (local chain) are better also.

Stu Dudley

So what's the big deal then? I've heard about them for years and so thought they were something special. I suppose it's some of the movie stars talking about them.
I love a good hamburger, but it isn't on my Top 10 list when I'm in SF.

In NYC I had to try a black and white cookie for the same reason and I was not impressed.

In my case, I had to try one because they aren't available anywhere near me. It is a very, very good fast food burger IMO. Glad I had it, but then I love black and white cookies (and mallomars) which we can't get here.

Also, had a hot fudge sundae at Ghiardelli Square. Then had one in Chicago at Ghiardelli's and there was no comparison -- SF was way better.

IMO In and Out has declined in appeal over time. Taylor's Refresher..Slanted Door...NOW your talking!!!

We love In n Out Burger and always look forward to it when we are on the west coast. Great burgers, fresh cut fries.

We love In n Out burger, and go whenever we are in CA or Las Vegas,or Phoenix. Went to the one in Fisherman's Wharf. Also it is not an expensive lunch IMO.

My arm does not have to be twisted that much!! I'll have to have one.


Maj, the hot fudge sundae sounds like a 'must have'.
Can't wait.

kodi

In & Out at the Wharf vs. Taylors at the Ferry Building isn't a tough call, IMO.

Stu Dudley

Ahi burger at Taylor's Refresher.
=P~=P~=P~

In n Out burgers are really yummy, love the Neopolitan shakes (secret meu) here, also! ***kim*** ((*))

There yah have it. Go to Taylor's!
:)):)):))

Kal, Kal, Kal... :-))

Kodi, In n Out has very good burgers, freshly cut fries, and good shakes, but I don't know that I would go out of my way to try one, especially in San Francisco. But if you run across one on the road, it would be a tasty lunch!

Lee Ann

Ditto Picks.
It's SF! ;)

We go to In and Out Burger every trip to CA. We buy the annual t-shirt for about $8 each and they are great t-shirts. Nice fabric and wash well. Each year there is a large picture of a classic old car on the back. If we don't get to CA that year we have relatives mail us the t-shirts.

>>But if you run across one on the road, it would be a tasty lunch!<<

Wouldn't the car tires kinda squish it a little too much to eat??

Sometimes I feel so alone in my lack of understanding of the appeal of In & Out. They are truly nothing special. Not at all worth the effort to find in a city with such outstanding dining choices.

If, however, you are driving along I 5 and you are feeling hungry In & Out is a fine choice.

Suze you are right - the food isn't that great but the marketing is. It draws us in every time! :)

You absolutely must try In 'n Out to decide for yourself.

It didn't float my boat. I think the chain is beloved by people who grew up eating there just as in Seattle a chain called Dick's has a devoted following, including Bill Gates.

In Seattle, I prefer Kid Valley, and when I'm in California, I look for Sonic and Carl's Jr., which are chains we have few of in Washington State and which I prefer to In 'n Out, McDonald's, etc.

I guess I'll just have to try it for myself. Then I'll know.

And then I'll have to plan a trip to Seattle.... and on and on..

well then, in Seattle, Dick's (a old local place with 3 locations) is my favorite.

kodi~ have fun in San Francisco... it's a GREAT city!

Kodi

Burgers are burgers & fries are fries. Try somethng different than what you can get where you live (I don't know where that is). That's why I suggested the Slanted Door carry-out in the Ferry Building. Even a "walk-away" crab or seafood thing at the "super tacky" Wharf would be something better/different/more unique than an "anywhere USA" burger.

You wouldn't go all the way to San Francisco and shop at a Gap - why would you come here & have a burger??? Try Dim Sum, Moroccan, Greek, Iranian, Vietnamese, Spanish, etc. Maybe you won't like it - but how much better can an A+ burger be than what you've probably alfready experienced wherever you call home????

Go to Incanto and have cured Tuna heart over buckwheat noodles, and then roasted lamb neck - something different.

Stu Dudley

Thanks Suze, We are really looking forward to it.

Oh Stu, this was not the post to read first thing in the morning!!! I'm not very adventurous when it comes to eating..
I live near Toronto, very mulitcultural..so there are many different foods here..but I'm a sissy.

Maybe I'll try a couple of things..
not sure I could try organs. I don't even eat beef organs. YUK....

Now desserts.. If you can recommend any regional desserts, I'd be very happy.

the seafood rolls i recommended are hardly adventuresome :-) like stu says the Wharf area is over the top tourist tacky. they have various seafood mixed w/mayo piled on white bread rolls (like hot dog buns) in glass cases along the sidewalks.

I HIGHLY recommend the duck rillettes wrap from LuLu Petite at the Ferry. OMG! It was delish and perfectly moist and tender.

There are so many devine places in Ferry Building for lunch, I would not ever eat at Wharf again.

Deb

Locals eat at the Ferry Bldg & tourists eat at the Wharf. Guess which area has the most repeat customers and has to offer high quality food?????

Stu Dudley

The ferry building it is!! I want the good food.

Suze the seafood rolls sound more up my alley.

Deb, sounds good.

Stu, thanks for the great advice.

Kodi,
If you like wine the Ferry Bldg Wine Merchant will let you bring in food from other places and let you order wine to go with it.

Either way you really can't go wrong in the Ferry Bldg.
http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/
They did a good job!

Duck rillette sandwich with cherry and fig balsamic glaze and arugula on ciabatta: Yum yum. Have this at Lulu Petite every time I'm at the Ferry Building, which isn't often enough.

Well I must say Betsy and Deb, I've never heard of it, but it does sound delicious.

I can't wait to try it.

I think I&O is highly overrated for burgers, but the fries are excellent.

I am surprised nobody has mentioned Nations for burgers! I think for a "semi-chain" that Nations has the best burgers of any place.

They also serve a great breakfast. I have been to the original Nations in Alameda (CA) and it is a real treat if you have time to get to it.

We enjoy In N Out. We just had an afternoon nosh at the one in L.A./Westwood, on Sunday - mmm good!