In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger
Somewhere in California

Warren was all about getting some In-N-Out Burger while we were in California. I'd been with him on one of my first visits to California, but didn't remember what the big deal was. Obviously, I wasn't the foodie I am today.

The monkeys (Satchel, 8, and Jiro, 6) are always up for a good cheeseburger. We stopped at one just before we left the state, near the Arizona border. They have a definite 50s vibe, both inside and out.


They make the workers wear these douche-y hats.


However, if you look beyond the douche-y hats (and let's be honest, shirts and pants), you can see the workers actually cutting potatoes and onions and making things nice and fresh. The menu is pretty simple" hamburgers, cheese burgers, french fries, soda, and milkshakes. The monkeys requested cheeseburgers and fries, and Warren and I went for regular hamburgers. Warren requested some stickers for the kids to play with while we waited.


They were actually cute little scenes and the monkeys loved putting people on the roof, hamburgers under tires, etc.


I filled up everyone's drinks and then went to retrieve our food when they called our number. I was immediately impressed by the sea of French fries.


I really liked how not greasy they were, and I didn't miss the salt. When we got to the bottom, we saw that they are really proud of their potatoes, and they should be.


Satchel pointed out that they made great Wolverine-esque claws.


He liked them so much, he decided to put them on his burger.


One final note on the fries. We noticed that the guy behind us was eating his fries with a bunch of stuff piled on top. I went to inquire at the counter and was told that they were "Animal Fries." They aren't on the menu so you have to know to ask for them. It's an order of fries with two slices of melted cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and the special "spread." Um, yum! I'm glad we didn't eat any though! (We had a gluttonous vacation!)

OK, let's talk about the burgers and that spread. They come standard with lettuce, tomato, onion, and spread. The spread is like Thousand Island dressing with a little relish thrown in. It tastes good, but after looking at the nutritional info (that all restaurants in California are required to provide), I decided that I'd order mine with ketchup next time and save myself 9 grams of fat.


Here Jiro demonstrates what it would look like if he were to actually eat his burger. Warren failed to order his with cheese and minus the offending lettuce, tomato, onion, and spread. I removed the offenders, but he didn't like what little spread had soaked into his burger. (Warren ended up eating it and I got Jiro one the way he likes it to go.)


The burgers are also impressive and they make sure to tell you why.


All in all, I was extremely impressed by In-N-Out. All fast food places should take a cue from them: local, fresh, fast, delicious, and NO styrofoam!