Well, I don't need to do that again (In 'n Out burger).

[chaska]

I finally got around to trying In and Out. I've been in California for a couple months, and everybody raves about this place so I decided to give it a go. Took me two days and three locations to get one. This place is darn popular. A line stretches off the property and out into traffic around meal times.

So I finally timed it right and managed to be second in line. I got to the window and there were 8-10 employees in this tiny little place. Most of 'em should not be anywhere near that kind of food - if you get my meaning. They were tripping all over themselves it was so cramped. I don't know what they were all doing. I sure didn't see a whole lot of food prep. I waited at least five minutes at the window. They were all very friendly, but geez, where's my burger already?

Anyway, I got it. It was okay, I guess. Nothing special. I've had much better (and much bigger) burgers at other local places. This thing was the size of a Whopper Jr. and mostly bread, a little too salty too. I actually kind of like the Thousand Island dressing instead of mustard and/or mayo. All the local places seem to do that.

So, in short, I don't get it. What do you In and Outers like about this place?

You know when I lived in Seattle there was this local place that everybody raved about. It definitely wasn't mediocre. It was awful. What is the name of that place? Anybody know.

[rumguy]

1. Was the local place is Seattle called Red Mill?

I'm relatively new to Seattle and hear about Red Mill burgers a lot.

For the record, I've always loved In and Out burgers...I used to live in Cali.

[Magical]

2. In Jeopardy Form....

Who'd love a place called Dick's Drive In ?

Hard to believe that 70% of US grain goes to feeding livestock.
Another of many reasons to be a vegetarian !

[No2W2004]

3. That reminds me.....

Walter: "He lives in North Hollywood near the In And Out Burger."
The Dude: "No, the In And Out Burger is on Calrose."
Walter: "Near the In And Out Burger."
Donnie: "Those are good burgers Walter."
Walter: "Shut the fuck up Donnie."

[Dookus]

4. Agreed...

they're good burgers. A step above regular fast-food. But I was quite disappointed when I actually had one for the first time. From the reports I'd heard, I expected a spontaneous orgasm and an un-graying of my hair.

The fries are good.

[tridim]

7. Sonic is my burger place

It's cheaper than McDonalds and about 50 times better.

[chaska]

10. Agreed. Can't find any here though.

[chaska]

5. Yeah Dicks, that the place. Very greasy and McDonalds-like burgers.

Overpriced too. The fries were basically raw (fresh potatoes) and again very greasy.

I went to Red Mill once and liked it. It was just a bit pricey is all.

[FATNED]

6. I don't get it either...

Been in Los Angeles for 13 years and I fail to see the magic. Fine burger, I eat a couple of them a year but I've had much better at many other places. And I find the fries to be crap. I like a good crispy fry myself and theirs wilt and become a soggy, clumpy mess about 13 seconds after I leave the counter. Just one of those head-scratchers--I have no idea why people rave like a mental patient about these average burgers and get mightily pissed off if you disagree.

Oh, they do have the damned friendliest employees I've ever seen at a fast-food place. That's always nice.

[nini]

8. I like them .. everything is fresh

you've got to eat the fries right away though since they're from fresh potatoes and wimp out pretty fast.


btw: this is a family owned business and their employee benefits are excellent.. so those kids crammed in there are taken care of at least. though I agree - a bit more room would be nice

[oustemnow]

11. Definitely, excellent employee benefits from what I've heard

I'm kind of torn about In n Out; apparently the founder was a fundie, and there are still Bible citations printed on their packaging. My biggest complaint about the place is about the time it takes to get your order, but I really appreciate the fact that the ingredients are fresh, so what are you gonna do?

Funny thing about living in Southern California; the rest of the country has this image of it being so health-conscious, but in LA there are about three trillion burger and donut joints.

On edit: the other anomaly is that I still can't find a decent burrito in LA. I guess I really got spoiled living in SF. Upon moving here, I figured, "Hey, it's closer to Mexico, the burritos must be excellent!" Sadly, no. Do any SoCal DUers have decent burrito suggestions?

[nini]

12. you can't find a decent burrito in L.A????

where do you live?????

PM me if you want some tips :-)

[chaska]

9. I had a burger last week at a place called Gus Jr's in San Bernidino.

I think they are a small local chain. They had all kinds of good stuff. All of it made to order. Nice char-broiled hamburger, complimentary tortilla chips, fairly expansive salsa bar. Great place. I hope to find one in my area (eastern edge of Pasadena).

Anybody heard of it? What's some other good places?

[brook]

13. Burgers. LA

Tommies.

[Awsi Dooger]

18. Agreed, except it's spelled Tommy's

Chili burgers that are moderately priced and damn good. The taste will overwhelm anything in your system for days.

I don't get the craving for In 'N Out, myself. My college roommates in Los Angeles took me there immediately, expecting taste buds in heaven. It was OK and nothing more. The chain has been in Las Vegas for at least a decade and I've been there once.

[nini]

28. TOMMY"S !!!!

yum..... but you're right - it sticks with ya!

but DAMN GOOD and the price is right.

nothing like a Tommy burger after a night of drinking to coat the stomach ;-)

[ForrestGump]

14. I love their chocolate shakes

Burgers are great but I, too, have had more spectacular esewhere. Still, a darn good burger, all the same. But the chocolate shake......mmmmmmmmmmmm...

[SoCalDem]

15. Kids like their bumper stickers

they remove the "B" and the last "R" from the "Burger".. I have never been that fond of their food either..

I prefer my own hamburgers.. I can put swiss on them and have them just the way I like them..

[SoCalDem]

16. oops.. I dupes

:)..

[HornBuckler]

17. In N Out Rocks

So Does Fatburger (Damn, I Miss Them Both) But, Carl's Jr. Will Suffice In The Meantime :)

[LWolf]

19. It's the fresh angle.

I think.

Allow me to direct you to my favorite hamburger stand; if you are in so cal, that is. There's still only one, as far as I know. It was there when I was in high school in the 70s, and it is still there. It is still a hamburger stand; walk up to the window and order. A couple of tables outside the window if you must stay there to eat.

You can find it in Chatsworth on the south side of Devonshire, just to the east of Owensmouth; across the street from the "Candy Cat," if it is still there.

I don't get to the San Fernando Valley often. My last trip to the munch box was in April 2001.

[Bertha Venation]

20. Sorry you had a bad experience. I would almost kill for an In N Out burger

at any time of day or night, any day, ever.

Nothing is ever frozen there. Fresh beef & fresh potatoes.

All they do is burgers.

The shakes are made with ice cream. Not ice milk. Not frozen pasteurized milk product.

Yep. I'd almost kill for one.

[radwriter0555]

21. Freshness, hotness, GREAT fries, wanna shake with that? All for one

low price.. Fast enough, after all, how FAST do you NEED your burger? Clean, and just great flavor, and did I mention they're ALL fresh?

And they're fresh.

No frozen, chemical laden, artery clogging chemical fillers.

Beef, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, yummy sauce.

And GREAT fries.

Considering what they do, and how well they deliver it, I say they're tops. I go out of my way for In n Out.

[gulfcoastliberal]

22. In N Out is overrated, In California, look for Barneys or Nations

Barney's is in the Bay Area and LA, Nations is exclusively in the Bay Area. Both are far superior to crappy in n out. I don't get their cult-like following, either.

[proud patriot]

26. Nations is the best Bay Area Burger

I don't think there a very many of them . Have they even
made it out of the east bay yet? I think they are only
in CoCo county

[gulfcoastliberal]

29. There used to be one in Davis, there is still one in Vacaville

which is Solano county. I was pissed when Nations left Davis - their burgers and breakfasts are great. Have you been to Barneys in Berkeley? They also have great burgers with excellent meat. It's on Cedar in the gourmet ghetto.

Edit: PS, I love the poem. Lovely visuals.

[mede8er]

23. BLASPHEMY........

Ever since I left SoCal for SoFla I've had one 'urge'...the In and Out 'urge'.......hehhehheh......

[cmf]

24. I agree they're a bit overrated

That doesn't stop me from eating there once a year when I visit my mother-in-law. It's good once, but I wouldn't want to eat them all the time.

IMO, the fries are way-overated. It's nice that they're made of fresh potatoes and all, but they taste like fried air. I like thicker-cut fries.

[proud patriot]

25. Well they are somewhat socially responsible for one thing

IMHO

first choice small local burger place

but if your choice is between
In and Out , and BK, McDonalds, and Jack
go to in and out . They buy all their procuce
locally , and their meat is never frozen (very fresh).
The big chains have frozen prepackaged things shipped
from HQ instead of purchasing locally .

This is why I like In and Out Burger over the other chains.

[cosmicdot]

27. did you check-out the Bible verses on the cups/wrappers?

I love their Palmtree motif

there's, also, a 'secret' menu
i.e., "Animal Style" - bun is grilled with mustard, sauteed onions instead of raw, pickles, extra "special sauce"
http://www.zenlemur.com/innout.shtml


I know people who won't eat there because of the proselytizing; however low-key.

Lettuce Pray ....

"These tiny notations are placed in out-of-the-way spots (the undersides of cups and near the seams of the paper pouches burgers are placed in)." - urban legends

The soda cup John 3:16:

The milkshake cup Proverbs 3:5:

The hamburger and cheeseburger wrappers Revelation 3:20:

The wrap used for the "Double-Double" Nahum 1:7:

[Zomby Woof]

30. Near the In-and-Out Burger

Walter: He lives in North Hollywood on Radford, near the In-and-Out Burger...
The Dude: The In-and-Out Burger is on Camrose.
Walter: Near the In-and-Out Burger...
Donny: Those are good burgers, Walter.
Walter: Shut the fuck up, Donny.

[AlCzervik]

31. Totally overrated

just like KrispyKreme. Their fries suck.

[Zomby Woof]

32. the best burgers in Seattle

Are to be found at Kidd Valley. Their shakes are also the BEST EVER.