Illuminati with Cheese.
January 30, 2006 8:10 PM   Subscribe

I Want to Believe--in the Double-Double Animal Style. Mefi has discussed the wonders of In-N-Out Burger before, but what fascinates this east-coaster is the "Secret Menu." Also, the cryptic biblical messages. In-N-Out HQ laughs it all off, even as its greasy-spoon archipelago falls apart, potentially.
posted by bardic (66 comments total)
 
I used to think that the worst thing on the In-N-Out menu was a Diet Coke "Animal Style". Then I got Fries "Doggie Style". Not recommended.
posted by redteam at 8:15 PM on January 30, 2006


In-N-Out is one of Southern California's few redeeming features.
posted by soiled cowboy at 8:22 PM on January 30, 2006


Fatburger > In-n-Out.
posted by euphorb at 8:27 PM on January 30, 2006


"When Andrew Ramirez, an Army sergeant who was held captive for 32 days in Serbia in 1999, was released, his first request was for a Double-Double. His mother, Vivian, carried two of them, with fries, to his base in Germany."
posted by soiled cowboy at 8:27 PM on January 30, 2006


jesus. as an east coaster who just visited vegas (where there are like a half dozen of them) i am now insanely jealous of anyone with access to one. THANKS A LOT!
posted by wakko at 8:28 PM on January 30, 2006


Original Tommy's > Fatburger.
posted by soiled cowboy at 8:29 PM on January 30, 2006


His mother, Vivian, carried two of them, with fries, to his base in Germany.

Upon consumption of the now-rancid meat patties, he was stricken with an acute case of food poisoning and perished. It's kind of a melancholy story.
posted by wakko at 8:30 PM on January 30, 2006


Sorry to hear about the lawsuit; hope the end result doesn't in any way change what they sell, as it's a spectacular burger, one that I prefer (unlike euphorb, and even mrs. jonson) over the offerings at Fatburger.
posted by jonson at 8:31 PM on January 30, 2006


We're never getting one on the East Coast. Damn. We don't have Fatburger either.
posted by smackfu at 8:38 PM on January 30, 2006


Smackfu- ...or Whataburger or Sonic or Jack in the Box. This coast sucks.
posted by youcancallmeal at 8:39 PM on January 30, 2006


From the last link: "Store managers make $90,000"

Wow, that's pretty impressive.

Why do I think it might be more fun than going to school 5 years and teaching history to bored 14 year olds for less than half the money?
posted by Dag Maggot at 8:40 PM on January 30, 2006


NOOOOO!
if this splats the plans for the one up in Marana, I'm gonna get medieval on someone's ass. I've been waiting 10 years for In'N'Out to make it this far inland. back in high school, before PHX got 'em, we drove from Tucson to San Diego and back just for some In'N'Out. best roadtrip I've ever been on.

Fattburger gets points for the egg option, and their jukebox rocks, but In'N'Out's always been my best burger. I get the Triple-Triple cardiac arrest, fries done crispy, and a John 3:16 Coca-Cola. praise the Lard!
posted by carsonb at 8:41 PM on January 30, 2006


Hrm. I'm clearly living on the wrong coast. I like White Castle and Steak N' Shake better than In & Out. And I love Dunkin Donuts. And Caribou Coffee.

Stuff that we don't have out here. :-|
posted by drstein at 8:43 PM on January 30, 2006


Is it true that you always get the same answer when you ask for the time?
posted by bardic at 8:44 PM on January 30, 2006


Thak goodness we don't have In-n-out around here. Rancid is right. Que viva taco town!
posted by baklavabaklava at 8:50 PM on January 30, 2006


i'm a big fan of the animal style fries. when i was vegetarian, i ate a lot of grilled cheese animal style. oh man. stupid metafilter, inspiring hunger. i'll be back in 20 minutes or so.
posted by fillsthepews at 8:58 PM on January 30, 2006


It sounds like the company is struggling with the question of expanding slowly and carefully, or going a bit faster with it. Part of me wishes they start franchising, just so I can get them up in Oregon.

I've always known they pay really well, which is cool, but 90k for a manager is crazy high. I guess that's why the managers seem to take their jobs and stores so seriously.
posted by mathowie at 9:00 PM on January 30, 2006


For this Right Coaster's $, they're tasty burgers. Fast food, yeah, but superior fast food, using good ingredients. But, according to this Washington Post article, here's the funniest secret menu selection:

The "Air Burger" is bun, lettuce, tomato, cheese, sauce and onion but no burger. (emphasis added)
posted by rob511 at 9:01 PM on January 30, 2006


On preview, I guess fillsthepews would like the Air Burger....
posted by rob511 at 9:02 PM on January 30, 2006


i'm not even vegetarian anymore, and i still get the grilled cheese now and then. the cheese is all melted, with the grilled onions and the sauce, yum. pretty darn cheap too! (i talked myself out of the in and out trip. my diet guilt got to me. sigh.)
posted by fillsthepews at 9:08 PM on January 30, 2006


Yeah, the washington post article got the secret names wrong: the "air burger" is called a grilled cheese. "the Protein" is actually called Protein Style.
posted by mathowie at 9:30 PM on January 30, 2006


Smackfu, wait until you get Five Guys.
posted by dougunderscorenelso at 9:33 PM on January 30, 2006


Oh hush. If you're lucky enough to live in the Mid Atlantic region, you can eat at Five Guys!
posted by Josh Zhixel at 9:34 PM on January 30, 2006


For Fatburger enthusiasts, they're starting to get opened all over. They just opened one in Atlanta, which I took as a sign that I'm welcome here.
posted by Mercaptan at 9:35 PM on January 30, 2006


I've known various employees of In-and-Out's in the south bay area. It seemed that there was more of a team mentality to the stores then others. Employees, wearing thier In-and-Out jackets, tended to hang out with each other outside of work more often then other places of business. It added to the workplace drama and often resulted in everyone sleeping with each other, even the managers.

Viva la In-And-Out
posted by Derek at 9:38 PM on January 30, 2006


I really don't understand this conversation at all. You guys like these burgers because... they taste good?

I gave up every bit of hope I had of ever tasting anything again after about a month of living here in Minnesota. My food choices are determined entirely by what happens to be close by when I get hungry. Last night, I ate a bag of sidewalk sand! The night before that, hot dish.

Mmmmm.... Hot dish... It tastes... Pretty warm.
posted by dsword at 9:44 PM on January 30, 2006


Behold the 100 x 100.
posted by rmannion at 9:45 PM on January 30, 2006


It's just a burger. The main reason I avoid the place though is that they only hire white people. Mostly.
posted by y6y6y6 at 9:59 PM on January 30, 2006


I used to live in D.C., and now am back home in Los Angeles, and I wholeheartedly endorse Five Guys - when I was in the NoVA area, there were only two locations, I guess they must have expanded some. But to tell the truth, even Five Guys Burger & Fries is no substitute for In-N-Out; nothing compares.
posted by jonson at 10:00 PM on January 30, 2006


We don't have Fatburger either.

As mentioned, they're in Atlanta, and now they're also in Pittsburgh. Slowly but steadily they're expanding east and southward. I tried a Fatburger shake; Steak-N-Shake's are better, especially for the price, plus you can get one at 8 a.m. for breakfast if you're so inclined, and I will admit to being inclined once or twice.

As a vegetarian, I am immune to most of the the wiles of the burger chains, but my sweet tooth will take a shake any day, lactose intolerance be damned.
posted by Dreama at 10:03 PM on January 30, 2006


i totally love the bumper stickers. it's a so-cal tradition to alter the word "burger" so the phrase reads "in-n-out urge." stupid. brilliant. so many levels. ..
posted by lapolla at 10:06 PM on January 30, 2006


In-N-Out is ok, but I'd trade them for East Coast pizza in a heartbeat.
posted by Devils Slide at 10:08 PM on January 30, 2006


In-N-Out is amazing.

I can think of few burgers I've ever had that are better.
posted by Relay at 10:17 PM on January 30, 2006


I used to get a 4X4, protein style, ketchup instead, grilled onions. Then I realized I was not young enough to eat that much.
posted by BrotherCaine at 10:20 PM on January 30, 2006


4th link: Those whom Bible verses make cross-eyed have far more to be concerned about from Alaska Airlines. That carrier places a Bible scripture card on every meal tray.

Seriously? Crazy.

Also, my only experience with In-N-Out Burger is The Big Lebowski ("Those are good burgers, Dude."), and because of that connection I'd eat there if given the chance. Despite my general aversion to meat, that Animal-style thing sounds good.
posted by brundlefly at 10:24 PM on January 30, 2006


I hear East Coast pizza is wicked. Hell, I can make a better burger than In and Out.
posted by faceonmars at 10:28 PM on January 30, 2006


no you can't.
posted by jonson at 10:29 PM on January 30, 2006


I lost my In-N-Out Burger virginity in November, while visiting friends in Phoenix ... a great experience. The entire restaurant applauded after I took my very, very first bite. And damn it was delicious. I'm now obsessed. Nebraska is sooo far away, I'm not sure I can stand it. I'm making a special trip in May to Orange County - the cover story is I'm visiting another friend. But really? It's for the burger.
posted by Sfving at 10:38 PM on January 30, 2006


it's a so-cal tradition to alter the word "burger" so the phrase reads "in-n-out urge."

I believe the California vehicle code mandates an "in-n-out urge" sticker on the bumper of every teenager's first car.

In-n-out burger, Tommy's, and Fatburger are among my few postive memories of So Cal culture from the five years I lived there. It's pretty sad when about the only good thing I can remember about a whole region is the burgers (and the tacos). When I became a vegetarian there wasn't much left to hold me there.
posted by TimeFactor at 10:43 PM on January 30, 2006


Sure, they make a good burger, but all of this worship is pretty depressing.

But I live in Phoenix, so maybe I just take their presence for granted.
posted by jimmy at 10:50 PM on January 30, 2006


In-N-Out is ok, but I'd trade them for East Coast pizza in a heartbeat.

This is like comparing oral to anal. Why pick just one?
posted by I Love Tacos at 10:56 PM on January 30, 2006


Mmmm now I want in-and-out for lunch tomorrow... its only 10 minutes from my work.
posted by SirOmega at 10:58 PM on January 30, 2006



"This is like comparing oral to anal. Why pick just one?"

Do you visit the ATM for a 'withdrawal' before getting your in and out? Animal style indeed!
posted by lalochezia at 11:26 PM on January 30, 2006


Wow! Thank you for posting that menu; I'll have to make sure I ask for an animal double-double next time I do the Portland to SF trip and stop at the Redding restaurant on the way south/north.

Warm fuzzies to a Marin posting (re: tiburon-belvedere.com).

I seem to recall way back when the Grilled Cheese was also called an "Angel."
posted by hyperlith at 12:43 AM on January 31, 2006


This is like comparing oral to anal. Why pick just one?

In a perfect world you'd get East Coast pizza/ Italian food and West Coast burgers, Mexican, and Chinese food within walking distance of your house, but I was thinking in terms of one of those hypothicals where someone puts a gun to your head and makes you choose.

As for the anal/oral analogy, I'm in my late 30's and on the computer at 1:29 am, so I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about.
posted by Devils Slide at 1:29 AM on January 31, 2006


*hypothetical

The above correction is the only anal I've had any experience with.
posted by Devils Slide at 1:32 AM on January 31, 2006


I am sure that subconciously I engineered my honeymoon for California solely to get to In-n-Out.

It was worth it.
posted by Frasermoo at 6:38 AM on January 31, 2006


If anyone lives on the east coast that wants to be a millionaire before they are thirty, I would suggest getting a Five Guys franchise or three.

Amazingly good food, an incredibly loyal customer base and (I'm guessing) an unreal profit margin. A burger, fries and a coke will run you $8 or $9, and they have a line all day, everyday.
posted by empath at 6:49 AM on January 31, 2006


And here I am stuck in Raleigh, home of.....a vast number of mediocre chain restaurants. Golden Corral anyone?
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 8:24 AM on January 31, 2006


y6 writes:
It's just a burger. The main reason I avoid the place though is that they only hire white people. Mostly.

I've never seen a white person working at any of the 3 In-And-Outs I've driven through, over the course of the last 5 years.
posted by felix at 8:55 AM on January 31, 2006


Does it seem weird that their "Secret Menu" isn't so secret, and is trademarked?
posted by artifarce at 8:56 AM on January 31, 2006


There's a Fatburger in Atlanta??? I'm heading there now!

Mmmmmmmm....
posted by BobFrapples at 9:28 AM on January 31, 2006


Does it seem weird that their "Secret Menu" isn't so secret, and is trademarked?

It's really just secret in the sense that it isn't posted in the restaurant.
posted by smackfu at 9:35 AM on January 31, 2006


...or Whataburger or Sonic or Jack in the Box. This coast sucks.

youcancallmeal, you're on the wrong part of the East Coast. Down here in sunny Florida, we have both Whataburgers and Sonics.
posted by NationalKato at 9:37 AM on January 31, 2006


yeah, y6y6y6, I've got to call you on that particular line of BS...

I've been to pleny on In-and-Outs all over California and Arizona... I see lots of Latins, Armenians, African-Americans... and very few white people...
posted by davros42 at 11:07 AM on January 31, 2006


Down here in sunny Florida, we have both Whataburgers and Sonics.

plenty of sonics in nc. equalled by another chain called cook-out (same dea: 40 kindsa milkshakes, all from fresh).

whataburgers and jack in the boxes blow.
posted by 3.2.3 at 11:15 AM on January 31, 2006


lalochezia wins.
posted by jpf at 12:00 PM on January 31, 2006


I can't believe that nobody has mentioned Dick's yet. They're only located in Seattle, but they're the best little burgers I've ever had. (As opposed to the best big burgers I've ever had.

Now if only Dick's would get into Portland, or (from what it seems) In-N-Out Burger would move up here.
posted by Hactar at 1:40 PM on January 31, 2006


Nothing is better than a gree chile double cheeseburger from Blake's Lotaburger. Only in New Mexico, which is also the only place to get decent green chile.
posted by krinklyfig at 2:02 PM on January 31, 2006


Good Christ, the Secret Menu. The Secret Menu is the one of many reasons I don't go there except kicking and screaming. Any time you feel hip and smug because you have ordered a hamburger both you and the establishment should be burned to the ground, in that order.

In a blessed world the resulting grease fire would take out the Krispy Kreme franchise and the two Starbucks that everyone would be too busy dry-humping to realize that conflagration was about to consume their idolatry.

God help you if you life in a place where In-and-Out is considered the pinnacle of hamburgery. Chances are you are blind to the fifteen other, struggling places you whipped by on the way there...

I mean, how the hell can anyone in Davis, CA stop there when Murder Redrum Burger is literally right across the street. And yes, I take my beef perhaps too seriously.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 3:00 PM on January 31, 2006


The last time I got a burger, fries and a shake from Murder Burger it cost me $11. That was years ago too, before they changed the name to something that spills off the tongue like fresh-summoned bile. I would suggest driving the extra 15 minutes across the causeway and going to Willie's instead of either.
posted by iloveit at 4:56 PM on January 31, 2006


(point taken, iloveit, though it was the proximity of the two and the line of cars at the former that always galled me. Big ups on Willies, and dare we mention Nationwide Freezer Meat? At least there you know where your money goes)
posted by Ogre Lawless at 5:02 PM on January 31, 2006


I was going to mention Nationwide Meats, but its been so long since I've been. I have very fond memories of going to the original location and eating burgers with my dad while they swung whole sides of beef through the tiny shop on those overhead rails. And those fries....
posted by iloveit at 5:16 PM on January 31, 2006


Anything behind the biblical references, or is just the owner's way of pushing christian theology?
posted by jne1813 at 5:31 PM on January 31, 2006


Orge Lawless opined I mean, how the hell can anyone in Davis, CA stop there when Murder Redrum Burger is literally right across the street.

How can anyone stop in Davis period, what a dump, I know I'm close when I have a urge to switch to recycled air. Actually, I usually buck up and bear the cow shit smell just to stop at The Murder.

I like InO, and it's my preferred food stop on the 50, 80 or I-5. But in town, there is a lot more charm in going to the single store place. Requesting cover fire on the way to Whiz Burger, trading a year's receipts points for Joe's Cable Car pullover, making some fucked burger with red beans, corn and cabbage at Slider's, finding hair in your mushroom burger at Silver Crescent, feeling relieved it was only pubes with no blood this time, and sunning in the backyard of Zeitgeist with a simple but utterly satifying burger washed down with a killer bloody mary in a pint glasses that could double as a side salad.

InO is good, but do you hang out there and soak it up? Its a solid, tasty burger but not a great restaurant otherwise I guess they would be called In Burger.

Oddly folks in SF usually get into more heated debates about the best burger in SF then burrito places, in which usually the debaters can find a common taco joint of notable quality. It's to note that the minute you mention Metro burger, you've just lost the debate and you obviously have fucking clue what you're talking about.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 5:52 PM on January 31, 2006


Mmm, redrum burger. Now that's a damn good burger. Last time I had one I'd just come in second in a peep eating contest. 55 peeps, 25 minutes. Followed shortly after by a beer, a cheeseburger, and a heaping plate of fries. Needless to say, I didn't feel so good after that.
posted by aspo at 9:51 PM on January 31, 2006


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