Whenever we have guests from out of town, the first place we always take them is In N Out Hamburger. This no-nonsense hamburger chain, established in 1948 in Baldwin Park, focuses on three menu items: burgers, shakes and fries. They keep it simple, and they do it really, really well.
This sparkling clean restaurant, with tidy workers who quickly wipe down your tables and serve with a real smile, is one of the last well-run fast food establishments in California. It's no wonder that there are lines of cars around the block — no matter what time you visit.
The In N Out Menu is simple and the point. Officially, you can choose from three items: the In N Out Hamburger, In N Out Cheeseburger, and the In N Out Double Double (that means two meat patties and two slices of cheese).
Each burger patty (personally inspected and processed by In N Out) is available with your choice of fresh hand-leafed lettuce, sliced red tomatoes, raw or grilled onions, and a house-made sponge dough bun that's simply incredible.
French fries are made from premium potatoes, cut to order and fried in cholesterol-free vegetable oil.
The In N Out spread is a Thousand Island-style dressing that compliments each burger nicely. Keep in mind that this is not health food. If you're watching your waistline, you can download a fact sheet of In N Out Calories.
For a special treat, order an In N Out Shake, made from real vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream. The Neopolitan Shake swirls all three shake flavors together! The Choco Vanilla Swirl Shake blends just the chocolate and vanilla ice cream.
As every local will tell you, there's a whole slew of other items that you won't see on the board. The In N Out Secret Menu includes specialty burgers and fries made to order with their own special little differences. In fact, since I don't even eat meat, I always order the In N Out Grilled Cheese with a side of Animal Fries.
Here's the rundown of the In N Out Hidden Menu:
- In N Out Grilled Cheese: This starts out with a fresh baked bun, topped with spread, lettuce, tomato and two slices of melted American cheese. You can have it with or without onions.
- In N Out Veggie Burger: This starts out with a fresh baked bun, topped with spread, lettuce, tomato and whole grilled onion.
- In N Out Burger, Animal Style: This starts out with a fresh baked bun and burger topped with lettuce, tomato and a burger spread with mustard, pickles, extra spread and grilled onions.
- In N Out Animal Fries: These are In N Out French Fries topped with extra spread, melted American cheese and grilled onions. OMG!
- In N Out Protein Burger: This is simply a burger with everything but the bun. Instead, it's wrapped in lettuce.
- In N Out Flying Dutchman: This includes two burgers and two slices of cheese. Nothing else.
- In N Out Double Meat Burger: This starts out with a fresh baked bun, topped with spread, tomatoes, lettuce, and two burger patties. You can have it with or without onions.
- In N Out 3x3: This starts out with a fresh baked bun, topped with spread, tomatoes, lettuce, three burger patties and three slices of melted American cheese. You can have it with or without onions.
- In N Out 4x4: This starts out with a fresh baked bun, topped with spread, tomatoes, lettuce, four burger patties and four slices of melted American cheese. You can have it with or without onions.
- In N Out 100x100: You've got to see this one to believe it! View the story here.
In N Out hours are 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. weekdays, and 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For more In N Out Burger facts and a printable list of In N Out locations, go to the restaurant's Web site at http://www.in-n-out.com/