In and Out Burger
While it is a chain, In and Out Burger is a classic and a Los Angeles institution first opened in 1948 in Baldwin Park. No, its not just in Los Angeles anymore, but it started here and is still confined to the west coast for the most part.
For those poor souls who don't know, In and Out is a burger restaurant and drive through which has a simple menu, sticking to what they know best ... burgers! In case it wasn't obvious from the name.
In and Out Burger is simply the best fast-food burger you can get. Sure, all the other places have their proponents, but in our opinion they simply haven't tried In and Out yet! Friends and family from out of town make a point to hit In and Out Burger at least once, oftentimes several times, during visits.
There are only a few things on the menu ... hamburger, cheeseburger, double-double (a cheeseburger with double beef patties and cheese) and french fries. Besides drinks, that's it! At least, that's it that is printed on the menu. For those in the know, there are a whole host of other ways to order which are not listed anywhere!
The so-called In and Out "secret menu" is actually quite extensive. Our two favorites are quite simple: If you add "Animal Style" onto any burger order, you get a specially grilled burger with extra pickles, extra secret sauce and grilled onions. This is our "go-to" burger. The regular cheeseburger or double-double just seems a bit dry and uninteresting in comparison. Once you've had it animal style, you'll never go back!
Animal style also applies to fries! We didn't try these until much later but lord almighty are they addictive! The only reason we don't get them every time is that we are worried for our poor coronary arteries! They consist of a basket of fries with melted cheese, secret sauce and grilled onions on top (pictured below). Lordy!
There are a number of other secret ways to order:
- Protein Style: Inspired by the low-carb diets currently in fashion, protein style added to any burger means that the burger is served with large leaves of lettuce wrapped around the burger instead of a bun.
- X-by-Y Burgers: Burgers can be ordered as a 2-by-4 or 4-by-4 or 3-by-3. The first number refers to the number of beef patties. The second number refers to the number of cheese slices. So a 4 by 4 is four beef patties and 4 slices of cheese, while a 2 by 4 would be two beef patties with 4 slices of cheese. There are obviously a number of combinations this can result in.
- X-by-Meat Burgers: This is a hamburger, without cheese, with various numbers (X) of beef patties. So, for example, a 3-by-Meat Burger would be a hamburger with 3 beef patties. A 2-by-Meat can also be ordered as a "Double-Meat" burger.
- The Flying Dutchman: The ultimate in "protein style", the flying dutchman is simply 2 beef patties and 2 slices of cheese. That's it!
- Grilled Cheese: A cheeseburger without the burger (beef pattie).
- Veggie Burger: Hamburger with no meat and double tomatoes.
- Extra Toast: Added to any burger order, this gives you a slightly more toasted bun.
- Light and Well-Done Fries: You can ask for the fries to be done "light", a bit less dark and cooked, or "well-done", a bit crispier and darker than normal.
|
