this post is filed under Cuisine - American, Location - San Francisco

Of course, no trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to In-N-Out. Not to mention the fact that Geoff had never been before! Anyway, I probably don't need to explain this, but for those still living under a rock, In-N-Out is a legendary burger chain in California. It puts other fast food burgers to shame and emphasizes the freshness and quality of its ingredients as well as its beautiful simplicity. There are, however, quite a few items that you can order from the secret menu that aren't listed - check out a pretty complete list here. This time we went to the Daly City location, which is in a sort of mini strip mall that contains the In-N-Out, a Krispy Kreme next door, a big parking lot, and nothing else. Perfect!

double double, animal style, no pickles, french fries - $5 something cents

I usually get the same thing. Animal style just means they use grilled onions instead of raw ones, along with a thousand island-like special sauce. For those not from California, it may be tough to understand how much looking at this picture makes me crave In-N-Out. I want it. Badly. Now.

Comments

Hear that? Grrrrrrrrr... That's my stomach. Like Pavlov's puppy, I see In-N-Out, I start salivating. And like Homer Simpson I start saying, "Mmmmm, hamburger."

posted by deependdining on March 16, 2005 11:12 PM

Hmmm. I tried an In-N-Out Burger several years ago when I was in LA, but I was kinda disappointed. Is it one of those things where when you grow up with it, you're used to it and crave it? We have Dick's burgers here in Seattle and I LOVE THEM.

posted by megwoo on March 18, 2005 03:44 PM

Yeah, Dick's is great. You mean the one in Wallingford on 45th, right ? When my wife was going to UDub I went there couple of times a week. Good 'ol fashioned burgers that people patiently wait in long lines for. Gotta love it !

posted by SaabKen on March 19, 2005 01:53 AM

Hmm, that's an interesting question. I've taken non-California natives to In-N-Out who have loved it. I've never tried or heard of Dick's in Seattle, but I guess I should go if I'm ever up there. Maybe it does have something to do with what you grow up with...

posted by Arthur on March 19, 2005 06:35 PM

Ciao Arthur,

You did it again...you made another native Californian miss a good burger. I've been in Italy for almost a year and had one mediocre Big-Mac and one Whopper as my burgers for the year - I am not a fan of either of the two mentioned above but crave In-n-Out very much.

Have you ever tried/heard of Hamburger Habit? Small chain that started out in Goleta, near the UCSB campus - that's a killer burger too!

Ciao,

Ore

posted by Ore on March 19, 2005 07:40 PM

How could Dick's be even compared to In-N-Out!?!?
Dick's is notably appreciated because it's simple, but more because it's soooo cheap. It's a great college student midnight snack/food.

But In-N-Out is like heaven on a bun!
I wish we had it here in the NW! I always must have In-N-Out when I'm in the hood!

I must mention one of the reason the Animal style is so good is because they put this mustard sauce on the bun & then they toast it. So it's not only great because of the fresh ingredients and the grilled onions, but it's the secret stealth ingredient of the "fried" mustard that makes it taste extra great! :) Yay Animal style!

posted by Buzzy on March 21, 2005 02:37 PM

Never heard of Hamburger Habit, but I've never been to UCSB.

Indeed, I've heard that they do that mustard thing with the bun. I don't know the details, but whatever it is, it's good!

posted by Arthur on March 22, 2005 08:07 PM

how can you compare a chain to a single restaurant? I had In-N-Out for the first time last April, in Santa Clarita. The one by Six Flags. "Animal Style" is the way to go. My 9 yr old wasn't impressed. I can't wait to go back. Here in OR, we have one in Lake Oswego. "The Giant" burgers are huge. but you can't compare the two.

posted by Robb on April 1, 2005 09:20 PM

Their hamburgers are good but their fries are the WORST. For that reason I often skip In-N-Out entirely. Butfor fast food, it's the best choice, even with the Bible verses...

posted by molly on April 8, 2005 07:43 PM

A lot of people don't like the fries at In-N-Out, but I actually quite enjoy them. They don't compare to excellent bistro fries, but they have their own potato-ey style to them. I think they're great for washing down the burger... if that makes any sense at all! :)

posted by Arthur on April 9, 2005 02:51 AM

Their fries are actually very good but you have to eat them almost right out of the fryer, they don't "hold up" very well compared to McD's, and get limp and cold very quickly, but that's because they are sliced fresh. You can ask for them "well done" though and they will give you extra crispy fries.

Great blog Arthur I plan on making it through all your posts eventually, please keep it up.

posted by John on April 11, 2005 01:38 AM

Hi i work at in-n out. In corona, california. I must say i've been in love with in n out since i was about 7 years old. It's the first burgers my parents had out here when they flew into the states from colombia. They loved them. So now i just had to get a job there when the new local in n out opened. I love it! By the way, animal style burgers come with grilled onion, extra spread, pickles, and fried mustard on your patty (when the put your meat patty on the grill, they add mustard)! it's pretty good but i lOVE fresh ONion!. and you should say fresh onion, because if you ask for raw onion, your onion will be between the veggies (Lettuce and tomato) and will make it dry...just with onions (regular/fresh onion) they put the onions right next to your cheese slices which make the onions cheesy! O so delicious!

posted by Dre on August 3, 2005 10:02 PM

Hi I'm from Orange County, California but right now I'm in NC serving in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and I love In-n-Out and I have since as long as i can remember! We don't even have anything close out here, but every time i come home that's the first place i go stepping off the plane. That picture is great all the guys out here who are from California are missing it so the next time you're there have one for all us serving you. Thanks. Corpsman Up! ooh rah

posted by Blake on August 7, 2005 11:38 PM

san fransisco is not the only place that has in n out u dumbass

posted by yourface on October 1, 2005 08:07 PM

I feel you guys. It's only been a couple of months but I'm already itching for some In-N-Out again. Out here in Australia, there's really just nothing even close to it. In fact, I haven't even found a burger anything like what we get at home.

And to the last comment... um, yeah. Whatever.

posted by Arthur on October 16, 2005 10:55 AM

All I can say is that In n' Out makes the best burgers I've ever tasted. They aren't the biggest patties but the assembled sandwich "animal style" is the best in the country. I've tried them all across the country and I keep coming back to In n Out. Keep up the good work!

By the way, In n Out is all across California, and also has expanded in to AZ and NV.

And Dre, when I order my Double Double, it's animal style with BOTH kinds of onion and Extra grilled onion.

posted by Robin on May 18, 2006 12:00 AM