In 'N Out: All it's cracked up to be?

I have heard much, much praise of this burger chain, despite the fact that I live in West Virginia. Usually, those who rave about it are celebrity women trying to convince the public they actually eat something once in awhile. "Oh, I pigged out at In N Out after the Oscars!", etc. This instantly makes me skeptical. People in California LOVE Pinkberry, where you can pay $5 bucks for a small yogurt or whatever that stuff is topped with like three berries.
Now, I have never eaten there so I'm not even trying to knock it, but generally things as over hyped as In N Out disappoint.
I enjoyed my meal at Astroburger while on a drama club trip to LA (in which we met Bob Saget twice, but that's another story LOL)...but can someone tell me if the hype for In N Out is real or inflated (Like Pink's overinflated reputation)?

For a chain, it is great. Compared to an individual burger hut, no big deal.

quote:

Originally posted by Porcelina
People in California LOVE Pinkberry...

Not this people.

InO offers a good fresh burger and fries. They're the best as far as the chains go. Personally I don't partake all that often, as I'm partial to chiliburgers and hot pastrami sands when I feel like some fast food, and InO doesn't offer them. So I stick mainly with Farmer Boys and The Hat.

IAO is a great chain that deserves most of the accolades it receives. I'm sure individuals can point to a klunker incident, but it is truly a consistant chain that is all about quality.

I vote with 'Larry, Moe, and Curley' The three previous posters. As a long term SoCal resident prior to retirement I had a lot of Double-Doubles in front of me over the years. As a person who dealt with hundreds of 18 year olds in our community every year (teacher) I learned a lot about the Fast Food outlets in our area and the goods and bads of working at any one in particular.

In and Out was ALWAYS well spoken of by the kids who worked there. When an opening was available there was a lot of interaction between kids looking for support to get the job. Reason Being--In and Out paid a buck more an hour to start...gave benefits like sick leave and vacation days, before it seemed to be a public issue, had a health-care plan for those who chose to participate.
On the other hand, The crew that had a piece of the action in profit-sharing bonus's tended to police themselves as far as 'give-aways to friends' and slow workers. There was a real...if we work together we'll make more money' attitude. Considering what we read in many FF job stories, this attitude is refreshing!

The Burgers are fresh and quite good. When compared to exotic large restaurant style Burgers they may not compare well...but they beat hell out of any FF chain I have visited.

Like Engine Capt. above. If I am going to sit down to a (semi) FF lunch, FARMER BOYS would be my first choice. If I am hit-and-run, then the Drive-Thru at In'n'Out is where I would go. They will ask in the drive-thru order if you are taking them home (double-bagged) or eating them in your car (Open Boxed). A small item, but that little extra makes the difference to some folks.

Mayor, I'm truly hoping that I'm considered the Curley of this bunch

The service there does sound refreshing. Once I went to Wendy's with some friends to get late night munchies and the crew there had decided to close the store an hour or so earlier than they were supposed to. The crew was actually in there, doing god knows what, with the lights off and the doors locked and refusing to give anyone service!!

I lived in California for 14 years and ate at In-in-Out a million times and never had anything but a great experience. The cleanest burger place ever. Great quality meat. I think about it often. And I never visit California and dont stop there...Russ

i wanna be Moe...

what about the southern cal.chain; fatburgers?

as I used to travel for my job 1000 flights in 3 years working for a airline I judged a city or town on its burgers/prime rib.In and Out wasnt bad at all for a chain.

[Insert snippy comment about using search feature here.]

As a Calif. transplant to WV nine years ago I occasionally still crave In N Out. When ever I find myself back in Ca my 1st stop is there.

Where in Wv are you?

MikeS.

Some In and Out's have really long waits, good burgers, better than 5 Guys!

In 'N Out: All it's cracked up to be?

no.


Also, have lived in California 45 years - never even heard of Pinkberry. Maybe I'd love it.

quote:

Originally posted by uncledaveyo

Also, have lived in California 45 years - never even heard of Pinkberry. Maybe I'd love it.

You'd have to come down here to try them.... nary a one north of L.A.

I can't stand their french fries... they taste like sawdust to me !!

And I might be about the only person on this website that does NOT like their burgers , either..
they have no special flavor to me, and that huge chunk of "fresh lettuce" is much bigger than the actual burger. I was able to tolerate their "animal style" burger a little better, cause the sloppiness helped redeem it.

SO IMO, they are definitely overrated !!!

Ellen: No, you aren't the only one who doesn't like In N Out - for example I think I just implied I did not. To address Kahuna; the last Fattburger I ate caused me intestinal distress for most of December.

quote:

Originally posted by ellen4641

I can't stand their french fries... they taste like sawdust to me !!

And I might be about the only person on this website that does NOT like their burgers , either..
they have no special flavor to me, and that huge chunk of "fresh lettuce" is much bigger than the actual burger. I was able to tolerate their "animal style" burger a little better, cause the sloppiness helped redeem it.

SO IMO, they are definitely overrated !!!

Totally agree about the french fries, Ellen.

Come to think of it, we share a similar (yet seemingly unique) disdain for Rutt's Hut, correct?

I too had some sort of intestinal bug from eating fatburgers...

quote:

Originally posted by tamandmik

quote:

Originally posted by ellen4641

I can't stand their french fries... they taste like sawdust to me !!

And I might be about the only person on this website that does NOT like their burgers , either..
they have no special flavor to me, and that huge chunk of "fresh lettuce" is much bigger than the actual burger. I was able to tolerate their "animal style" burger a little better, cause the sloppiness helped redeem it.

SO IMO, they are definitely overrated !!!

Totally agree about the french fries, Ellen.

Come to think of it, we share a similar (yet seemingly unique) disdain for Rutt's Hut, correct?

You've got a good memory! You're right that I don't like Rutt's Hut, either! I liked the deep fried style, but the hot dog had a wierd veal taste to me. Very funky taste.

Well, we both don't like the same things! That alone could be basis for some good comraderie, huh?!? (it's like shmoozing with some of my fellow poker dealers and finding out we both don't like the same people)

I'm not a fan of their FFs either. I'd eat a 2nd burger before getting fries.

Enginecapt, they do go as far North as Fresno which has at least 3 locations.

In and Out burgers are the best fast food burger out there bar none IMHO, and to me a Double, Double animal Style tops quite a few mom and pop joints I've had burgers in. Are they better then Five Guys?...I don't know they are different then Five Guys....certainly not better.

Animal style is the way to go for the burgers, and always, always order your fries 'well done'. For the adventurous try the fries well done Animal Style.

There is no other fast food burger that compares, for the person who made the comment about the lettuce. I bethcha didn't notice there was no 'rib' in that lettuce, I know, I know who cares....In and Out cares, that's why they hand leaf all of the lettuce that goes on their burgers. You won't find that at Burger King.

So we've determined that In N Out is better than Burger King. Wow.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeS.

I'm not a fan of their FFs either. I'd eat a 2nd burger before getting fries.

Enginecapt, they do go as far North as Fresno which has at least 3 locations.

I was referring to Pinkberry not being north of L.A.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Kahuna Kooks

what about the southern cal.chain; fatburgers?

In the West they trade as Carl's Jr.; in the East they trade as Hardees (Carl's Jr. bought Hardees 5 or so years ago and really cleaned them up).

They are a definite cut above McD's.

Jim

There is a chain named "Fatburgers" that started (I think) in SoCal and is expanding rapidly. The reference Big Kahuna made is to the chain, not to the label Hardee's/Carl Jrs. puts on it's Burgers.

quote:

Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-Bowen

I vote with 'Larry, Moe, and Curley' The three previous posters. As a long term SoCal resident prior to retirement I had a lot of Double-Doubles in front of me over the years. As a person who dealt with hundreds of 18 year olds in our community every year (teacher) I learned a lot about the Fast Food outlets in our area and the goods and bads of working at any one in particular.

In and Out was ALWAYS well spoken of by the kids who worked there. When an opening was available there was a lot of interaction between kids looking for support to get the job. Reason Being--In and Out paid a buck more an hour to start...gave benefits like sick leave and vacation days, before it seemed to be a public issue, had a health-care plan for those who chose to participate.
On the other hand, The crew that had a piece of the action in profit-sharing bonus's tended to police themselves as far as 'give-aways to friends' and slow workers. There was a real...if we work together we'll make more money' attitude. Considering what we read in many FF job stories, this attitude is refreshing!

The Burgers are fresh and quite good. When compared to exotic large restaurant style Burgers they may not compare well...but they beat hell out of any FF chain I have visited.

Hiya Mayor!

I too am a SoCal original and I consider myself pretty much an expert on the fast food burger. And while I agree with many things you said about the qualitiy of the In & Out company; it's a wonderful company and all of their locations are very well managed and operated. But for me their burgers just leave me flat. No flavor with the patty, and despite fresh condiments, they just don't taste that great. And the fries I am sorry to say are just terrible. They may be fresh cut potatoes, but I have asked for them well done many times, and they still taste starchy and bland.

I really wish their burgers where better because I really like the company. But I have tried for over 40 years to like them and just can't. So I have to agree with some of the others here who have had the same complaints.


For my money there is a small family owned chained called 'The Hat' are you familiar with it? The original location is on the corner of Valley Blvd & Garfield in Alhambra, California. I think at this point they have about 10 locations along the San Garbriel foothills. The Hat is famous for their pastrami but they also have great burgers (and they will dress them anyway you like -Mayo is available unlike In & Out). In addition, the owner of The Hat chain (Ronald H. "Corky" Conzonire)is the President of this years Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. Corky is also the guy who used to be a partner in the Belly Buster Submarine Sandwich chain that used to be in the San Gabriel Valley. If you haven't been there it is must to try sometime.

I'm from the east coast and was able to try In N Out after hearing all the hype. I think it is a very good burger, especially for being a fast food chain.

I had my first experience with In 'N Out back in June, in of all places -- Las Vegas! I went to a conference on the UNLV campus and stayed in a residence hall. Our meals were provided, but right on the corner of the campus was an In 'N Out -- I thought, "I have got to take advantage of this situation!" Ate a few extra meals over there.

The burger was OK, and the shakes were very good. I really loved the fries, though. I had read here about how they are made, and with one taste I had a flashback to childhood experiences eating at really good local drive-ins. I detest the processed, coated fries you get now at other fast-food chains and many restaurants.

In 'N Out certainly went in...and stayed there (I gained a few pounds during my UNLV stay and had to work them off once I got home!)

quote:

Originally posted by zeebaneighba

I had my first experience with In 'N Out back in June, in of all places -- Las Vegas! I went to a conference on the UNLV campus and stayed in a residence hall. Our meals were provided, but right on the corner of the campus was an In 'N Out -- I thought, "I have got to take advantage of this situation!" Ate a few extra meals over there.

The burger was OK, and the shakes were very good. I really loved the fries, though. I had read here about how they are made, and with one taste I had a flashback to childhood experiences eating at really good local drive-ins. I detest the processed, coated fries you get now at other fast-food chains and many restaurants.

In 'N Out certainly went in...and stayed there (I gained a few pounds during my UNLV stay and had to work them off once I got home!)

Vegas is about the only place I'm ever able to get my In-N-Out fix. I'm not crazy about their fries, but I'm more than happy to put down a double double, animal style if one is set in front of me.