Personally I think their burgers are "OK" and the fries awful.
There is one less than a mile from my home, and it is very low on my list of fast food places to go to. I surely would not pay a taxi to take me to one
I agree. I had my first/last In-and-Out experience in California two years ago, and found fries to be cooked on the outside, and nearly raw on the inside. Burger was OK, and certainly above-average for a chain, but not the best that I've had.
Part of the appeal has to be the secret menu. They're definitely above and beyond Burger King and McDonald's, but that's not high praise in my opinion.
I grew up in Southern Cal and during my high school daze ate there at least twice a week, always thought it very good. Saturday night on a trip to Cal i stopped at an In n Out, maybe I'm older, not stoned or drunk but the burger seemed very average to me.
I think In and Out is way overrated on FT,
PS the fries are the worst fresh or not!!
__________________
"Don't you touch hard liquor, just a cup of cold coffee
Gonna get up in the morning and go"
Last edited by ninerfan; Sep 25, 07 at 4:13 pm.
Reason: added fries comment
Programs: Amex Biz Cent,AS Nothing anymore, Marriott Plat, Hertz 5*, Stargood Gold, on the way to WN A-List
Posts: 2,128
It's all right...I'll never go there by choice, but will tag along if with a group of friends. To echo other posters, the fries are not very good at all. I much rather Burger King or McD fries.
However, this is the only place I will eat a double patty burger...never anywhere else. Too much meat grosses me out (mainly low quality meat aka hamburgers )
I think it has something to do with "absence makes the heart grow fonder".
I live here in ATL where most of the food is not good, and all of it is from some type of a franchise.
So when I go out West, it is a special treat to get an In-N-Out burger and fries. Are they the best in the world? No, but they are a special treat for an every once in a while trip.
You also can't argure with a place that you can't spend more than $8.00 a meal, no matter how hard you try!
Programs: AA EXP/OW Emerald, SPG Plat, HH Gld, Marrtt GLD
Posts: 3,959
I think part of what "used" to make them great is that you could ONLY get them via drive thru, and only in Southern California...so, they had this "Southern California" niche thing going for them. Then, they broke out of SoCal & broke out of "drive thru only"...so, they've lost the "you can only get them in this one area" unique-ness, for sure.
And, in losing that, they've lost a bit of the "niche" of people who grew up in So Cal & have since moved out of So Cal, since if you've moved to an area that has them now, you're in luck.
As far as fast food burgers go, they're at or near the top of a list: I'd say they just seem to taste a lot more fresh/"fresh-er" than your average fast food burger. The service at In & Out is always really good, always smiles on everyone's faces, always really friendly.
If one has a layover at LAX for an hour or more, the In & Out there (avail. via red Parking Spot shuttle) is def. worth a trip. Would I fly to LAX just to taste one? No.
__________________ "The world is a book--those who do not travel read only one page." ---St. Augustine
In-n-Out will be the only thing I really miss about San Diego when I move away (whenever that may be).
The burgers are much tastier than something similar from other fast food joints of comparable price. Fresh lettuce, fresh tomatoes...with a bit of flavor to them, not like the limp leaves and mushy ooze of other places' "fresh" burger toppings.
Of course, I am currently finishing up my lunch of a Frostie and fries from Wendy's, so clearly, I am willing to eat anything if the price and location is right.
Programs: UA 1K, GM in pretty much everything else, RCC "Chit Allowance Abuser"
Posts: 2,520
I had never had In-N-Out until about two years ago, and I must say that I was impressed. Tasty burgers and I like the fries although many seem to love 'em or hate 'em. The shakes are also pretty good.
Here in FL we've recently been blessed with a franchise known as Five Guys Burgers and Fries from the D.C. area. Its not exactly fast food as there is no drive-thru and the two we have here are located in strip malls. That aside, they have burgers and fries that rival In-N-Out IMO. My fiance' is hopelessly addicted.
Craig
__________________ "Pardon me Matron...but do you have any Grey Coupon?"
They are OK, but would prefer a White Castle burger in a heartbeat!
Amen, [brother|sister]! I'm flying to IND next weekend...not just for White Castles, of course, but it is the first place I stop once I leave the airport.
Programs: AA Gold, Husband AA EXP (yeah!!) Hya Dia, Marriott
Posts: 1,877
Only fast food burger I'll eat - price is right, they're fresh, and the double double animal style is awesome - even protein style wrapped in letturce & no bun is really good... and just a bit healthier Fries are nasty unless ordered well-done & salt added.
Programs: Marriott Plat, DL FO, SPG Gold, AmEx Plat, 6 figs of UA miles
Posts: 770
I don't get the hype, either. Tried one 'cause of what I'd heard when I'd started coming to Cali in '98, and haven't been back since. I much prefer Fatburger, then Jack's(-in-the-Box). When I go home to Chicago I always get a 1/2 dozen White Castles, too.
__________________
Don't fly much lately ... everything's electronic nowadays
)
"Pardon me Matron...but do you have any Grey Coupon?"
Fries are nasty unless ordered well-done & salt added.
