Is In-N-Out Burger that good?

[DCBob]

Originally Posted by winodj

I've been to In-N-Out a few times this year. And I actually love the fries. Maybe its a matter of the potatoes that they were using in the Bay Area at the time. But they tasted fresh and were done really close to perfectly, at least as close to it as you can get at a fast food place. I would imagine though that they won't last if they sit for more than a couple minutes though.

If you have ever watched the fries being made at each restaurant, they peel and cut whole potatoes right before the are put into the oil for frying. I'm not sure how they could be any fresher than that.

[aslsigner]

here's my take.

Are they good?

Absolutely

Are they "that" good? (implying the best ever)

Hardly

But for $1.50, you can't beat it.

I grew up down the street from one and now live in the San Gabriel Valley, about 7 miles from the original stands. I even went to school with one of the grandkids of the founding family. I obviously am a little biased. But for the freshness, taste and (most importantly) the price, you can't beat it.

I gotta believe that the $150 Truffle burger at Le Cirque is that good

[deubster]

I was not raised in the southwest, so never experienced In-n-Out until 2 years ago. I'd heard plenty of people rave, so I visited one on a trip to Phoenix. Pretty good. Nothing to write home about, maybe a very slight edge over the Whataburger down the street from me. But a very large step up from McD's, Burger King, or other chain fast-food burgers. Fresh, not made ahead of time, quality ingredients.

I travel to Phoenix 6 - 10 times a year, and manage to hit In-n-Out at least 4 times a year. My usual order, off the "secret menu", a double-double animal style, fries, chocolate shake. Secret Menu here.

[holtju2]

Although I have spent too much time in LA in the last few years, I had my first In-N-Out "experience" last year. I was driving another FT member on a LA tour and he wanted to check out the burger joint. It is good - but that good that I would go my way to get a burger there.

[ralphwiggum]

Originally Posted by irabk

In-N-Out is that good?

IME, not at all! The buns are sugary, the beef is small but okay. The fries are nothing special. Their milk shakes are so sweet, they sting the back of your throat.

I would take Whataburger over In-N-Out any day of the week...just my 2 cents.

[777 global mile hound]

Originally Posted by DCBob

If you have ever watched the fries being made at each restaurant, they peel and cut whole potatoes right before the are put into the oil for frying. I'm not sure how they could be any fresher than that.

You sound like my friend who dragged me in to try it
Fresh isn't raising the bar ........how you cook them and what they taste like is
Fresh is great but not the end all

[777 global mile hound]

Originally Posted by pdhenry

French fries need to be cooked twice - once at lower heat to cook the inside and again at higher heat to brown and crisp the outside. In-N-Out only cooks fresh potatoes once and so they go limp.

Agree the emperor is naked

[Happyguy]

Originally Posted by drummingcraig

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

Craig has this one nailed! If you are on the east coast Five Guys is a great fast food burger. The fries are fried in peanut oil and for whatever reason that makes a huge difference in taste!

[DCBob]

Originally Posted by Happyguy

Craig has this one nailed! If you are on the east coast Five Guys is a great fast food burger. The fries are fried in peanut oil and for whatever reason that makes a huge difference in taste!

You must be kidding! I live within a mile of two different Five Guys free-standing stores in Washington, DC (one on Connecticut Avenue & the other on H Street NW). There is also one in Reagan National Airport (airside in Terminal C - US Airways). I've tried to like them, but the fries are nothing short of liquid grease with slivers of potatoes thrown in for decoration. Yecch... The burgers are also greasy and nothing special. Neither the Five Guys burgers nor their fries hold a candle to In-N-Out Burger, unless you are a grease gourmet.

[x1achilles]

I am not sure why, but the place is always packed with high school kids at almost every location I've been to.
I agree with many here who say the fries are not that good...they are limp. But I do hear that the potatoes are cut fresh and never frozen which is pretty impressive for a fast food joint.
Everytime I have eaten there(4 times), I feel that I have been poisoned by an injection of animal fat into my bloodstream!
I think that In 'N Out is kind of a fad...like Krispy Kreme Donuts. They are savvy in keeping up the "mystique" of the brand to those outside Calif and the stores are spotless, I have to say.

Overall they are very mediocre. Just another greasy burger joint that is really hip at the moment.

[drummingcraig]

Originally Posted by DCBob

You must be kidding! I live within a mile of two different Five Guys free-standing stores in Washington, DC (one on Connecticut Avenue & the other on H Street NW). There is also one in Reagan National Airport (airside in Terminal A). I've tried to like them, but the fries are nothing short of liquid grease with slivers of potatoes thrown in for decoration. Yecch... The burgers are also greasy and nothing special. Neither the Five Guys burgers nor their fries hold a candle to In-N-Out Burger, unless you are a grease gourmet.

Well, maybe things are different at the ones I've been to here in FL since they're relatively new (only open roughly 12 months or so I believe), but I certainly don't find their fries as greasy as you describe. They are thicker cut than the I&O fries which gives them more grease surface area and a tendency to be softer.

Burger-wise I definitely don't find them to be overly greasy in comparison to most other fast food burgers (I&O included). Of course I also get mine smothered in hot sauce and all the trimmings so it may cover it a bit.

Craig

[DCBob]

Originally Posted by drummingcraig

Well, maybe things are different at the ones I've been to here in FL since they're relatively new (only open roughly 12 months or so I believe), but I certainly don't find their fries as greasy as you describe. They are thicker cut than the I&O fries which gives them more grease surface area and a tendency to be softer.

Burger-wise I definitely don't find them to be overly greasy in comparison to most other fast food burgers (I&O included). Of course I also get mine smothered in hot sauce and all the trimmings so it may cover it a bit.

Craig

Unfortunately, DC fast food employees seem to be some of the worst in the country and it shows in the quality of the food. I noticed a huge difference when I first moved here in 1987 from my native state of Minnesota.

[HomeAgain]

Originally Posted by DCBob

You must be kidding! I live within a mile of two different Five Guys free-standing stores in Washington, DC (one on Connecticut Avenue & the other on H Street NW). There is also one in Reagan National Airport (airside in Terminal C - US Airways). I've tried to like them, but the fries are nothing short of liquid grease with slivers of potatoes thrown in for decoration. Yecch... The burgers are also greasy and nothing special. Neither the Five Guys burgers nor their fries hold a candle to In-N-Out Burger, unless you are a grease gourmet.

It's not just the ones in your area. For a long time friends would say that I had to try their food and when I finally did, I found the exact same thing you did. Burgers that really don't do anything for me and fries that were pure mush. When I told friends I didn't like their food, it was like that episode of Seinfeld where Elaine didn't see what the "English Patient" hype was all about.

I think this is really a case of people saying their fries are great because others tell them they should like them.

[Dugernaut]

Originally Posted by kaukau

For the record, my favorite fast food burgers are made at Ono Char Burger burger stand in Anahola, Kaua'i, makai of the highway between Lihue and Hanalei. The next time you're on Kaua'i, you know where to get an ono burger.

And while you are eating it make sure to admire the sleeping giant behind you. The chickens add to the local flavor.

[Dugernaut]

Originally Posted by x1achilles

Overall they are very mediocre. Just another greasy burger joint that is really hip at the moment.

I don't get the hip at the moment comment. I've ate my first In-n-Out burger in the mid '70's.