If you expect them as a restaurant burger, then no. But if you expect them as a fast food burger, then definately yes. I recalled arriving in LA back in May where I was overly jet lagged and still made the effort to get one on the same day.

For a fastfood burger they are not to bad.

It's so good that I flew FLL-SAN-FLL with only two hours turn-around - enough to grab a taxi to the nearest In-n-Out :D

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.

My "one man's opinion" as a west coast visitor several times every year...

In-N-Out is quite good. Clearly above-average for a fast food burger. But nothing outstanding or worth going out of the way for. As a practical matter, this means if there's one on my side of the freeway, I'll take it over one of the national chains. But, espeically if I'm strapped for time....I won't cross the freeway if there's an alternative chain on my side.

Mrs. Cyberdad is something of a fan and my sister-in-law (who lives in So-Cal) is a true believer.

IN-N-OUT: overrated by the snobby SoCal in-crowd
CHICK-FIL-A: waffle fries to die for

I lived in SoCal most my life and In-n-Out used to be much better than it is now. Their meat patties are so thin these days with no flavor. I don't get all the hype.

Don't want to get too far afield on this thread, but I live in Atlanta and I like Chick-Fil-A food -- but I've never understood the attraction to those waffle fries. Give me an In N Out or Mickey D's fry anyday!

Did they use to be thick? I don't remember that, but I'm a fairly recent convert. (10 years or so.) I've always ordered multiple patties.

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.

No the were never huge patties, but they're definitely thinner than they used to be. (Circa early to mid 90s)

Since the two were across the parking lot from each other near where we stayed in PHX over the weekend, I got both to enjoy together.

Can't agree with you on the overrated thing. I'm not a snobby socal in-crowdie, and I think in-n-out is the best fast food burger I've had anywhere. We were there for 5 days and I had a single patty cheeseburger(In lieu of a double double, to minimize the impact on waist and arteries) 3 of those days.. and 1 of the days they were closed(thanksgiving). In-n-out is a must anytime we are near one.

my fave.
 

the double double, with grilled onions.

it's like an old friend.

imho, the best fast foot burger out there.

I love them. I believe they are also healthier than McDonald's or Burger King's.

Yes Yes Yes!!!!! That is culinarily correct!!!

Anyway, one trip last year we took a cab from LAS/McCarran to our casino/hotel via the In 'N Out on Industrial and Tropicana, and picked up a sack of Double Double Animal Styles.......bought the cab driver one too.......Enh. The anticipation was better than the reward.

Have yet to try a Fatburger. Ther's one at Red Rock in the fast food court, but last time we were there we passed on Fatburger to try a Capriotti's Sandwich Shop hot pastrami sub.......quite tasty. But I do want to try a Fatburger, next time.

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.