I was so happy when a Tommy's opened in San Diego. There is a place here in Clairmont called EZ-Take Out that has burgers just as good as In-N-Out in my opinion but they have better fries. Burgers are made basically the same. From what I understand the creator of EZ-Take Out was at In-N-Out in the beginning. In-N-Out's fries let me down half the time. Ez-Take Out also has boysenberry shakes, YUM.

How are they better?

The EZ Take Out fries are just crisper, maybe a little thinner. Sometimes In-N-Out just seem wet, like maybe the fresh potatoes are still a little green and not cooking properly.

Ever since I learned to order In-N-Out fries "well done," they have always been excellent.

This makes all the difference. I actually thought the fries were generally a little underdone too until I started ordering them welldone.

I actually love the krinkle fries at Del Taco.

Went to In-n-out for the first time a few weeks ago, after friends that are big fans recommended it. I tried on severl occasions the hamburger, the double meat hamburger and the proteine style double meat hamburger. Though I found it way better than other fast food chains like McD and BK and the price was quite right, I was a little disappointed, for me the most important thing about a burger is still the meat, anything else can be total crap but the meat has to be perfect, and it wasn't. Don't get me wrong it was OK, and I have to (e.g. when I'm on a freeway) I'd go there again. Anyway I still prefer paying $5 at a non-chain burger joint over a In-n-out burger.

What is it with Dick's? I pass by their Wallingford location on my way to sushi heaven, and the place is packed with mobs of people regardless of the weather.

five guys actually is a DC thing that has just started to spread up and down the east coast. but in n out is by far, the best fast food burger you can get. i've been all over the US, and in n out is king. the best thing about it is you can ONLY order burgers and fries. nothing else. it's a legit burger joint.

that and you're in california while at an in n out, what better way to go?

Does it involve cheese?

In reading the various descriptions, there is no mention of cheese with, say, a hamburger, just that the patty is made with mustard. That would OK, but then I read that cheese may be involved with animal style fries.

So, what is it? Does the mustard sauce have cheese?

you know I have yet to meet a person from California that didn't like the fact they're from California


just about anyone else you ask from elsewhere, they'd rather be somewhere else... including myself, I'd rather be in California than NJ


and I can't wait till next month for my In-N-Out visit... although I'll probably do Five Guys just before then to really notice the difference.

--Russ

After all the good comments here I'd like to try one. I have a 4 hour layover at LAX. Is there an In-N-Out close by to LAX that I can get to and back in time?

Yes. You have more than enough time.

Start at the beginning of the thread and all will be explained. It's not complicated.

In brief, take the Sepulveda Parking Spot shuttle (In N Out is next door to the lot) or simply walk down Sepulveda (maybe 15 minutes each way from Terminal 6).

Sorry, here's the thread you need:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=545412

Yes, In-N-Out Burger is the best I've ever had. I live over 2000 miles from the closest one so even on a good year, I get two or three. One time, on the way to McCarran after a stay at Paris on the strip, I had the taxi take me through the drive-through at the one off of I-15 on Industrial (Dean Martin) west of NYNY.

Recently, a Five Guys has opened up within a 10 minute drive. It is really good and gets me through any In-N-Out craving. That being said, there is nothing like a Double-Double with grilled onion accompanied by well done fries. I'm already looking forward to my next trip to the left coast in January. I've never been to the LAX location so I'm going to do my best to get to that one.

Slightly OT, is there any way to get to the Five Guys in DCA if you have a DL boarding pass?

In-N-Out is that good. Period. It's definitely worth the walk from LAX, and you'll burn off 10% of the calories lugging your bag out there and back.