#36 Eat an In-N-Out Burger

In the fast food nation that we live in the burger has become one of America’s oldest past times. Up there with apple pie, finding a good burger can be a lifelong quest.

The burger is something that can vary greatly in price, quality, ingredients and even style. From the value meal at Wendy’s to the “Six Dollar Burger” at Carl’s Jr. to the gourmet bleu cheese burger, no burger is created equal. One thing is for sure, though, you haven’t lived a life worth living until you’ve tried a “Double Double with Cheese” from In-N-Out.

If you’re not already familiar, In-N-Out is a fast food chain started in California.They invented the Drive-Thru window when “car-hops” were commonplace.

They’re not your average fast food franchise. Unlike McDonalds, Wendy’s, Burger King, or Carl’s Jr. (slash Hardee’s on the East Coast), In-N-Out burgers are never made from frozen meat, and you can taste the difference. In fact, there are no microwaves or freezers at any In-N-Out. You can even watch the employees slicing the potatoes for the french fries right in front of your eyes.

In-N-Out has a VERY limited menu. 3 choices: Hamburger, Cheeseburger, or Double Cheeseburger. Then, of course, they have fries and shakes (for first-timers, a shake is a MUST!). The limited menu seems like a turnoff at first, but once you’ve tasted their food, you understand they’ve simply perfected the classic necessities of American fast food.

Me and Shannon about to enter burger heaven

Unfortunately, the In-N-Out restaurants exist only on the West Coast in California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. Each location is carefully run by the original owners’ family and they’ve never become a national franchise. Their managers are trained carefully in “Universities” and their starting wages are $10/hr. As a result, the service is as impeccable as the food.

So, the next time you’re in a city with an In-N-Out, you know what to do…order up! If you’re feeling really daring, order it “Animal Style” with grilled onions. Yum yum…enjoy!