In N Out Burger

[Darkbeer1]

First off, it is not a franchise, every store is company owned and operated.

They have high standards, including requirements that locations are within a certain distance of a company warehouse and butcher shop. The blend and make their own meat and never freeze it. Potatoes are shipped whole and only sliced on premises for their fries. Same with things like lettuce, tomatoes and onions. The buns are old fashioned sponge buns that are not used by many places. Shakes are made with real Ice Cream.

http://www.in-n-out.com/menu/food-quality.aspx

Employees get paid higher than average wages, which tends to create better employees. Also, all promotion is within the company, so every manager started cooking and cleaning in the restaurant. And stores are always kept clean.

Also the pricing is reasonable/affordable for what you get.

So, better quality ingredients, decades of learning how to correctly cook and prepare the small limited menu, and employees who care making them is a very good formula, and why famous chefs and celebrities rave about them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-N-Out_Burger

>>The chain also has fans in a number of renowned chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Thomas Keller, Julia Child, Anthony Bourdain, and Mario Batali. Famous London chef/restaurateur Ramsay ate In-N-Out for the first time when taping Hell's Kitchen in Los Angeles, and it soon became one of his favorite spots for take-out. Ramsay was quoted, saying about the experience: "In-N-Out burgers were extraordinary. I was so bad, I sat in the restaurant, had my double cheeseburger then minutes later I drove back round and got the same thing again to take away. <<

Add to that that they can only be found in the west and now Texas, and you have visitors going to check them out, or make sure that they stop in as part of their trip because they are already In-n-Out fans.

 

[GatorChris]

Everything is good here. I just wish they offered burgers with bacon. That's all.

 

[Dinohood]

In N Out only does two things burgers and fries no other food items that is why it is so good I plan on eating their when I go back to California soon, lived there half my life and no miss it so munch.

 

[Keels]

Grilled Cheese Animal-Style. You'll thank me later.

 

[SMD]

I've never been to In N Out Burger, but it seems like people just love it. Isn't it just fast food? Tell me what is so great about it, I'm curious!

It's not inherently bad just because it's fast food. All of the CS food that people say are must eats for them in the parks is fast food, but it's also something that they like. People like In n Out.

 

[AustinTink]

First off, it is not a franchise, every store is company owned and operated.

They have high standards, including requirements that locations are within a certain distance of a company warehouse and butcher shop. The blend and make their own meat and never freeze it. Potatoes are shipped whole and only sliced on premises for their fries. Same with things like lettuce, tomatoes and onions. The buns are old fashioned sponge buns that are not used by many places. Shakes are made with real Ice Cream.

http://www.in-n-out.com/menu/food-quality.aspx

Employees get paid higher than average wages, which tends to create better employees. Also, all promotion is within the company, so every manager started cooking and cleaning in the restaurant. And stores are always kept clean.

Also the pricing is reasonable/affordable for what you get.

So, better quality ingredients, decades of learning how to correctly cook and prepare the small limited menu, and employees who care making them is a very good formula, and why famous chefs and celebrities rave about them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-N-Out_Burger

>>The chain also has fans in a number of renowned chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Thomas Keller, Julia Child, Anthony Bourdain, and Mario Batali. Famous London chef/restaurateur Ramsay ate In-N-Out for the first time when taping Hell's Kitchen in Los Angeles, and it soon became one of his favorite spots for take-out. Ramsay was quoted, saying about the experience: "In-N-Out burgers were extraordinary. I was so bad, I sat in the restaurant, had my double cheeseburger then minutes later I drove back round and got the same thing again to take away. <<

Add to that that they can only be found in the west and now Texas, and you have visitors going to check them out, or make sure that they stop in as part of their trip because they are already In-n-Out fans.

I love In-N-Out in California. One of my top five burgers in the country. BUT..... the IN-N-Outs in Texas are horrible. They taste nothing like the ones I've been to in CA. We have tried the Austin and Dallas locations. Both are terrible. Apparently, no one from corporate is checking in on the Texas locations to make sure they keep up with the standards. I used to come home from our CA trips raving about them. When we got an In-N-Out here all my local friends tried it and thought I was crazy! Not the same.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Interesting, last time I visited Texas I didn't look for In-n-Out since there is one a few blocks from my house, and was more focused on trying local/regional items not available in SoCal.

 

[Jedi Mouse]

I've never been to In N Out Burger, but it seems like people just love it. Isn't it just fast food? Tell me what is so great about it, I'm curious!

It's actually very simple. They use fresh, high quality ingredients, they have very reasonable prices, even for fast food, they have friendly, well paid employees and clean well kept restaurants. Other than that, it's just a simple tasty burger.

 

[Keels]

I love In-N-Out in California. One of my top five burgers in the country. BUT..... the IN-N-Outs in Texas are horrible. They taste nothing like the ones I've been to in CA. We have tried the Austin and Dallas locations. Both are terrible. Apparently, no one from corporate is checking in on the Texas locations to make sure they keep up with the standards. I used to come home from our CA trips raving about them. When we got an In-N-Out here all my local friends tried it and thought I was crazy! Not the same.

It's not Whataburger. Nothing is.

Three of the eight here in DFW have closed down, mostly within the first two years.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Thanks for the information everyone. I thought it was just another fast food place like burger king or McDonalds, but it sounds like a huge step above, like "high end" fast food. I think my family would enjoy it!

 

[Darkbeer1]

I have noticed a trend using/posting on travel planning websites and just in life being in SoCal, and that is there is a trend of “Foodies” that for some reason have a hate for Chain Restaurants, especially those that live on the West Coast.

But in reality, seems like Tourist prefer using well known places to eat instead of taking a risk on an unknown.

For example, many folks (and for some reason those from Australia and New Zealand) want to check out a Cheesecake Factory, and then get the “hate” from those posters in regards to that it is a “chain” and not worth it. Even though the chain is packed most of the time and is expanding.

It started out with one SoCal location that became very popular and found a “formula” of recipes, theming, and all the other items that make up a good restaurant. So they opt to open a second location due to demand, and it grew.

Same with Subway, they found out that making a sandwich in front of the customer that could customize it, using fresh ingredients with freshly baked bread was a formula that worked, and now has become a major chain.

And if we want to focus on Disneyland, look at the Pizza Press on Harbor. It started in a former Quizno’s location and opened its first store, and they found they had a hit, and started to open up other local locations, and just announced they are opening another 18 locations opening in the region. Alas, the first location is closing around April due to the new Eastern Gateway project, but they have stated they are already looking for a new location nearby. A success story.

And they (Chain haters) hate the fact when it is pointed out to them that many locations they say are unique are actually a chain run with different names on them.

And I can speak from experience, I was part of company that was one of the first in the trend, going back to the 1970’s. (I started in marketing, but also ended up in the kitchen, behind the bar and a manager, even a regional manager). The basic formula, a bar/restaurant that started in Santa Monica, but then expanded to the West Coast. The main focus was for locations near Colleges/Universities and Sporting Venues and had low cost alcoholic drinks, as part of a marketing deal with specific companies (One brand of beer and a very limited well, but all quality name brands). Our menu was basic classic bar food, but done at a higher level at a good price. Very casual and since the founders were pilots of a specific airline, and also invested in a Hollywood Prop Company had access to décor items, easy to theme the restaurant. The menu and drinks were always the same, but each location had a different name and made it a “local place” and not in reality a chain that used the same art department to make the marketing ads (reused artwork and just changed a name and maybe a price depending on the location). But the customers loved it and the vast majority didn’t know that it wasn’t just a single location,

Are some chain restaurants better than others? Heck yes, we have a classic burger war issue here in SoCal, where In-n-Out usually wins, but then you have other chains that some folks push, even though the burger itself can cost $10 and it is $20 by the time you finish the meal. People have different levels and expectations, and also budgets.

I love variety and willing to spend more money for special occasions and do read reviews and have a few local choices. But I also like places like Roy’s, in fact going to a cooking class next month at Anaheim GardenWalk there. But I also like things like taking advantage of the Del Taco specials offered on Tuesdays (Regional chain that is growing). Another favorite is Mimi’s Café that has gone through a few owners lately, but still a good standard full service restaurant. Another one would be Lee’s Sandwiches, a local chain. A couple of others in the area, fan of Fire + ICE a small chain at AGW, and Johnny Rockets, but then I did work for Johnny Rockets as a regional manager for a few years when I was “stolen” away from Grand American Fare decades ago.

So such is life, some folks will always complain (and yes, I am one of them), but they also can praise, and not just take the “popular, trendy” group think that sometimes happens. Some Chains are great, many are above average, and a few have problems. But then some single owner/single locations can be great and even do great things for charity like the Anaheim White House, and others I wouldn’t even walk into due to many issues. Some I go back to, some I walk in and walk right back out, and some that I will try and decide it wasn’t for me.


So in reality, Fast Food isn’t “just” Fast Food and has been different levels and now new sub-categories like Fast Casual. (one chain I won’t go to is Chipotle, and that is due to many reasons, starting with checking them out when they first started, wasn’t that impressed at their food as compared to cost, and then getting to know some of the staff including management, and understanding the back of the house, and that was before the current health issues, but still it is “trendy and popular”, and I can’t figure out why, there are better similar choices.)


But look at the line of cars waiting for the In-n-Out Drive thru, some locations have actually had public road changes to deal with the traffic to access the location. Think that speaks for itself.

 

[SMD]

Thanks for the information everyone. I thought it was just another fast food place like burger king or McDonalds, but it sounds like a huge step above, like "high end" fast food. I think my family would enjoy it!

It's not. I'd recommend doing some research.

 

[Darkbeer1]

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/harris-718759-burger-poll.html

>>Irvine-based In-N-Out Burger can thank its die-hard fans for making it the “best burger” brand in the country for the second year in a row, according to a Harris Poll released Thursday.

The 28th survey studies the strongest brands in nearly 100 categories – from travel to retail to restaurants. It is based on interviews from more than 97,000 U.S. consumers who are asked questions about brand familiarity, quality and purchase consideration.

Other restaurant brands that topped their individual category include: Subway (sandwich), Chick-fil-A (chicken), Dunkin Donuts (coffee and quick service restaurant), Moe’s Southwest Grill (fast-casual Mexican) and Pizza Hut (pizza chain), IHOP (casual dining) and Olive Garden (Italian dining).<<

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/07/...s-in-n-out-burger-deserves-to-be-checked-out/

So are there "Better" burgers, yes, but how much do you have to pay for them? A trendy location might be able to add bacon and other ingredients, and charge 4 times as much. And I wouldn't call them "Fast Food", a few might qualify as Fast Casual, but many aren't even that.

But for a very good basic burger at a good price is why In-n-Out is raved by folks, wins surveys for the best burger, and why many famous chefs love eating there.

Maybe you should just check it out and decide for yourself...

 

[tarheelalum]

In and Out and Chic Fil' A are the best fast food restaurants in southern California. Anyone visting from other countries should try them both out.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I like Chick-fil-A, there is a nearby location near Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park Downtown/Mall. Note, due to religious reasons, they are closed chain-wide on Sundays.

Similar to In-n-Out, Chick-fil-A is known for paying its employees higher than average and treated better, and that the locations are all kept very clean. Plus offers items at a reasonable/affordable price.

Also nearby is FatBurger, another chain started in Southland. My favorite is adding an fried egg to it. It is a nice change of pace on occasion. And a discount with a Knott's ticket.

 

[AustinTink]

It's not Whataburger. Nothing is.

Truth.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Also interesting to note, what is Fast Food?

When In-n-Out first opened and started (1948), the standard store was a small building with no indoor seating and a double Drive Thru (one on each side of the building) with a small outdoor seating area and order window. Then the main design changed to indoor seating, with one drive thru with two windows, the first is for the cashier, and the second for pick up of food. (And could be modified to just a one window operation during slow times). Then they added an employee that would work the order line taking orders (walking outdoors) and sending them to the kitchen during busy times to speed up the process, as they had a menu to show the driver. Now some In-n-Out's don't even have a drive thru.

The original McDonald's (1953) was a drive-up, where you parked near the building, got out of your car and walked up to a window outside the building to order.

 

[Xenorye]

Not a day goes by as I sit here in Oklahoma City wishing that they would just come a little north from Dallas. Just a bit. We're in the radius! Why is it taking so long?

I'd tear down every Whataburger in the city with my bare hands if it would get an In-N-Out here.

 

[bcla]

I've never been to In N Out Burger, but it seems like people just love it. Isn't it just fast food? Tell me what is so great about it, I'm curious!

As someone who actually likes In-N-Out, it's just fast food. They are different in that they don't freeze their meat, which only comes prepared as patties from company owned commissaries. The fries are always peeled and cut on-site, and this is easily visible from the dining room. They'll do almost anything to order, although the fries and burgers are medium unless you request otherwise. It's not mind-blowing though. The prices aren't even that low any more. The prices have outpaced inflation. However, it's a good experience, especially for the kids, even if they don't have a specific kids' menu. They always have stickers and give out the paper hats that the male workers wear (women wear caps).

Honestly, your average pub burger is better than In-N-Out, but it's likely to cost three+ times as much. I'd even say Red Robin or any number of chain restaurants make a better tasting burger, but it's going to cost you. There was a time when I could feed my family of three at In-N-Out for maybe $12. I'd be paying more than that at a table-service restaurant.

 

[bcla]

First off, it is not a franchise, every store is company owned and operated.

They have high standards, including requirements that locations are within a certain distance of a company warehouse and butcher shop. The blend and make their own meat and never freeze it. Potatoes are shipped whole and only sliced on premises for their fries. Same with things like lettuce, tomatoes and onions. The buns are old fashioned sponge buns that are not used by many places. Shakes are made with real Ice Cream.

The shakes came out of a powdered mix in milk-style cartons and had to be mixed with water. I saw a machine being loaded. I suppose it was just dehydrated from real ice cream. Strike that, it's now in milk style jugs. It's also not really made from ice cream per se, but milk and cream.

It's a fast food shake, and probably one of the better ones that doesn't go through a mixer. I prefer real shakes made from hard ice cream, or maybe soft serve. Fatburger shakes are glorious.