Posted on 09/05/2006 3:04:03 AM PDT by goldstategop
The family-owned chain has been successful enough to spawn a famous commercial jingle, earn several loving write-ups in the New York Times and have its burgers served to A-list celebs at swanky post-Oscar parties.
The great taste hasn't changed, but the mystique that inspired our carnivorous cross-valley quests sure has. The earlier, spartan drive-throughs, which once kept us at arm's length, a sheet of glass sealing off the inner sanctum where clean-cut workers frenetically packed the grill with meat patties, has given way to brightly lighted indoor seating no different from the national fast-food chains. The fabled secret menu, for years passed around solely by word of mouth, giving those of us in the know an easy way to separate the true In-N-Out fan and true Southern Californian from the wannabes well, the Web ended all that.
How can we preserve that vanishing sense of wonder while giving proper respect to the important role In-N-Out has played in postwar SoCal culture? An idea came to me a few months back while driving on the 10 Freeway, when I glimpsed a well-worn yellow-arrow sign, bearing a quaint pre-digital clock.
It was there, in Baldwin Park, where Harry and Esther Snyder started it all back in 1948, according to the company's website. (The original hamburger stand was demolished when the 10 Freeway came through; this site was its replacement.)
It came to me. Just look at the simple menu of burgers, shakes and fries. The In-N-Out folks are masters of minimalism. What if they skipped the bric-a-brac and gimmicks and just let the old store slide into a mysterious ruin? Keep the grill's pilot light burning in an eternal flame. Keep the cult following alive.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )
I'll get somebody to pick one up for me to check out later.
Steak and Sheak double steakburger with pickles, onion, and mustard. That's good enough for me.
In and Outs Fries are great too! I dunno what youre talking about. Wendys is just awful all round.
McDonalds in garbage, unless the McRib (TM) Sandwich is on offer.... aahhhhhh McRib!
The words "Wendy's" and "fast" should never be used in the same sentence.
Although Steak and Shake wins in the condiments and vegetable toppings, In and Out actually uses a better tasting beef.
We verified this with additional visits to different In and Outs in different towns (as we perigrinated between Sandygo and LA visiting art galleries).
Ruby's (another California chain) was discovered to have hamburgers comparable to In and Out, and a highly complex menu, but the prices are more in line with a traditional restaurant.
I'll need a fork...
Maybe I hold a grudge too long but I haven't stepped foot in a Wendy's since they poisoned me and my family 30 years ago.
That might be worth remembering for a while!! :0)
"Steak and Shake double steakburger with pickles, onion, and mustard."
With an order of fries and an Orange Freeze. "It's a meal."
Now that's a first!
Wendy's IMHO...sucks...there is one across the street from me, and I never, ever eat there. I have eaten there though, and their fries were the worst, those big ole greasy undercooked type....yuck!
In-N-Out has great fries.
Ping
Nope *NOT* Book of Mormon. Only verses from the Bible appear on cups and even the paper bags.
Wiki's article has the verses (already posted by BunnySlippers above) and details of the 'off the menu' items - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-N-Out_Burger
And ALWAYS grilled onions.
Yes...it's called "fresh."
Lightly lest they lose their crunch.
But of course!
The Atkin's Diet special.
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