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 ...
If you get really hungry, you can always try that Atkins number.
Living in the Fresno area, before we ever had an In-N-Out, I used to see those altered bumper stickers, and wonder where people got those.
lol
There was an awesome burger place around here until a few weeks ago called Iceberg. They had the thickest burgers and onion rings. Yum! I wish I knew why it closed down.
Oh please. The state is getting to be unlivable and the burger is merely OK.
A cardiologists dream.............
LOL!!
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