In-N-Out Burger

[tanabutler]

Robert40, are you reading this? Buddy, I took a bullet for you today. After driving out to photograph a very fragrant apricot orchard in Gilroy, I saw an In-N-Out burger joint. Well, in order to assist you objectively in planning your excursions to Napa, I decided that I would stop in and taste the infernal things.

 

Talk about the Emperor's Clothes. There is no there, there. I mean, sure, it was a hamburger. But molecule for molecule, there is absolutely nothing special about that place at all. AT ALL. The fries were normal, the burger was small, on the dry side, and not remotely anything I would ever refer to as "juicy." There was too much bun, in fact, for the meat. The lettuce was crispy, yes. The tomato was ripe, but it in no way surpassed any tomato I've ever had in a fast food joint. The bun was fresh, that is true, and it smelled like good bread, which was novel.

 

The older woman I shared a booth with said, "It's so crowded today!" I said, "I'll take your word for it: I've never been here and I wanted to see what all the fuss is about." She launched herself: "Isn't it WONDERFUL! You can taste how fresh the meat is! And the buns!" Well, I couldn't, particularly, as the meat was on the overcooked side. I told her I could taste it in the french fries, but I was lying.

 

So if you have only a few meals in Napa, do NOT waste one on this place. You can make a far, far better hamburger at home. (Or get a Double Western burger, is ten times better than an In-N-Out, at Carl's Jr., though you didn't hear me say that!)

 

I hope you feel a great relief that you can defy those people who think there is anything special about an In-N-Out burger, and I include Thomas Keller in that group. Bless his heart.

 

I hope you appreciate the sacrifice I made in the interest of science. (For the record, Rancho Gordo is never wrong.)

[monkeymay]

Wow, sorry you didn't like the burger Tana

 

What's all the fuss? In'Out's a good burger for a drive thru, most times better, not worse than the average fast food joint. I like a dble dble with cheese occasionally. Hate their fries. Good shake. If you're driving around and want a burger it's a solid place to go. Try it Atkins style without the bun. Messy but to the point.

[The Scream]

The quality varies at different locations.

 

At the very least my experience has been that it's always served hot, not always the case with other fast food burgers.

 

Farid also likes In 'n' Out. He sometimes eats 3 double doubles.

[Jaymes]

I like In-N-Out. For sure, as Tana says, one can make a better burger at home, cooked on one's backyard grill.

 

But when one is NOT home, for my money, In-N-Out makes what is easily the best burger of the large, commercial chains. (Don't know about the fries. I never get fries. I don't like fries. So can't comment on fries.)

 

Although rest assured, I would never travel to Napa just to eat one. Sorta defeats the purpose of going to Napa. All those large burger chains are selling convenience as their number one product.

 

And convenience certainly ain't what most folks go to Napa for.

[tanabutler]

Robert had been told that, of all the meals he might partake in Napa, that In-N-Out was a "do not miss" experience.

 

I hardly think so. I'm not trying to start a fight about it, just trying to tell him that in Napa, what a waste. Better to hook up with one of Rancho Gordo's taco trucks!

[The Scream]

It's not a do not miss experience.

[winesonoma]

It's road food not a destination meal but I5 or 99 to LA and back it's the best you will get.

[Rail Paul]

I've enjoyed In'n'Out whenever I travel west. Good burgers in my experience, not a sublime earthshaking experience, but a reliably good burger and good fries. And, clean rest rooms.

 

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your burger, Tana. Was that your first visit to In'n'Out?

[rancho_gordo]

I'm afraid I got her going on this jag. I have been three times and I would rather be hungry. We have one here in town and it just leaves me cold. I don't eat fast food beyond taco trucks so maybe I'm not the best judge. But you hear some people go on about it like it was a real treat. I've haven't had the shakes. Just the burger and the white fries.

 

I can see how they might look like the French Laundry to someone driving down I-5.

[ranitidine]

Funny, I thought In'n'Out was the name of a chain of cheap Nevada whorehouses.

[monkeymay]

Funny, I thought In'n'Out was the name of a chain of cheap Nevada whorehouses.

ba-da-boom-ching!

 

that was good.

[tanabutler]

I've enjoyed In'n'Out whenever I travel west. Good burgers in my experience, not a sublime earthshaking experience, but a reliably good burger and good fries. And, clean rest rooms.

 

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your burger, Tana. Was that your first visit to In'n'Out?

Yes, first time, and I probably won't feel a need to stop at one again, though I wouldn't specifically avoid it in the future.

 

Carl's Jr. has tastier burgers, but I feel guilty saying such, since they're a fast food place selling corn-fed beef, and that's a deplorable ethic for the environment.

 

I can see how they might look like the French Laundry to someone driving down I-5.

HA!

[Squeat Mungry]

Funny, I thought In'n'Out was the name of a chain of cheap Nevada whorehouses.

Don't worry. The two products are easily distinguishable by the packaging.

[hollywood]

Carl's does not have tastier burgers. Saltier, precooked/overcooked, more types of burgers, but not as good. You order an In N Out Double Double Animal Style, well done fries and if you're adventuous a neopolitan shake. That's what you do.

[jschyun]

Wow, sorry you didn't like the burger Tana

 

What's all the fuss? In'Out's a good burger for a drive thru, most times better, not worse than the average fast food joint. I like a dble dble with cheese occasionally. Hate their fries. Good shake. If you're driving around and want a burger it's a solid place to go. Try it Atkins style without the bun. Messy but to the point.

Exactly.

 

This is the first time I've ever heard anyone agree with me on the fries. I see them getting the potatoes and cutting them fresh, but...damn not sure what happens after that to wreck them the way they do. I like the cheeseburgers. For less than $2, it's a decent cheeseburger, IMHO.

 

--oh yeah keep forgetting to order the fries well done.