This is the best fast-food hamburger there is: a double-double from In-N-Out
Burger, the popular California chain. Actually, with its two juicy, 100% pure beef patties, hand-leafed lettuce,
tomatoes, secret spread and two slices of American cheese (not processed cheese) on a freshly baked and toasted
bun, the double-double is better than a lot of non-fast food burgers, too.
I suggest that you compare the In-N-Out classic to GQ's list of the 20 hamburgers you must eat before you die. The list was compiled by Alan Richman, food critic and author of Fork it Over, who seems to be a reputable enough source, though I am still hard-put to take culinary advice from a men's style magazine. I have personally eaten at three of the 20 places on the list, though I can only say that I clearly recall two of them, and did not find the burgers to be of any higher quality than the double-double. I think GQ needs to add another spot to their list.
1-18-2006 @1:23PM suburban misfit said... Dear god, I love those burgers. We don't live in one of the three states that have In-N-Outs, though, so I can't get them very often. That is a terrible shame.
What I wouldn't do to get them to build a store here....
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1-18-2006 @1:30PM sarah said... in n out was having some trouble early last week in their management - some of the management wanted to expand the chain, and others were against it:
http://www.slashfood.com/2006/01/11/double-double-trouble-in-n-out-burger/
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1-18-2006 @2:09PM Kelley Ritchey said... I, too, have trumpeted the virtues of the Inn-N-Out double double in the post below. Ahh, a real burger. I've tried a couple of the names on the list, but drove by New Haven, CT a number of times because I didn't know better.
http://bbq-iguanas.blogspot.com/2005/11/kobayashi-conquers-mini-burger-why-not.html
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1-18-2006 @4:18PM peggy said... ooooh!!! how i miss getting one of those on my lunch hour. all i can do now is wipe the drool from my pbj and dream. yes, that's the best i've ever had. i do like burgervill's burgers here in portland. they use 100% real beef, are enviro friendly ( for fast food) and serve up a mean order of sweet potatoe fries with that real chocolate shake!!
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1-18-2006 @6:41PM Josh said... Don't forget this epic documentary:
Hamburger America
http://www.hamburgeramerica.com/
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1-18-2006 @7:35PM Mike said... I've never understood the fascination with In&Out. I'll eat them, but they're small patties cooked well done. And for "fast" food, the line always moves slow.
For chains, Fuddruckers is my favorite. A 2/3 lb. ( or even 1lb ) burger cooked medium rare: Mmmmm.
They grind the beef on-site so I'm more comfortable getting them cooked less than well done. I'd never want to eat stuff from a hamburger pattie factory cooked that way.
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1-18-2006 @8:27PM rainey said... I can't figure out the attraction to In-N-Out either!!! There's one a couple miles from my house. At all hours of the day and evening the line up spills out onto busy Ventura Boulevard. There's no disputing that they're popular — and I love a good burger too — but I just don't get it. =o
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1-18-2006 @8:57PM Pat Perez said... In 'n Out Double Double is definitely the real deal. I order it modified animal style (raw onion, please). As someone said, the line moves slowly. That's because they cook to order and don't cook their patties ahead, no matter what the line looks like. And their counter staff are universally excellent. I've never had a problem with an order, because they make certain they are getting it right before sending it to the grill.
All that said, I have to say their fries are nothing to get excited about, even if they are fresh from raw potatoes on site.
Regulars know how to order off the menu. For gringos, they've made the info public: http://www.in-n-out.com/secretmenu.asp
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