This past Friday, Esther Snyder, who co-founded In-N-Out Burger with her husband Harry back in 1948, passed on to that great burger joint in the sky. She was 86.

For those of us in southern California, and to some extent, northern California, Nevada, and Arizona, In n Out is as much a symbol of southern California life as palm trees, rollerblades, yoga, and Hollywood. Who doesn't love the so-clean-it's-almost-sterile interior, the simple menu that makes decision-making easy, the quality beef, the fresh vegetables, and of course, screaming out "Animal-style!" into the speaker at the drive-thru? The fries leave something to be desired (personal taste), but that's okay. No one is perfect, you know, but In-n-Out comes damn near close.

Rest in peace, Esther Snyder.

More In-n-Out:
In N Out Cooked to Order
The 100x100
The 20x20
Double Double trouble for In N Out Burger

We all know about the "secret" menu at In N Out Burger (which isn't so secret when they post it on their website!). Who doesn't love to order his or her Double-Double, "Animal Style?" But did you know that there is a "secret" menu at Jamba Juice?

Mighty Foods has confirmed with a "secret" source that Jamba Juice does, indeed, have a secret menu of smoothie flavors that are either back-catalog flavors or are flavors that a so-called health food company couldn't possibly sell. The ones they've heard of so far are: Strawberry Shortcake (I guess the "cake" part doesn't sound very healthy), White Gummy Bear (for which we've found a recipe), PB+J (though I'm sure Jamba Juice has a peanut butter smoothie), Starburst, Fruity Pebbles, Push-pops, and Skittles.

I wonder what kind of looks I'd get if I asked for a White Gummy Bear with a shot of wheatgrass?

[via: Mighty Foods]

According to the SF Chronicle, chef Thomas Keller is planning to expand. Mr. Keller is in the process of opening a butcher shop in the town of Yountville, CA, where his restaurants Bouchon, Bouchon Bakery and the world-renowned French Laundry are located. The shop will be called Bouchon Boucherie and is slated to open later this year. Not only will it sell the same cuts of meat that are available in Keller's restaurants, but it will centralize the production for them, as they currently butcher their own meats. "'Don't expect 99-cent ground chuck here,' says Keller."

Food and Wine magazine also reported that Keller is considering opening his own burger joint in Northern California, similar in style to In-N-Out Burger but more upscale, serving wine alongside juicy beef burgers.

A while back I mentioned the fact that In-N-Out burger will let you add patties and cheese to their standard Double-Double Burger, along with a mouthwatering photo of a 20x20 burger, which is probably the maximum amount that a single person could consume. Assuming, of course, that the person consuming the burger is a very, very hungry linebacker. If you have a few friends around, though, you might want to increase your order to an astounding 100x100. For only $97.66 (burger sold in Las Vegas), you and seven friends can gorge yourselves on meat and cheese. What up Willy! documented the making and consumption of this amazing burger. I don't think I could do it, but these guys have my deepest respect. And a few of my antacids.

If you have heard of In-N-Out Burger, you probably know that the Double-Double is their most famous sandwich. Its name derives from the fact that is has two patties and two slices of cheese. What you may not know is that you can order any size burger you like, from a 3x3 - three patties, three slices of cheese - on up. I personally witnessed someone attempting to eat a 6x6, but am forced to qualify the event as an "attempt" because the whole burger wasn't consumed in one sitting. Let's just say it wasn't a plesant viewing experience. The above picture is a 20x20 burger. la.foodblogging caught a rare sighting on camera: the 75x75, made just for you and 60 or so of your closest friends. In-N-Out charges for the extra patties and cheese, but I bet that if you get a burger that big and ask very nicely, they'll throw in a free order of fries. The employees will not be doing it because they expect you to eat them - just for the irony.

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.