The In-N-Out Animal Style. Photo: kaba, Flickr.

It is the stuff of fast-food chain legend: a secret menu known only to those insiders brave enough to order outside the listed menu. Tales of "animal-style fries" and Starbucks' secret "short" size abound, but which of these are real and which will merely earn you a quizzical stare from the cashier?

Ditch the risk of disappointment and become a fast-food insider with Slashfood's list of some top-secret menu items at well-known restaurants near you.

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

I, like so many other people, always assumed that In-N-Out burgers only came one way: well done. The vast majority of fast food burgers are served this way and, while I don't mind the odd crisp edge that appears on well-cooked burgers, many fast food fans lament the lack of juiciness in their meat. Lament no more, In-N-Out fans. According to a post on A Hamburger Today, you can get your burgers cooked medium-rare or rare at In-N-Out restaurants. Someone who identified himself as an In-N-Out associate told them that all you have to do is let the person taking your order know that you want it cooked to a certain doneness.

A fresh, delicious and extra juicy fast food burger? Quick - someone stop by In-N-Out for lunch and try this out. We want to know if it's true!

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.