Thursday, February 24, 2011

In N Out

I'm not going to pretend I don't know that this In N Out is officially in Alhambra, because borders don't matter when it comes to great burgers. Anyway, it's barely over the South Pasadena city limits. (And you can smell those fries cooking practically all the way to Garfield Park!)

There's a reason this Southern California institution is so famous: yummy burgers. And if you're wheat intolerant, it's really the only fast food joint in town. There's no hidden gluten in the fries or shakes, and the bunless, lettuce-wrapped protein style Double Double is one of life's great joys. In fact, I wish I had one right now.

17 comments:

Judy Williams said...

This almost looks purposefully desaturated, except for red. COOL. I knew where this was the minute I saw it. Now I'll have to go have a burger for lunch, but nobody here in Austin makes them like In N Out.

Green Guy said...

This is a great shot. Now I want animal fries.

dbdubya said...

You're obviously recovering from your recent bout with a cold if you're hankerin' for a Double-Double. For those like Virginia who aren't familiar with In-n-Out, they are hands down the best fast food company around. Still family owned, but the family is dysfunctional. They don't mess with success. A limited menu of burgers, fries, shakes and sodas, all with fresh ingredients. They don't mess with chicken nuggets, breakfast burritos, salads, or Mc'Rib/McFlurry or anything with a Mc in it. And, their employees are paid well with good benefits meaning they have a loyal, happy and experienced workforce. The end result? A very successful company with good products, a great reputation, and customers willing to wait in a long line to get a decent value. Why don't more companies operate like this?

Wish there was on in our neck of the woods.

Michelle said...

How did you make In and Out look so artistic? Love the shot. I think I will have a double double today! Should I splurge on a shake too?

Anonymous said...

Never been. Is it really worth the hype?

Dixie Jane said...

Yes, Anon. it is worth the hype. Thanks, Laurie for treating me to a great burger and real potato fries during my last visit.

TheChieftess said...

It's true Anon!!! Glendale has two In n Out's and both have long lines, at just about any time of the day. The big question today is...will the family business survive the next generation...hopefully it will! At any rate...just as DB said, it's a great example of how corporations can be successful with a simple business model, excellent product and treating their employees well.

Mike said...

Yes it is worth the hype. I couldn't imagine living somewhere without In N Out.

Sally said...

Yep, one of the only safe restaurants for celiacs. My daughters both can't have gluten and I was overjoyed to find this chain.

San Diego Farmgirl said...

Green Guy, please tell me more about these 'animal fries.' I always get my burger animal style, so I am intrigued!

In n Out is the only fast food we eat. We used to go every few months, but since there is a location RIGHT NEXT DOOR to our childbirth classes, we've been eating there every other week. It's not easy for a roomful of pregnant women and antsy daddies to focus on breathing and relaxation techniques when your deep inhales smell like those yummy fries.

In n Out is also one of the few fast food joints who carefully research their beef providers. You'll notice they are never involved in any of the eColi or other recalls, and they claim they never buy beef from any source that might feed animal parts to the cattle, i.e. risk of Mad Cow disease.

The Bible verses printed on the cups and bags are a little odd, but them Fundamentalists shore do make a mighty fine burger! =)

Green Guy said...

Animal style fries: with cheese, grilled onions and spread. Eat with a fork and pass out in greasy heaven.

TheChieftess said...

I have never noticed bible verses on the bags or cups...I'll have to look next time!

Anonymous said...

I don't care what they print on the bag. Yummmmmmy!

Mister Earl said...

Several top execs of In-N-Out, presumably from the family that owns it, were killed in a plane crash in LA years ago. Their small jet hit wake turbulence from a large jet ahead. I think this added to some of the dysfunction that no doubt was already there.

I like In-N-Out, but I do have a complaint. About 10 years ago, when there was a big e-colli scare with beef, In-N-Out started to char their burgers. I think that most In-N-Outs char them too much and it affects the taste.

dbdubya said...

It was about 15 years ago, Mr. Earl. Two brothers were flying in a corporate jet following a 757 into John Wayne Airport in Newport Beach. The turbulence caused the crash. Their mother, and I believe she was the wife of the founder, took over as CEO. She is now well into her 80's and no longer capable or willing of running the business. None of the other heirs are qualified or interested. I recall reading there was one heir who wanted to take over, but the rest don't want that to happen. The last I heard about 3 years ago was that the Board was uncertain what to do and were considering selling the company.

Laurie - take some time off and bring the Chieftess and me a couple of Double-Doubles with grilled onions and well done fries. We'll provide the wine.

colette said...

I had my first In N Out Burger at that location this past November while we were visiting So. Pas. looking for properties.

Loved it! oh, and the burgers too!

Can't wait until July :)

Trish said...

when I moved out of SoPas, I mourned the loss of my InO fixes. Thankfully, they expanded, despite the plane crash and now I'm in easy driving distance to several stores. I just have to remember not to eat there right before a blood test or the doc gets upset. ;-)

The biblical sayings printed on ALL their items have been there for years (cups, bags, fry platters, burger diapers...everything) have been a bone of contention for plenty of groups.

InO does one thing REALLY well---makes good burgers, fresh fries and shakes and upwithpeople type attitude. They don't add on a lot of other crud, and do it well. Most retail establishments would do well to emulate them.

They do pay their people relatively well, considering it is a service job. Around here I think they were starting at $10/hour when McD's etc were paying only $7/hr. I've seen a lot of "older laid off workers" who can't find employment elsewhere, who have been brought on at InO stores.

Mr Earl---the complaint I have is that almost without question in the last few years, the fries I get are the bits and pieces, not the larger fries...dunno how they do it---years ago I enjoyed the longer fries, rather than crunchy little bits. Guess it works well with the animal style crud all over them better.

I will admit---the mad cow thing, as well as any other diseases, seem to hold true. I have NEVER had food poisoning after eating there. Ever. Can't say that at other places.

But Laurie, if you HAVE to stay in SoPas....HiLife rules. Dunno about the celiac issue, but HiLife (or LoLife as we affectionately have called it for years---back to when they were a walk up stand) is an easy way to get your grease quota.

ok, now I'm hungry....argh!

wv: Messis...what your hands look like after eating an animal style burger from InO