In-N-Out Burger, Burbank

No visit to southern California is complete without a drive through In-N-Out. The ubiquitous Los Angles institution was started in 1948 by Harry Snyder and his wife Esther in Baldwin Park, Calif., laying claim as the first drive-thru burger stand in the state. I decided to sit inside their Burbank location for lunch.

As an In-N-Out veteran, I already knew my order before even glancing at the sparse menu. For those uninitiated, In-N-Out has a number of secret menu offerings like chopped yellow chilis and thousand island spread that take their items to the next level. If you’re on the hungrier side, go with a 3×3, 4×4 or any variation of “patties”x“cheese” you can think of. There has even been a 100×100 made at the Las Vegas location, though I doubt most In-N-Outs would agree to make this.

As part of my standard order, I got an “animal style” burger which is a cheese burger containing pickles, grilled onions, thousand island “animal sauce,” and a mustard-fried patty, which is when they spray mustard on the grill and cook the meat on top. After a short waiting time I was chowing down, appreciating the juicy patty, perfectly complemented by the sweet animal sauce and onions. In-N-Out makes a point of using fresh ingredients, and you can really taste the difference when compared to your typical fast-food franchise. Quite simply, this is the best burger you can buy at this price.

My meal was rounded out with fries and a vanilla milkshake. Many go for animal-style fries as well but I prefer plain, though I do wish I remembered to ask for well done. In-N-Out fries tend to be on the softer side, so request for either light well, well or extra well if you like them crispier. The milkshake was the perfect end to the meal, though it was thick and could have been a little creamier as I opted to eat it with a spoon. All-in-all, it was a classic American meal, and highly recommended.

In-N-Out Burger

761 First St.

Burbank, Calif. 91502

800 786 1000