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Enshrine This Burger (In And Out Burger: Classic Americana Alert)
Los Angeles Times ^ | 09/05/06 | Mark Kendall

Posted on 09/05/2006 3:04:03 AM PDT by goldstategop

The family-owned chain has been successful enough to spawn a famous commercial jingle, earn several loving write-ups in the New York Times and have its burgers served to A-list celebs at swanky post-Oscar parties.

The great taste hasn't changed, but the mystique that inspired our carnivorous cross-valley quests sure has. The earlier, spartan drive-throughs, which once kept us at arm's length, a sheet of glass sealing off the inner sanctum where clean-cut workers frenetically packed the grill with meat patties, has given way to brightly lighted indoor seating no different from the national fast-food chains. The fabled secret menu, for years passed around solely by word of mouth, giving those of us in the know an easy way to separate the true In-N-Out fan — and true Southern Californian — from the wannabes … well, the Web ended all that.

How can we preserve that vanishing sense of wonder while giving proper respect to the important role In-N-Out has played in postwar SoCal culture? An idea came to me a few months back while driving on the 10 Freeway, when I glimpsed a well-worn yellow-arrow sign, bearing a quaint pre-digital clock.

It was there, in Baldwin Park, where Harry and Esther Snyder started it all back in 1948, according to the company's website. (The original hamburger stand was demolished when the 10 Freeway came through; this site was its replacement.)

It came to me. Just look at the simple menu of burgers, shakes and fries. The In-N-Out folks are masters of minimalism. What if they skipped the bric-a-brac and gimmicks and just let the old store slide into a mysterious ruin? Keep the grill's pilot light burning in an eternal flame. Keep the cult following alive.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: California; US: Nevada
KEYWORDS: americana; animalfries; animalstyle; baldwinpark; california; chocolateshake; classic; doubledouble; inandoutburger; kiss; proteinstyle
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In And Out Burger is classic Americana. Its also a part of the California mystique. Its success and devoted following is not only due to the eye catching designs of its drive-in restaurants but above all, to the minimalist menu of burgers, shakes and fries it offers. Which draws American food lovers from all over to chow down the quintessential - and to many - THE American burger. Its akin to a religious experience and In and Out is a temple to American cuisine.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

1 posted on 09/05/2006 3:04:07 AM PDT by goldstategop
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To: goldstategop

Them Mormons know how to make a burger.

Fries? Not so much.

I usually just get a Double Double and go to Wendy's for fries and a Frosty. Now that's a fine fast food meal.


2 posted on 09/05/2006 3:10:45 AM PDT by Reform4Bush
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To: goldstategop

Watch out - America's latest brigade of PC storm troopers, the "Obesity Police," may soon be arriving to protest, with their placards and their simple-minded, knee-jerk Leftist slogans. "It's for the children."


3 posted on 09/05/2006 3:11:10 AM PDT by Jack Hammer
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To: Reform4Bush
Them Mormons know how to make a burger.

I don't believe that the Snyder family were/are Mormons.
4 posted on 09/05/2006 3:13:42 AM PDT by irishjuggler
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To: goldstategop

My son would never eat burgers until, on a trip to California, we got him to try an In and Out burger. Now he's hooked


5 posted on 09/05/2006 3:16:53 AM PDT by Edgar3 (Constitutional Republic, or die)
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To: irishjuggler

Check the cup carefully next time.

Verses from the book of Mormon are printed on them.


6 posted on 09/05/2006 3:22:37 AM PDT by Reform4Bush
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To: goldstategop

Hehe ... just wanted to add keyword "DOUBLEDOUBLE". :)


7 posted on 09/05/2006 3:22:55 AM PDT by BunnySlippers
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To: Reform4Bush

The verses are from the Bible, aren't they? Not Mormon.


8 posted on 09/05/2006 3:24:30 AM PDT by BunnySlippers
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To: irishjuggler

Snopes says it is bible verses.

http://www.snopes.com/business/alliance/inandout.asp

Other sites say from the book of Mormon.


9 posted on 09/05/2006 3:26:57 AM PDT by Reform4Bush
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To: Reform4Bush; irishjuggler

According to Snopes the quotes are from the Bible. And the have the locations and what the exact quotes are here:

http://www.snopes.com/business/alliance/inandout.asp


10 posted on 09/05/2006 3:27:07 AM PDT by BunnySlippers
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To: Reform4Bush
Other sites say from the book of Mormon.

Just one look at the quotes shows they are from the Bible.

11 posted on 09/05/2006 3:27:59 AM PDT by BunnySlippers
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To: goldstategop

Animal Fries!


12 posted on 09/05/2006 3:29:17 AM PDT by Pylon (Remember boys, flies spread disease, so keep yours closed.)
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To: irishjuggler

Burger and cheeseburger wrappers
Revelation 3:20—"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."[19]

Beverage cups and antenna toppers
John 3:16—"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Milkshake cups
Proverbs 3:5—"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

Double-Double wrapper
Nahum 1:7—"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."[20]

Paper water cups, or "R-9's"
John 14:6 —"Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one cometh unto the Father but by Me."


13 posted on 09/05/2006 3:31:14 AM PDT by BunnySlippers
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To: Reform4Bush
They use a different type of potato.

As far as their burgers go, I very occasionally get a triple triple. I like burgers with lots of meat and cheese and less of everything else. Even a triple triple is lite in the meat department.
14 posted on 09/05/2006 3:32:46 AM PDT by DB (©)
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To: BunnySlippers

Yeah, the Nahum one is the one I've seen. Wikipedia says it's from the Hebrew Bible.

I'm not a Cali native, when I was there that is what I was told.

Sorry for spreading false rumors.


15 posted on 09/05/2006 3:35:32 AM PDT by Reform4Bush
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To: BunnySlippers

16 posted on 09/05/2006 3:44:42 AM PDT by BunnySlippers
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To: goldstategop
Good burgers
17 posted on 09/05/2006 3:49:53 AM PDT by opbuzz (Right way, wrong way, Marine way)
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To: DB
If it's meat and cheese you want...

;)

18 posted on 09/05/2006 3:52:58 AM PDT by DemforBush
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To: DemforBush

19 posted on 09/05/2006 3:54:52 AM PDT by BunnySlippers
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To: goldstategop

Only with extra onions ~ lots of 'em.


20 posted on 09/05/2006 4:03:11 AM PDT by muawiyah
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To: muawiyah
You can order it any way you want.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

21 posted on 09/05/2006 4:04:25 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: Reform4Bush
Not the coffee cups, Fur Shur ~ but there are strange writings on the others. Never bothered to read them.

I'll get somebody to pick one up for me to check out later.

22 posted on 09/05/2006 4:04:41 AM PDT by muawiyah
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To: goldstategop

Steak and Sheak double steakburger with pickles, onion, and mustard. That's good enough for me.


23 posted on 09/05/2006 4:05:51 AM PDT by bkepley
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To: Reform4Bush

In and Outs Fries are great too! I dunno what youre talking about. Wendys is just awful all round.

McDonalds in garbage, unless the McRib (TM) Sandwich is on offer.... aahhhhhh McRib!


24 posted on 09/05/2006 4:07:25 AM PDT by ketelone
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To: Reform4Bush

The words "Wendy's" and "fast" should never be used in the same sentence.


25 posted on 09/05/2006 4:09:39 AM PDT by Fresh Wind (Democrats are guilty of whatever they scream the loudest about.)
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To: bkepley
Within just a few days between visits we went to a Steak and Shake in Bloomington, Indiana and an In and Out in Oceanside, California.

Although Steak and Shake wins in the condiments and vegetable toppings, In and Out actually uses a better tasting beef.

We verified this with additional visits to different In and Outs in different towns (as we perigrinated between Sandygo and LA visiting art galleries).

Ruby's (another California chain) was discovered to have hamburgers comparable to In and Out, and a highly complex menu, but the prices are more in line with a traditional restaurant.

26 posted on 09/05/2006 4:19:27 AM PDT by muawiyah
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To: DemforBush

I'll need a fork...


27 posted on 09/05/2006 4:47:45 AM PDT by DB (©)
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To: Reform4Bush
I usually just get a Double Double and go to Wendy's for fries and a Frosty.

Maybe I hold a grudge too long but I haven't stepped foot in a Wendy's since they poisoned me and my family 30 years ago.

28 posted on 09/05/2006 5:13:18 AM PDT by Graybeard58 (Remember and pray for SSgt. Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: Graybeard58

That might be worth remembering for a while!! :0)


29 posted on 09/05/2006 5:33:04 AM PDT by geezerwheezer (get up boys, we're burnin' daylight!!!)
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To: bkepley

"Steak and Shake double steakburger with pickles, onion, and mustard."

With an order of fries and an Orange Freeze. "It's a meal."


30 posted on 09/05/2006 5:47:16 AM PDT by rwa265
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To: Edgar3
My son would never eat burgers

Now that's a first!

31 posted on 09/05/2006 6:21:56 AM PDT by Clovis_Skeptic (Islam is a religion of peace my as@)
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To: Reform4Bush
go to Wendy's for fries

Wendy's IMHO...sucks...there is one across the street from me, and I never, ever eat there. I have eaten there though, and their fries were the worst, those big ole greasy undercooked type....yuck!

In-N-Out has great fries.


32 posted on 09/05/2006 6:30:02 AM PDT by Clovis_Skeptic (Islam is a religion of peace my as@)
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To: Orgiveme

Ping


33 posted on 09/05/2006 6:35:32 AM PDT by RhoTheta (Twas brillig, and the toves were not just slithy, they were stinking drunk.)
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To: Reform4Bush

Nope *NOT* Book of Mormon. Only verses from the Bible appear on cups and even the paper bags.


34 posted on 09/05/2006 6:36:56 AM PDT by newzjunkey (Support Arnold-McClintock or embrace high taxes, gay weddings with Angelides.)
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To: All

Wiki's article has the verses (already posted by BunnySlippers above) and details of the 'off the menu' items - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-N-Out_Burger


35 posted on 09/05/2006 6:39:03 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy (Sophomore dies in kiln explosion? Oh My God! I just talked to her last week...)
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To: muawiyah
Only with extra onions ~ lots of 'em.

And ALWAYS grilled onions.

36 posted on 09/05/2006 7:38:06 AM PDT by truthkeeper (It's the borders, stupid.)
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To: DB
They use a different type of potato.

Yes...it's called "fresh."

37 posted on 09/05/2006 7:39:06 AM PDT by truthkeeper (It's the borders, stupid.)
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To: truthkeeper

Lightly lest they lose their crunch.


38 posted on 09/05/2006 7:39:19 AM PDT by muawiyah
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To: muawiyah

But of course!


39 posted on 09/05/2006 7:39:57 AM PDT by truthkeeper (It's the borders, stupid.)
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To: DemforBush

The Atkin's Diet special.

40 posted on 09/05/2006 7:43:58 AM PDT by Moonman62 (The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War.)
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To: goldstategop

I don't think most people go there for the burgers, they go to get their bumper stickers and then modify them.

Over the years probably 2/3 of their bumper stickers i've seen have been In and out Urge!


41 posted on 09/05/2006 7:47:06 AM PDT by dalereed
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To: Reform4Bush
Double-Double, Fries and a Choc Shake! Don't go inside.
42 posted on 09/05/2006 7:47:14 AM PDT by Mike Darancette (This space for rent.)
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To: Reform4Bush
I usually just get a Double Double and go to Wendy's for fries and a Frosty. Now that's a fine fast food meal.

This would be the best fast food meal: Double Double In and Out Burger, Fries from MacDonald's (it's still the one thing they do better than anyone else) and a Shake from Carl's Jr. If you haven't had their hand-scooped shakes, you haven't lived. Better than any ice-cream shop I've ever been to. No Kidding. Carl's Jr.'s Six Dollar Burger is pretty damn good as well.

43 posted on 09/05/2006 7:48:15 AM PDT by Hildy
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To: Clovis_Skeptic
Wendy's IMHO...sucks...there is one across the street from me, and I never, ever eat there.


Some folks disagree.

44 posted on 09/05/2006 7:52:45 AM PDT by Mike Bates (Irish Alzheimer's victim: I only remember the grudges.)
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To: goldstategop

The problem with fries at In-N-Out is that if you don't eat them while they're HOT they become hard and chewy and not very palatable. Hot out of the frier they're GRR-EAT. Ronald still makes good fries, as someone earlier stated. And a strong second to Carl's Jr.'s shakes. Fabulous!! SSZ


45 posted on 09/05/2006 7:55:01 AM PDT by szweig
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To: szweig

Sorry..."fryer".


46 posted on 09/05/2006 7:55:37 AM PDT by szweig
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To: Hildy

If you really want to eat well and die young The Hat or Pinky's


47 posted on 09/05/2006 7:56:17 AM PDT by ThomasThomas (But only liberals need to Feel good.)
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To: goldstategop

Did anyone here grow up in SoCal and NOT have this on their first car's bumber?

 

In-N-Out

urge

 

48 posted on 09/05/2006 7:57:01 AM PDT by Psycho_Bunny
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To: goldstategop

Lived in Cali for a while... all I'm going to say about them is this.......


Only in a place where rabbit food is concidered chic like Cali could their food be considered "great".... Their burgers are ok, but not something to write home about.


49 posted on 09/05/2006 7:58:13 AM PDT by HamiltonJay
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To: DB
They use a different type of potato.

Is that true? I don't did their fries.

50 posted on 09/05/2006 8:01:21 AM PDT by TankerKC (Step Back! Doors Closing.)
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