In-N-Out
 

Are In-N-Out the best burgers or what? ...just returned from a week in San Diego and managed to have lunch at In-N-Out on four of the seven days we were there.

Does anybody know the 'secret code' for ordering?

They're good, but the best? No way......

I guess I really should qualify that statement...IMHO, they are the best burgers I've had from a fast food chain drive through.

I agree.

You might be able to find a better gourmet burger at a restaurant. But fast food? They are hands down the best fast food hamburger.

And their fries. Excellent. And fresh.

Well, "drive through" puts the kabosh on some competitors, such as Fat Burger.

When I'm in the correct areas I always make a stop at Steak n Shake.

"5 Guys" makes the most awesome burgers and fries.......there are a few in my area but not sure how many are around.

Hmm. Based on the thread title, I clicked in expecting a very different thread ;)

What movie was it that featured the in-n-out burger?

Backyard Burgers is pretty good stuff too. However, they are franchises with inconsistent product offering, so not all the spots I've tried have passed muster.
Grey Poupon and A1 brown sauce are avail. inside. mmmmm. backyard burgers...

My wife and I make this concoction we use on burgers that is all the rage at our BARBECUES.

Montreal Steak Seasoning
Jamaican Jerk to your liking
Salt and pepper to taste
Garlic Powder

All of the above are mixed into a pile of ground animal flesh.

Cook 'em to your liking and garnish with some lettuce tomatoe, onion and the killer is some bacon and blue cheese.

Yummmmy!

For the more daring among you, spread a little more jerk seasoning with the blue cheese. The paste, not the powder.

Randy,

In-n-Out does make good burgers, fresh and you can order off the menu. You would like a double-double animal style. That said, I have to call it an almost draw between In-n-Out and Whataburger, with the edge going to the little burgerstand from Alice.

Both make their mark by being fresh and made to order, unlike every other major burgerstand. Whataburger gets top honors in my book because they are considerably larger and you can get jalapenos. Like Whataburger, In-n-out has a limited area although Whataburger has been expanding their operations.

EDIT: Just noticed the "secret code" question.

As you noticed the menu was hamber, cheeseburger, double-double, fires, shakes and soda, period.

A double-double is two patties and double cheese, was originally an off-menu item.

Any burger can be ordered animal style. For animal style they grilled the meat with mustard, add on grilled onions and chopped pickles. Used to be the only burgers they sold with pickles.

For the Atkins dieters you can order your burger "protien style", where the bun is missing and in its place the burger is wrapped in lettuce.

For the extremely hungry order up a 4x4. I'll decribe it this way, my 15 year old eating machine ordered one and had to take half home in a bag.

There is more off-menu stuff I'm sure. I believe In-n-out has a website, in fact I have seen it but cannot remember the uRL. They talk about the history of the off-menu items and outline them. Example, the double-double animal style was the brainchild of some late 50's early 60's highschool football hero, nicknamed Animal. He wanted big and cooked a specific way.

Great Place
 

IN-N-OUT, never heard of it unitl my son and I flew out to Sacramento, back in September, for a Baseball tournament he was in with "Perfect Game" It's great, we ate there about 4 times. He got the 4x4,huge, each time we ate there. He's a big boy 6'2" 190, so I excpected that. Whataburger here in Texas is good as well, but I don't think it's as good as IN-N-OUT. Locally here in Austin, Sandy's, Huts, Players, Dirty Maritns and Fudruckkers make great burgers. :D

Same here many people come over to experience the medmech venison burger, it's a little funny that they have the same prices their kitchen but forget to use them on hamburgers.

Lately I've been experiment with Jim Beam Steak sauce. I haven't tried the Caribbean jerk you suggested but I will give it a shake or two on the next batch.

One little trick that the big burger joints use a a vacuum to infuse the marinade into the meat instead of overnight marination.

Seeing as how you do a lot of hunting, have you ever tried buffalo? I did once at Ruth/Chris steakhouse and it was awesome.
Costco also sells Ostrich Burgers which are really good also.