Of course, not everyone is as enthralled by In-N-Out as I am. Despite the chain having a passionate and loyal following—I am most assuredly not the only traveler who makes In-N-Out their first stop when landing in Los Angeles—there is an inevitable backlash against the place. The dissension usually revolves around the notion that In-N-Out is “overrated” and that it is “just fast food.” As for the notion “overrated,” I don’t see how this is possible. A Double-Double, which handily trounces any other fast food burger I have tried, costs under $3, and it even compares favorably to many far pricier burgers. Of course the proper context in which to assess In-N-Out is in relation to other fast food joints, not a custom blended beef burger on a fancy bun that costs several times the cost of a whole meal at In-N-Out.
“Just fast food?” Putting aside the concept that a hamburger is supposed to be fast food, In-N-Out at the very least represents the platonic ideal of what a fast food hamburger should be. Our world would be a very different, and in my view better, place if all fast food chains operated using the same standards (both in sourcing and preparation of ingredients as well as labor practices) that In-N-Out adheres to.
I love In-N-Out, but I don’t think it’s the be-all and end-all of burgers. I look forward to going out to LA so I can dine on some fine fresh burgers, but honestly, I’ve had really good burgers elsewhere also. What differentiates In-N-Out is the whole experience, though. The fresh ingredients, the service, the burger-focused menu, the clean restaurant, and the novelty of it (for us East coasters) all contribute to the greatness of In-N-Out.
Maybe it just takes an outsider to notice the good bits.
What are your thoughts? Been to In-N-Out? What do you think?
