In-N-Out Burger: Worth the Wait, But Not the Fuss

Stay tuned to the Observer’s food blog, City of Ate, for more from the In-n-Out opening.

In-N-Out Burger is the best hamburger. Period. The end.

When I’m in Oxnard, California for Cowboys training camp or Surprise, Arizona for Rangers spring training or Las Vegas for fun, yeah, I’ll go out of my way for the freshest, most fantastic burger in America.

Excited that the chain is spreading to Texas and today opening shops in Frisco and Allen. But people are camping out for the grand opening? Since Monday night?

Just saw a guy on TV say he cried when he heard the news that In-N-Out was coming here. Of course he’s from L.A., so perhaps he’s simply trying to camouflage his Lakers tears in hunger.

I went to the Allen location at around 8:30 this morning for breakfast and lunch and to check out the scene.

People were camped out in chairs. Saw a tent. First guy in the door was Ron, a 44-year-old relatively sane man who wore an In-N-Out cap and shirt, skipped work, and drove from Cleburne to be the first guy in the door.

“How can you not love this place?” he said. “The food is heavenly. The staff is nice. I wished everywhere could be this great. I’d eat every meal here if I could.”

While I don’t endorse selling your soul and joining the In-N-Out cult, it is dang good eatin’.

Some ordering tips for In-N-Out newbies …

While the menu is simple, there are secrets:

You can get the double-double, the 3×3 or even the 4×4 with, yep, four 2-ounce patties and four slices of cheese.

The cool kids order “Animal Style”, which is a mustard-cooked patty, pickles, special spread (think Thousand Island dressing) and diced onions.

The healthy kids order “Protein Style”, which is basically just a lettuce wrap instead of a bun.

And the weird kids order “Flying Dutchman”, which is just two patties and two slices of cheese.

For me? Double-double with no onions. Fries. Strawbery shake. Good to go.

Bon apetit.