I dared the line at the new In And Out Burger in Dallas yesterday. I wasn't impressed with what I thought was an average at best burger (there are much better burgers to be had in Dallas, Backyard Burgers and Fat Daddy's to name a few).
I was impressed with their operation. At least 20 employees working the parking lot, and maybe another 30 or more inside working the grills.
Five Guys is pretty good, but like you said, average at best. The best burgers come from my grill!
In and Out is decent for a chain fast food place but they aren't in the same league with quality local places. They have lunch for under 5 bucks though.
I've often wondered if "In and Out" refers to the speed of your order or what happens if you eat their food.
take away the B and the R at the end in Burger and see what you get 🙂
In and Out has a cult-like mystique, what with the " secret" menu and all. The food's not bad. I once attended a wedding at Camp Lotus by the South Fork of the American River that was catered by In and Out. People loved it.
Don
Worthless Five Guys Trivia
Their Corporate Director of Franchising is also the only NFL kicker to be named league MVP, Mark Moseley.
Well, it is very popular here in Dallas and usually very long lines.
The one I went to had four uniformed Dallas Police directing traffic on the service road in front of the In and Out Burger.
The 20 employees manning the drive through duties was awesome.
One girl walked up with the "menu", I looked at it and started to say 'I will take...", to which she interupted and said "somebody will be along to take your order", and she went over to the next car in line.
Sure enough, another girl came and took my order and informed me that somebody else would be along to tell me how much it would be. Shortly, a boy and a girl came by with a wireless device, verified my order, and told me the total.
Then it was a short wait as each lane of cars (four lanes total) were one by one allowed to drive up to the payment window. That is were I got my first glimpse of the number of employees inside. It was standing room only.
All in all, it was a fairly fast and smooth operation as I think I only waited in line about 10 to 15 minutes. I liked the simple, short menu. The less items I have to choose from, the better.
I agree with Adam. I don't know of any restaurant around here that sprinkles Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning on their patties before cooking them over hickory coals.
Buds Broiler
"Is this your homework Larry?":-)
No In and Out Burger around here, but we did recently get one of the Five Guys franchises, which in my opinion is a glorified Rallys burger that pales in comparison to a Backyard Burger. That being said, the New Orleans area is home to Buds Broiler and that is one fine burger....the #4 with cheddar and hickory smoke sauce can't be beat.
Yeah, that's a good description of their service. Another key to their success (along with price) is simplicity. Remember the menu? Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, doubles of each, fries, sodas and shakes. That's pretty much it. No tacos, no chicken nuggets, etc.
The hamburgers are really good for a fast food place, and their fries are made fresh. We try and stop there maybe once each time we go to the mainland. If we had one here, I bet it would be crowded too.
But, still, it is fast food...
In And Out Burger...YES!!!! (Pic)
I was born and raised a few miles from the very first In-N-Out stands. I grew up on In N Out, and am still a BIG fan today. I have very fond memories of my cousin and I going to In-N-Out on various occasions for a cheap burger and fries meal.
ANYTIME I go home or to Nevada or Arizona, my first stop after we exit the airport is In N Out. If I drive down south, the Redding, Calif. In N Out is my first California pit stop.
I :love: their food!! I'll take a Double Double, Animal Style, please, with extra pickles and 1 packaged pepper, no salt on the fries, and either lemonade or milk for the drink. (although one of these times I am going to get the Neapolitan shake!!)
It is probably a good thing we do NOT live so close to one... :-/
When I am not so dang tired I will scan my retro In N Out bumper sticker for you guys. It's the one they made where you could still alter the sticker to read something a bit more "naughtier". (See Karolys post in this thread for the explanation.) 😉
Here's a pic for ya...Here's my cousin and I at a young age, enjoying our In-N-Out shakes!! 🙂
In And Out Burger...YES!!!! (Pic)
I haven't had one of their burgers since April 1987. At that time I thought it was the best of the local chain hamburgers. I was in the process of going to Connecticut and it was handy and open.
> I dared the line at the new In And Out Burger in Dallas yesterday. I wasn't impressed with what I thought was an average at best burger (there are much better burgers to be had in Dallas, Backyard Burgers and Fat Daddy's to name a few).
>
> I was impressed with their operation. At least 20 employees working the parking lot, and maybe another 30 or more inside working the grills.
As I understand it, they are very good to their employees, and do a lot in the community. Those are things to be commended for, and I can see why people would frequent a place like that.
As for their food, I have been to 3 or 4 and found it to be very pedestrian every time. The burgers are smallish, with no special taste, and I didn't find the fries to be anything special either. I compare them to the fare that Sonic offers.
As for chain burgers, I'll take a Five Guys for size and flavor and I like their fries also. I also like Hardee's (Carl's Jr out west) believe it or not. I like their sourdough buns too. When it comes right down to it though, I try to go local and hit the local drive-in called Dudes. Killer burger and big well done crinkle cut fries. I get a Double Dude when I'm really hungry and it will keep me full all day. They also have hot dogs, footlongs and handmade corndogs. It's a great local place.
If I'm hungover... McDonald's is the bomb though.
Carl
:good:
How weird, that is exactly what I do!!
Even weirder, that is exactly what I used to do.
This year I simplified:
1.) Local grass-fed beef
2.) Fresh cracked black pepper &
3.) Grey salt, pricey but worth every dollar.
I agree exactly with your assessment of their food. I can't figure out what the big deal is. They do have good service and the place is clean.
In and Out is a chain so one can't go there thinking they will be getting some $13 dollar gourmet burger, but with that said I think they are one of the best chains out there. They keep it simple and that allows them to keep it FRESH and LOCAL which is the mainstay for their business. No In & Out hear in the Pacific Northwest but I ate my fair share of 4x2 burgers when I lived in So Cal.
From wiki: Unlike the other major competitors in the hamburger fast food restaurant business -- Burger King, McDonald's and Wendy's -- as the chain grew in the intervening years, it has not added products such as chicken and salads to its menu or changed its preparation methods. Even into the 21st century, the company's menu still only lists burgers, fries and beverages advertised as being produced on site from fresh ingredients.
The whole read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-N-Out_Burger_products
In N Out can kiss where the sun don't shine.
Wendell's World Famous Secret Burger Recipe
2 lbs. ground beef (as lean as possible)
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
3/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
4 tbsp. barbecue sauce (I use Bullseye)
4 tbsp. olive oil
Mix well and form into patties. I usually start with a ball that fits comfortably in my hand and then squish it down to about 1/3" thick or less (yes, that thin) and to a diameter that is a little bigger than the buns I'm using. When cooked, the patties will rise to at least double their thickness. Brush with olive oil just prior to placing on the grill. Cook as desired.
It's good to make these at least an hour before grill time, to let the Pankos do their thing. I've been known to make 10 pounds at once and freeze the patties separated with wax paper.
We had a barbecue here a couple of weeks ago with a bunch of people and several of them told me they were the best burgers they've ever had. I concur, humbly. 🙂
> I agree exactly with your assessment of their food. I can't figure out what the big deal is. They do have good service and the place is clean.
+1. I live in DFW and have not fallen into the hysteria surrounding this average burger chain. I've eaten at them in California years ago because I had heard about them and was very non-plussed. Snuffer's has a great burger here locally. But there are many places around that you'll find much better bovine sandwiches.
