Nothing can beat a juicy hamburger after you've spent a long day at the beach. The wonderful, gooey cheese, the flavorful beef, and let's not forget the special sauce. If you don't know what we're talking about, then you've never experienced a California staple: In-N-Out!

Check out these 20 things that make In-N-Out great!

1. Fresh Matters       

In-N-Out opened in 1948 at the corner of Francisquito and Garvey in Baldwin Park and the owner personally shopped for the best ingredients and made everything by hand! Now that is how you make a burger! To this day, none of In-N-Out's food is pre-packaged or frozen.

2. History

Flickr - Tommaso Galli In-N-Out was California's first drive through. At In-N-Out, there is no need to even get out of your car, just drive right up to the window and enjoy a meal made fresh just for you. The helpful In-N-Out workers even ask if you'll be dinning in your car or taking it home! Flickr - Steve Lyon

3. Combinations

Flickr - Simon Willison Looking for a little variety in your hamburger selection? Choose your personal meat to cheese ratio up to a 4x4 which is four meat patties and four slices of cheese. Or get adventurous and cut back on the meat or the cheese. Just remember, meat first, cheese after. Example: 3x4 means 3 patties x 4 slices of cheese.

4. Secrets

Flickr - Cory Gurman In-N-Out offers more than their typical menu. They have a Secret Menu! You can order fun things like yellow chillies, animal fries (which includes grilled onions and their special sauce), bun doughnuts, protein style (no bun, just lettuce) or even a root beer float!

5. Welcome to the 60s

Flickr - @kevinv033 The animal style hamburger was first introduced in 1961 at the request of a customer. To make this creation, they stack up lettuce, tomato, pickle, grilled onions, and extra spread topped off by a mustard-cooked beef patty. Delicious.

6. Just the way you like it

Flickr - Matt DeTurck Most don't know, but you can order your patty's medium rare!!! Now that you know, you have to try it!

7. Back to School

Flickr - gadgetude There is an In-N-Out University! It sounds a little like a hamburger paradise, but in reality it was created in 1984 on the site where In-N-Out founder Harry Snyder's house once stood, and was a training facility for store managers.

8. Bottoms Up

Flickr - Justin Green There are Bible verse references on the bottom of every cup and on hamburger wrappers. Just remember to finish your drink before you check ;)

9. Cheese, Cheese, Cheese

Serious Eats - J. Kenji Lopez You have the option to order cold cheese. Not sure why you wouldn't want the melty-goodness, but hey, there's an option for everyone at In-N-Out which is just another thing that makes In-N-Out greatt!

10. Fries, Fries, Fries

Flickr - mayka If you like fries, you'll LOVE In-N-Out's fries. Try them extra crispy (fries well done), animal style (with grilled onions and special sauce), or even cheese fries (with cheese on top). Flickr - supercake

11. Sweet Tooth

Flickr - Justin Green You have the option of ordering a Neopolitan shake which combines chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Yum!

12. Vegetarian Options

Flickr - Sharona790 Not a fan of hamburgers? Only eat vegetarian? Not to worry, In-N-Out has you covered. You can order a grilled cheese or a veggie burger!

13. Seeing Double

Flickr - jbhalper In 1963, the "Double Double" (2 meat patties and 2 cheese slices) was first advertized. Today, it's common knowledge and a favorite for many In-N-Out fans.

14. Julia Child

Flickr - Thomas Hawk Apparently, Julia Child was also a huge In-N-Out fan (she knew what was up!). She was reported to always have a list of stores with her just in case...

15. Among the Rich and Famous

Lynsi Torres, granddaughter to In-N-Out founders, Esther and Harry Snyder,  has been recognized as one of the youngest female multimillionaires!

16. Hidden Treasure

Flickr-Joshua Bousel Ever noticed how there always seems to be crossed palm trees outside of In-N-Out? That's no accident! The tradition started in 1972 to mark each store as Harry Snyder's special treasure (taken from his love of the move It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World).

17. Sit down and enjoy

Flickr - brian wallace Until 1979 In-N-Out was strictly a drive-through restaurant. The 21st restaurant in Ontario was the first to introduce a seating area and has made In-N-Out what we know and love it to be today!

18. Worth it

Flickr - Jeroen Elfferich Considering a job at In-N-Out? One of the things that make's In-N-Out great is the fact that they are more than fair to their employees. A manager at In-N-Out makes over $100,000 a year and their employee starting wage is $10.50 an hour. It's no wonder they have the lowest turnover rates in the fast food market. People like working at In-N-Out, can you blame them?

19. Fan Merch

That's right. In-N-Out even has a fan merchandise. They have everything from sandals to hats, T-shirts to onesies. They even have a travel mug which means there is no reason you can't sport your In-N-Out pride on a weekly (maybe even daily) basis.

20. Happy Birthday

Flickr - Dave Gunn In-N-Out just celebrate it's 60th birthday! When it was first started by Harry and Esther Snyder, they set up principles by which they would run their business and those principles have stayed firm through 60 years. Now if that doesn't make In-N-Out great, I don't know what does!   Cover Photo: Flickr - Brian Wallace Source 1, Source 2