20 Things That Make In-N-Out Great!
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!
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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!
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. 
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 ;)
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!
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
Flickr - Justin Green You have the option of ordering a Neopolitan shake which combines chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Yum!
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!
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.
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...
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).
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!
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?
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
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
Rachel
how can I franchise an In and Out???
Jim Robinson
I moved N.C. Three years ago and I miss my In N Out. I used to eat at Atascadero, Kettlemen City and Fresno at least three times a week. You hire the best employees and do the best job of training.You also have the cleanest facilities.
Keep up the good management.
Jim Hall
Love In-N-Out! Started eating back in the late 70’s, at least once a week. Had to move to Texas and was lost until In-N-Out finally got here travel over 80 miles around trip, stood in line for 2 hours to get my first Texas In-N-Out. Now please build at least 1 In-N-Out in Mississippi in Southaven because your costing me a fortune every time I go to visit my kids, grandkids and great grandkids as I have to buy 20 Double Doubles and 10 fries pack them in my cooler so my kids can have a little taste of haven twice a year. They would be so much better fresh. My local In-N-Out knows me as I order the DD as individual parts so I can heat up the meat, toast the buns and put them together just like in Texas/California when I get there and yes they want them as soon as we unload the truck. No body makes a better burger than In-N-Out, thank you for giving us a little haven here on earth.
Gayle Grohs
I have worn your T shirts for over 30 years to work and had to move back to Portland to care for my parents.. People stop .. when they see me in the shirt..in the store and say " IN an Out" ! I have been your best advertisement you could have,,,What makes me Mad.. all these years I have been waiting for you to get here… Portland, Ore… Where do you go … Medford.Oregon.. 250 or more miles from here.. I am furious.. Get here!!!
Iris Walters
Best burgers in the universe! A California original. Thank you for keeping up great traditions