In-n-Out Burger

It's not past my bed time I promise!  I'm just in a different time zone! 

So to round out our burger outings, I headed out west to a place that serves simple but great hamburgers. 

This is my first adventure without my co-explorer, Trumpy.  I'm really sad he had to go home, but we will continue adventuring on our own.  We'll see each other soon. :) 

Today, I'm in California.  The wind was blowing and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.    This called for a yummie outdoor lunch.  I decided that I should try and find something I couldn't get at home on the East Coast.  As I made a right turn, I saw In-n-Out Burger.  This place is definitely something you won't see outside of the Southwest or Texas, although I don't see why they couldn't expand out here (*hint hint*). 

In-n-Out Burger is known for using the freshest ingredients to create a simple yet tasty burger.  Their fries are also as fresh as they can be.  I saw the peeled potatoes go into a fry cutter and then put right into the fryer.  Everything is made to order so it can take a little longer to get your food than your standard fast food restaurant, but it's well worth the five minute wait. 

The menu is basic.  They really only have three things: a plain hamburger, a cheeseburger, and double cheeseburger called the Double Double.  Since everything is made to order, you can customize your burger in different styles that the locals refer to as the "secret menu."  I guess it's not really a secret if everybody knows about it.  It's also online so you check it out and order like a local too. 

I ordered a Double Double, Animal Style.  An Animal Style burger comes with hand-leafed lettuce, tomato, a mustard cooked beef patty, a pickle, with a thousand island like dressing called spread, mixed with grilled chopped onions. 

You can also order your fries Animal Style.  The fries are topped with American cheese, the dressing, and grilled chopped onions.  Very decadent but a good splurge. 

And what would a good splurge be without a milkshake?  Not a very good one so naturally I got one of those too.  If you are wondering what flavor I got, I couldn't choose between chocolate and strawberry so I mixed them. 

All I can say is that this is the best fast food chain burger you can get... as long as you are on the West coast or in Texas.  For the rest of us, we will have to stick to Five Guys.  It's not really vegetarian friendly, but they do offer a meatless burger and a grilled cheese.  They don't have veggie patties yet, but I hear that there is a petition to try and get them to add it to the menu. 

I think Trumpy and I are thoroughly burgered out.  What should we try next?  Something with a bit more spice perhaps?