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Off Day, Off Topic: It’s In-N-Out Time

Posted on March 11th, 2009 1:15pm by Evan Grant
Filed under Food ravings, Spring training destinations

innout2 Let’s go over our day. You (in Dallas) right now: Eating your salad and feeling pretty good about holding to the diet plan and planning to work out later on. Me (in Arizona): About to ruin your afternoon.

Having just finished breakfast, I’m moving on to planning lunch. It’s In-N-Out Burger time. I’m blowing off the Margaritaville Café and the official Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger in Paradise that is about 100 yards from my hotel hideout to head up to Peoria (Ariz.) for the first In-N-Out of spring. Semi-true story: Rangers/Stars owner Tom Hicks makes his first and last stop of every trip to spring training the In-N-Out.

Every time I mention In-N-Out, no matter what forum I call home, it raises a great debate about best burger chains. Well, let’s just open the annual debate up, shall we. Head to the jump for my unofficial list (disclaimer: I have not yet scarfed down any of the Five Guys Burgers and Fries product, so I couldn’t rank them). You will have to jump to tell me how wrong I am.

5. Steak-’n-Shake: Having not yet dined at Five Guys Burgers and Fries, the final spot was a tossup between Steak-’n-Shake and Johnny Rockets. The burger patties might be a little too thin, but they are tasty and I’ll take the shoe-string fries over Rockets thick-cut option any day. Bottom line: I’ll still occasionally stop at a Steak-’n-shake; Rockets is only an option if there are no other options.

4. Sonic: If we picked on spokespeople alone, Sonic, and the delightful Molly Erdman, would top the list. Alas, we’ve got to factor in the overall burger experience. Make mine a SuperSonic Cheeseburger with mustard, no mayo. And an order of tots. Chili, cheese tots. I can’t think of any place I’d rather dine with Molly.

3. Whataburger: There are a lot of Texans who’ve told me my In-N-Out obsession is ridiculous. Whataburger is what a burger should be all about. Hey, I do plenty of business with my neighborhood Whataburger, especially late at night. If they’d make the A1 Thick-and-Hearty Burger a regular menu item, I might not dine anywhere else. Ever. (OK, maybe that’s a bit strong).

2.Krystal: You can eat all the trendy little sliders you want. Just give me a sack of Krystal Cheeses anytime – but especially about 2 a.m. – and I’ll go away happy. Many of my past dates have tried this trick (and with lots of success, I might add). I don’t know if it’s the steamed white bread dinner rolls, the little tiny re-hydrated onions, the mustard or the pickle. But these are little belly bombs from heaven.

1. In-N-Out: There is no doubt here. Really fresh ingredients. Fresh cut French fries. And don’t forget about the “secret” menu that includes the not-so secret “Animal Style” Burger, my burger of choice. If you are one of the eight people left who don’t know about the secret menu, here’s the animal style burger description: “the meat is cooked and fried with mustard and then pickles are added, extra spread and grilled onions are added.” It works. Some Texans seem to balk at the spread, since it is so similar to Thousand Island dressing. This is how good the In-N-Out product is: I don’t like Thousand Island dressing on my burger, but this works. On one Rangers road trip to Anaheim, I swore to eat nothing but double-doubles animal style. I got up to double-digits in patties digested. I was very happy. I also shortened my life span by about two years. It was worth it. Totally.

70 Comments to “Off Day, Off Topic: It’s In-N-Out Time”

SideDish » Blog Archive » It’s Time to Talk Burgers @ March 11th, 2009 at 1:25 pm

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James @ March 11th, 2009 at 1:38 pm

In-N-Out is the best!! That was my first stop when I landed in Phoenix last Friday.
luniz @ March 11th, 2009 at 1:38 pm

it amazes me that somebody who seemingly appreciates in-n-out can list that other dreck in his top 5. The last whataburger I ate may as well have been produced from some sort of tree resin. Sonic is bad, but Krystal? Clearly you’ve never eaten a Mos burger. You’re also leaving out Scotty P’s and the like so I suppose you’re going drive thru only. In which case you still fail.
Ed C @ March 11th, 2009 at 1:40 pm

Pretty much agree, Evan. In your food research, there is one I’d really like to hear more about. Years ago and farther north, I used to go as far as needed to get a breaded tenderloin sandwich, loaded, about the size of a roofing shingle, on an egg and butter bun. I hear Lakewood Landing in Dallas still serves ‘em, and haven’t been over there yet. Should I forge ahead and try it out, or have you already sampled their coronary on cardboard?
Mike Hindman @ March 11th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

MOOYAH MOOYAH MOOYAH MOOYAH MOOYAH
Marvin @ March 11th, 2009 at 1:55 pm

You must not have had a Tommy’s Burger in LA.
Evan Grant @ March 11th, 2009 at 1:58 pm

@luniz: Of course they are dreck (which is naughty Yiddish talk; snuck that by the censoring Tim, didn’t we). But the point was that these are CHAINS. Scotty P’s has seven locations and I don’t consider that a full-scale chain. We’re talking mega-chains here. And by mega-chains, we’re talkin’ a whole lot of drecky preservatives.
Chad Crudup @ March 11th, 2009 at 2:00 pm

I’ve only had the pleasure of going to In-N-Out once (Las Vegas last Nov) and while it wasn’t quite the life-changing experience some people had made it out to be, it was an excellent burger.

Also on that Vegas trip I had a Fatburger (across the strip from Monte Carlo) around 4AM and found that burger to be superior to the In-N-Out one I had earlier that evening.
JW @ March 11th, 2009 at 2:12 pm

@Mike Hindman: Substantive contribution as usual, sir. Easily a #1/1a on this list
Chris @ March 11th, 2009 at 2:20 pm

Five Guys – there’s one down the street from me in Atlanta…pure greatness. I think they use sourdough buns (they have a “sweet” taste) and you have to eat with the foil on the burger (think freebirds burrito) or the thing will fall apart with all the juice!
Sandra @ March 11th, 2009 at 2:20 pm

Evan, surely you have tried Mooyah, owned by the other famous Newberg brother…
Ryin A @ March 11th, 2009 at 2:22 pm

Hard to argue with Walter, Donnie and the Dude…but I gotta go with Whataburger.
Molly Erdman @ March 11th, 2009 at 2:26 pm

Evan,

I must confess, I think about you every time I have a banana split from Sonic.

5. White Castle
4. Steak and Shake
3. Krystal
2. In-N-Out
1. Sonic – Far and away the best burgers!

Love ya,
Molly
Vic @ March 11th, 2009 at 2:38 pm

Mooyah.
jessica @ March 11th, 2009 at 2:39 pm

Oh Lordy, those little gems from Kristal set off a civil war between my taste buds and GI tract. I get sick every time, but i just… can’t… help myself.
Evan Grant @ March 11th, 2009 at 2:42 pm

@Sandra: I have tried Mooyah with the mighty MJH along. Good burgers, but I thought they still needed some tinkering. I think Mooyah is at eight open locations right now, with enough planned to be called a real chain. Like the concept, like the idea, like the ambition. Need to go back and give the execution of the burger another try. But I’m not budging on this: Any burger place named after a play on a Stuart Scott catchphrase is going to have to go a long way to win my respect.
TK @ March 11th, 2009 at 2:47 pm

Are you guys serious with this Whataburger and Sonic crap??

5. Mooyah
4. Jakes
3. Five Guys
2. In-N-Out
1. Burger House

That’s a list – get with the program.
TK @ March 11th, 2009 at 2:49 pm

Well – taking “chains” into account:

5. Fuddruckers
4. Backyard Burgers
3. Five Guys
2. In-N-Out
1. Burger House (What, there are a couple of them….)
Ehren @ March 11th, 2009 at 2:58 pm

I finally got to try In-n-Out last year when I got to go to Surprise for the first time. Excellent! I will be there next week when I will be going back. Hope to see you at the practice fields Evan. But 5 Guys wins #1 with In-n-Out at #2 then Whataburger #3. I finally saw the truth in the traffic last year on Grand and Bell. HORRIBLE!
Molly Erdman @ March 11th, 2009 at 3:00 pm

Sonic, offical sponsor of your Texas Rangers!
rob m. @ March 11th, 2009 at 3:06 pm

Fuddruckers #1 on my list.
Jame @ March 11th, 2009 at 3:09 pm

PLEASE, can we stop with this In-N-Out crap!!! This has to be the most overrated fast food chain in the world. It’s a decent burger at best. I will certainly take Whataburger over In-N-Out any day of the week!!!
Jame @ March 11th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

Wait, is this THE Molly from the Sonic commercials???
KenyB @ March 11th, 2009 at 3:13 pm

I’ve never heard of In-n-Out. We don’t have those down in LA, at least not in New Orleans or Baton Rouge. Of course, we don’t have Steak-n-Shake or Five Guys either. Whataburger (do they still do the dot races like they did when I was a kid at Arlington Stadium??) and Krystal definitely make the cut. However, Sonic? Hardees beats Sonic easily, as well as my favorite, Jack-in-the-Box, especially their sirloin burgers.
SAD @ March 11th, 2009 at 3:16 pm

@Mike Hindman: And Mooyah’s has a Rangers connection as J. Newberg’s brother is involved in that start up. Best burger around!!!!!! Excellent fresh cut fries also.
Hart2Heart @ March 11th, 2009 at 3:16 pm

MOOYAH!

MOOYAH!!

MOOYAH!!!

They are the closest thing to In-n-Out in DFW.
Molly Erdman @ March 11th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

No, just an imposter stalking Evan. I masquerade as Evan on Molly’s blog.
Matt @ March 11th, 2009 at 3:25 pm

In-N-Out Animal Style is the best, I have to agree.

You should make some kind of spring training food guide for those of us who have never been, or at least, don’t have the experience with the local cuisine that you do. I seem to remember you pondering chicken wings rather intensely last spring?
Sandra @ March 11th, 2009 at 3:39 pm

Evan, Barry N. was involved from the beginning, including the naming of the franchise. Mooyah came out of no where and means nothing — until now! Give it another try…Barry opens his #3 this month.
KBG @ March 11th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

I’m sorry, I just don’t think In-N-Out is THAT great. Mine in San Francisco last spring was downright soggy. No love lost for Whataburger, but have none of you people every heard of Jack in the Box?? Stuck in New York while I finish up school, I dream daily of Whataburger taquitos for breakfast, Jack in the Box burgers for lunch and Pappasitos for dinner. Sigh…
kYle @ March 11th, 2009 at 4:08 pm

Jake’s

Whataburger

JC’s Burger House

Burger Island

I use Krystal when I run out of metamucil.
A. Stephens, Raleigh NC @ March 11th, 2009 at 4:09 pm

As a Texan in exile my default position is that Whataburger rules, but honesty demands I go with 5 Guys here.

1. Five Guys
2. Whataburger
3. “Jims” Frontier burger (the onion rings melt in your mouth), literally
4. Steak n Shake
5. White Castle
Justin T. @ March 11th, 2009 at 4:10 pm

Evan,

I’m a Texas (DFW) boy living in San Diego …. In N Out is good BUT to small, you have eat several to get satisfied.

There’s one Five Guy burger on the west coast and it’s in LA at the 405 & Carson St ….. Dude that’s the buger you’ll eat bar none ….. better than Whattaburger and everything else.
Justin T. @ March 11th, 2009 at 4:11 pm

I got so excited I didn’t BEST buger you’ll eat

and also … good to see your still covering the Rangers>
jcAustin @ March 11th, 2009 at 4:12 pm

Austin version,
1. Dan’s – 2 in Austin, very very good, and great breakfast too.
2. Mighty Fine – Think it’s owned by the Rudy’s BBQ folks, so it’s probably coming your way soon.
3. Whataburger – obligitory Rangers sponsor
4. Fatburger – wish we had one in Austin
5. MacDonalds (come on, you know you eat there all the time)
Sonic? Love the commercials, and the cherry limeades, the burgers, however, are sub-par.
midnitewriter @ March 11th, 2009 at 4:13 pm

I’ve been in Cleveland for almost 6 years and I would kill someone to get a Jumbo Jack with Cheese, no pickles. It’s the only burger in the world that I order with anything other than the meat, the cheese and the bun.
also, giggle @ telling MJH about Newberg’s brother being involved in the Mooyah.
Chad @ March 11th, 2009 at 4:16 pm

5. Sonic
4. Wendy’s
3. Whataburger
2. Jack in the Box
And, the best burger chain goes to:
1. Fuddruckers
Gastronome @ March 11th, 2009 at 4:49 pm

I used to go by “Tronome”, but In-N-Out gave me Gas…
ToddInChicago @ March 11th, 2009 at 4:49 pm

3. Sonic Cheeseburger
2. http://www.thecounterburger.com/
You have to try it. I had some in Utah last week, great stuff.
1. Double-Double from in-n-out
Heeno @ March 11th, 2009 at 4:52 pm

Does anyone not think Burger Street has an awesome burger?? In-N-Out is the best though
Big Cat @ March 11th, 2009 at 5:24 pm

This topic sucks………because I skipped lunch today and reading it makes me hungry
John @ March 11th, 2009 at 5:50 pm

Evan- I think you should’ve made a drive-thru stipulation to give this some focus. Chain is a bit too broad, and brings all sorts of places into the mix. But hey, it’s your blog.

I prefer Whataburger, but can understand why people like In-N-Out. I’ve been there several times and ate lunch there every day to confirm my opinion last time I was in CA. Having said that, I’m all about options and hope they expand to Dallas someday.

BTW, don’t forget about Braum’s. They’re sneaky good.
King Ryche @ March 11th, 2009 at 6:39 pm

In-N-Out is overrated. I keep trying to acquire the taste when I go to CA on business, but any burger place that doesn’t offer jalapenos can’t maximize their potential.

5. In-N-Out
4. Fuddrucker’s
3. Sonic
2. Culver’s (points for the frozen custard that follows)
1. Whataburger. Best jalapeno burger around.
blalockag @ March 11th, 2009 at 7:40 pm

1) Jacks, if it counts, definitely the best combo of burgers and Fries you can find + great shakes and actually very cheap.
2) Whataburger – its a texas institution and the A1 Thick and Hearty is one of my all time favorite burgers
3) In and Out – ive only been a few times, and its great, but im a homer

after that its a toss up to me, i cant really think about which ones id rank next
adam @ March 11th, 2009 at 8:23 pm

gotta throw in jakes/jakks/kellers their special is a damn fine burger…and culvers, just for the cheese curds
scott @ March 11th, 2009 at 8:50 pm

Evan:

You might want to mix in the Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger @ Carl’s JR. As a native Texan I am ashamed to say it’s better than Whataburger.
Evan Grant @ March 11th, 2009 at 9:04 pm

@King Ryche: Your inclusion of Culver’s is inspired and you Culver’s fans will be happy to know one is under construction on Bell Road just west of Surprise Recreation Campus. But you lost my respect with Fuddruckers. Potato Wedges? Really? What were they thinking. And the burgers are too big. Make ‘em more manageable.

@Scott: I’ve never eaten at Carl’s Jr. Again, my Carl’s opps usually come when I’m in SoCal. I see no reason to deviate from the In-N-Out plan there. And Carl’s has some pretty monstrous looking burgers, too. And by monstrous, I’m not making a compliment.

There are some choices on the list that I’ve never heard of. Going to have to look ‘em up and give them a try. But I do agree with John: To qualify for this, I think your restaurant has to meet one of the following criteria: 1) No wait staff or 2) A drive thru. Steak-n-Shake squeaks in under the Drive Thru stipulation.
Kenny In China @ March 11th, 2009 at 9:07 pm

I hate you guys, getting me all hungry for a burger that I cannot eat.

Maybe I ate at the wrong Krystals(Atl airport) but they were really bad!

I enjoyed my In-and-Out burger in L.A.

Steak and Shake is over-rated!

Sonic and Whataburger are by far my fav! Super Sonic with Cheese and Bacon rocks, Whataburgers Bacon Cheese Burger is also on of my favs. Of course, I love Whataburger most for it’s breakfast. Nothing like whataburger breakfast at 1am!
David @ March 11th, 2009 at 10:19 pm

Kincaid Burgers in Fort Worth fo sho
samags @ March 11th, 2009 at 11:13 pm

Slow day?
AC @ March 11th, 2009 at 11:44 pm

had one today in Tracy Calif. almost missed my plane. new t-shirt design is cool
Mike E @ March 12th, 2009 at 1:16 am

Two words
Fat Burger
Mike E @ March 12th, 2009 at 1:19 am

Some of these places are probably pretty good too…
http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/
I'm With Incaviglia @ March 12th, 2009 at 6:28 am

Burger House is far and away the best of any listed here and so glad we’ve got one in Austin now. I will have to try this Mooyah you all speak of now that I notice we have one in Austin as well.
Sriram @ March 12th, 2009 at 6:34 am

I’m with Big Cat – this post really $ucks, I’m in India right now and you can’t buy a real burger anywhere! I’ll take an In-n-Out double-double with grilled onions and a vanilla shake any day. I fly into Ontario (CA) when I visit my in-laws, and always make it a point to hit up the In-n-Out by the airport at least once.
A. Stephens, Raleigh NC @ March 12th, 2009 at 7:23 am

EG,
Since you’re from Hotlanta and you’ve probably had your share of Hardee’s burgers, you’ve eaten Carl’s Jr. It’s the same food. I don’t know how their deal works but it’s literally the same chain with different signage.
Evan Grant @ March 12th, 2009 at 7:49 am

The only time I have eaten at a Hardees in the last 30 years was the morning that I was meeting Josh Hamilton in Goldsboro, N.C. . I had a chicken biscuit there. Hard to mess up a chicken nugget on a biscuit.
Tom @ March 12th, 2009 at 9:06 am

Much like Tom Hicks, In-N-Out is my first and last stop in Vegas.
Fatburger (also on the strip) is good, but pales in comparison.
Mike Hindman @ March 12th, 2009 at 9:12 am

Sandra: I’ll drag Evan back out to Mooyah when he gets back from Surprise. That’ll show him what’s what.
Sandra @ March 12th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

You tell him, Mike! Or Jamey will tell him tomorrow when he arrives in Surprise.
bhudson @ March 12th, 2009 at 1:19 pm

Blake’s Lotaburger – New Mexico chain. It’s like the Whataburger or In N Out of NM. Maybe has locations in AZ or west TX. The burgers are quite similar to Whataburger (in the year and a half that I lived in Farmington, they became my hands-down favorite burger anywhere), but what *really* makes them is the availability of Green Chile.
JMac @ March 12th, 2009 at 1:37 pm

You got to put Angry Dog and Twisted Root in Dallas.
lil wayne @ March 12th, 2009 at 3:17 pm

what about the mcgangbang?

http://www.eatmedaily.com/2009/03/the-mcgangbang-a-mcchicken-sandwich-inside-a-double-cheeseburger/
Mike J @ March 12th, 2009 at 5:30 pm

I really enjoy Culvers. Being from the mid-west, Steak-N-Shake and Sonic are really the only 2 food joints I recognize that you all are talking about, but Culvers and their Butterburgers top them both IMO.
Wick O'bama @ March 12th, 2009 at 6:28 pm

1) In N Out
2) Fatburger
3) 5 Guys
4) Whataburger
5) MooYa

Honorable mention: Chip’s on Cole, RIP
scott @ March 12th, 2009 at 7:40 pm

Evan:

Your former employee carried a story a couple a weeks ago that Carl’s is expanding back into TX with 200 locations by 2011. I’m not the biggest fan of the rest of their menu but the DWBC is a winner in my book.

Chaps in in Metroplex has a good burger as well.
Goyo @ March 12th, 2009 at 10:48 pm

Down Austin way, Casino El Camino has the best burgers in town. A medium-size alternative bar with a one-man ktichen, pool tables upstairs, a small patio in the back, and B-horror flics playing in the background. How can you not check them out? The have an interesting menu as well. If you don’t get there before 10pm, you could wait 30 minutes for your burger, but then, people go to hang out, not get take-out.

http://www.casinoelcamino.net/menu.php
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