I never intended for this blog to be a food critic platform, but since one of my taglines is demolishing hype I figured I'd try and unpack this whole In 'N' out burger craze.
I live in the American Midwest where there is no In 'n' Out burger franchise but, I have heard incessantly from at least a dozen people, most of which haven't talked to each other about this cult following, excuse me hamburger place, about how great it is.
I mean man you HAVE to try it! they are great, it's awesome, they have a secret menu, (and apparently some sort of mind control beam that tells everybody who eats there to be an In 'N' out Burger evangelist or else!)
So finally my opportunity...
I was recently outside of Reno NV where there are a couple of these franchises. I eat relatively clean compared to most everyone I know so when I eat any fast food is basically a total "cheat."
As we were headed through town I saw an In 'n' out sign from the freeway and decided to swing in and check these guys out. As we pulled up, the dining area was slam packed, didn't look like an open seat in the house, the drive thru was lined up 15-20 cars deep. this on a Monday night no less, (typically the slowest night in the food business.)
So I'm thinking to myself "OK this has got to be pretty decent to say the least, but no way am I waiting in a line like that!"
We hit up the next closest In 'n' out, which was not nearly as slammed as the first.
I ordered just a basic double burger (since I'm a noob and don't know the secret menu)
This was the single most disappointing anti-climatic meal I've ever eaten in my entire life.
I mean the bun was toasted, wow, which made it slightly better than McDonald's (and McDonald's is only slightly better than dog food.)
This was a below average hamburger to say the least, paper thin beef patties (greasy ones), basic lettuce, tomato, and onion. Yeah and the fries sucked pretty bad too.
I ate it, but keep in mind I had gone nearly all day with hardly a bite to eat. If this thing was even mildly good it would have tasted delicious as hungry as I was.
I truly don't get it. It reminded me of why I so often avoid pretty much anything that is hyped up to to near idol status anymore.
At end of the day it usually turns out that's all it ever was, hype.
Maybe I caught them on an off day, maybe only the secret menu has the pure awesomeness locked inside of it, but I doubt it.
Any IN- 'N'- OUT' cult members here care to tell me what I've missed?