In-N-Out makes a perfect burger.
What makes In-N-Out special is its value. Taste, presentation, and price are all excellent. In some places, a Double-Double is cheaper than a Big Mac from McDonald’s. And yet, the quality is so much higher. The restaurants are nicer. The staff is friendlier. How In-N-Out manages to maintain its very high standards while still being an economical option is a miracle.
Burgers are half-wrapped and placed on end, so you get a perfect view of what’s inside. Every burger is picturesque.
A Double-Double is the platonic ideal of a cheeseburger. There exists a perfect ratio of every ingredient. The menu is dead simple. All complexity is hidden to prevent indecisiveness at the counter. It has clearly been thoughtfully designed.
In-N-Out locations are often unbelievably busy. The drive-thru lane is notoriously ridiculous; ordering inside is quicker.
My first apartment was walking distance from an In-N-Out. That was dangerous. Sending an image of a Double-Double in a coworker group chat at Apple consistently got everyone on board for a lunch outing. I came back from an international trip and left the airport during my connection to go to the nearest In-N-Out. When I’m in Anaheim for Disneyland, I will gladly leave the park early to get In-N-Out with friends. When I lived in Portland, my friend Jeff and I drove 40 minutes to get a couple Double-Doubles each, every month. And when I moved to Tokyo, I waited six hours for an In-N-Out popup.
What I’m saying is: In-N-Out is really good.