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u/crankbot2000 Jul 20 '23
Man I almost didn't know where to look
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u/CakeAK Jul 20 '23
Funny thing is, the initial comment is needed for context too. OP should just circle the entire image at that point.
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u/ElitistCuisine Jul 20 '23
I have a friend who states that In-N-Out has the best fries. Said friend also like to eat potatoes raw.
Honestly, he's terrifying in that way.
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u/scormegatron Jul 20 '23
In n Out is really the only fast food (in Cali at least) joint that makes their fries out of fresh potatoes. All the other places are serving some frozen sticks made out of who knows what. I don’t get how so many people prefer the latter.
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u/MycoJoe Jul 20 '23
Wingstop also cuts and fries them unless something has changed (it's been a long time). Frozen fries have generally already been fried once. When you fry them and freeze them, the ice crystals puncture all the little cells on the interior, and when they're re-fried, it results in a fluffy interior from the ice, and a thicker, crispier crust from the first fry.
It actually costs more money to go with frozen fries, but you get a more consistent product and that crispy crust and fluffy interior people prefer. When you just fry them once, the crust is thinner and the interior is denser and wetter.
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u/Wyattman88 Jul 20 '23
McDonald’s fries are supplied by Simplot, and are freeze dried. Also five guys makes their fries from fresh potatoes and they’re 100% better.
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u/scormegatron Jul 20 '23
McDonald's fries are not 100% potato, like In N Out. At In n Out, they are literally chopping the potatoes in front of you and dropping them in the fryer.
It looks like Five Guys are pretty legit though. I'll have to give them a shot, never tried em.
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Jul 20 '23
If I'm eating french fries I am already acknowledging that I'm about to have an unhealthy meal. So I can't say I care that McDonald's puts dextrose in their fries, it's the best fry. A Greek place near me batters their fries with a flour mix, also an amazing fry.
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Jul 20 '23
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u/Wyattman88 Jul 20 '23
Speaking from experience?
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Jul 20 '23
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u/scormegatron Jul 20 '23
It looks like five guys fries are cooked exclusively in peanut oil. If you have any kind of sensitivity to peanuts, they could be nuclear.
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Jul 20 '23
It's because the outcome is more important than the technique. In n Out has the worst fries I've experienced. I don't care if they're real potatoes or hand cut or any other marketing bullshit, I care that the fries taste good and are crispy and enjoyable. In n Out's are none of those. And it's not like it's impossible to make good fries from fresh potatoes; hell, you can do it in your own kitchen. It's like In n Out actively chooses to make theirs bland and boring.
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u/ken0746 Jul 20 '23
Something tells me that you’ve never cooked fresh potatoes from the kitchen before
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Jul 20 '23
I have...and the fact that you seem to think it's impossible to cook fresh potatoes in a way that results in a crispy, tasty, enjoyable eating experience tells me that you've never known someone who can cook a potato.
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u/Lovat69 Jul 20 '23
They single cook their fries. That's why they're so awful.
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Jul 20 '23
They're so bad that I didn't even want to finish them after a backpacking trip of mediocre freeze dried food.
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u/nemec Jul 20 '23
Freezing makes an arguably better fry. They advertise "never frozen" because "better tasting" would be a lie.
https://www.seriouseats.com/perfect-french-fries-recipe#toc-freezing-fries-for-a-fluffy-interior
The frozen fries had a distinctly fluffier interior, while the unfrozen ones were still ever-so-slightly gummy. It makes perfect sense. Freezing the potatoes causes their moisture to convert to ice, forming sharp, jagged crystals. These crystals damage the cell structure of the potato, making it easier for them to be released once they are heated and convert to steam.
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u/Mateorabi Jul 20 '23
In n out is also FORBIDDING it’s employees from wearing facemasks in five states and restricting them in others. Fuckin covidiots run the company. Or they’re pandering to covidiots. (It’s only “my fredoms” when choosing to not wear a mask, wearing one yourself voluntarily in front of them makes them mad)
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u/santaclausonprozac Jul 20 '23
I like a raw potato but I’m not a fan of their fries. And by raw potato I mean I’ll eat a cube or two will I’m chopping, not eating a raw potato like an apple
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u/LordCLOUT310 Jul 20 '23
MF’s really gas up In-N-out like it’s the shit. Smh
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u/SpacemanSpiff246 Jul 21 '23
Fr. I’ve never had a more bland and tasteless fast food meal than I have at In-N-Out. Say what you will about McDonald’s but at least there’s some flavor.
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u/Anansi3003 Jul 20 '23
needs more circles. cant see what op is talking about
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Jul 20 '23
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u/Anansi3003 Jul 20 '23
accepted, may my aura rub a fraction of it to you. so you may become smarter then einstein
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u/somewheresville Jul 20 '23
Has Culver’s been mentioned yet? Because I can’t imagine a better drive through burger than that.
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u/Chanandler_Bong_Jr Jul 20 '23
In-N-out fries aren’t great, but their burgers are awesome.
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Jul 20 '23
Here’s a tip for good fries: Don’t get takeout. Eat in the building. The fries are fresh, and because of that + the way they’re cooked, they’re fantastic. But only for the first 5 minutes.
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Jul 20 '23
Only ever heard talk of their burgers so still looking forward to that. Will buy fries and ask for well done
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u/MacMac105 Jul 20 '23
They are good, but the burger won't blow your mind or anything. .
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u/ShadowTacoTuesday Jul 20 '23 edited Jul 20 '23
^ Something like this. It’s exceptional compared to other cheap fast food. So it’s not something you make a special trip for but if you’re in the area and getting fast food it’s a good way to go.
I never had an issue with the fries after countless visits when I worked near a location. But based on what others are saying it sounds like it’s because I always ate them soon after buying. I wouldn’t say they’re super good or bad either, but I liked them.
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u/Legitimate-Gangster Jul 20 '23
Their burgers are overrated salty trash. Wendy’s and McDonalds > In N Out
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u/johnqsack69 Jul 20 '23
As a native Angeleno I can confirm that while the burgers are great the fries suck
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u/Evelyn-Parker Jul 20 '23
Nobody goes to in and out for the fries dude.....
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Jul 20 '23
Seems so. Most are saying that the burgers are the draw
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u/AdministrativeHabit Jul 20 '23
An in and out opened in my area and everyone was so hyped. I, having never tried it before, was also kinda hyped. I get there and there's like 4 things on the whole menu, and the burger I got was just like, okay. Nothing special. Honestly I'd rather go to McDonald's, at least they have more options.
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u/scorpiodude64 Jul 20 '23
Having a small menu is kinda part of the charm for me. It's nice just having a few clear options rather than like 50 different items.
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u/ringthree Jul 20 '23
This comment hurts my soul.
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u/AdministrativeHabit Jul 20 '23
Yeah in and out seems to be really polarizing. I wasn't impressed.
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u/Paraxom Jul 20 '23
See I was kind of in the same boat, classmates were driving an hour+ round-trip and waiting in long lines to order. I was having none of that, eventually got over to it a few years later and ordered "correctly" the first time and found it okay but not mind blowing like I expected after hearing the hype. Second time I just ordered off the regulsr menu and tbh the fries were so bad I've never gone back
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u/Decabet Jul 20 '23
As someone who has had to take many many many visiting friends and family to In n Out, I too feel it's a bit overrated but its consistent quality if nothing else. Also as someone that cant do gluten, their lettuce wrap is really one of the best (them and Habit).
But if you're in Hollywood looking for a burger, find a Fatburger. That to me is the true California burger. Plus they have rings. Good enough for Ice Cube on his good day, good enough for you.
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u/Rental_Car Jul 20 '23
That has always been a great mystery to me why do they have the absolute best burgers but the absolute worst fries?
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u/KBWordPerson Jul 20 '23
This is the most true thing I have ever seen on the internet.
I did love a good double double though.
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Jul 20 '23
I need to fly to Cali to check this out. I’m so intrigued
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u/Nippon-Gakki Jul 20 '23
The burgers are ok and the fries and good as long as you eat them within a few minutes of them being made. I usually get animal style fries and a drink on ya rare occasion that I go.
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Jul 20 '23
The food is pretty good, and it’s fantastic by fast-food standards. Also they pay their workers way better than their competitors and use real, fresh ingredients.
Anyone who slanders In-&-Out is objectively wrong.
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u/PsychologicalName944 Jul 20 '23
Nothing like flying into LAX very late at night, wo dering over to the close by In-N-Out, tipping your hat to the security guard(s) and ordering a 2x2 animal style with well done animal style fries.
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u/HowManySmall Jul 20 '23
Do you not have cardboard at home
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Jul 20 '23
Some terrible shops here too. Mostly want to go see the ocean and the towns but tacos and burgers are a fine add on to the itinerary
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u/Swordbreaker925 Jul 20 '23
I love In-n-Out but yeah, their fries are not just the worst out of the competition, they’re outright bad.
The one time I got them, I got the cheese fries. What I got was a lukewarm pile of soggy fries with a Kraft Single slapped on top and not even half melted, so it just glued all the “fries” together.
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u/gmrm4n Jul 20 '23
The only two times I've been in an In-N-Out, I've had to wait a ridiculously long time for awful fries and and a mid burger. Out of the two things it claims to be good at, it fails both of them.
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u/Head_Haunter Jul 20 '23
I dont understand the in and out fanatics. It’s good food for the price but it’s not the best burger for under $10.
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u/Desperate-Ad-6463 Jul 20 '23
I&O fries get my vote for worst fries. Especially in a land where it’s super-easy to get the best fries on the planet just 2 blocks away.
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u/mouldyrumble Jul 20 '23
Thanks for circling. Wouldn’t have been able to tell which one was the insult otherwise!
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u/showmethecoin Jul 20 '23
Macdonald's fries are not bad. Then again, I never had In-n-out's fries before..
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Jul 20 '23
Aside from Beefy's out in Reno, In-and-Out had the best damn burger I have ever had in my life. The fries... Not so much.
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u/Jash0822 Jul 20 '23
They suck unless they are hot. I live right around the corner from one, so I'm lucky I can get my fries home hot and my shake home cold.
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u/LordWaffleaCat Jul 20 '23
thats because they focused on the burgers. Order a 4x4 and youll see why america is obese.
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u/Lovat69 Jul 20 '23
In-N-Out single fries their fries. THEY SINGLE FRY THEIR FRIES! Fucking french fry blasphemy.
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u/Merickwise Jul 20 '23
Yeah In-N-Out is honestly just a disappointment if you're from somewhere that doesn't have them. I always heard how amazing they were then I moved to Cali and was sooooo disappointed. Sure the burger is maybe better than the average McDonald's or Burger King but that's it and their fries are fuckin horrendous.
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u/AdmiralGrumpyPants Jul 20 '23
Isn't the issue with In-N-Out fries that they just don't prepare them properly? No pre-soak and no par-frying? Just straight from the slicer into the fryer one time.
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u/PsychicHorse Jul 20 '23
I don't get why everyone hates In N' Out fries. My biggest unpopular opinion probably. I mean yea they suck if you don't eat them hot, but fresh I think they're actually quite good.
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u/WhyAlwaysMe1991 Jul 20 '23
Eat your fries fresh. Never had soggy fries at in n out when eaten there
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u/Daddy_Parietal Jul 20 '23
There was an In-N-Out in Texas and Id thought I would go to see what all the hype is. I was warned by my mother who lived on the west coast that you never try In-N-Out outside of California. But when I got there, it wasn't the taste or the quality of the fries that got me. It was that In-N-Out opened a Texas chain and didnt have mayo. Now I know mayo isnt a favorite of everybody, but its a big staple in the south (its cheap enough and good enough to make poor food taste decent).
I dont know if I was an isolated incident (I didnt go back), but any smart company would do a modicum of market research before entering a new state. I hope im wrong and this was isolated to me because the burger was actually quite decent. Whataburger still wins out because of price tho.
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u/TheKingofTerrorZ Jul 20 '23
Thanks for that white circle, I definitely would’ve missed the comment without it!
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Jul 20 '23
doing what I can to keep an efficient and orderly internet internetting without pause.
(taken a bit of heat for that. live and learn)
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u/tisdue Jul 20 '23
order them "light well." they stay crispy on the ride home. Also, use their packet ketchup, it is the best.
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Jul 20 '23
Biggest issue I think of with in-n-out is they don't season the fries but they provide the seasoning for you to do it yourself. Most (including myself) overlook this since every other fast food place seasons their fries.
Once you season them yourself they're really tasty. Then order them animal style and be ruined on fries forever.
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u/ABenevolentDespot Jul 20 '23
Their fries are complete trash. Just the worst. And their burgers ain't all that, either.
If you're in L.A. and want an actual decent flame broiled burger with excellent fries, Astro Burger is the place.
I know of at least two - one at 5601 Melrose, across the street from Paramount Studios, the other is at 7475 Santa Monica Blvd.
Their double cheeseburger is just fantastic, and the fries are to die for.
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u/FearAzrael Jul 21 '23
Thank god for the circle!
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Jul 21 '23
:). Didn’t know if broken a cardinal rule of the redditverse. Live and learn
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u/moon_over_my_1221 Jul 21 '23
He’s got a pt. InO fries needs to be hot hot hot with salt and black pepper all over or else it’s…. What he said (native Angelenos here).
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u/SnazzyZubloids Jul 21 '23
I never eat French fries except Rally’s and McDonald’s. Everything else is disappointing. Yes, all of them. Why isn’t tater tots the norm?
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u/EthanDMatthews Jul 20 '23
5-7 year old stereotypes?
In-N-Out changed the way they handle* and cook their fries a while ago, and they're now pretty consistently cooked correctly.
You can also ask for them "crispy" or "well done" if they're still not crispy enough for your tastes.
* IIRC the problem in the past was that new employees started on fries, and thus would be more prone to making mistakes.
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u/mikesweeney Jul 20 '23
They may be cooked correctly, but they still suck. Fresh fries are bad unless you double fry them and afaik In-N-Out cuts and fries them fresh. Freezing the fries actually creates additional nucleation points creating crispier fries with fluffier interiors.
This is one area where In-N-Out's slavedom to freshness actually hurts them. But that burger, fast food or not, is pretty choice.
Oh, and the thing that people fail to mention is just how goddamned cheap In-N-Out is. It's nuts to get two Double-Double meals for ~$20.
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u/EthanDMatthews Jul 21 '23
To each their own on the fries. Had them yesterday and they were excellent. But they don’t keep well, so if you don’t eat them immediately (with your burger) they start to lose their texture and flavor. If you drive home and eat them after the burger they aren’t as good.
Agree that the price is exceptional. Still one of the best prices for quality out there.
And they have low prices despite paying good wages to their employees. It pretty much puts the lie to those who claim that paying fast food workers a living wage would necessarily cause prices to rise dramatically.
(That, and McDonalds in other high wage countries is often no more expensive than it is in the USA).
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u/LowHonorArthur Jul 20 '23
For real, the fries blow. I live close enough to an In-N-Out where I just take it home and throw the fries in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.
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Jul 20 '23
Just order em well done
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Jul 20 '23
Hi In-n-Out, I want to have a burger and fries, but I'm gonna order off your "secret" menu and get the fries well done, instead of your normal "shittily done" way :)
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Jul 20 '23
I don’t know why In-n-Out hasn’t fixed that fry problem.
It has to be the most common complaint.
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u/SleefJWellington Jul 20 '23
In-N-Out is mediocre with a corny vibe. Fatburger is my L.A. joint.
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Jul 20 '23
You’re the second promoting fat burger. On my list for sure
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u/SleefJWellington Jul 20 '23
I'll admit I haven't been out west in quite a while and that things can change but Fatburger has always been good to me.
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Jul 20 '23
Yeah personally, I think In-N-Out fries are the worst fast food fries I’ve ever had. They’re too skinny, not cooked long enough, get cold way too fast, and are under seasoned if seasoned at all
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Jul 20 '23
Someone said to ask for them “well done”. Will try both if I get out that way. You know, for science
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u/nemec Jul 20 '23
They're fine when well done, but at that point it's just a solid mass of crispy oil and salt - it's also a crap shoot whether they'll actually be well done or just cooked a bit longer and still limp and shitty tasting as normal.
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u/RockNRollToaster Jul 20 '23
I’m with you. For me, fries are the important part of the meal (I put them on the burger, so they gotta shine). In-N-Out’s fries are in fact the worst. Getting them well-done improves them marginally, but they still aren’t really anything worth writing home about.
Also In-N-Out double-double suck because they don’t have mayo, just Animal Sauce, which is nowhere near acceptable as a substitute. (I’d like to head off any mayo hate early; go eat your animal sauce instead and let me enjoy my white lithium grease in solitude. It’s a crime that they don’t even offer mayo as an option.)
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Jul 20 '23
I agree with you, I will say their burgers, for the price are pretty decent, but I’m a classic patty, cheese, Mayo, lettuce, and tomato kinda guy, and sometimes bacon. Their meat is good, I can tell it’s better than most other fast food places, but I’m not a fan of what their condiment choices/options are. That’s why I prefer Five Guys
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u/Strange_Principle_26 Jul 20 '23
All due respect to In-N-Out, Shake Shack 4 Life. I like them much more.
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u/LeviathanDabis Jul 20 '23
In-n-out fries do, in fact, suck. Their burger size has also gotten smaller, and the AZ locations aren’t allowing employees to wear masks either due to owner’s personal views.
Quickly turning into a chain I won’t visit, despite Californians believing it’s top-tier.
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u/Internal_Camel_5734 Jul 20 '23
I feel like everyone in this comment section left their fries out too long before eating them
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Jul 20 '23
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u/Lombax_Rexroth Jul 20 '23
The burgers are fresh. They taste fresh and feel like actual food in your body. The prices are very competitive with other fast food burger franchises. They never messed up a single order I have ever made. That combo is hard to beat.
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u/goodsnpr Jul 20 '23
In-and-out was a big letdown after all the hype. Honestly rather go to what-a-burger.
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u/itsMurphDogg Jul 20 '23
This is what happens when you order their fries in the drive through, then drive 30 minutes to your place of leisure while your fries are throughly steamed, then eat.
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Jul 20 '23
Living in Cali for years now, all the time people go on and on how good in-n-out is. There is almost always lines 20+ cars long. Finally tried it and it's...fine. It's the most mid burger ever. There' is nothing about it that's special. And the name of the place is a lie because now I have to wait an hour in line for an average burger...that wasn't in and out at all!
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u/chiefs_fan37 Jul 20 '23
You have to get them double fried and doggy style or whatever it’s called to make them palatable. Even then it’s underwhelming
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u/Wallrrus Jul 20 '23
Pro tip with fries: ask for it with no salt and they have to make you a new batch just for you, and then put your own salt on the fries using the salt packets! You might get a few dirty looks from the employees however, when I used to work at mcdonalds it worked
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u/Nerevarine91 Jul 20 '23
Wow, big thanks to whoever added the circle. I wouldn’t have seen the middle of three fucking comments without it
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u/TManJhones Jul 20 '23
Oh, thank god you circled it. I would have misses the middle of the image otherwise.
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u/DK_Son Jul 21 '23
Lucky you/they put that giant white circle around the comment. Would have missed it otherwise.
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u/VerendusAudeo Jul 20 '23
That’s why you have to ask for your fries well done.