: I was dying to go to In ‘n’ Out Burger… until I saw this. Layne, Welch, what do you have to say to this?
18 responses to “Belch”
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There’s a somewhat more attractive photo of the same monstrosity in the current Business 2.0 (actually Photoshopped if you look closely). Despite this, damn, those are some tasty burgers.
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As a devoted fan of In-N-Out, allow me to point out the obvious: this sandwich is not representative of the typical In-N-Out sandwich. In fact, you’ll notice that it does not even appear on the 3-item menu (hamburger, cheeseburger, double double (with TWO patties and TWO slices of cheese))
Second, this proves that you really can have it “your way” at In-N-Out, whether your way involves extra ketchup or 16 patties. And that’s not even In-N-Out’s marketing slogan!
Third, there is no accounting for people’s tastes and desire to achieve petty weblog fame by exhibiting not only an outrageous food order, but chronicaling every masticated detail in a full color photo spread. My brother used to do this, except his version was “Do you like sea food? SEE–Ahhhhhhhhh.”
In closing, I fail to see how this would turn anyone away from In-N-Out. If one disgusting man ate a Big Mac through his nose would you avoid McDonald’s? No. You would simply order a regular menu item and eat it in a normal fashion. And in the case of In-N-Out, you would enjoy it greatly because the burgers there are really good. -
this sandwich is not representative of the typical In-N-Out sandwich.
Good to know. -
Actually, it’s kind of disappointing.
Damn, I’m hungry. [eyes clock] -
this sandwich is not representative of the typical In-N-Out sandwich.
But is this customer representative of athe typical In-N-Out customer? -
Is this customer representative of the typical In-N-Out customer?
I imagine it would be, if they had In-N-Out in Pittsburg. Happily, they don’t. -
On the Left Coast, Mr. Populist, we don’t judge our burger stands by the perceived acceptability of the clientele….
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Hey, I’m nothing if not judgmental; I’m a New Yorker.
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Sigh … I guess I’d say that a small family-owned chain of hamburger stands with a well-paid, health-insured staff who will gladly make whatever a customer wants — whether it’s a “grilled cheese” or a 20-patty sandwich — is a company that will continue to earn the sort of loyalty and free media attention the fast-food factories couldn’t buy for all the money in the world. People could give a shit about AOL or whatever conglomerate. Yet when an In-n-Out opens, there are lines around the block. (Hell, when there are *rumors* of an In-and-Out opening, it’s front page news.)
Or, as a real populist (and great American writer) once sang:
Oh well, oh well, I feel so good today,
We touched ground on an international runway
Jet propelled back home, from over the seas to the U. S. A.
New York, Los Angeles, oh, how I yearned for you
Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge
Let alone just to be at my home back in ol’ St. Lou.
Did I miss the skyscrapers, did I miss the long freeway?
From the coast of California to the shores of Delaware Bay
You can bet your life I did, till I got back to the U. S. A.
Looking hard for a drive-in, searching for a corner cafe
Where hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day
Yeah, and a juke-box jumping with records like in the U.S.A.
Well, I’m so glad I’m livin’ in the U.S.A.
Yes. I’m so glad I’m livin’ in the U.S.A.
Anything you want, we got right here in the U.S.A. -
Don’t forget the fries: Freshly made from real potatoes, not frozen starch bio-manufactured to corporate specifications.
There are no freezers in any In-n-Out drive-in.
That tells you something right there. -
In-N-Out Burger was founded by Harry and Esther Snyder in Baldwin Park, California, in 1948. Although this chain of west coast hamburger restaurants has since grown to more than 140 outlets, control still rests in the hands of the Snyder family. According to the company’s web site: “In-N-Out remains privately owned and the Snyder family has no plans to take the company public or franchise any units.” The Snyders are a religious family, and their continuing to control their own company means they can put what they want on their product packaging. They’ve chosen to include pointers to particular Bible verses that we presume hold special meaning for them.
The soda cup bears the notation John 3:16:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The milkshake cup lists Proverbs 3:5:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
The hamburger and cheeseburger wrappers point to Revelation 3:20:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
The wrap used for the “Double-Double” (two burger patties and two slices of cheese) lists Nahum 1:7:
The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
We examined the packaging of other menu offerings from In-N-Out (coffee cups, milk containers, french fry trays) but failed to uncover any further pointers to Bible verses. The five we’ve found expound upon a shared theme: belief in the Lord.
As proselytizing goes, this is about as low-key as it gets. Not even the texts of the verses themselves are printed out; those looking to absorb the messages (and who don’t have this article handy) have to do so with the assistance of their own Bibles. Yet even so, the presence of those simple notations has been interpreted by some as indicative of a lurking menace; we’ve had folks tell us they’ve heard In-N-Out Burger was “owned by the religious right” or “the Christian Coalition,” or a “sect,” or that bible-study classes were secretly held at each location. Likewise, the search for a good backstory to enliven whatever appears even slightly mysterious has given birth to a rumor that the presence of the Bible verses is in some way connected to the 1993 death of son Richard Snyder (41) in a plane crash. Though even In-N-Out Burger can’t provide a precise date when the Bible citations were first placed on their packaging, company records indicate they’ve been there at least since 1987, which rules out the “deceased son” theory.
Those whom Bible verses make cross-eyed have far more to be concerned about from Alaska Airlines. That carrier places a Bible scripture card on every meal tray. Or Bess Eaton, the New England donut-and-coffee chain, which has Bible verses printed on its disposable cups. -
In-N-Out is the best! On the ol’ totem pole of fast food places, In-N-Out is definately at the top(McDonald’s at the bottom).
This nasty pile of meat & cheese shouldn’t turn you off. This is just some dork ordering something just to see what it looks like.
It’s got a simple menu:
Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Double Cheeseburger (aka Double Double),
French Fries,
Soda(coke,etc),
Milkshake(vanilla,strawberry,chocolate)
Combo # 1 — a double double,fries,drink
Combo # 2 — cheese burger, fries,drink
Combo # 3 — hamburger,fries,drink
That’s it! Sorry, you can’t find any compressed chicken crumbs at In-N-Out.
People in the know can also get their order prepared in a way not on the menu:
Animal Style — has grilled onions, more of “special sauce”(thousand island type stuff) on your burger
Protein Style — instead of buns, you get lettuce leaves instead
3×3(3 meat,3 cheese), 4×4,etc,& apparently up to 20×20 or so.
You can also mix & match. For instance it’s perfectly acceptable to order a “3 by 3, animal & protein style” although, that example is probably not such a good idea.
Also, In-N-Out treats their employees better than the industry average… the employees get $8+/hr while the other fast food joints are payin the minimum. The store manager can get about $80k/yr, or so I’ve heard.(& a combo still costs under $5(well, $4.96 for a #1 incuding tax)
Anyways, it’s the best. Too bad it’s not in very many places outside of california.
About the bible verses thing, all you see on the bottom inside rim of the cup is “3:16”. Never noticed the other ones! -
Another verse –
“One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.” [Romans 14:2] -
And order the fries well-done–otherwise, they are sort of pale and limp.
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If you want a nasty looking but extremely tasty burger, you can’t beat The Original Tommy’s:
http://www.originaltommys.com/burger.html
To go with that chili burger, you’ve got to have an order of chili cheese fries. Woo baby, nummy! -
Sounds great. Wish we had one in Nashville.
I’d order the protein Double whenever I could. Allergic to wheat and all which stinks, but what can you do?
Whattaburger’s in Texas is pretty good too. -
“Get me a bucket. I’m gonna fwow up.”
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We used to have some Whattaburger stores in Southern California, especially in my childhood home Thousand Oaks. They all disappeared in the 80’s for some reason.
True Tommy’s aficionados look askance at the fries. While good in general they aren’t part of the classic menu.
