In-N-Out VS. McDonald's

The hamburger is both an American classic and the most recognizable menu item in fast food chains and restaurants from San Diego to Tokyo. Although there are many variations on the type of meat (beef, turkey, veggie, etc.), toppings (cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, bacon, avocado, mushrooms, chili, etc.), and dressing (Thousand Island, mustard, mayo, ketchup, barbecue sauce, etc.) hamburgers are a restaurant regular and historical favorite of both children and adults. The hamburger surpasses all cultural and religious divides, and unites the masses. While some may say that it's just a burger, coming from a cheeseburger connoisseur...all burgers are not created equal.

McDonald's is synonymous with giddy childhoods and bumpy road trips, but once you get past the age of 14 the majority of us desire a more sophisticated burger. Before I became a food snob a Quarter Pounder with cheese brought me as much joy as any burger could. The half pound of beef drenched in cheese, stuffed between a sesame seen bun, garnished with thick cut onions, and a squirt of ketchup are a stunning combination for any occasion, but it's a crap shoot.
Unfortunately, the McDonald's Quarter Pounder is usually waiting for me before I even have a chance to order it. On an off day the bread is stiff, the meat is dry , and the cheese is slick. The dehydrated shredded lettuce is poured from cellophane bags daily, and I have masterminded a creative way to get fresh food from McDonald's...special order. I have ultimately forced them to make me a new sandwich by requesting a Quarter Pounders with extra ketchup, a Filet O' Fish with extra tartar sauce, and french fries with easy salt. My plan isn't fool proof, but it works most of the time.

The alternative to gambling with pre-cooked burgers is In-N-Out Burger. With an uncomplicated, no frills menu, In-N-Out Burger specializes in burgers, fries, and shakes. The one and only focus is burgers--not chicken, fish, or salads; it is a carnivore's dream. All of the ingredients are fresh and every single burger is made to order. The gristle-free beef is never frozen, the hand-leafed lettuce is crisp and fresh, the tomato slices are plentiful, and the buns are always soft and lightly grilled on the inside. The end result is a multi-ingredient masterpiece called a "Double Double" that contains two juicy beef patties smothered with two pieces of cheese, Thousand Island dressing, crisp lettuce, and plump tomato rings stuffed inside of a fluffy bun.

Although the burgers are pure perfection as is, I have been prone to order something that is off the menu (but well-known) called "Animal Style" (extra dressing, grilled onions, and pickles). Quite frankly, more than half of their most popular items are off the menu, shrouded in secrecy and urban legend. On occasion I have ordered another secret item called the "Protein burger", which is a carb-free "Double Double" wrapped in a full lettuce leaf. Sadly, I must draw the line somewhere, so I have never sampled the "Three by Three" or "Four by Four", another "off the menu" item that contains three or four patties and duplicate pieces of cheese. The Flying Dutchman is simply two meat patties and two slices of cheese; it includes no bun, vegetables, or spread. Other secret items include: grilled cheese sandwiches, meatless burgers, root beer floats, and chiles.

Their french fries are peeled and sliced right in the restaurant for your viewing pleasure; they are meatier and fresher than McDonald's infamous fries. The signature burger, fries, and real ice cream shakes cause traffic jams to the point that a cashier equipped with a PDA-style device called a handheld greets you before you get to the drive-thru to head off the onslaught of eager customers. Ironically, In-N-Out and McDonald's are competitively priced, but the quality of In-N-Out far surpasses McDonald's.

From a practical standpoint, cleanliness is an important part of a fast food restaurant's image. If I had a dollar for every McDonald's that I have entered over the years, I could probably buy a franchise myself. Sadly, most McDonald's restaurants from Los Angeles to New York look the same, somber and bleak. In stark contrast, In-N-Out Burger is painted sterile white inside and out, making the place look refreshingly clean and bright. The employees are super friendly and accomodating at all times.

McDonald's serves its purpose in the middle of nowhere because of its familiar brand name, but it's not my first choice. I have driven over 10 or 15 miles, passing several McDonald's in order to get to the little piece of ecstasy nestled in a piece of wrapping paper and a white envelope. The smell of a freshly grilled burger permeates your nose, and drowns your senses. If you try their burger just once, you too will be In-N-Out of there a couple of times a week.