I finally tried In-N-Out for the first time.
I wanted to love the chain, but it just couldn’t live up to huge expectations.
In-N-Out’s reputation actually hurts the experience by setting the bar too high.
I just made my first trip to California, and as a fast food reporter, trying In-N-Out was high on my list of priorities.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
With just under 400 units as of 2021, the West Coast burger chain punches far above its weight in terms of fans and media attention.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
In-N-Out is tiny compared to other popular chains. McDonald’s is 37 times larger, and even Chick-fil-A is seven times larger, based on 2021 restaurant locations.
Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
I saw several people sporting In-N-Out merch in LA on the street and in the airport, so it’s clear the chain has a diehard fan base.
In-N-Out
The chain packs a punch with sales numbers, too.
Sarah Jacobs
In-N-Out is privately held and doesn’t release sales numbers, but in 2018 Forbes reported that In-N-Out locations did an average of $4.5 million in annual sales, about double McDonald’s average.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Source: Forbes
In 2020, total sales topped $1 billion, according to Technomic estimates.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Source: Restaurant Business Online
I visited a walk-up window in Orange County, which was set up next to the drive-thru and worked similarly.
Mary Meisenzahl
The menu is quite small and simple, which I appreciated, though there are also additions from the “secret menu.”
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
I opted to go super classic, with a cheeseburger, animal style, fries, and a chocolate milkshake.
Mary Meisenzahl
The animal-style cheeseburger came with lettuce, pickles, tomato, grilled onions, and extra sauce —not unlike a typical burger with everything on it at most chains.
Mary Meisenzahl
It was definitely good and made a respectable fast food hamburger.
Mary Meisenzahl
I have no complaints, and it checked all the boxes a good burger should, but it didn’t absolutely wow me the way I was hoping.
Mary Meisenzahl
I would definitely eat it again, but I’m not going to go out of my way to get this specific burger when I’ve had others that are comparable.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The fries, however, were not good at all.
Mary Meisenzahl
They were limp and bland.
Mary Meisenzahl
It’s one thing to serve bad fries, but it’s much worse to have a small, curated menu where one of the items is just irredeemably bad.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The milkshake was easily the highlight of my meal. It was delicious and decadent without tasting too artificial.
Mary Meisenzahl
I was impressed by the price, which was just under $9. I definitely felt like I got a good deal, even if it wasn’t the life-changing meal I’d been promised.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
I desperately wanted to love In-N-Out.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Everything feels retro and comforting, from the kitschy uniforms employees wear to the simple menu and promises of fresh food.
Melia Robinson/Business Insider
I think the chain’s glowing reputation is actually a hindrance, at least in my case.
Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
Without the massive expectations I got from the internet and every person that I told about my upcoming trip, I think I would have enjoyed a perfectly nice meal.
Adam Lau/AP
By the time I tried it, my expectations were just too high, and In-N-Out ultimately failed to live up to them.
Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
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