Bay Area Vacation Review

"What we like is their menu -- it is so simple. They have only three, as I recall. There is the Cheeseburger and the Hamburger ... and then there is the Double-Double. Off hand, you would know what burger size you want. You know, in McD's, it's kind of confusing sometimes making the difference between a BigMac, Big Xtra, Quarter Pounders and what nots. See that menu above the cashier's head? Well, the menu is that simple. I like it."

"The burgers were great. Some of the best we had ever tried from a fast food place. They gave us our orders in a neatly stacked box of four ... just perfect for an obsessive-compulsive person like me. Well, almost perfect ... one piece of lettuce stuck out which was not a problem because I just need to push it in to make it perfect."

Check out Ben's full review with yummy pictures on Chow Times here.

Best Place to get a Date with Paris?: The In-N-Out Drive Thru of Course!

"I guess she really has turned over a new leaf: After hitting Les Deux with her sometime BFF Micheline (and former ANTM castoff), Paris took pity on some poor sap in the In N Out drive thru and rolled down her window to accept his phone number! And you all thought she'd done nothing for charity since getting out of jail!"

Check out the story and pics.

Seinfeld on Marketing

No Soup for You!

Like the soup ordering rules in the famous "Soup Nazi" Seinfeld skit, In-N-Out's secret menu creates a sense of belonging in the "in" crowd, according to this marketing blog. <-- following that link also lets you watch the show clip.

What's the 489th Combat Support Unit hungry for on return from Afghanistan?

In-N-Out of course. (this is a fan site)


"While overseas, the 489th Combat Support Unit based in San Bernardino provided logistical support for other units including NATO and the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, said Sgt. 1st Class Jeffery Ferrell, of Lompoc."
...
"Cook is looking forward to grabbing an In-N-Out burger and then spending a day with family and friends at Disneyland, he said.

Cook's wife, Joanna, said she is glad to have her husband home so that he can catch up on his honey-dos. But she also worries about him going back to his civilian job. Cook is a prison guard at Ironwood State Prison in Blythe.

"I'm more worried about him being a prison guard than being in Afghanistan," Joanna Cook said.

Jump

"Pay it Forward" Movement

Relive the Tuscon opening day hype and see the beginning of the In-N-Out "Pay it Forward" Movement with this humorous video:

The Perfect Order

If I ever get hungry enough, I think I'll try Rudy's favorite order:

- Triple Triple Animal Style
- Large Fries, Cooked Light, Animal Style
- Root Beer Float

Sounds pretty good. What's your favorite In-N-Out order?

In-N-Out Sets Sights on Copycats

If you're like many entrepreneurial In-N-Out fans out there, you've thought of opening your own In-N-Out-Style burger joint in one of the many states that doesn't have one yet. Now you may have to think again as In-N-Out begins striking back with its suit against Chadder's. In our earlier review of Chadder's we pointed out the many similarities that are obviously copied from In-N-Out: menu design, architecture, secret menu item choices -- just to name a few.

I'm sure Chadder's is in some legal trouble here (each individual complaint sounds petty, but the culmination of all the imitations is difficult to defend) -- at least they could have made their infringement a little less blatant like Fiamma Burger did in Washington.

All that being said, why bother? Why sue a small business in a location you don't compete in? I suppose it's to stop the bad behavior before it spreads, for that I don't blame them. InO has been close to opening Utah locations in the past, this is further insight into their (slow) expansion plans.

Also, I recommend reading Tim Schreiber's opposing viewpoint on his blog, from there you can even read the court documents! Exciting.

Update: Chadder's has already made some changes in response to the lawsuit. The Cattle Network provides a great rundown of the suit here. Here's a quote:

"Moreover, its court response said that after being sued Chadders underwent some changes, among other things painting railings blue and switching to blue aprons for employees. Chadders also contended that In-N-Out locations around the West had inconsistent exteriors.

The case is continuing, but on June 29 the judge issued a temporary restraining order barring Chadders' use of trademarked names of In-N-Out sandwiches, including the Animal Style, Double-Double and 3x3 burgers. Chadders' employees were instructed to tell customers asking for such items that they aren't available."

InO Knockoff in Washington

Another smart company is capitalizing on the simplicity of In-N-Out's time-tested menu in Bellingham, WA -- with a few changes just so it's not totally obvious. Fiamma Burger opens in just 47 days with an innovative promotion (see pic left). Jason Lee writes a great review for the Baron & Company Blog.

"Fiamma Burger, “Bellingham’s premier all-natural burger joint,” has a beautifully simple menu, similar to In-N-Out Burger’s menu, a virbant looking atmosphere and is positioned as a distinctively different burger choice to the competition just across the street (Bob’s Burger & Brew)."

First Experience

In-N-Out is yet again a California tourist's destination, right up there with Hollywood Boulevard.

"The next day we romped around San Diego all day, seeing the sites. It was my first time seeing the Pacific Ocean and I was inspired to attempt to conquer my fear of heights. I failed. But I also had my very first In-N-Out Burger, of which I approve."

Wanna write for In-N-Out Talk?

Do you love In-N-Out and want to write about it? Have you been to In-N-Out and have an interesting story, video, or pictures to share? Well, here's your chance:

In-N-Out Talk is looking for good contributors to this blog. The requirements are simple and there are two ways you can be involved:

1. One-time post:
- All you need to do is email in your post to innouttalk@gmail.com, with associated pictures and link to video if applicable, and we'll add it to the site (assuming it's approved).

2. Official Author:
- Email one post to innouttalk@gmail.com, with associated pictures and link to video if applicable.
- Include in your email your commitment to posting 3 times per month.
- Then we will send you the invite to have access to authoring posts directly to this blog.