Must-Try Delicacies in San Francisco – In-N-Out’s “Not-So-Secret Menu”!

Text & Photos byPapa Seahorse

When it comes to burgers, it’s widely agreed that in the Vancouver area, A&W’s burger family tastes better than the various offerings from McDonald’s and Burger King. With its family-style approach, freshly made taste, and homey flavors, the burgers here have won widespread popularity. The names of their burgers range from Mom & Dad, Teenager, and Little Baby all the way to Grandma & Grandpa, covering all ages from children to seniors.

But are there burgers better than A&W’s? Of course there are—but you’ll have to fly to the U.S. West Coast and find a fast-food joint with a wacky yellow arrow sign: In-N-Out Burger. This small burger shop, which opened in 1948, has become a household name in the U.S. after nearly 70 years. Even so, not every American can get their hands on an In-N-Out burger—the restaurant’s locations are limited to six states along the West Coast and the South. Vancouverites who want to try one have to drive nearly 10 hours to Oregon in the U.S. to satisfy their craving.

Step into any In-N-Out with its yellow arrow logo on white walls, and you’ll definitely miss the lavishly decorated McDonald’s or Burger King outlets of recent years. To put it plainly, the style is very much like that of McDonald’s from two or three decades ago. The interior of In-N-Out restaurants embodies the most straightforward simplicity—so basic it’s almost austere.

This simplicity is intentional, and the same goes for the menu. Unlike other fast-food chains that offer a wide variety of choices and frequently rotate seasonal items, the In-N-Out menu features only three types of single burgers (hamburger, cheeseburger, and double meat cheeseburger), plus fries. There are slightly more drink options, but even those add up to just nine in total. Ordering a combo is even simpler—just pick a number between 1 and 3.

So what’s the secret to the deliciousness of In-N-Out burgers? Some say it’s because they focus solely on burger preparation, making them experts in the field. Others say it’s because they use local ingredients—each restaurant is within 500 miles of its supply warehouse. The fries are cut and fried fresh, and the beef is kept only chilled and fresh, which explains their great taste.

Papa Seahorse tried both the regular burger and the double burger and indeed experienced juicy, tender beef and crisp, hand-torn lettuce. However, when it comes to fries, I still prefer McDonald’s—freshly crispy, aromatic, and hot-off-the-grill deliciousness.

Beyond the fewer than 15 items on the official menu, if you can rattle off the names of items from the hidden menu at the counter, the staff will silently give you a mental thumbs-up for being in the know. These hidden menu items aren’t anything extraordinary—they’re just customizations that customers have made over the years based on their preferences. Eventually, the restaurant owners incorporated them as special menu items under the name “Not-So-Secret Menu,” which is published on their official website. Let Papa Seahorse break it down for you:

3×3 / 4×4: Turn the single layer of beef and cheese in the burger into double—that’s the double-double burger (2×2). By the same logic, 3×3 means three beef patties and three slices of cheese, plus the usual lettuce and tomato. The 4×4 is the upgrade limit—if you go further, your jaw might dislocate.

Double Meat: The same as a Double-Double but without the two slices of cheese.

Grill Cheese: The same as a Double-Double but without the two beef patties.

Protein Style: Swap the bun of any burger with lettuce for a healthier option.

Animal Style: The “wild side”—the burger is loaded with extras (mustard, pickles, grilled onions, and special sauces).

Order any of these Not-So-Secret items, and you’ll definitely get some special attention at the counter. There are also special ways to order drinks and fries—check out the detailed food review by LA blogger California Girl J (Click here to check it out).

Next time you travel to the U.S. West Coast, don’t forget to stop by In-N-Out—or else your West Coast food journey will be missing a piece of the puzzle.

IN-N-OUT BURGER
Web site: www.in-n-out.com

Papa Seahorse
A Gemini man born under the air sign, he worked as a senior marketing and PR executive for multinational corporations before the age of 45. After turning 45, he moved to Canada. Now, while playing the role of a father to his teenage sons amid foreign springs of cherry blossoms, summers of sunshine, autumns of red leaves, and winters of rain and snow, he also documents his observations of life in Vancouver.

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