Some things just have to be part of a California trip, and In-N-Out Burger is definitely one of them. We made a stop during our Southern California adventure to introduce Tanner to his first In-N-Out experience, and it was a hit with the entire family.
One of the best parts was the location. We were staying at the Magic Castle Hotel in Hollywood, and In-N-Out was an easy walk from both our hotel and the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. After exploring Hollywood, it was the perfect casual stop for a classic California meal without having to get back in the car.
For those unfamiliar, In-N-Out has been a California institution since 1948, when Harry and Esther Snyder opened their first drive-thru hamburger stand in Baldwin Park. The menu has remained famously simple: burgers, fries, shakes, and a few not-so-secret ways to customize your order.
And that brings us to the most important advice: Go Animal Style.
Part of In-N-Out’s legendary not-so-secret menu, Animal Style burgers come with mustard-cooked beef patties, pickles, extra spread, and grilled onions. It’s messy, delicious, and absolutely worth ordering. You can even get the fries Animal Style, topped with melted cheese, grilled onions, and that famous spread.
There’s something charming about In-N-Out. The retro design, the simple menu, the fresh burgers, and the fact that it still feels like a quintessential California experience despite its enormous popularity.
For Tanner, it was his first visit. For us, it was another reminder of why people get so excited about a burger chain. We all loved it, and having one within walking distance of our Hollywood hotel made the experience even better.
In-N-Out deserves its place on the California checklist. Great burgers, a little nostalgia, a convenient Hollywood location, and one very important ordering tip: Animal Style is the way to go.
