Let’s face it: we all get cravings.
Sometimes it’s the late hours of the night, other times it’s on the way home from a busy day at the office, when cooking a homemade meal or going out to eat aren’t attractive dinner solutions.
It’s okay to give in once in awhile. But, as sophisticated Tucson Foodies, we should always strive for the best. And when it comes to fast food, it doesn’t get much better than In-N-Out.
Fortunately, they’re not all that bad. In fact, they’re pretty great.
Here are five reasons that In-N-Out is totally, and unequivocally awesome…
1. It’s Mostly Exclusive
Spotting an In-N-Out for most of the country remains a rare occurrence despite the company expanding out from being a California-based fast food chain. Arizona is fortunate enough to be one of only five states that house the elusive franchise. Furthermore, one-quarter of the locations within Arizona happen to be inside our fair city. It may not be a local spot like our own home-grown Eegee’s or Graze Premium Burgers, but In-N-Out is just rare enough to make all our foodie friends in other states jealous.
2. They Take Their Motto Seriously
“Quality you can taste” sits up on the wall in neon lights at every In-N-Out location. This isn’t a motto as much as it is a mantra.
For starters, In-N-Out does not provide any franchising opportunity. It remains a privately owned company to avoid sacrificing the quality of their food for the sake of more locations across the United States. Those few-and-far-between markets, meanwhile, are mandated to be near one of In-N-Out’s two distribution facilities (one in Baldwin Park, CA and the other in Dallas, TX). That way all the ingredients can be delivered by truck to each location, eliminating the need to ever freeze any of their products. Couple that with the fact that no location is outfitted with a freezer or a microwave and In-N-Out stands above its fast food brethren in terms of putting out high-quality, fresh food.
3. Their Limited Menu Actually Contains A Lot Of Options
In-N-Out keeps it simple and efficient with a seemingly limited menu: Hamburger, Cheeseburger, or two-patty Double-Double; French fries; and a shake or a soda to drink. But, being light on choices doesn’t equate to In-N-Out’s menu being limited in options.
Try adding another patty or two to that Double-Double (referred to as the 3×3 or 4×4 on their not-so-secret menu) or get a burger (or fries) “Animal Style” (mustard-grilled beef, grilled onions, and extra spread). Can’t decide on a flavor of shake? Try a Neapolitan with all three flavors mixed together.
4. They Are A Great Company To Work For
Arizona’s minimum wage might be $8.05 but that doesn’t stop In-N-Out from offering a starting pay of at least $10.50 an hour. Employment also includes three holidays off, a free meal a day, a 401(k), health, dental, and vision benefits. They also do not hire managers from outside and only promote from within to make sure that all of their management has an understanding of how the company operates. Associate managers can rake in anywhere from $40,000 to $70,000 annually and can advance even further to make upwards of $120,000 a year. Many food service managers typically make around $48,000 a year by comparison.
5. Their Food Is Awesome
All praise for In-N-Out would be worthless without the top-notch food to back it up. Biting into an In’N’Out burger is a magical moment. Although their secret “spread” appears to only be a simple mixture of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and diced dill pickles, it’s the perfect accompaniment to every bite. Each burger is wrapped delicately in wax paper and graciously placed either in a to-go bag or plastic dining-in tray. On top of that, the final product actually bares resemblance to its picture on the menu—a simple detail that elevates their burger above all other fast food imitators.
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