The "In-N-Out Paradox" (garden, to move, trendy)

[EnricoV]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

The point is being missed. In-N-Out in Las Vegas (the one near the strip) is basically a tourist destination all unto itself. The second someone hears "It's mainly in California", they get excited. I've seen it myself.

People visiting from all over the US want to say they've had In-N-Out. They'll even post it on twitter and take a picture of the receipt to show their friends in the midwest.

Okay, so some people do. But that's not everyone. You act like everyone has this fixation, and they just don't. Not even a significant number do.

I've never even been there, even though I've had plenty of opportunity.

[EnricoV]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

This is entertaining. Half the posters in this topic can't seem to admit that being "Californian" is a reason for In-N-Out's popularity. They all wish they had it in their respective hometown, even if they hate fast-food. They know it would make the rival cities jealous. Houston wants it, Dallas has it.

Thinking back on when we've gotten some chain store/restaurant in town that people were all hot to visit, I have to say that I've rarely known where they came from. Ikea or Walmart, sure. Krispy Kreme ... I have no idea (nor do I care) where they're headquartered. Who cares? It usually is just a matter of something you've heard of, but never had available down the street.

[PDF]

You know, I didn't think In-N-Out was all that great. I went for the first time back in February at the aforementioned Las Vegas location. Out of all the burgers I've had, I still think Shake Shack (mainly-NYC chain, similar to In-N-Out) reigns supreme.

I will be in California this month and and am looking forward to going to their location right by LAX. But I did like their burgers and how In-N-Out in general is. Did it live up to the hype? No, but hey, they seem to pay their employees pretty good.

White Castle and In-N-Out seem to be the coveted burger chains in the country. At least we have Krystals here.

[Trimac20]

In'n'Out is good but you're not missing out on anything. I did, however, buy an In'an'Out T-shirt near the California-Nevada border as a souvenir.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

It's simply not viewed the same as In-N-Out, and it still amazed Indianapolis. It would be total pandemonium if In-N-Out showed up there.

I don't know that it would be. Jack in the Box is and was a known entity to alot of people in Indianapolis, thanks in large part to their past national presense and locations in nearby cities (St. Louis and Nashville). In-N-Out doesn't carry the same weight around here. There is a guy at my work who is from California, and he talks about In-N-Out as something he misses from home. No one really knows much more about it beyond that.

Originally Posted by Ben Around

Also, I think that if White Castle opened in a new city (they are now restricted to about a dozen cities in the Northeast and Midwest), you'd have the same phenomenon. It's not California, it's the food itself that creates the buzz.

When White Castle opened its first location in Monroe, MI; the town went nuts. They had to bring in police to monitor the traffic outside, and control the crowds inside. It was insanity. The common topic of conversation that week was "how many sliders you gonna get?"

I couldn't tell you where White Castle is HQ'ed without googling it, I bet most of those nutjobs at White Castle fall into that category.

[slo1318]

Originally Posted by Nairobi

I'm not comparing them to anything else and I'm not denying anything. Just that there are other national chains that receive a lot of hype. To be fair, you seem to just be speaking of the value of I&O, itself. The OP, on the other hand, is suggesting that it is directly tied to some perceived obsession with the state of California that the rest of the country has. Anyone who honestly believes that is simply delusional. Period.

In the history of my membership on this forum, this is the first time I can remember hearing something so ridiculous as the fascination of a junk food chain symbolizing the fascination with a state.

I still say those fries look very dry.

Thats ok, thats your opinion which is fine. Found this article from a Houston writer.....

Game Time: My Plea To In-N-Out Burger...Let Me Speak For You



"The enormity of In-N-Out arriving in Texas can probably only be understood by someone who arranged their entire daily schedule on business trips to California around In-N-Out Burger"

Game Time: My Plea To In-N-Out Burger...Let Me Speak For You - Houston News - Hair Balls

[RonnieJonez]

I never liked "animal style". Last time I was in LA, I specifically told the kid..."regular, no animal style, or anything that has mayo or a mayo blend". He looked at me like that was the first time someone has actually requested regular, and specifically excluded animal style, lol.

Only because the 3 people ahead of me all ordered it and I didn't want any confusion.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

You have several anti-California threads here. Whether it be regarding the people, the culture, the politics, the possibility of earthquakes...the list goes on and on.

You also have a strong anti-chain restaurant mentality on this forum, especially in some of the "Narnian" cities as they have been branded.

Now...if an In-N-Out Burger somehow magically came to any of these cities, the lines would possibly go on for miles the first few weeks. There are videos on youtube of when In-N-Out opened up in Dallas and nearby locations of this happening. Even the most anti-chain, anti-California place (which Texas generally is on all fronts) - would rush to In-N-Out (which is overrated in my opinion but that's a different story).

If In-N-Out was founded in anywhere besides California, it wouldn't carry nearly the same weight.

A lot of the California posters have it right...the rest of the country is in fact envious of California and hates to admit it. Yet, they'd be the first in line to show up at In-N-Out, and not just because it's new. Because...it's affiliated with California.

The "California stereotype" has always been arguably the most powerful stereotype of American culture (in terms of one that everyone wants), and this prevails until this day.

Agree/disagree?

Most absurd thing I've ever read. You're saying that people will or will not patronize a fast-food place because it's based in California? Do I have it right?

By the way, I've eaten at an In-and-Out. Meh. Really meh.

[RonnieJonez]

In-N-Out

In-N-Out Houston Fans

It was even an April fools joke in the Houston forum. Again, no other fast food place would garner such interest.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

It's simply not viewed the same as In-N-Out, and it still amazed Indianapolis. It would be total pandemonium if In-N-Out showed up there.

Yes, but it's not viewed the same as In-N-Out by you personally. While you might think In-N-Out is the most amazing thing ever and to you it totally embodies California and nothing could ever come close, what everyone else is saying is that most people don't share that point of view. It's perfectly fine to like something, but you can't just assume that just cause you're obsessed with this burger joint and think a certain way about it, that everyone else must think that as well - and if they don't than they're somehow denying their inner feelings.