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When Sonic opened its first location in NJ, lines of cars backed up for blocks and police had to direct traffic. Is that because NJ residents are obsessed with Oklahoma?
When CiCi's Pizza opened its first location in NJ, same thing. Crazy crowds. Here in the heart of "Good Pizza Land," this fast food crap caused a frenzy. Does that mean NJ residents are obsessed with Texas?
Same happened when Five Guys started expanding here. But I don't think we're obsessed with DC.
Same happened when WaWa opened its first northern NJ store, but we're not obsessed with southeastern Pennsylvania.
I think it's just because people were curious about it (I bet 8 out of 10 NJ residents couldn't tell you where those chains originated, and I had to look most of them up). We see ads for these places on national TV, but for years they haven't been around here. When a location opens, people want to go check it out and try what they've been seeing on TV for years. I think the same would happen if an In-N-Out, Jack-in-the-Box, or some other west coast chain started an advertising blitz here and then opened a store. Initial rush fueled by curiosity, then it becomes just another part of the fast food landscape.
FWIW, the only people I know who rave about In-N-Out are native Californians who regard the place as if it's some part of their CA identity. When I travel to CA with CA-native friends, a stop at In-N-Out is required. I don't get it. IMO, it's not bad, but I can't get excited over a fast food burger. Then again, if I moved out of state, I'd probably want to stock up on NJ pizza on visits back and my CA friends would shake their heads at me.
FWIW, the only people I know who rave about In-N-Out are native Californians who regard the place as if it's some part of their CA identity. When I travel to CA with CA-native friends, a stop at In-N-Out is required. I don't get it. IMO, it's not bad, but I can't get excited over a fast food burger. Then again, if I moved out of state, I'd probably want to stock up on NJ pizza on visits back and my CA friends would shake their heads at me.
FWIW, when I worked in a hotel in Santa Monica, I was frequently asked by people visiting where the nearest In-N-Out was. I'd hear guys from New York telling their coworkers, "Oh. OH. You gotta have one of these burgers. They're awesome. Legendary." In-N-Out is a Californian cultural institution and it's not just native Californians who want to go there.
I'm a vegetarian so I can't really get excited one way or another, but I see why people would. I will say, their grilled cheese is pretty awesome for unhealthy fast food...
I also don't think anyone would think it was weird of you to want to stock up on pizza, or any foodstuff from home, on your trips back. It's pretty normal. I mean, when I head back to Boston, first night, I always go to Sicilia's near Symphony Hall, and I have to hit up Angelo's and HiFi and a few other places out of habit. When friends or girlfriends have gone with me, they've always been down.
When Sonic opened its first location in NJ, lines of cars backed up for blocks and police had to direct traffic. Is that because NJ residents are obsessed with Oklahoma?
When CiCi's Pizza opened its first location in NJ, same thing. Crazy crowds. Here in the heart of "Good Pizza Land," this fast food crap caused a frenzy. Does that mean NJ residents are obsessed with Texas?
Same happened when Five Guys started expanding here. But I don't think we're obsessed with DC.
Same happened when WaWa opened its first northern NJ store, but we're not obsessed with southeastern Pennsylvania.
I think it's just because people were curious about it (I bet 8 out of 10 NJ residents couldn't tell you where those chains originated, and I had to look most of them up). We see ads for these places on national TV, but for years they haven't been around here. When a location opens, people want to go check it out and try what they've been seeing on TV for years. I think the same would happen if an In-N-Out, Jack-in-the-Box, or some other west coast chain started an advertising blitz here and then opened a store. Initial rush fueled by curiosity, then it becomes just another part of the fast food landscape.
FWIW, the only people I know who rave about In-N-Out are native Californians who regard the place as if it's some part of their CA identity. When I travel to CA with CA-native friends, a stop at In-N-Out is required. I don't get it. IMO, it's not bad, but I can't get excited over a fast food burger. Then again, if I moved out of state, I'd probably want to stock up on NJ pizza on visits back and my CA friends would shake their heads at me.
There isn't the same fanaticism surrounding any of those places. Of course, when anywhere new comes to town, it can be a rat race to see who gets there first.
Also, those places you mentioned, are not California.
I think the premise is a very successful attempt at a massive troll. The in-n-out thing is just a pretext - it comes down to a big generalization of everyone in America as California-obsessed... either openly or "in the closet". I don't give a rip about that one way or another, I just want to point out that everyone is being trolled
I like In-n-out. Pretty good food (though like most fresher food it needs to be eaten soon after cooked). If you don't like the fries, try them "well-done" - the default is a little soft for my taste unless I eat them all right away when they're still hot. You can also get them even softer, if that's your thing. I also order my burger "KM instead" ... no 1000 island sauce, ketchup and mustard instead.
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.
Better add business to that list.
California is dead last as the best state to do business in/job creation for the eighth consecutive year. I just read it today.
I think the premise is a very successful attempt at a massive troll. The in-n-out thing is just a pretext - it comes down to a big generalization of everyone in America as California-obsessed... either openly or "in the closet". I don't give a rip about that one way or another, I just want to point out that everyone is being trolled
I like In-n-out. Pretty good food (though like most fresher food it needs to be eaten soon after cooked). If you don't like the fries, try them "well-done" - the default is a little soft for my taste unless I eat them all right away when they're still hot. You can also get them even softer, if that's your thing. I also order my burger "KM instead" ... no 1000 island sauce, ketchup and mustard instead.
One thing I really like about In-N-Out beside their fresh made to order food is that they treat their employees really well overall. I worked their in high school and was getting paid $10/hr when I left in 2001, which is pretty good back then for a teenager in the service industry. My store manager made $120K and all the managers made $45-75K. They pay really well overall for their industry. It's too bad other companies in the service industry don't pay as decent wages.
This is exactly what I was going to say re: employees. I don't get the hype over the burgers, they're like Five Guys...in other words, meh. But I would go there b/c of how they well they pay their workers.
Ok, lets be honest here. I don't like California that much either, but cut the Californians some slack in this thread: the OP is from Iowa and is California dreaming, or trolling all of you guys so you post anti-California comments.
My life is too busy to think about a place 3000 miles away. Life is too short.
Ok, lets be honest here. I don't like California that much either, but cut the Californians some slack in this thread: the OP is from Iowa and is California dreaming, or trolling all of you guys so you post anti-California comments.
My life is too busy to think about a place 3000 miles away. Life is too short.
Ok, who hacked Huge Foodie's user account?
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