History

Harry and Esther Snyder opened the first In-N-Out in Baldwin Park in 1948 as California's first drive-through with a two-way speaker. The Double-Double, two patties and two slices of cheese on a toasted bun with spread, lettuce, tomato and grilled onion, joined the menu in 1963. The chain has stayed family-owned and California-coast-tight ever since, with deliberately slow expansion (Texas and Idaho, not east of the Rockies). The 'animal style' off-menu order, with extra spread, grilled onions and pickles, has been part of LA lore since the 1970s. Every Angeleno has an opinion.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy

Make it at home

Yield Serves 4Hands-on 20 minTotal 20 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 600g freshly ground chuck (20% fat)
  • Sea salt, black pepper
  • 8 slices American cheese
  • 4 soft brioche-style burger buns
  • 1 large white onion, finely diced
  • Iceberg lettuce, shredded
  • 1 large tomato, sliced
  • 120g mayonnaise
  • 60g ketchup
  • 30g sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tsp white vinegar

Method

  1. Mix mayo, ketchup, relish and vinegar. Refrigerate the spread until needed.
  2. Heat a heavy pan or griddle to high. Cook the diced onion in 1 tbsp oil 4 minutes, splash with a tablespoon of water, cook until soft and translucent.
  3. Divide beef into 8 loose balls (75g each). Smash each onto the hot griddle into a 12cm patty. Season heavily.
  4. Cook 90 seconds; the edges should be lacy and dark. Flip, lay a slice of cheese on each patty, cook 30 seconds.
  5. Toast cut sides of buns on the griddle. Spread, lettuce, tomato on the bottom bun. Two patties stacked, grilled onion on top. Crown bun.
  6. Eat immediately, paper wrapper recommended.

Tip from the editors. Smash the patty hard at the start, then leave it alone. The dark, lacy edges of a properly smashed patty are what make the burger taste like In-N-Out.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat double-double cheeseburger

Double-Double cheeseburger in Los Angeles

In-N-Out Burger Sunset ★ 4.4

American burgers$hollywood

In-N-Out Burger on Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, is the chain landmark closest to the Walk of Fame, with late-night drive-through service until 1:30.

Order: A Double-Double Animal Style with grilled onions and extra spread, plus fries well done.

Tip: Late-night Friday and Saturday closes at 1:30, the queue spills around the block by midnight.

7009 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Book →

In-N-Out Burger LAX ★ 4.3

American burgers$westchester

In-N-Out Burger near LAX on Sepulveda sits at the end of runway 24R, making it the chain branch that doubles as a plane-spotting picnic spot.

Order: A Double-Double Animal Style and a chocolate shake to eat on the patio.

Tip: The patio is the move; aircraft pass directly overhead on approach to runway 24R every two minutes.

9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 Book →

Cassell's Hamburgers ★ 4.3

American burgers$$koreatown

Cassell's Hamburgers inside the Hotel Normandie in Koreatown grinds its own chuck for griddled patties, a recipe in continuous use since 1948.

Order: The third-pound cheeseburger with grilled onions, plus a vanilla malt for the side.

Tip: Cassell's grinds beef in-house every morning; the breakfast burrito is the under-rated order from the same kitchen.

3600 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020 Book →

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