Probably the number one question I got from my friends during and after the burger trip Andrew (24) and I took is "how does In-N-Out Burger compare?" (Interestingly, no one asked me how Shake Shack compares, despite the rivalry between the chains.) So, when I was visiting Michael (21) at college near Denver, we stopped at an In-N-Out in Lakewood, CO. We both ordered the Double-Double Animal Style burger of their "not so secret menu". This is a burger with two patties, two slices of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, "spread" (Thousand Island dressing), pickles, and grilled onions. The thing that makes an Animal Style burger special is that patties are grilled with yellow mustard, so you get a cooked mustard taste. In-N-Out also grills their buns so they're crispy inside.

My family has loved In-N-Out for a long time, but this was my first visit after diving so deeply into burgers. Fortunately, In-N-Out still holds up. The burger was pretty damn good. The grill mustard really adds a fantastic flavor and the grilled bun is great (similar to the Culver's Butterburger in the Midwest). The meat was OK-well seasoned; a little more salt would have helped, and the patties were a little dry. All-in-all, it was a very satisfying burger, especially for a larger chain restaurant. Unfortunately, the fries are meh at best. I ordered mine "well-done" (extra crispy), and Michael had his regular. Both were a little flabby and boring. Still I wish we had them in the Seattle area.

I'd put them at the top of the fast food burgers because of the grilled mustard, maybe tied or just ahead of Kewpee Hamburgers in Ohio. I still prefer the Double Tavern Burger at Loretta's Northwesterner, a pub in Seattle (Andrew, his girlfriend, and I just went back there again over Christmas break -- still delicious). I need to try Shake Shack again soon (fortunately, we do have them in Seattle.)