First Stop, In-N-Out

We landed at LAX and went right to the now-famous In-N-Out at the end of the runway. The family had not been in LA for more than an hour and we were already enjoying fresh cheeseburgers and hand-cut fries from one of my all-time favorite California burger stops. The vegetarian wife though had never been to an In-N-Out so I thought she'd enjoy an item from the secret menu, the 'Grilled Cheese with grilled onions', which is basically a cheeseburger, lettuce, onion, and tomato, without the meat. She was not impressed. I guess that's what I get for taking a vegetarian to a fast food burger joint.

As I was waiting for our food something caught my eye. "Were those chili-cheese fries that just went by?" I asked as two orders of fries heaped with something good passed. "Nope. Those are 

fries Animal Style," a cheery employee told me. We all know by now the extensive secret menu and the long list of goodness you can order and sound like a pro, but somehow the Fries, Animal Style slipped right by me. Imagine fries, those yummy, fresh fries, covered in melted cheese, grilled onions, and a large squirt of their signature thousand island dressing. Too bad I had just downed two Double-Doubles or I would have indulged. There's always tomorrow...

This morning the Apple Pan was the plan for an early lunch. I knew that if you get there at 11:45 seats are always available. Get there at Noon and you're screwed. I chatted with Charlie, owner Sunny, Lupe, and a few other countermen. I ordered my usual Hickory Burger (pictured) and fries, but skipped the milk today for root beer. The wife and kids ordered their famous and tasty tuna sandwiches and by the time we finished (10 mins) the place was mobbed.

Tomorrow I'll be signing books at Irv's Burgers in West Hollywood. Thursday, a visit to Marty's.