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The Arts Intel Report

In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger signs are ubiquitous in California and longed for everywhere else.

922 Gayley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024, United States

Universal Studios, the Getty Center, the Hollywood Sign, In-N-Out Burger. Each staples of the Los Angeles experience—only the latter offering so much, so quickly. Many journey to La La Land and, with tongue in cheek, make a point to visit the heralded chain: “Did we really come all the way to L.A. for a cheeseburger?” Few try the $5 Double-Double, the $3 vanilla milkshake, the animal-style fries—so universally renowned that they needn’t take up space on the menu—and make jokes much longer. To bypass In-N-Out while out West is to avoid New York City’s subways, to fly to Florida and eat no oranges. Alas, the prominence of fast food in America receives ample scorn. In-N-Out challenges its detractors as the chief practitioner of the art form, ultimately setting the standard by which all cheap burgers and fries may be compared. It is the pinnacle of swift satisfaction, and an object of state pride. —Jack Sullivan

Photo: AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/Shutterstock