I have reason to believe that everyone pretty much has a story about when and where their first In N Out experience was.  For me it was somewhere circa the mid-late 80′s.

My father’s idea of a family dinner out consisted of one of two L.A. landmarks In N Out and The Pantry. In N Out locations were few and far between back then, but a decade later there was an explosive expansion of In N Outs. They began to pop up everywhere and on their conquest today. About a year ago I started noticing a handful of Five Guys locations popping up here and there, but today they also seem to be spreading like wildfire.

I don’t want to start a west coast/east coast debate, I had my fill of that in the 90′s with rap music drama, but Los Angelenos are starting to compare these two burger franchises and its very confusing. Why do we have to draw parallels and comparisons while trying to determine which one is better? They are so utterly different and fantastic in their own way, why not find a place in your heart to love both?

While it’s comforting to know you can always count on a reliable burger from In N Out or one prepared to order with whatever 4×4, animal style, and any extra  specification you prefer. There are times you just want some mother effin bacon, A1 sauce or mushrooms on your burger so you gotta forgo In N Out and hit up Five Guys!

Nothing is ever going to change how I feel about In N Out, it’s ingrained in my childhood memories. Simply driving by an In N Out and catching a whiff of that incredible smell takes me back to a simpler time. A time when I got to spend quality time with my dad while enjoying a good burger.  Nothing has changed except now sometimes we opt  to go to Five Guys, where we  get to share a meal and forge memories of the cherished time we get to spend together.

When all is said and done, both places cook up a fine burger. Don’t be a hater just because some east coast chain is encroaching on In N Out’s territory.