Bite into In-N-Out Burger's history as beloved chain celebrates 75th anniversary
Tour the replica of the first location in Baldwin Park, California.
Today is the 75th anniversary of In-N-Out Burger!
The first In-N-Out opened in Baldwin Park, California, on Oct. 22, 1948, at 4:15 p.m. to be precise.
1948 was a pivotal year in the history of American fast food. As Harry and Esther Synder were opening their In-N-Out in Baldwin Park, the McDonald brothers in San Bernardino were converting their 8-year-old restaurant into a self-service, drive-in affair, a big step in the journey toward McDonald’s as we know it.
The year before, Fatburger had opened in Los Angeles. Carl’s Jr. was already around, and serving hamburgers since 1946, and Jack in the Box was three years away from springing to life.
The story of how America ate at midcentury and beyond was incubating in Southern California.
This store you see here is the closest you can get to that early In-N-Out experience, because the original is long gone, demolished for the construction of Interstate 10. So it’s appropriate that it was the 10 that brought me here two years ago today. (By coincidence, I visited on the chain’s anniversary.)
This store is purely a museum, a pristine exhibit that captures the look of the first store, from the tiny shack – measuring about 10 square feet – and red-and-white awning to the innovative two-way speaker to cater to hungry, in-a-hurry motorists – a pioneering drive-thru service that is the standard today. (Jack in the Box would immediately go all-in on drive-thru service – you’d talk to a clown head – but McDonald’s would not roll out a drive-thru until 1975. Ronald’s head, however, would not be on the intercom!)
Even the sign at this In-N-Out is different – the distinctive In-N-Out arrow design was introduced in 1954, replacing the “No Delay” sign you see here.
If you want the full, modern In-N-Out experience, you don’t have to go far. You can visit the replica, look around the inside – Gabriel, seen in the last photo – gave me a nice tour. Then, simply drive a minute down Francisquito Avenue to a modern In-N-Out, and see how the chain has changed – and stayed the same.
Today, In-N-Out is celebrating with a celebration at the Pomona Dragstrip.
Reports KABC-TV:
The all-day family-friendly festival kicked off at 10 a.m. at the Pomona Dragstrip.
It's set to future drag racing, a large-scale cars show with hot rods and muscle cars, unlimited carnival games and rides, delicious food and drinks, multiple music bands and In-N-Out Burger Cookout Trucks serving Double-Doubles made fresh to order.
Proceeds from the festival will go to organizations dedicated to fighting substance abuse.
For ticket information, please visit ino75thfestival.com.
In-N-Out continues to open locations that celebrate its founding heritage. Check out the newest store in Las Vegas, which plays off that original 1948 store.
It’s nice not to see another fast-food box!
While nodding to its history and built as a tribute to late Synder family members, the new store is innovative, featuring the chain’s first double drive-thru lane restaurant outside of California. It’s a quick walk from Allegiant Stadium.
To further satisfy your appetite for all things In-N-Out, the company’s owner, Lynsi Snyder, has published a new book, “The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger.”
The book tells the story of “how three generations have created a thriving, family-owned company, why its fans are so wildly loyal, and what led to its explosive growth and evolution into an iconic part of American culture.”
Are you a fan of In-N-Out?
As someone who lived in LA for over 20 years and considers it home still, I continue to be mystified at the hold In N Out has on the psyches of those who swoon for it. Their burgers are average at very best... shows that branding is a Thing.
I’ve only been once, in Austin at midnight, and it was a disappointment to me. I’m picky as can be, so only want a plain burger with fries, and In n Out didn’t succeed at that. If you need toppings to make it great, you aren’t doing it right. The burger itself needs to stand alone.
As for the fries, they reminded me of Wendy’s fries that had sat on the counter for an hour.
I’ll give it another chance, but first impression was totally overrated.