Every In-N-Out fanatic knows there’s more to this beloved chain than meets the eye. Behind the simple menu lurks a secret world of customization possibilities that can transform your basic burger into something extraordinary.
From protein-packed lettuce wraps to towering meat mountains, In-N-Out’s not-so-secret menu offers something for every appetite. I’ve eaten my way through every possible combination to bring you the definitive ranking of In-N-Out burger styles.
1. Animal Style
Holy grail of fast food indulgence! Animal Style transforms the already perfect Double-Double into a flavor explosion with grilled onions, extra spread, pickle, and mustard-grilled patties. The patties get a squirt of mustard before hitting the grill, creating a caramelized crust that’ll make your taste buds do backflips.
The melty cheese glues everything together in a beautiful mess that somehow stays structurally sound until the last bite. Pro tip: ask for chopped chilis for an extra kick that cuts through the richness.
2. Protein Style
Carb-dodgers rejoice! Protein Style swaps that fluffy bun for a crisp lettuce wrap, transforming your burger into a keto-friendly masterpiece. The satisfying crunch of iceberg lettuce creates a refreshing contrast to the warm, juicy patty within.
Surprisingly sturdy for a lettuce-wrapped situation, though you’ll want to keep a firm grip to avoid a lap disaster. The lettuce actually enhances the beef flavor rather than competing with it like traditional buns sometimes do.
3. 3×3 (Triple Triple)
Meat lovers, meet your match! The 3×3 stacks three beef patties with three slices of American cheese in a towering testament to excess. Your jaw will dislocate attempting to bite this monstrosity, but the pain is worth every moment.
Each layer delivers that signature In-N-Out beef flavor, multiplied to heart-stopping proportions. The ratio of meat to bun creates an almost steak-like experience that’ll have you questioning why you ever settled for less.
4. The Flying Dutchman
Carnivore minimalism at its finest! Two beef patties hugging melted cheese slices—no bun, no veggies, no spread, no nonsense. The Flying Dutchman is In-N-Out stripped down to its barest essentials, revealing the true quality of their beef.
Cheese forms a molten bond between the patties, creating a handheld protein bomb that’s both primitive and sophisticated. Keto enthusiasts swear by this option, but it’s beloved by anyone who wants to taste unadulterated In-N-Out beef without distraction.
5. 4×4 (Quad Quad)
Behold the beast! Four patties and four cheese slices create this monument to American excess. The 4×4 isn’t just a burger—it’s a dare, a challenge, a mountain to conquer. Only attempt if you’re starving or trying to impress someone (who might also be calling an ambulance).
Each bite requires strategic planning and jaw unhinging techniques not taught in polite society. The cheese-to-meat ratio somehow maintains harmony despite the obscene quantity, a testament to In-N-Out’s architectural prowess.
6. The Double-Double
The classic that built an empire! Two patties, two cheese slices, fresh lettuce, tomato, onion and spread on a toasted bun—this is In-N-Out’s platonic ideal. The Double-Double achieves perfect balance where every ingredient plays its part without overshadowing the others.
Ranked sixth not because of any flaws, but because the modifications above elevate an already exceptional foundation. Still, many purists insist nothing beats the original Double-Double exactly as designed. The benchmark against which all fast food burgers should be measured.
7. The Grilled Cheese
Vegetarians aren’t left out of the In-N-Out experience! The Grilled Cheese delivers all the fixings of a regular burger minus the meat—double cheese melted to perfection on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, onion and spread.
Don’t mistake this for a sad compromise. The absence of beef allows the freshness of the vegetables and the tangy spread to shine in new ways. The toasted bun gets extra attention on the grill, developing a buttery crispness that ordinary burgers sometimes lack.
8. The 2×1
Balance seekers, your burger has arrived! The 2×1 features two beef patties with just one slice of cheese, creating a meat-forward experience that doesn’t overwhelm with dairy. This unsung hero offers the perfect solution when a single patty feels insufficient but the Double-Double seems excessive.
The reduced cheese ratio allows the beef flavor to dominate while still providing enough melty goodness to bind everything together. Budget-conscious eaters appreciate the slight price break compared to the Double-Double.
9. The 1×2
Cheese enthusiasts, this one’s for you! The 1×2 flips the standard ratio with one patty but double cheese, creating a gooey, dairy-forward experience. Each bite delivers an intense cheese pull that would make any Instagram food account drool with envy.
The twin cheese slices melt into every crevice of the single patty, infusing the entire burger with creamy goodness. The altered ratio creates a distinctly different flavor profile than the standard cheeseburger, proving that sometimes less (meat) is more.
10. Going Without The Spread
Controversial opinion alert: skipping In-N-Out’s famous spread is like watching a movie with the sound off! This modification strips the burger of its signature tangy-sweet personality, leaving you with a noticeably drier experience.
Some health-conscious eaters request this to reduce calories, while others simply dislike mayonnaise-based sauces. Without spread, you’ll taste more of the pure beef flavor and fresh vegetables, which does offer a cleaner taste experience.
11. The Cheeseburger
Sometimes simplicity speaks volumes! The humble single cheeseburger might seem basic compared to its flashier siblings, but this OG offering delivers In-N-Out’s quality in its purest form. One perfect beef patty, one slice of American cheese, fresh toppings, and that signature spread.
While it lacks the jaw-dropping spectacle of the 4×4 or the customized flair of Animal Style, the standard cheeseburger represents the foundation upon which In-N-Out built its reputation. Sometimes you don’t need to fix what isn’t broken—though ordering it with grilled onions is never a bad idea.
12. The Hamburger
Cheese-haters and dairy-free folks, this one’s for you! The plain hamburger strips In-N-Out down to its most fundamental form. Without cheese’s creamy richness, this bare-bones option relies entirely on quality beef, fresh vegetables, and spread to carry the experience.
Ranks last not because it’s bad—In-N-Out’s quality ingredients ensure it’s still superior to most fast food—but because cheese is such an integral part of the In-N-Out experience. Like watching a fireworks show without the finale, it’s good but missing that special something that elevates good to unforgettable.