In-N-Out's Animal Fries, At Home

You all should know by now that I am a Californian girl.  And being such, I am an In-N-Out girl.  There is nary a native Californian that is not.

In-N-Out.  It's a place of beauty.  The menu is simple, the food is made right when you order it (as in the potatoes are turned into french fries right then... you see it happen), and the customer service is excellent.  Although it doesn't happen often, we sometimes crave fast food, and when we do, In-N-Out is the place we go to.  (I can't remember the last time I had other fast food... and I plan on keeping it that way.)

When I saw last week's Sundays with Joy recipe (my super baking group I belong to) was chili cheese fries, I was a little disappointed.  Not in Joy the Baker; the recipe looks amazing for those who like chili-cheese things.  But my husband does not anything spicy and my belly does not like anything cheesy.  So it was a no-go for us.  (You however, should totally check it out.  Joy shared it on her blog this week and it looks GREAT!)

I didn't stay disappointed for long, though.  I needed a fry recipe I could do and like, and it was a no brainer -- Animal Fries from In-N-Out.

Animal Fries, or French Fries Animal Style, are one of In-N-Out's items on their "secret menu".  Sure, the big menu says you can only get a hamburger, cheeseburger, or a double-double, but if you are in the know (AKA you are from the West Coast) then you can also get a Grilled Cheese (burger without meat), your burger animal style (with grilled onion and extra sauce), or many other things.

Luckily for me, I am in the know.

Some people say that the secret to In-N-Out is their "spread".  I disagree.  I think the secret to In-N-Out is their everything.  Yet I get it, the spread is great.  And now we can enjoy some of it at home, where ever we are, In-N-Out nearby or no.  (I would actually never recommend for you to not go to In-N-Out, because they are just plain awesome.  But if for some reason you cannot, well... I've got your back.)

Animal Fries -- you take the french fries, place a slice of cheese on top while they are hot so it can melt, top that with grilled onions, and then scoop some Spread on top.  Those are Animals Fries.  And they are GOOD.

My suggestion?  Take a fork, mix it together, and dig in.

And make a little extra of the spread.  You will want to eat it again.  And soon.

Friends who have left California for Brazil or Michigan or WhereEver, you are very welcome :)

For more information about why In-N-Out is so incredibly awesome, read this great article I found.  Then you, too, will understand why we Californians are so crazy about it.

IN-N-OUT SPREAD

INGREDIENTS

2 Tablespoons Mayo

1 Tablespoon Ketchup

1/4 teaspoon mustard (some recipes called for it, some did not.  I did it.)

1 teaspoon dill pickle relish

pinch of sugar

half a cap of white vinegar

DIRECTIONS

Mix.  Eat.  Enjoy.

(I made a batch of baked french fries and caramelized some onion.  I do not have cheese on my Animal Fries, but you should do it.  It will be perfect that way!)

COST (Animal Fries): $1.30 per serving

Phil's Fish Market & Other Seaside Stories

We have been on the hunt for good, fresh fish.  Being from a country that has an abundance of a cheap and incredibly fresh supply, my husband has been craving it. 

Enjoying a plate of fish and some pineapple juice this past March.

When I say fresh, I mean one day we actually pulled our boat up right next to another boat in Brazil one day and bought the fish straight from their nets.  That's FRESH.

Fishing boats in Ubatuba, Brazil

But our quest has kind of been a bust.  Everywhere we go, we get directed to a "great place" and then we are left with a big bill and an unsatisfied tongue.  San Diego, Santa Barbara, it doesn't matter... it just has not been RIGHT.

The other day I woke up and something hit me: Phil's Fish Market!  How could I be looking everywhere when what I was looking for was right here, all along?!

It has been years since I last stepped foot in there, but I knew that was where we needed to go. 

Apparently, so did everybody else.  The ling was out the door and almost to the street.

Oh well.  When you are looking for good fish, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Waiting and waiting and waiting in line...

Finally we got our food... fish and chips for me, salmon marsala for him.

We both agreed -- the salmon was good.  The marsala was good.  But salmon and marsala together is not our favorite combination.  But finally!  A fish place that has GOOD fish. 

Thank you, Phil's, you redeemed our view of Californian fish joints!

And now, a couple of shots I got wandering around on the perimeter of the beach as my husband went surfing.  I call this a photo-scavenger-hunt.  What could I find other than the iconic pictures of the beach (you know -- the beach ball/sunscreen/toes in the sand)? 

(This beach, as you might be able to tell, is more of a local beach and not so much a touristy hot-spot.  Excellent for surfing and chilling, despite the morning fog.)

When In-N-Out is calling your name, you answer...

There are many great states in our nation, to be sure, but California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and now Texas are the only ones that can boast in something so delicious that even Thomas Keller considers it great: In-N-Out.  (And if you don't know who Thomas Keller is then you better read up on your foodie history.)

As you have probably figured out, I generally say no to fast food.  Of course, there are the times when the road is long and the time and money are short and a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.  But most of the time I just pass on by.  Except for this place. 

If you know what I am talking about then you know what I am talking about.

Seeing as our house guests never in their lives had In-N-Out Burger, my husband and I decided we needed to remedy that.  It was now or never since they sure aren't going to be finding any in Austria.  They were pretty impressed that the fries were made right then and that the ingredients were all so incredibly fresh.  The menu is small and simple, just the way it should be if you've got a good product and they quickly decided on what they wanted.

Double-Double, animal style, on the left for my man, grilled cheese animal-style on the right for the three of us.  (I alternate between cheeseburgers and grilled cheese.  I like meat, I do, but I also like meat-less meals.  This night was meatless.)  And then, of course, had to get the fries and a strawberry shake.  That's how we do it.  It may be a lot of calories on your plate, but those calories taste so good.

And the verdict?  "Mmmm!" 

(And also, "This place is so American!  It is like the movies!"  Hahaha!)

Another successful trip. As always. It will probably be another few months before it happens again, but between now and then I will be grateful for the fact that I can share my Californian heritage with the best fast food in town.  And quite possibly, the world.