As Peter Gabriel said you have to get In n Out [On The Road/BurgeReview: Anaheim]

I had to come back to In n Out. First time I was too newbie, didn’t know about the secret that according to In n Out is not so secret menu. So I wanted to order like a local, if you live in US West Coast you know what I mean, double double, animal style, well done fries, etc. 

In-n-Out

Well I had a business meetings in Disneyland believe it or not. So as soon as I landed into Anaheim, I headed to the closest In n Out. The place smaller than the one in San Francisco. Packed as usual, again it was almost impossible to get a table, so many people in the place ordering burgers, it’s amazing. I know there is this debate I have with a couple friends on who is better In n Out or Five Guys, well in my humble opinion, Five Guys have bigger places (at least the ones I have visited), but for sure In n Out have more traffic, is almost as mental as Shake Shack. 

Counter

The place has a similar lay out and I was ready to talk the talk, two double doubles, yes I was really hungry, animal style, one with chopped chilis, fries well done, and a Neapolitan shake. 

Order

Finally I ordered as I should, nothing can go wrong this time, if I’m not completely convinced this is an amazing burger then there is no more excuses. I got my order, I realised it was a lot immediately, but not an impossible task. The burgers were nice, medium cooked, nice flavour of the patty with the mustard grilled technique, the extra spread is nice, I love the spread, that sauce is great. Grilled onions nice touch, the one with chilis good punch, not sure if you can order twice chilis, the burger is quite nice, really messy, that’s how fast food should look like. 

Double Double Animal Style

It’s indeed a nice burger, probably no the best one I have had, but it is nice, and quite cheap. Is it better to Five Guys, not sure, I love the spread, and the mustard grilled patty, but the five guys is quite good messy burger. 

If one is not enough

I’ll let you to decide, I like both, the only thing I can assure ordering animal style it’s a huge difference that ordering plain. Fries were too tough, not my thing, I’m used to London style triple cooked chips Heston Style, and the shake was great, thick, and nice flavour combination. 

This in and out reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Stand-In” 

Jerry: Come on. How was your date?

Elaine: Oh, the date. The date

Jerry: Yeah how was it?

Elaine: Interesting

Jerry: Really

Elaine: Oh yeah

Jerry: Why what happened?

Elaine: Let's see, how shall I put this

Jerry: Just put it

Elaine: He took it out

Jerry: He what?

Elaine: He took it out

Jerry: He took what out?

Elaine: It

Jerry: He took It, Out?

Elaine: Yessiree Bob

Jerry: He couldn't

Elaine: He did

Jerry: Well you were involved in some sort of amorous

Elaine: Ono

Jerry: You mean he just

Elaine: Yes

Jerry: Are you sure?

Elaine: Oh quite

Jerry: There was no mistaking it?

Elaine: Jerry

Jerry: So you were talking, you're having pleasant conversation, then all of sudden

Elaine: Yeah

Jerry: It

Elaine: It

Jerry: Out

Elaine: Out

In N Out

T: +1 800 786 1000

Burger Joint
Approx Damage: $10pp

Area: Anaheim

Anaheim

Twitter: innoutburger

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You have to get In to get Out [On The Road / BurgeReview: San Francisco]

A place I was dying to go and try was In N Out Burger. I have read so many reviews, everybody loves it in the West Coast, even chef Thomas Keller goes to the joint to have their burgers. Well to make the long story short I had to go. 

In N Out

Fast food burger chain, West Coast locations only, opened in 1948 by couple Harry and Esther Snyder. More than 260 locations all privately owned. The place was hectic, completely packed, it was impossible to have a seat so we decided to eat in the bench were you wait for your order in front of the counters. 

Counter and the no-secret menu

I went for a double, double meat, double cheese, and onions, as a side some fries. Let me tell you something about the place there is a secret way to order, no it’s not a myth is true, this is not visible in the restaurant, and I discovered it after I visited the place. Basically you can have a 3x3 or even 4x4 (4 patties 4 cheese), how about going animal style, no! not the Muppets drummer, it’s basically mustard cooked patty, put some pickles, extra spread, and grilled onions. 

Double-Double

Many places where you can check the “Secret Menu” try their official site or for more detailed explanation go for Serious Eats or Badmouth. 

The burger was nice, bun slightly toasted, the spread which is some sort of improved thousand island is awesome, by the way you can ask more of the spread just like you usually do for ketchup or mayo. Fries were good, overall a nice fast food take on the American classic. My friends didn't like it, I kind of disagree think is good enough, probably we didn't see the complete magic as we didn't have any idea of how to order correctly. 

Sorry Double-Double next time you're going Animal

I think it's a must if you've one in the area, go for animal style as it sounds awesomeness in a bun. 

Animal reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Conversion” 

Kramer: Um, you wanted to see me Father? 

Father: Yes. Please, sit down. Sister Roberta came to see me yesterday 

Kramer: I know what this is about Father. I didn't do anything. I just spoke to her innocently for just a few minutes. It’s just that, that I have this power 

Father: Yes, Kavorka 

Kramer: Kavorka? 

Father: It is a Latvian word which means "the lure of the animal" 

Kramer: I don’t understand 

Father: Women are drawn to you. They would give anything to be possessed by you 

Kramer: Help me Father, help me 

Father: Yes, yes I will help you. Listen very carefully. I want you to buy ten cloves of garlic, three quarts of vinegar, six ounces…

In N Out

T: +1 800 786 1000

Burgers

Approx Damage: $9pp

Area: Fisherman's Wharf

San Francisco

Twitter: innoutburger

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In the jungle the Leon sleeps tonight!

Recently I was looking for a quick bite in Blackfriars and realised I have never eaten in Leon. 11 restaurants 10 of them in London. Hectic, fast, noisy, as would you expect in the City during lunch rush hour. Their offer food that taste good and do good, using seasonal fresh ingredients from farms they trust. 

Leon

Got to the place with a colleague, at the end I ordered Moroccan meatballs and a grilled chicken salad. The meatballs were beef and lamb, a little dry, plum tomato sauce pretty decent, herbs, and a garlic sauce which gave a nice touch, rice as a side good enough, overall ok. The chicken salad a little disappointing, greens including spinach, peas, quinoa, some tomatoes, add to that the aioli sauce which was scarce, some pieces of grilled chicken, it was again just ok. 

Salad

Meatballs

Fast food, not my style, but if you’re in a rush, and want some wrap it might work for you I will probably pass. 

Lunch time completely packed

Meatballs remind me the Seinfeld episode “The Little Jerry” 

Elaine: Kurt? What's with the sweats? Aren't we going out?

Kurt: I don't care

Elaine: You, uh, got a big stain on your shirt

Kurt: Oh yeah, meatball, fell out of my sandwich

Elaine: You already ate?

Kurt: It's from yesterday

Leon

T: + 020 7489 1580

Mediterranean Fast Food

Aprox Damage: £10pp

Area: Blackfriars

Borough: City of London

Twitter: leonrestaurants

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Come on baby light my Fire in Wimbledon

I’ve been spending more time in my home turf these days. The good thing about that is that you discover places that you are not aware of, one of them is Flame, a unpretentious, fast food, authentic shawarma place, and according to them the best in town. The place looks like an ER, is so clean and shiny you could perform there a open heart surgery.

The Place

No tables, long counter showing all the victims you can have, and a big grill besides the two massive vertical rotisseries. The big rush of the place is after 12 when people in the area start to leave the local pubs and clubs.

So Many Choices

I usually ask for a shish plate instead of the shawarma, and this time was no different, a mix shish wrap and also as I was hungry I got falafels. The falafels were good, nice flavour, and not too greasy which is the best you can achieve in these kind of joints. The mix shish was excellent, nice flavours, well season the meat, and the garlic sauce giving a nice touch.

The Rotisseries

Falafel

The Shish Shawarma

I reckon I will be having some late night food encounters with Flame in the future, nice flavours, simple food, convenient location, and closing late.


This rock n’ roll experience reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Stock Tip”

Kramer: Hey, can I use your place? I got a bunch of friends coming over this weekend.

Jerry: What friends?
Kramer: Well, it's just some people I met at a rock concert. Do you mind if they use your bed? Because they're really good people, Jerry. I'm telling you. You know, they're anarchists. They're... they're... they're... huge.

Flame
T: 020 8542 2525
Turkish Cuisine / Fast Food
Area: Wimbledon
Borough: Merton

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Escaping the Royal Wedding III: Cardiff Fast Food Special

Before going to Cardiff I asked a friend regarding things to do in the city and he told me that no matter what I had to go to Dorothy’s in Caroline Street locally known as “Chip Alley” and try their speciality Chicken off the bone with chips. So as soon as I had the chance I got to the famous street and head straight to the place which started its business in 1930 and locals crave for its chicken curry special.

Chip Alley

The Place

The street is full of kebab parlours, burger places, fish and chips, etc, just a fast food paradise. Is the kind of place that you will go after a night of drinks with friends to get something tasty and cheap before heading home.

The Counter

I got to the place and put my order of chicken off the bone with chips, which is literally that a bed of chips in top shredded chicken off the bone and to crown the dish a curry sauce, the perfect combination for any hungry costumer late at night.

The specialty chicken off the bone and chips

Not a fine dining but tasty and unique experience from the Wales capital, so if you’re around I will recommend you to pass by and try Dorothy's late night fast food at its best.

Chicken always reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Chicken Roaster”.

Jerry: How's life on the red planet?

Kramer: Its killing me, I can't eat, I can't sleep, all I can see is that giant red sun in the shape of a chicken.

Jerry: Well, did you go down to the Kenny Rogers and complain?

Kramer: Ah, they have me the heave ho. I don't think that Kenny Rogers has any idea what's going on down there.