In-N-Out Burger
4705 South Maryland Parkway; other locations (last visit: October 2005).
Fast food.
At long last I tried this western U.S. hamburger chain. It has a very limited menu, with the star being the - what else - hamburger. Of note is the secret menu. You can order your selections fixed many different ways, if you know what to ask for; the choices just aren't on the menu. For example, would you like a really big sandwich? Order a 3-by-3, which translates to 3 hamburger patties and 3 slices of cheese. Want your fries crispier? Order them well done. Or, order your fries animal style - with cheese, spread, onions, and pickles on top. I ordered a double double (2 patties, 2 pieces of cheese) and animal style fries well done. The hamburger was very good, although hardly a transcendent experience. I also enjoyed the animal style fries, but the fries themselves were mediocre.
I went back again later in the trip and enjoyed the food just as much. This time I tried the fries animal style but not well done, and had the same opinion - mediocre fries made better by the toppings.