What Exactly Is in In-N-Out Animal Style? (2024)

The most popular item at In-N-Out is the animal-style burger from the secret menu. But what is it?

Legend has it that the burger's name came from the rowdy surfer and skater kids who would hang out at the original In-N-Out location in Baldwin Park, California in the 1960's. The employees referred to them as animals, because of their raucous behavior (In-N-Out employees are notoriously clean-cut), and after they started ordering mustardy, grilled burgerswith grilled onion, spread, and pickles, that sandwich took on their name: the animal style burger.

To this day, you can still get your In-N-Out animal style burger, and you truly haven't lived until you've had the chain's animal style fries(order them well-done).

What makes a burger animal style?

According to In-N-Out's website, what separates the animal style from a normal cheeseburger (with lettuce and tomato) is the beef patty that gets grilled with mustard, topped with extra spread (AKA Thousand Island special sauce), pickles, and grilled, caramelized onions. If you're a vegetarian, you can also order animal style grilled cheese, which comes with all of the above, minus the beef patty.

What makes fries animal style?

Animal style fries come with melted American cheese and grilled chopped onions, and are smothered with In-N-Out's special sauce. To die for!

Is the animal style burger extra money?

Ordering an In-N-Out burger animal style doesn't cost extra money unless you're adding more meat or cheese. If you want the animal style fries, you can get them for an additional fee.

How to Make Animal Style Burgers and Fries at Home

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch / PEXELS

To make animal style food at home, all you need is some Thousand Island dressing, sliced pickles, and caramelized onions. American cheese – which you may turn your nose up at initially – melts like a dream, so it's worth having some of that on hand, too!

You can add animal style toppings to everything from tater tots to hot dogs, veggie burgers to grilled chicken breast. Even if you can't make it to the west coast, you can still indulge in all the glory of In-N-Out from the comfort of your own home.

No matter what coast you're on, the animal style burger can be made from the comfort of your home... and can we just say, this meal is COMFORTING.

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Justina Huddleston

Justina Huddleston is a food writer living in Los Angeles. When she's not busy writing, she spends her time in the kitchen creating both virtuous and decidedly junky vegan food. Buffalo chickpea pizza, anyone? She's also been known to eat a plain block of tofu or beans straight out of the can for lunch, but somehow those culinary adventures don't make it to her Instagram. You can follow Justina on Twitter or see what's cooking in her kitchen on her blog, A Life of Little Pleasures.

As an enthusiast with a deep knowledge of culinary delights and a particular focus on iconic fast-food items, let me delve into the intriguing world of In-N-Out's legendary animal-style burger and fries.

The animal-style phenomenon at In-N-Out traces its roots back to the vibrant subculture of surfer and skater kids who frequented the original In-N-Out location in Baldwin Park, California, during the 1960s. These rowdy patrons, deemed "animals" by the employees due to their energetic behavior in contrast to the clean-cut staff, became the inspiration for the now-famous animal-style offerings.

The animal-style burger, a true In-N-Out classic, is distinguished by its beef patty grilled with mustard, topped generously with extra spread (resembling Thousand Island dressing), pickles, and grilled, caramelized onions. This flavorful combination creates a mouthwatering experience that has become a must-try for In-N-Out enthusiasts.

For those seeking a vegetarian option, In-N-Out caters to your preferences with the animal-style grilled cheese, featuring all the signature toppings minus the beef patty. Additionally, the article mentions the indulgent animal-style fries, which are adorned with melted American cheese, grilled chopped onions, and the irresistible In-N-Out special sauce.

Notably, the article clarifies that ordering an In-N-Out burger animal style doesn't incur an extra cost unless additional meat or cheese is added. However, if you're craving the delightful animal-style fries, there might be an additional fee.

The experience of enjoying In-N-Out's animal-style creations isn't confined to the restaurant. The article graciously shares insights on how to recreate these culinary delights at home. All you need are some essential ingredients like Thousand Island dressing, sliced pickles, caramelized onions, and the magical American cheese, known for its superb melting qualities. The versatility of animal-style toppings extends beyond burgers to other dishes like tater tots, hot dogs, veggie burgers, and even grilled chicken breasts.

In essence, the article provides a comprehensive guide for both In-N-Out enthusiasts and home cooks, ensuring that the savory pleasure of the animal-style burger and fries can be relished anywhere, whether you're on the West Coast or beyond. The author, Justina Huddleston, a food writer based in Los Angeles, shares her passion for culinary adventures, making the animal-style experience accessible to a wider audience.

As a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of food culture, I can attest to the timeless appeal and delectable nature of In-N-Out's animal-style offerings, making this article a valuable resource for anyone seeking to explore or recreate these iconic fast-food delights.