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Living in Chicago has meant that we're not quite as beholden to the monsters of fast food, despite a proliferation of such restaurants in the area. It's not that we're altogether anti-fast food, but rather we just don't see the point when there are so many better options available to us.
That said, we're not above the occasional longing for any number of fast food restaurants that don't call Chicago home. On a recent trip out-of-state, Chicagoist went 30 minutes of our way to locate a Chick-fil-A, because it kills us that we don't have those tasty little sandwiches available to us here in Chicago. We're never that fervent about fast food, but in this case we made an exception.
Some of Chicagoist feels pretty similarly about In-N-Out Burger, the West Coast restaurant chain famous for its burgers and long drive-thru lines. While we know that due to the high quality of the menu items - its ingredients are never frozen - we'll never see an In-N-Out in these parts, we still mourn it just the same.
So color us surprised when today we learned that the chain's co-founder, Esther L. Snyder, passed away and that she was an Illinois native. Granted, she hadn't called the Land of Lincoln home since she left it for college in Seattle in the mid-1940s, and Sorento is a ways away from Chicago, but still. We love In-N-Out, and one member of Chicagoist who plans on being out in California next week is loading up on Double-Doubles while he's out there.
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i went to an in-and-out in phoenix this past june... surprised at the teeny tiny menu (what, three sandwiches), but since the line was nearly out the door, i figured they were onto something. wasn't too bad.
Don't forget their secret menu!
http://www.zenlemur.com/innout.shtml
Wildly over-rated. I tried it regular, animal-style, hamster-style, The New Way, etc. and still never saw what was so supposedly fantastic about it. Give me a Culvers or a Booch's anyday.
I've e-mailed Chick-Fil-A to ask them to open a Chicago location twice. Unfortunately, the answer both times was "we have no plans for the Chicago market at this time."
Sad, very sad.
if this gets them to loosen their restrictions on franchises, im announcing right now that im opening up a location here. ill even buy a palm tree for out front.
The only thing special about these joints is the uncommonly slow-for-fast-food service. I've eaten in half a dozen of them in SoCal, misled by my daughter's raving about them, and I'd prefer Portillo's any day.
Southern Californians completely lack perspective on the world outside their world. What's special there doesn't count for much if you get around enough.
I've had In-and-Out. Eh, it's fine. Nothing all that special. I agree - Portillo's and any number of neighborhood hot dog joints make a better burger in Chicago.
Chick-Fil-A is much tastier.
if they grilled their burgers instead of pan-frying them, it would be worth the raves. their fries are the best, though. good buns, too.
So what is the deal Chick-Fil-A? Is it really that good? It seems like a lot of people that move to Chicago really miss it. I've not had the pleasure of eating at this place and I'm really curious now.
"it's ingredients are never frozen"
Should be "its", which is the possessive form, rather than "it's", which is a contraction of "it is." I'm available for all your proof-reading needs.
I'm with the Joel whose comment (#3) is above. Give me Booch's or give me death!
in 'n' out is one of the best fast food chains there is. its the only thing i miss about los angeles.
Too many burger joints already. White Castle, McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, occasional Hardees, Boston Blackies, and a couple more still under the radar. No more please.
And enough with the chicken places too. I don't have to eat at them, but I have to look at them.
As Chicago, we need more Hot Dog places. Lots more. We have the pizza even though it sucks. But what is better than a Chicago Hot Dog, or Maxwell Polish, or Wisconsin Brat? Portillos is the only place that caters to that within 6 blocks of me. Speaking of hot dogs, the best ones at Wrigley are the Hebrew National ones.
"So what is the deal Chick-Fil-A? Is it really that good?"
Yes.
It's worth the trip to Racine - that's the closest one to Chicago - just for the sandwiches. Honestly.