Tales From The Ride Share: In N Out

In the summer of 2023, I left my job leading an LA newsroom and spent the summer speaking with everyday people… these are their ride share stories

A Philly businessman gets in at his hotel and triumphantly says “Take me to In N Out”! He then proceeds to tell me how he LOVVVVVEES it and has already had it twice this week. He wants to bring the kids back some swag and t-shirts if he can find them. We’re in Pasadena- about two miles from the In N Out on Foothill. I say, “too bad you don’t have more time… if you ever do, you need to get to the original In N Out in Baldwin Park— they have a whole company store and the original burger stand there.” “I have time”, he said, “let’s go”.

OK hang on— it’s at this point I need to make sure you know it’s like 20 miles away and the company store may already be closed. “I’m a gambling man. Let’s go!” And so we went.

In N Out Uber at your service.

The ride was comprised of a full discussion of In N out, the company, the great customer service, the wild story of its CEO Lynsi Snyder. We debated In N Out French fries both agreeing they need a little more salt and a little more crispness but it’s hard to build on perfection.

I relayed to him the story of radio host Tim Conway Junior who talks about the fry strategy. When you get to the drive through, you send someone IN to the counter while you go through the drive through. They order JUST the fries and bring them out so you can enjoy all the super hot fries while you make your way through the line and then you just order your hamburgers and shakes at the end of the drive through.

GENIUS he thought.

The sun sets on the 605 and the 10 as we pull into Baldwin Park and it was like harps and angels as the sign beckoned this weary traveler from Philly who is about to get his third dose of In N Out in as many days.

By this time Uber was messaging both of us with “Are You OK” messages since we had deviated about forty miles, three freeways, and forty minutes from the route to Foothill.

We were more than OK.

I waited while the guy ordered his grub. Even though the company store was closed, he came out with T-shirt merch for his entire family to bring back to Philadelphia.

I took him across the freeway to the other side to see the original In N Out shack which is still there with the green neon sign. My kids flipped fake burgers there when they were little kids.

So awesome. He loved it.

The ride back was just as fun and now the entire car smelled like French fries and burgers.

Again Uber asked if we were OK.
A resounding YES.

We talked about California, the Rose Parade, the Hollywood strike and more. When I pulled up back at the hotel— about fifty miles and an hour late from our original destination, he was all thanks.

He tipped me 40 bucks on a 45 dollar ride.

If In N Out needs an Uber ambassador, I’m here for you. And in the meantime, see you back soon in the news business. In-N-Out Burger