Anthony Bourdain’s top LA restaurant was surprisingly In-N-Out Burger.

Los Angeles is a vibrant city filled with incredible dining options. From upscale restaurants to diverse ethnic cuisines, L.A. is a must-visit for any food lover. When Anthony Bourdain visited the City of Angels in 2015 for the cooking competition “The Taste,” he shared his favorite L.A. restaurant with Eater. Surprisingly, he revealed that his top choice wasn’t any of the city’s prestigious Michelin-starred restaurants, nor a hidden gem in Thai Town or Little Tokyo — it was the fast food chain In-N-Out Burger.

In an Eater YouTube clip, Bourdain mentioned that his first stop after arriving at LAX was always In-N-Out for a burger, and he would also stop by on his way out. He remarked, “It’s the only fast-food chain that I actually like.”

Bourdain was so captivated by this SoCal drive-thru that he expressed admiration for the quality of its burgers. He highlighted the taste of its buns, fresh toppings, and noted that the “cheese-like substance is just perfect.” However, it was the meat quality that he praised as “brilliant,” explaining that the burger’s two thinly pressed patties maximized the meat’s surface area against the tongue. He compared it to “a ballistic missile. A perfectly designed … protein delivery system.”

In the Eater interview, Bourdain was seen sitting outside an In-N-Out location, reverently unwrapping and enjoying a Double-Double burger. This signature burger features freshly baked, toasted buns, two layers of American cheese, onions, ripe tomatoes, lettuce, and “spread,” the restaurant’s take on special sauce. Although the exact recipe for the spread remains undisclosed, it’s a variation based on Thousand Island dressing combining mayo, ketchup, and sweet pickle relish. Additionally, it includes two beef patties made from 100% USDA ground chuck without additives.

Bourdain preferred his Double-Doubles animal style — a menu term indicating that the beef patties are cooked in mustard, then topped with pickles, grilled onions, and extra sauce. Although ordering from In-N-Out’s secret menu has become less discreet, the company recognizes popular customizations and now includes some on its “Not So Secret” menu.

While savoring his sauce-laden hamburger, Bourdain proclaimed on camera: “Oh yeah, there it is, my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles. A city with many fine restaurants by the way” (via Eater). He wasn’t alone in his appreciation; Gordon Ramsay has labeled the Double-Double as his favorite fast food burger, stating he would choose it as his last meal — animal style.

In-N-Out Burger debuted in 1948, launching its first Southern California outlet in Baldwin Park. In 2023, it celebrated its 75th anniversary and another landmark with its 400th restaurant opening in Meridian, Idaho. Initially exclusive to the West Coast, you can now find In-N-Out locations in eight additional states, including Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. Future expansions include new outlets in Southern Washington by 2025, Franklin, Tennessee in 2026, and Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2027.

Anthony Bourdain mentioned to Eater that rumors occasionally circulate about In-N-Out opening in Brooklyn, causing New Yorkers to become quite excited. Unfortunately, when the current owner Lynsi Snyder was asked during a 2024 Today Show appearance about any potential East Coast expansion, she commented that such a possibility was “probably never.”

Regarding inflation and cost-cutting, Snyder indicated that the company would aim to keep price increases “minimal,” as she feels a responsibility to their customers. However, in June 2024, it was reported that In-N-Out was raising its California prices, causing the combined cost of a Double-Double, fries, and a drink to exceed $10 including tax. This price increase was attributed to California’s $20 minimum wage hike for fast food workers.