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10 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Ordering at In-N-Out

What longtime fans know, and first-timers often miss.

By Cassandra Yorgey

Edited by Esther Carlstone

Updated Dec. 29, 2025

If you want a burger on the go, there's no shortage of options, but In-N-Out Burger stands apart, thanks to a devoted fanbase with strong opinions on how to order it just right. In these times of rising prices, finding ways to stretch your fast food budget matters more than ever, and that often comes down to avoiding simple mistakes while ordering.

Avoid these common In-N-Out mistakes to make the most of your visit.

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Ordering two milkshakes instead of mixed flavors

The milkshake menu may seem straightforward with only three flavor options, but you can request customizations just like on the food menu. The "secret" milkshake menu includes a root beer float, and mixing and matching shake flavors. You can even order a Neapolitan and get the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layered like the ice cream.

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Not ordering fries "Animal Style"

You can get French fries anywhere, but you can only get "Animal Style" fries from In-N-Out, and it can make the fries hearty and more filling. Ordering this "secret" menu item will get you an order of fries topped with the chain's famous spread, cheese, and grilled onions.

Wasting money by not customizing your fry order

It's not just the burgers that can be customized at In-N-Out. Their fries can be ordered "extra crispy" or "lightly done." Specifying exactly how you like them means you're less likely to waste them by not finishing them.

You can also specify salt-level and toppings, so they can be just right for your taste buds.

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Asking for "everything" on your burger

There's no shame in wanting everything on your burger, but this can be confusing to In-N-Out employees because of linguistics. The standard toppings on a burger are spread, lettuce, and a tomato, but you can also add other things like pickles, chiles, and onions, both grilled or raw.

Being specific can guarantee you get exactly the burger you want.

Not customizing your onions

There are actually multiple ways to enjoy onions on your burger. Most places only offer raw onions, but In-N-Out defaults to steaming whole onion slices on top of your patty, or you can ask for the onions chopped or, even better, grilled.

Grilled onions can be a game-changer for folks who don't like the hard bite of raw, uncooked onions.

Overlooking the tomato wrap

If you're skipping carbs or gluten, then you probably already know about the lettuce wrap, but you can get more bang for your buck by asking for the "tomato wrap," which is the burger patty sandwiched between thick slices of tomato. This is also great for folks who just don't particularly care for lettuce, which can leave one still feeling hungry.

Tomatoes offer a heartier option to bulk up your breadless burger.

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Leaving your four-legged friend out

We all love to pamper our pets, and In-N-Out is happy to help. You can order a "pup patty" for your dog, and the employees will make your best furry friend a plain, unsalted, broiled hamburger patty that is safe for your pooch to pounce on and will help keep them away from your own food.

These dog-friendly patties are free of onions, garlic, and other human foods that could potentially be toxic to dogs, so don't leave your pup out of the fast food fun.

Missing out on the spicy burger

Many customers don't realize their In-N-Out has a secret stash of cascabella peppers that can be added to their toppings, giving that touch of heat you might have been missing. These peppers have about the same level of heat as a jalapeño. However, there are occasionally shortages, which can cause a few locations to offer banana pepper rings instead.

If you prefer to kick your burgers up a notch, ask about it next time you swing through for a burger.

Not trying the mustard-grilled patty

You don't have to get a full "Animal Style" to enjoy the extra tanginess of a mustard-grilled patty. In-N-Out burgers are nothing if not customizable, so you can order any burger you want and request that mustard-grilled patty.

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Not trying the "Flying Dutchman" if you're on the Keto diet

Keto isn't just a low-carb diet; it's actually about consuming a specific ratio of fats, proteins, and carbs. One of the non-published menu items at In-N-Out is the Flying Dutchman, which offers customers two slices of American cheese sandwiched between two beef patties, so that the lettuce wrap "Protein Style" burger isn't your only option for healthier fast food.

Bottom line

An increasing number of people are cooking at home to try and tackle high grocery costs, and that means they want a quality experience on the occasions they do spring for fast food. Nobody wants to spend their hard-earned money on an unsatisfactory meal.

Fortunately, In-N-Out's menu may look simple, but it's highly customizable, so you can order your food exactly how you like it and avoid anything going to waste.

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