Julia Child’s favorite fast food restaurant was an iconic choice

Julia Child was a giant in the world of food. The popular TV chef was known for her no-nonsense approach to cooking, embracing mistakes and focusing on simple, quality ingredients. Child hosted a cooking show that is still considered a TV classic and co-authored the famous book “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” which introduced many American home cooks to the often intimidating subject. When you think of Julia Child, you probably think of fried chicken and beef bourguignon, not burgers and fries. However, you would be wrong to assume that she didn’t appreciate good fast food. In fact, Child counted one particular West Coast restaurant chain as one of her all-time favorites.

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Yes, Child loved In-N-Out Burger — and she wasn’t the only one who adored the popular fast food joint. The chain is a favorite of many celebrity chefs, including Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay. Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa herself, has also based her love of the restaurant solely on Child’s endorsement of it. And it’s no wonder why. In-N-Out serves simple, classic fast food fare with a persistent focus on quality and simplicity above all. The chain, located only in the western United States and Texas, sells burgers, fries and shakes reminiscent of the best of mid-century American cuisine.

Although Julia Child was known for her in-depth knowledge of the ins and outs of French cuisine, she is actually from Pasadena, California. The situation is similar with In-N-Out, which began in 1948 just half an hour away in Baldwin Park, California. So both food legends come from the Golden State. But California solidarity aside, it’s easy to see why Child had such an affinity for the fast food restaurant. In-N-Out is known for its commitment to quality. In fact, this is the reason it is a West Coast-based chain, as the company only sources its beef from three local farms and refuses to ever freeze or microwave its ingredients. In-N-Out’s unwillingness to ship its meat more than 300 miles makes expansion further east impossible. The beef also contains no preservatives or additives, so you can be sure that your burger is of high quality.

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This quality extends to In-N-Out’s other ingredients as well, as all vegetables are also fresh. Additionally, the chain avoids novelty by keeping its menu simple and straightforward. That doesn’t mean your burger necessarily has to be plain, though, as In-N-Out also has a long, unofficial “secret” menu that allows guests to customize their meals. Popular options on this unofficial menu include the Flying Dutchman and the Animal-Style Burger. As for Child’s favorite order, we’ll just have to guess (and maybe order some animal-style fries to think about it).