10 California Spots Where The Best Order Starts With “Can You Still Make…”
There is a special kind of thrill in walking up to a counter and asking, Can you still make…
Followed by a wink and a craving only locals seem to know.
Across California, certain kitchens carry folklore on their menus, and the best bites live off script, whispered between regulars and the cooks who remember!
You are about to meet the spots where nostalgia, hacks, and off-menu legends collide with sizzling grills and creative hands ready to improvise.
Bring your curiosity and your appetite!
Because the magic happens when you ask for the story behind the order and they grin like you just said a secret password.
1. In-N-Out Burger, Baldwin Park
If you have ever loved a burger with a whisper of mischief, this is where your order starts with a confident “Can you still make it animal style”, and a grin that the cashier instantly recognizes.
The original In-N-Out Burger hums along at 13850 Francisquito Ave, Baldwin Park, CA 91706, where the air smells like toasted buns and grilled onions.
Ask for your fries well-done, a bun lightly toasted, extra spread, or even a mustard-grilled patty that crackles with tang.
Here is the move you will thank yourself for.
Stack a Double-Double mustard-grilled with extra pickles and chopped chilis, then pair it with well-done fries, cheese melted like a golden quilt.
The hand-leafed lettuce crunches, the tomato is bright, and the spread ties everything together with that iconic tang.
You can even order a Neapolitan shake if you want to hedge between chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
Why ask the secret question here?
Because the team gets it, and they take pride in the craft behind simplicity.
Every off-menu tweak respects the core, so your custom becomes a better version of the classic rather than a stunt.
Ask warmly, enjoy the show at the open kitchen, and taste how a tiny hack can feel like hometown magic.
2. The Habit Burger Grill, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara locals know the char with character, and the question “Can you still make a Santa Barbara style char burger” lands with a nod at The Habit Burger Grill.
Find it at 628 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93102, tucked into a breezy corridor where surfboards and office bags mingle.
Ask for avocado, cheese, grilled sourdough, and that char flame-kissed patty that smells like summer.
The secret move is going off script for the tempura green beans and asking for a side of ranch, then upgrading your burger with grilled onions and extra pickles for snap.
If you want a remix, try sourdough instead of the sesame bun and ask for a charred edge that crackles.
The Habit shines when you lean into layering textures, crisp greens against melty cheese and juicy beef.
You will want to stay for a milkshake swirl, but the burger is the real story, brightened by fresh lettuce and a tomato with actual flavor.
The team is friendly about custom requests, especially if you keep it respectful and clear.
This place proves that secret orders are not about being difficult, they are about chasing the most dialed-in version of your favorite bite.
3. Del Taco, Barstow
Road-trippers swear the Barstow location hits different, and it is the perfect place to start with to make the classic Barstow tacos the old way.
Pull off to Del Taco at 401 N 1st Ave, Barstow, CA 92311, where the nostalgia rides in with the desert breeze.
Go for tacos with a little extra lettuce crunch, pico, or a fry-side that knows its place next to hot sauce.
If you are feeling bold, request a bun taco throwback style, a nod to a beloved relic that sometimes gets a smile from veteran staff.
Pair it with crinkle fries and ask for creamy queso or secret sauce on the side to dip for a simple, satisfying rhythm.
The seasoning rides salty and bright, the tortilla stays warm, and the cheese brings the comfort you remember.
This stop is about pace, letting you reset between miles and snackable moments.
The crew is unfussy, happy to help with tweaks that keep the order tidy and still craveable.
You might just unlock a nod to history, the kind of off-menu moment that tastes like a postcard from a simpler drive.
4. El Pollo Loco, Inglewood
Grill smoke curls like an invitation in this place in California!
Head to El Pollo Loco at 426 N La Brea Ave, Inglewood, CA 90302, where the flame-kissed marinade perfumes the block.
Try a mixed piece combo and tortillas warmed just enough to steam your fingers.
The win here is customizing sides into a mini feast, pinto beans, rice, and a cup of fresh pico that flips chicken into handheld tacos.
Add extra cilantro, squeeze lime with intention, and pace the bites so the char has room to shine.
Also, you can request extra skin crisp or dark-meat bias, which turns every mouthful into juicy comfort.
What makes this spot special is how generous the team gets when you know what you want.
The salsa bar adds crunch and heat, and the tortillas serve as your canvas for last-minute tweaks.
Say the line with a smile, stay flexible, and watch them turn a simple order into a char-forward meal that feels cooked just for you.
5. California Pizza Kitchen, Beverly Hills
California fusion lives here, which is why the order goes with a twist.
Drop in at California Pizza Kitchen, 207 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, where the room buzzes with lunchtime energy and clinking plates.
Request thin crust, light onions, extra cilantro, and a side of ranch for dipping.
If you love heat, ask for a jalapeno sprinkle or a spice oil drizzle that wakes the sauce without stealing the show.
Balance your pie with a half salad, maybe the Thai crunch, and ask to toss extra lime for a bright snap.
The dough hits that sweet spot between crisp and chew, and the smoky sauce loves a squeeze of citrus.
There is a quiet art to getting exactly what you want here, and the kitchen usually obliges when the edits keep the spirit intact.
The off-menu energy feels collaborative rather than fussy, like you are co-creating lunch.
Trust me, you will watch a California classic come back to life right in front of you.
6. Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, San Francisco
You come to Ike’s for personality on bread!
Find the shop at 901 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109, where the smell of toasted bread and garlic waves out the door.
Order Dutch crunch, ask for an extra toasty shell, pepper jack, and a lettuce barrier so the roll stays crisp.
You should remix a favorite name with special tweaks, extra dirty sauce, grilled onions, chopped pickles, and sliced banana peppers for tang.
And then request halal, veggie, or turkey swaps, and nobody bats an eye because customization is the point.
Also, try adding jalapeno poppers tucked inside for a crunch-creamy surprise that feels like a cheat code.
Why this place nails off-menu energy is the staff, who celebrate your choices and guide you toward balance.
The bread texture cracks like candy shell and gives way to juicy, layered fillings that stay put.
Your cravings will be thankful for this sandwich!
7. Jack In The Box, San Diego
Some off-menu orders feel like a dare, and this one starts with “Can you still make a sourdough stack with curly fries tucked inside.”
Roll up to Jack in the Box at 4751 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115, where the late-night window glows like a beacon.
Their sourdough bread, extra grilled onions, and a sauce combo that leans peppery over sweet, will blow your mind!
Curly fries in the sandwich add crunch and spice, and you can request two tacos on the side to build a crunchy mashup if that is your mood.
The staff knows the language of mods, no problem splitting sauce, cheese swaps, or holding lettuce to keep the toast crisp.
And if you like heat, ask for jalapeno rings and a side of fire sauce for dipping.
This is comfort engineered for spontaneity, the kind of bite that tastes like a great idea you will repeat.
You are not being difficult, you are editing for joy, and the grill crew gets it.
8. Panda Express Innovation Kitchen, Pasadena
This is where Panda experiments!
Step into Panda Express Innovation Kitchen at 3867 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107, a testbed vibe with glass, steel, and sizzling woks.
Try to mix super greens with fried rice, then add a protein duo for balance.
If you love contrast, pair orange chicken with string bean chicken and request an extra toss of scallions and chili flakes.
The team is used to custom builds, so they will help you dial the sauce level and lean lighter or richer as you wish.
So add a side of chili crisp or a citrus wedge if available and watch the flavors pop without heaviness.
What makes the Innovation Kitchen fun is how open the crew is to experiments, within reason.
Your bowl becomes a mini lab, where texture and heat play off steam and crunch.
With this, you will definitely leave with a bright, wok-kissed combo that feels both familiar and brand-new.
9. Jamba, San Luis Obispo
Smoothie fans know the right ask sounds like making that secret recipe with extra ginger and a protein boost without added sweetness.
Jamba sits at 890 Marsh St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, and the blenders sing like a chorus of summer.
Recommendation here is base heavy on whole fruit, oat milk swap, and add chia for texture.
If you want a colder, thicker sip, ask for light ice and extra frozen bananas, then hit it with ginger or turmeric for a clean spark.
You can also fold in spinach without changing the flavor much, a stealth way to green up your day.
This is the kind of custom that makes a habit feel personal, a small daily upgrade that meets you where you are.
You will taste clean fruit, a gentle spice lift, and a creamy body that never gets cloying.
At this place, staff will blend your favorite off-menu comfort like it was always there!
10. The Cheesecake Factory, Beverly Hills
And of course, there’s no way to forget about cheesecake!
Head to The Cheesecake Factory at 364 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, where the dining room sparks and conversations buzz.
Their usual order is a split between two favorites, so add broccoli or spinach, and dial the sauce down to let the herbs breathe.
If you want a sneaky classic, request the Louisiana style chicken pasta with lighter cream and extra mushrooms, or swap for shrimp with lemon zest.
Save room for a cheesecake slice cut thin, then topped with fresh strawberries and a squeeze of citrus.
The plate arrives balanced, colorful, and easier to finish without heaviness.
Perfect way to end your California trip!