12 In-N-Out Hacks Every California Local Knows (But Tourists Miss)
I still remember my first In-N-Out visit as a college freshman in Los Angeles. I ordered a basic burger like everyone else in line, completely unaware that the people ahead of me were speaking a secret language.
Turns out, Californians have spent decades perfecting their orders with off-menu tweaks that transform simple burgers and fries into personalized masterpieces.
These hacks are not printed anywhere, but locals pass them down like family recipes, and once you learn them, you’ll never go back to ordering the standard way again.
1. Whole Grilled Onion Burger
Locals know the phrase that changes everything: whole grilled onion. Instead of tiny chopped bits, you get a thick, caramelized onion ring melted over the patty like a sweet, smoky blanket.
Every bite hits with diner-style flavor and a softer texture that feels more like an old-school griddle burger than fast food.
The onion comes out translucent and golden, adding a layer of sweetness that balances the savory beef perfectly.
I started ordering this back in college after a friend insisted I try it, and now I cannot imagine going back to the regular version.
How to order: Double-Double with a whole grilled onion.
2. Onions Both Ways
Some Californians are so serious about onion flavor that one style is not enough. They quietly ask for grilled onions plus raw onions, creating a stack that gives sweetness from the grill and a sharp crunch from the fresh slice.
Bites swing between soft and smoky and bright and zippy, and suddenly a basic burger tastes layered, almost chef-y.
This hack is perfect for anyone who loves texture variety in their food. The raw onion adds a crisp bite that cuts through the richness, while the grilled version melts into the cheese and sauce.
How to order: Onions both ways or grilled and raw onions.
3. Chopped Chilies On Everything
Yellow chilies sit waiting behind the counter, but tourists rarely know to ask. Locals drop the magic words, add chopped chilies, and the crew sprinkles tangy heat into burgers, fries, or even a grilled cheese.
That tiny tweak gives California sunshine energy: bright, spicy, and a little addictive, like someone snuck a salsa bar into your paper wrapper.
The chilies are not overwhelmingly hot but bring a zesty kick that wakes up your taste buds. I love adding them to my fries for an unexpected flavor boost that makes every bite more interesting.
How to order: Add chopped chilies to burgers, fries, or grilled cheese.
4. Secret-Menu Grilled Cheese For Non-Meat Nights
Plenty of locals grew up on In-N-Out long before they were ready for a double anything. The quiet hero was the grilled cheese: two slices of American cheese on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, spread, and optional onions.
It feels like a California diner melt more than a kids meal, especially when you customize it with grilled onions or chilies.
This option is ideal for vegetarians or anyone taking a break from meat. The cheese gets perfectly gooey, and the spread adds that signature tangy flavor everyone craves.
How to order: Grilled cheese with everything or grilled cheese with your toppings.
5. Cheesy Wiki Ultra Grilled Cheese
Some locals push the grilled cheese even further. Food-obsessed Californians discovered that you can ask for extra cheese, turning that simple sandwich into a molten, four-slice situation nicknamed Cheesy Wiki.
It eats like a gooey, fast-food fondue between buns, especially when you add spread and grilled onions.
I tried this once on a rainy winter night, and it felt like the ultimate comfort food. The cheese stretches with every bite, creating those Instagram-worthy cheese pulls that make your friends jealous.
How to order: Grilled cheese with two extra slices of cheese.
6. Cheese Fries Instead Of Plain Fries
Out-of-towners either accept the basic fries or go straight to Animal Style. Locals know there is a middle lane: cheese fries.
A fresh layer of American cheese softens over the hot potatoes, giving salty, stretchy bites that still leave room to dunk in spread or ketchup. It is the upgrade people whisper about when they want comfort without full chaos.
These fries are not as heavy as Animal Style but way more interesting than plain. The cheese melts just enough to coat each fry without drowning them.
How to order: Cheese fries or fries with cheese on top.
7. Root Beer Float From The Soda Fountain
California kids who grew up with In-N-Out eventually heard the rumor: you can get a root beer float. Staff mix root beer with the vanilla shake, turning your drink into a thick, fizzy dessert that tastes like childhood at a drive-in.
Social posts and secret-menu sites keep confirming it, and longtime fans still act smug when a newbie discovers it for the first time.
The combination is nostalgic and refreshing, especially on hot summer days when you need something cold and sweet after your burger.
How to order: Root beer float or vanilla shake mixed with root beer.
8. Neapolitan Shake All Three Flavors
Indecisive locals do not choose between vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. They just order all three. Staff blend the flavors into a Neapolitan shake that tastes like someone melted your favorite striped ice cream carton into a cup.
Secret-menu guides and food sites keep calling it one of the chain’s best off-menu orders, and regulars treat it like a default dessert.
The flavors swirl together beautifully, giving you a different taste with every sip. I love ordering this when I cannot decide what I am craving.
How to order: Neapolitan shake or mix all three shake flavors.
9. Veggie Wish Burger For Plant-Leaning Friends
California friend groups are mixed: surfers, office workers, vegans, and picky eaters all end up under the same red-and-white awning.
Those who skip meat quietly ask for a veggie burger or a bun with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, spread, and sometimes cheese.
No patty, just the classic toppings stacked like a farmers market sandwich, and yes, staff recognize the move.
This option keeps everyone happy during group outings. The veggies stay crisp, and the spread adds that signature In-N-Out flavor everyone loves.
How to order: Veggie burger with cheese and spread or bun with all the veggies, no meat.
10. Puppy Patty For The Dog In The Back Seat
Drive-thrus in California are full of dogs hanging out of car windows, and In-N-Out quietly became part of that culture.
Former employees have confirmed that guests can order a plain patty cooked without added salt or seasoning for their pup, often called a Puppy Patty. Locals love handing that warm little burger disk to a very confused, very happy dog in the back seat.
My golden retriever goes absolutely wild every time we pull up to In-N-Out now. The plain patty is made without added salt or seasoning, but as with any treat, it is smart to keep portions small and check with your vet if your dog has dietary restrictions.
How to order: Puppy patty or plain patty with no added salt or seasoning for my dog.
11. No-Salt Fries For A Fresh Piping-Hot Batch
Those who really care about texture play a subtle card. Asking for fries with no salt usually triggers a fresh batch straight from the fryer, since staff cannot just scoop from the salted pile.
Regulars then sprinkle the packet salt themselves. Community posts and fan groups talk about this as the go-to way to guarantee hotter, crisper fries without changing the fry style.
The difference between lukewarm fries and fresh-from-the-oil fries is massive. This hack ensures you get the crispiest, hottest batch every single time.
How to order: Fries with no salt, please, then grab salt packets at the condiment station.
12. Cut-In-Half Burgers For Sharing And Road Trips
Parents, road-trippers, and portion-control pros quietly ask In-N-Out to cut their burgers in half. Staff will slice and wrap the halves so they are easier to share or eat one-handed in LA traffic.
Secret-menu rundowns and fan forums call out this option as a surprisingly helpful hack, especially if you are splitting a Double-Double or feeding kids.
This simple request makes eating in the car way less messy. I always ask for this when I am driving because it keeps everything neat and manageable.
How to order: Double-Double cut in half or burger cut in half, please.