These In-N-Out Secret Menu Hacks Ohio Locals Swear By (Even Without A Location Nearby)
I’ll never forget the first time I tasted an In-N-Out burger during a California road trip—the tangy spread, those grilled onions, the perfectly melted cheese.
Back home in Ohio, I craved that West Coast magic, but the nearest location sat more than a thousand miles away. Then I realized something: local burger spots could replicate the famous hacks with a few cues.
I started ordering a smashed double, mustard-seared on the griddle, with extra pickles, chopped grilled onions, and “spread” on both buns. Add shredded lettuce, ripe tomato, and a soft potato bun. Boom—Animal-Style vibes, Ohio zip code. Included napkins.
1. Five Guys Protein-Style Double-Double
My friend Jake from Columbus taught me this trick after his own California obsession. He walks into any Five Guys, orders a regular cheeseburger with two patties, then asks for it as a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. The magic happens at the toppings bar where you pile on grilled onions, pickles, and tomato slices.
The DIY spread is ridiculously simple—mix ketchup, mayo, and a little relish from the condiment station. It tastes shockingly close to the real thing. Five Guys even encourages lettuce wraps officially, so you won’t get weird looks.
You can find Five Guys all over Columbus, including the spot at 1004 W 5th Ave and 2134 Polaris Pkwy. Both locations have full toppings bars and friendly staff who’ve probably seen this hack before.
2. Shake Shack Animal-Style Fries Vibe
One rainy Saturday at Easton Town Center, I watched someone order cheese fries and transform them into something legendary. The secret is asking for chopped cherry peppers on top and requesting a side cup of ShackSauce for drizzling. The combination creates that gooey, tangy, slightly spicy experience In-N-Out’s Animal Fries are famous for.
ShackSauce is already on the menu as an official add-on, so this isn’t even a weird request. The staff knows topped fries are a thing. The peppers add a kick that actually improves on the original.
Shake Shack has two great Ohio locations—Easton Town Center and Short North in Columbus. Both get busy on weekends, so plan accordingly.
3. Culver’s Flying Dutchman
Culver’s has been my secret weapon ever since I discovered their no-bun option. Just order a Double ButterBurger Cheese and tell them to skip the bun entirely. They’ll serve you two juicy patties with melted cheese, and you can load up on extra grilled onions and pickles.
The beauty of this hack is that Culver’s officially supports bun removal—it’s built right into their ordering system. No awkward explanations needed. The burger arrives hot, cheesy, and ready to devour with a fork or your hands.
Head to locations in Columbus-Hilliard or Heath, Ohio, where the staff has perfected this customization. Pair it with their famous cheese curds for the ultimate meal.
4. Swensons Drive-In Extra-Spread Double
Swensons is a Northeast Ohio treasure that locals guard like a state secret. Their famous Galley Boy already comes with two incredible sauces—tantar and BBQ—that mix together like a spread-heavy dream. Order the double version and ask for extra sauces plus grilled onions to nail that In-N-Out vibe.
The combination of tangy tartar and smoky BBQ creates a flavor profile that’s honestly better than the original. It’s sweet, savory, and totally addictive. The drive-in experience adds nostalgic bonus points.
Find Swensons in Brookpark near Cleveland and multiple Akron locations. The carhop service makes you feel like you’ve stepped back into the 1950s, which only adds to the magic.
5. Frisch’s Big Boy Thousand Island Fix
Growing up, my grandpa always ordered his Big Boy with extra tartar sauce, and now I understand why. Frisch’s famously replaced Thousand Island dressing with their signature tartar on the Big Boy decades ago. Order the double, ask for extra tartar sauce, and add grilled onions for a spread that rivals any West Coast burger.
The tartar has that creamy, tangy punch you crave, and the grilled onions add sweetness. It’s a Cincinnati tradition that translates perfectly to In-N-Out fans. The sesame seed bun gets perfectly toasted too.
Locations in Hartwell, West Chester, Springfield, and beyond are still serving this classic. Check their hours online before you go.
6. Skyline Chili Loaded Animal-Style Fries
Skyline Chili is peak Ohio comfort food, and their fries can absolutely scratch that Animal-Style itch. Order the Chili Cheese Fries, then request a side of diced onions—they’re a standard topping at every location. Sprinkle the onions on top and you’ve got gooey, sweet-savory loaded fries that rival anything from California.
The chili adds protein and spice, while the cheese and onions create that messy, indulgent experience. It’s different from the original but equally crave-worthy. The sweetness of Cincinnati chili plays surprisingly well with the dairy.
The Columbus location at 3720 S High St is open and ready, plus dozens more across Ohio. Perfect late-night fuel.
7. Raising Cane’s Saucy Fries Fix
Cane’s Sauce is one of those condiments you could honestly drink from the bottle. Order their crinkle-cut fries and grab an extra cup of Cane’s Sauce specifically for drizzling. The tangy, peppery sauce transforms plain fries into something crave-worthy and messy in the best way.
The crinkle-cut texture holds the sauce perfectly, creating little pockets of flavor in every bite. It’s not exactly Animal-Style, but it delivers that same saucy, indulgent satisfaction. Plus, Cane’s never skimps on portion sizes.
Ohio has Raising Cane’s locations statewide, including Olentangy River Rd in Columbus. The drive-thru moves fast, making this an easy weeknight hack.
8. Red Robin Protein-Style Burger Sit-Down Edition
Red Robin’s Wedgie Burger is basically a lettuce-wrapped masterpiece that comes standard on the menu. It’s officially listed, so no explaining required. Just add grilled onions and pickles to capture that West Coast bite, and you’re golden.
The lettuce wrap is sturdy enough to hold everything together without falling apart mid-bite. Red Robin uses crisp iceberg that stays crunchy throughout the meal. The bottomless fries don’t hurt either, even if they’re not Animal-Style.
Visit the Hilliard or West Chester locations near Columbus for the full sit-down experience. The servers are super accommodating with customizations, and the atmosphere beats fast food any day.
9. Rally’s Instant Loaded Fries
Sometimes the best hack is no hack at all—just order Rally’s Fully Loaded Fries straight from the menu. They come with cheese and seasoned fries already piled high. Grab an extra sauce cup for drizzling, and you’ve got instant gratification without any custom gymnastics.
The seasoned fries have that signature Rally’s spice blend that makes them insanely addictive. The cheese melts into every crevice. It scratches the cheesy, messy fries itch with zero effort, which is honestly perfect for lazy days.
Rally’s has locations all over Ohio with the Fully Loaded Fries on the official menu. Check their location index online to find the nearest spot.
10. Wendy’s Mustard Grilled Patty Hack
Wendy’s will totally grill mustard onto your patty if you just ask nicely. Order a double cheeseburger and request mustard to be grilled onto the patties before cooking. Add extra pickles, onions, and a mix of ketchup and mayo to mimic that classic spread.
The mustard caramelizes slightly on the grill, giving the beef a tangy, savory crust that’s wildly flavorful. It’s a trick that In-N-Out perfected, but Wendy’s can replicate it with ease. The fresh beef makes all the difference.
Wendy’s locations are everywhere in Ohio, making this the most accessible hack on the list. Just be patient—mustard-grilled patties take an extra minute or two.
11. Steak ‘n Shake Extra Toasted Bun Burger
Steak ‘n Shake’s thin patties are already pretty close to In-N-Out’s style, but the bun makes all the difference. Order a double Steakburger and ask for the bun to be extra toasted. The crunch factor goes through the roof, and it holds up way better against all the toppings.
Add grilled onions, pickles, and extra cheese, then mix ketchup and mayo for a quick spread. The extra toasting is free, and it transforms the entire burger experience. The thin patties cook fast, so your order won’t take forever.
Steak ‘n Shake has multiple Ohio locations with late-night hours, perfect for post-game cravings. The diner vibe adds nostalgic charm to every visit.
12. Homemade Ohio Kitchen Animal-Style Everything
When all else fails, your own kitchen becomes the ultimate In-N-Out hack lab. Buy fresh ground beef from a local Ohio butcher, form thin patties, and grill them with mustard on one side. Mix mayo, ketchup, and relish for the spread, then caramelize onions low and slow.
Use butter lettuce for wraps or toast your buns in a skillet with butter until golden. Add American cheese, pickles, tomato, and that homemade spread. The best part is controlling every ingredient and making it exactly how you want.
Ohio farmers markets and local grocers have everything you need for quality ingredients. Make it a weekend cooking project with friends—everyone loves a good burger bar.