In-N-Out
1350 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside 151 Kern St., Salinas (800) 786-1000, in-n-out.com
When Seaside’s In-N-Out opened in 2016, there was so much anticipation and pent-up demand that an employee had to constantly man the parking lot, marshaling a long line of cars through the drive-thru. Inside, it was pandemonium, with barely a place to stand while waiting for an order. That’s just how it is with In-N-Out: The SoCal-based family-owned chain’s simple formula of freshness, quality beef and truly special sauce has long had a cult following on the West Coast, in no small part because of the not-so-secret secret menu, which gives customers the thrill of ordering something off-menu, and the chance to say “animal-style” out loud. There are many, many good places to get a burger in Monterey County, but none have more fans, or a better price point, than this California institution.