Anthony Bourdain and Other Culinary Icons Shared a Love for In-N-Out

When it comes to culinary icons, public perception often leans toward high-end dining and gourmet meals. However, many legendary chefs and food authorities have openly embraced humble fast food. Among them, the late Anthony Bourdain famously named In-N-Out as his favorite restaurant in Los Angeles, expressing a particular fondness for the chain's "double-double animal style" burger.

Bourdain was far from the only famous culinary figure to champion the fast-food establishment. Legendary cookbook author and television chef Julia Child was also an avid fan of the regional chain. Child's affinity for the restaurant was so strong that she reportedly kept a map of its locations in her handbag to easily stop during drives between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.

According to Stacy Perman, author of "In-N-Out Burger: A Behind-the-Counter Look at the Fast-Food Chain That Breaks All the Rules," Child's devotion extended even to her hospital stays. In 2003, while recovering from knee surgery, Child allegedly sent her assistant on an errand specifically to fetch food from the burger joint.

Furthermore, authors Patricia Barey and Therese Burson noted in their book "Julia's Cats: Julia Child's Life in the Company of Cats" that the establishment was frequently among the chef's first stops when entertaining out-of-town visitors.

Child's appreciation for accessible food extended to other chains as well, though she held specific preferences regarding preparation. While she enjoyed McDonald's fries, she was critical of certain menu items, stating in interviews that some buns were overly soft and that a Big Mac featured too much bread. In-N-Out's lightly toasted buns offered a preferred texture that avoided a pillowy softness.

The widespread appeal of the California-based fast-food chain stretches far beyond historical culinary figures. The establishment remains a popular destination for celebrities, particularly during awards season. Television host Jimmy Kimmel has noted that visiting the chain is a traditional post-ceremony routine for stars and their friends, with notable devotees including Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts, and Aziz Ansari.

While Anthony Bourdain explored exotic and complex cuisines around the globe through his television programs, and Julia Child introduced generations of Americans to elaborate French cooking, their shared appreciation for a simple West Coast hamburger highlights an enduring crossover between high-profile gastronomy and classic American fast food.