Celebrity chefs might create elaborate dishes for their shows, but when it comes to quick cravings, they’re just like everyone else.
Ina Garten, the beloved Barefoot Contessa, has revealed her surprising fast food weakness—and it’s one that puts her in legendary culinary company.
Despite her reputation for elevated home cooking, Garten admits to having one fast food exception that might just validate your own guilty pleasures.
Spoiler alert: it involves California’s most iconic burger chain and a connection to Julia Child herself.
The Only Fast Food That Makes the Cut
When speaking with Today, Garten didn’t hesitate to name her one fast food indulgence.
I have to say, I don’t eat fast food at all, with one exception.
That exception? In-N-Out Burger, California’s legendary fast food institution.
But Garten didn’t just admit her love for these West Coast burgers—she justified it with some serious culinary credentials.
It’s so good, and I know it was Julia Child’s favorite too, so it’s okay.
She’s in Elite Company
Garten’s In-N-Out appreciation puts her alongside some of the most respected names in food history. Julia Child famously loved these burgers, and the late Anthony Bourdain once declared In-N-Out his favorite restaurant in Los Angeles.
This isn’t just celebrity posturing either. Garten actually celebrated finishing her “Cook Like a Pro” book tour at In-N-Out, bringing along actress and friend Jennifer Garner for the occasion.
She shared the moment on Instagram with typical warmth and humor.
Only the best for my friend @jennifer.garner – dinner at @innout after my show in Costa Mesa, CA!! What a fun way to wrap up my fall book tour!
What Makes In-N-Out So Special?
The appeal of In-N-Out lies in its refreshing simplicity and commitment to quality ingredients. Unlike other fast food chains with overwhelming menus, In-N-Out focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well.
Every burger starts with a toasted bun made from freshly baked sponge dough using old-fashioned methods. This attention to detail extends to every component.
The Anatomy of an In-N-Out Burger
- Freshly baked buns toasted to golden perfection
- Beef patties made from quality meat
- Fresh vegetables including lettuce, tomatoes, and onions (fresh or grilled)
- Secret spread that keeps people guessing and coming back
- Real cheese for those who want it
Customers can customize their orders extensively, adding up to four beef patties for those with serious appetites.
The Secret “Animal Style”
Perhaps most famously, In-N-Out offers “animal-style” preparation for both burgers and fries. This cult favorite modification includes mustard-cooked patties—where mustard gets smeared directly onto patties before grilling.
Animal-style burgers typically come loaded with extra spread, pickles, and grilled onions, creating an intensely flavorful experience that regular menu items can’t match.
Garten’s Other Fast Food Favorite
In-N-Out isn’t Garten’s only fast food weakness. She’s also publicly praised Shake Shack’s chicken sandwich, going so far as to call it extraordinary on her Food Network show.
The best fried chicken anyone has ever had.
Her enthusiasm for Shake Shack’s Chick’n Shack sandwich inspired her so much that she created her own version for an episode in 2020.
Sharing details about her homemade interpretation on Instagram, Garten explained her technique for achieving maximum crispiness.
The chicken is marinated in buttermilk and double-dipped in the coating mixture so that they’re extra crispy—It’s what’s for lunch!
What Home Cooks Can Learn
Garten’s fast food preferences reveal something important about cooking philosophy: quality ingredients and simple preparation often triumph over complicated techniques.
In-N-Out succeeds because it respects fundamental cooking principles—fresh ingredients, proper technique, and consistency. These same principles apply whether you’re running a fast food empire or cooking weeknight dinner at home.
The Barefoot Contessa’s willingness to admit her fast food favorites also reminds home cooks that perfection isn’t the goal. Even celebrated chefs appreciate convenience and indulgence occasionally.
Sometimes the best meal is simply one you enjoy, whether it comes from your own kitchen or through a drive-thru window in California.