I’m back! It feels so good to be back at my usual blogging spot, typing away like a mad lady after being so blog-deprived for more than a week. Call me crazy, but the tap-click-tapping sound of my fingers dancing across the keyboard is such a reassuring, soothing melody to my ears!
And congratulations all you smart foodies who guessed where my next challenge was! 
In-N-Out!!! Hark, can you hear the angels singing?
I’ve heard about this famous burger chain a long time ago, but I had never even dreamed of even wanting to try it out for myself. I guess at that time, I couldn’t even imagine the picture of my lips touching greasy fast-food.
But those who have been reading my blog for quite sometime already know that I’ve got a personal list of fear foods. One of them was pasta which, as you can see, I’ve already conquered it once and for all. In fact, I seem to have become a human advertisement for gnocchi. Haha!
Anyway, next on my list was fast food. Specifically, deep-fried stuff like french fries. But the way I challenge myself is that I promise myself that if I’m gonna challenge myself with a fear food, I will go all out and make sure it’s good so that I will actually enjoy the experience. I’ve heard so many good stuff about In-N-Out that I knew I just had to start my first challenge in there. 
And it certainly helps how freaking cheap the food here is! I could hear birds fluttering around my head chirping, “Cheap, cheap, cheap!” 
The best thing about In-N-Out is that they use quality ingredients, and they make their burgers and fries fresh right before their very eyes. When a restaurant (even a fast food one) has an open kitchen like this, that’s a very good thing.
With that super-simple menu, it took no longer than 10 seconds to decide on what I want. I ordered the cheeseburger: 
Holy crap, it was good! Sure, it tastes just as a burger should…which is why I really liked it. It had this pure meaty taste, free of any unpronounceable and suspicious ingredients. 
The vegetables were fresh, not limp and stale like the ones in McDonald’s. And the bun was plump and and crusty on the outside after being grilled with the burger, not flat and soggy like the ones in Burger King. 
Now, on to the fries: 
Truthfully, after hearing so many raves about it, I was a bit disappointed. It definitely tasted much fresher than the ones in other fast food restaurants, but it just wasn’t that…great. Just something about the fried-taste turned me off. This surprised me because I used to love fries to the point of devouring two Super-size McDonald’s fries a day. I wonder if my taste preferences have changed? I’ll have to give fries another go sometime to make sure.
In the evening, Victoria, my host and one of my dad’s most faithful disciples, invited me out for dinner. We went for a short walk by the San Leandro beach (beautiful!), then hopped off to a Mexican restaurant nearby called El Torito.
As soon as we sat down the waiter served us some chips with salsa: 
This was definitely not packaged crap like Tostitos! It was fresh-cooked in oil, and came hot and crispy to our table.
Victoria ordered the Shrimp Fajitas: 
Succulent shrimp sautéed in jalapeño-garlic butter with guajillo chile sauce
It came with a plate of rice, guacamole, and sweet corn cake: 
And of course some warm and soft corn tortillas. 
I ordered a summer special, the Camarones Yucatan: 
Tender shrimp, fresh vegetables, and chile-citrus sauce cooked together in a banana leaf for a uni
que flavor. Served with esquite de maiz and rice.
Looks good, covered in the banana leaf…But oh so disappointing when I revealed the contents! 
Tender shrimp? No way! They were dry, tough, and chewy. I wondered if it was really squid in disguise! But Victoria was kind enough to share 70% of her shrimp with me. I felt kind of bad, but she ladled them into my plate before I could protest. 
Though the shrimp was practically inedible, everything else was delicious, even the rice, which was cooked with tomatoes and spices. 
The esquite de maiz was basically cooked sweet corn drenched in butter with some queso. It was good at first bite, but then the richness of the butter and cream got rather cloying. 
The best thing about this dish though was the sweet corn cake! Freaking amazing! Think of the most luscious, moist, and flavorful corn cake, and there you have it! I could have had a whole loaf of this stuff!
Good food aside, I had such a fabulous time with Victoria. I know some of you may think it may be awkward to hang out with someone older than me by twenty-more years, but I feel so blessed that I am able to connect with people of all ages through our common faith in Christ. Cultural and racial differences aside, we are similar in so many areas, and I felt so comfortable and free to converse with her about anything from God to traveling.
So that was Sunday. I’ve still got some more great eats to share, but in the interest of keeping this post less painful and short, I’ll drag this vacation out to another post. Yay or nay?
Oh, and guess what? I might be having a blogger meet-up tomorrow! YAAAAY!!
Related posts:
Good job girl! You are such a warrior!
BTW, one of my best friends is 30 years older than me.
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Thanks for showing us Easterners an In-N-Out burger.
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Oh snippity snap I was wrong
I have never had in and out burger because I was never a big fan of burgers in general, but I’m glad you enjoyed it and kicked another fear off the checklist. You kick major bootay!
Isn’t it wonderful to be able to connect with someone who seemingly is so different? I felt that way when I was in China, although we came from totally different upbringings than the other students, we were able to connect on so many levels! It’s such a fulfilling experience
Have fun with your blogger meet up!
<3 Jenn
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Congrats Sophia! I’ve heard RAVE reviews about In ‘n’ Out’s burgers…one of these days I’ll get to Cali!
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I’ve never heard of In ‘n Out but congrats on conquering your fear! <3
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good for you girl – in n’ outs are sooo good. only have had them once (can’t find them in the midwest) but happy conquering to you!
have a fun bloggy meet up dear!
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Yeah for In and Out Burger!!! I’ve only had it one time, but Nick talks about it all the time (he went to Arizona for college). I always thought it wasn’t going to be anything special, but it definitely beats McDonalds and Burger King, by far! Thanks for sharing your pics. I’m glad you had a good trip.
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I love corn cakes!! Spoon bread is so good – YUM! Glad you got to experience In-n-Out! The prices are very cheap.
Woohoo for blogger meet up!
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I totally agree with you – open kitchens are awesome! (especially in a fast food place
)
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I’ve only been to IAO once, but it was pretty good. They have “hidden” items or toppings that you can ask for that aren’t on the menu.
Do you know where they get their beef from? I was just curious since it seemed to taste better?
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OMG, we used to have an El Toritos here in Oregon and it closed about 7 years ago, I ADORED IT. You are lucky!
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I don’t really go to fast food places that often, but when I do it’s usually In-N-Out. There’s just something fresher about their products? I know what you mean about the fries, it’s hit or miss with those. Sometimes they can be out of this world and other times not so much. But, you know you’ll have to try them dipped in one of their chocolate shakes ha! Their shakes are really really good, but what shake isn’t?! So glad you had a good time and are back to your happy blogging spot
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My confession, I never been to Mac Do, Burger King, or any burger chain store, EXCEPT In and Out. I really like this place, and the only place I’d go for a quick burger. But of course for fancier place I’ll go to “The Counter” in Palo Alto.
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whoooooo!!!! In and Out burger- kind of reminds me of Five Guys.. i’m glad you had a good experience there- definitely good to conquer food fears and know that you can eat foods that you typically wouldnt and feel ok about it.
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Holy deliciousness of shrimp! Sorry yours weren’t quite up to par, but at least you got some shrimpies from your sweet cous!
In n Out… WOW! You have had some amazingly awesome dishes these last few days, and it’s been incredible to see you face fear foods and conquer them.. XO!
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Definitely an eating adventure!
We don’t have In and Out Burger here, but I have heard the name and always thought it was a bit funny.
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I’ve heard five guys has some of the best fries. I remember when my hubby came home with a transparent (from oil) paper bag of them once. …
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I had a cheeseburger too when I was there! The ingredients were very fresh.
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Wow, such a nice vacation
Love all the food that you were exposed to…my husband and I once in a while crave for IN N OUT burger, but to “balance” the fries we usually order the low carb cheeseburgers 
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I see fast food everywhere….wow with these shrimp fajitas are so yummy ….outstanding Mexican pleasures
Cheers,
Gera
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I’ve always wanted to try In-N-Out burger, but alas, none to be found here on the East coast.
Way to go for diving into the full experience of the place! That’s awesome
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can’t
stop
drooling
that burger looks OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!! you are such a star for challenging yourself and enjoying a good ol’ fashion cheeseburger
I hope you enjoyed every last bite!
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That burger looks great…I’m dying for one now! I love, love, LOVE sweet corn cakes! I think they’re actually my favorite part of the meal at Mexican restaurants!
Enjoy your blogger meet-up!
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Sounds like you are having a blast exploring the CA dining scene. Look forward to more details/
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Your posts just make me really happy in general
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Did you happen to notice that John 3:16 is inscribed on the bottom of the soda cup? I love seeing that every time that I get a drink from In & Out.
http://www.snopes.com/business/alliance/inandout.asp
Raeann
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You are right, the bun does look good! and the corn cake…..yum yum yhum! It’s always nice to have fast food every now and then. The fats is just so….satisfying =P
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Yayy, congrats on your wonderful meal from In-n-out!! Too bad the fries turned out mediocre, though.
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I love In n Out!! When I was there last summer, I got the protein burger (burger wrapped in lettuce instead of the bun) I wish we had them in NY
Rebecca
http://roseyrebecca.wordpress.com/
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