Replica of the First In-N-Out Burger

Baldwin Park, California

At the mere mention of In-N-Out Burger, many car-cultured Californians salivate uncontrollably. The regional fast food chain, with its simple menu of tasty burgers and fries, maintains a magical grip on discerning taste buds. In-N-Out Burger was started in Baldwin Park in 1948 by Harry and Esther Snyder. The scrappy little stand was optimized for speedy drive-thru service, a bold new concept, and this was California's first such burger business.

In-N-Out Burger spread to hundreds of California and southwest locations, and the obsolete birthplace stand was demolished to make way for the I-10 interstate. That appalling indifference to In-N-Out heritage was partially remedied in March 2014, when a replica of the burger stand opened as both shrine and museum next to where the original stood.

The tiny stand is shaded by red and white awnings. The interior is a scant 100 square feet, outfitted with authentic potato and cheese slices, fryers, coffee pots and other cooking equipment. The drive-thru features a passenger-side vintage cigarette vending machine.

While hours are limited, photos of the building, vintage neon sign and signature crossed palm trees can be snapped over the iron fence surrounding the property.

The replica doesn't serve food; there's an operating In-N-Out Burger on the other side of the freeway at 13800 Francisquito Ave. It's also a "company store," so head there for souvenirs.