How to Memorize the In-N-Out POS System and Secret Menu

Published on Thu May 07 2026

In-N-Out Burger has the most deceivingly simple menu in the fast-food industry. If you look at the drive-thru board, there are basically three food items: Double-Double, Cheeseburger, and Hamburger.

However, as every In-N-Out “Associate” (employee) knows, the customers rarely order off the regular menu. They order off the legendary “Secret Menu.” If you are hired to work the register or the drive-thru, you have to know exactly how to punch these in.

It’s Not a Secret on the POS

The good news is that the “Secret Menu” is not a secret to the Point of Sale (POS) computer. You don’t have to manually type out complex instructions for the cooks. The most popular modifications have their own dedicated buttons on the touchscreen.

The Big Three to Memorize

When you are taking orders, these are the three most common modifications you must memorize instantly:

  • Animal Style (Burgers): The customer wants a mustard-fried patty, extra spread (Thousand Island dressing), pickles, and grilled onions. You simply press the burger size they want, and hit the “Animal Style” button.
  • Protein Style: The customer wants to completely ditch the hamburger buns and have their burger wrapped in massive leaves of iceberg lettuce. Hit the “Protein Style” modifier.
  • Animal Style Fries: This is a tray of fries topped with two slices of melted American cheese, grilled onions, and spread.

The Tricky Modifiers

The hardest part of the POS system isn’t the big items; it’s the hyper-specific cooking instructions that In-N-Out allows customers to request. You must memorize where these toggles are on your screen:

  • “Light Well” or “Well Done” Fries: Leaving the fries in the fryer longer for extra crunch.
  • “Extra Toast” or “Light Toast”: Adjusting how long the buns sit on the grill.
  • “Flying Dutchman”: Two meat patties and two slices of cheese. No bun, no lettuce, no tomatoes.
  • “Mustard Fried”: Spreading mustard onto the raw patty before flipping it on the grill, giving it a tangy, caramelized crust.

The Best Advice for New Hires: Don’t panic when someone orders a “3-by-3 Protein Style, Mustard Fried, with Chopped Chilies.” Just take it one word at a time. The POS interface is built to read exactly like the customer speaks.