5 In-N-Out Ordering Tips To Get The Best Animal Style Fries

Animal-Style fries at In-N-Out hit the spot like no other fast-food item. While In-N-Out's regular fries are notoriously divisive, adding two slices of melted cheese, chopped grilled onions, and signature Thousand Island-style spread instantly makes them better. But there are a few little-known tricks to level up this secret menu item. In-N-Out's menu may be relatively small compared to other fast-food burger giants like McDonald's and Burger King, but there are many ways to customize your order. You can basically craft your own order using any of the chain's ingredients and even request specific preparation methods. Think chopped chilies, whole grilled onions instead of chopped, and extra of everything. 

Whether you like a little more heat with your fries or can't get enough of the spread, there are plenty of ways to make Animal Style fries your own. We looked through social media and Reddit posts to find interesting takes on the classic Animal Style order, including tips from In-N-Out employees and customers who have experimented with different combinations. Some are simple, free additions, while others cost more but can turn your fries into a complete meal. Whether you're trying Animal Style fries for the first time or want to mix up your usual order, here are five tips to get the best Animal Style fries at In-N-Out.

Some say In-N-Out's fries are notoriously bad – even die-hard fans of the SoCal burger chain. When one person posted on Reddit that In-N-Out fries "are garbage," one commenter replied that "this is not an unpopular opinion," adding that "the most common criticism is that the burgers are great and the fries suck." And when you order them Animal Style, there's an added risk of ending up with a soggy mess. Luckily, there's one ordering trick that can keep In-N-Out fries from getting soggy and prevent them from tasting like cardboard: Order your fries well-done. This will make them a bit crispier and sturdier, so they can better stand up to the heavier toppings. You can also take it a step further and order your spread on the side, adding it on as you go rather than letting your fries sit under a layer of sauce.

If you want to take it up a notch, try ordering your Animal Style fries extra well-done for an even crispier bite. As one Redditor put it, "The more well they are, the easier it is to dip and/or scoop them in a shake." That same logic could come in handy when your fries are loaded with melted cheese, grilled onions, and spread. Just keep in mind that extra well-done fries can be hit or miss, with some fans reporting inconsistent results. It might take a little experimenting to find your sweet spot between crispy and overdone.

In-N-Out Animal Style fries already come with chopped grilled onions, but that simply isn't enough for some. You can actually customize how much onion you get and how it's prepared, whether you want extra grilled onions drowning your fries, whole grilled onions blanketing the spuds, or raw chopped onions giving them a sharper bite. And there's a reason to double down on the grilled variety, considering that In-N-Out's grilled onions have even been winning over onion haters with their sweeter, mellower flavor. For some, though, a bit of everything is the way to go. "Realized you can do both whole grilled and chopped raw, now that's the only way I order them," shared one Reddit user. 

This is another ordering trick that's been right under everyone's nose. "Holy Crap! I didn't know this was an option. Absolutely ordering that next time," shared one Redditor. Just looking at the picture of the extra grilled onion order was enough to sell some people on the idea. "Sweet zombie Jesus, that looks glorious," exclaimed another Reddit user. Best of all, ordering extra onions won't cost you a dime.

Keep in mind that ordering whole grilled onions isn't necessarily a favorite request among some employees, especially when they have to grill rows and rows of them. They're constantly grilling chopped grilled onions for Animal Style burgers and fries, so preparing fresh whole grilled onions can interrupt that routine and take up extra grill space. Still, most employees won't bat an eye, so go ahead and load up your fries as you please.

Animal Style fries have a lot going on. There's the melty cheese, the caramelized grilled onions, and the sweet and tangy spread, all piled on a paper tray. But did you know that there's one spicy In-N-Out topping that can make this order even better? If you like a bit of heat, order your Animal Style fries with some of In-N-Out's signature chilies. These cascabella peppers may seem like cute little yellow peppers, but they pack a good amount of heat, with a hint of sweetness and a crisp texture.

In terms of spiciness, cascabella peppers range from 1,500 to 6,000 on the Scoville scale. For reference, jalapeños range between 2,500 and 8,000 Scoville heat units. And you can customize it further by asking for the chilies whole or chopped up, so you can get a bit of spice in every bite. These chilies cut through the heavy flavors of the loaded fries, adding a sharp, vinegar tang. You can even drizzle a little of the pickled juice directly over the fries to give the rich cheese and spread an extra kick of bright, acidic heat.

This ordering trick seems to fly under the radar, too. "Wait! Getting chopped chilies on fries can be a thing? Mind blown," wrote one Reddit user who already orders them on burgers but hadn't considered adding them to fries. A TikTok user had a similar revelation, calling it "the first time adding chopped chilies to my Animal Style fries, and I don't think I can have it any other way." They added that "they're not really spicy, but they add a nice crunch and some acidity."

Animal Style fries are usually ordered as a side to a burger, but one In-N-Out secret menu order can turn fries into a whole meal. Roadkill Fries are essentially Animal Style fries with either a plain beef patty or a patty with cheese (and sometimes whole grilled onions). However, not every employee will know what you're talking about if you mention it by name alone. You'll have to order these components as separate items and assemble them yourself. "You could always order Animal Style fries and a Flying Dutchman and mix them," explained one Reddit user. A Flying Dutchman is two beef patties and two slices of cheese with no bun.

When ordering, ask for a fork and a knife to chop the patties up into smaller pieces and add them on top of your stacked fry order. You get a perfect blend of savory meat and gooey cheese layered over a crispy bed of fresh-cut fries. Admittedly, this isn't the prettiest order. In fact, some people are put off by the self-assembled dish's appearance. "I'm sure it's probably good, but it looks kinda gross," shared one Reddit user regarding a picture posted on the site. It may not look appetizing at first glance, but the taste more than makes up for it.

While In-N-Out is considered one of the best values in fast food without compromising on taste, some customers have found ways to bring that total down even further. One way you may be able to get cheaper Animal Style fries is by taking advantage of the free toppings available with a regular order of fries. According to one self-identified Level 5 In-N-Out employee on Reddit, regular fries can come with up to two toppings, like onions, chilies, or pickles, before being charged the Animal Style price. 

In one 2023 TikTok video, a creator shows the difference between a regular order of fries costing $2.10 and Animal Style fries priced at $4.20. They ordered regular fries with free grilled onions and a spread packet, along with a 30-cent slice of cheese. However, there's one catch. You probably won't get the same melted consistency as regular Animal Style fries, which use a commercial steamer to melt the cheese. Instead, the cheese may stay relatively cold and won't melt much from the heat of the fries and grilled onions alone. Still, it's a clever ordering trick that could get you a close-enough version of Animal Style fries for less. Of course, prices vary by location.