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How Many Calories Are in a 100x100 In-N-Out Burger?

3 min read

In 2004, a viral photo of a 100x100 In-N-Out burger, an epic 100-patty, 100-cheese creation, exploded across the internet. While this legendary item is no longer on the menu, we can calculate the staggering number of calories in a 100x100 In-N-Out burger using the company's own nutritional data.

Quick Summary

This article calculates the hypothetical calories of the legendary 100x100 In-N-Out burger, explaining its viral history and eventual discontinuation. It details the component-based calculation, compares it to current menu items like the 4x4, and confirms the strict 4x4 ordering limit.

Key Points

  • The 100x100 is a Myth: In-N-Out stopped serving burgers with more than four patties in 2005, making the 100x100 a relic of the past.

  • Estimated Calorie Count: The unofficial estimated calorie count for a hypothetical 100x100 In-N-Out burger is approximately 18,250 calories.

  • Calculation Breakdown: This caloric figure is derived by calculating the calories for 100 patties and 100 cheese slices, plus the standard bun and condiments.

  • The 4x4 is the Current Maximum: The largest burger you can order at In-N-Out today is the 4x4, which features four patties and four slices of cheese.

  • The 4x4 Calorie Count: A 4x4 contains approximately 1,100 calories, which is a massive yet more manageable amount compared to the 100x100.

  • A Legendary Viral Stunt: The 100x100's rise to fame was due to a single viral photo, a spectacle that showcased the restaurant's early custom order flexibility.

  • Discontinued for Practicality: The extreme nature of the 100x100 and similar orders led In-N-Out to limit custom patty counts for logistical and safety reasons.

In This Article

The Mythical History of the 100x100 Burger

In-N-Out Burger has long been famous for its 'not-so-secret' menu, with items like 'Animal Style' and 'Protein Style' being commonplace. However, back in the early 2000s, the chain's flexibility extended much further, allowing customers to order burgers with an almost unlimited number of patties and cheese slices. The peak of this era arrived with the legendary 100x100 order from a Las Vegas In-N-Out in 2004. A single photo of the monstrous, tower-like burger, shared by a customer, quickly went viral and cemented its place in fast-food lore.

Why In-N-Out Ended the 100x100 Era

The viral photo of the 100x100 was both a blessing and a curse. It generated immense publicity but also led to a wave of increasingly ridiculous orders from customers seeking internet fame. Facing logistical issues and potential food safety concerns, In-N-Out management eventually made a decisive change. Around 2005, the company officially capped its custom burger orders at a maximum of four patties and four slices of cheese—known as the 4x4. This rule ended the era of extreme custom burgers, making the 100x100 a thing of the past.

Deconstructing the 100x100 Calorie Count

Because the 100x100 is no longer available, its calorie count cannot be confirmed by the company. However, by using the nutritional data for In-N-Out's basic components provided by sources like Reddit based on official data, we can create a close estimate of this colossal creation.

Ingredient-by-Ingredient Breakdown

Here is a breakdown of the estimated calories for the base ingredients of a standard cheeseburger, which we can extrapolate for a 100x100:

  • One Beef Patty: ~110 calories
  • One Cheese Slice: ~70 calories
  • One Bun: ~160 calories
  • Spread: ~60 calories (based on Double-Double amount)
  • Veggies (lettuce, tomato, onion): ~30 calories total

Our Estimated 100x100 Calculation

To calculate the calories for a hypothetical 100x100, we simply multiply the number of patties and cheese slices and add the calories from the standard bun and toppings:

  • 100 Beef Patties: 100 patties * 110 calories/patty = 11,000 calories
  • 100 Cheese Slices: 100 cheese slices * 70 calories/slice = 7,000 calories
  • Add Standard Toppings: 160 calories (bun) + 60 calories (spread) + 30 calories (veggies) = 250 calories
  • Total Estimated Calories: 11,000 + 7,000 + 250 = 18,250 calories

This is a staggering amount, nearly ten times the daily caloric needs for an average adult, and significantly more than even the largest items on the menu today.

Comparing the Mythical to the Real: In-N-Out Burger Calories

To put the 100x100's caloric intake into perspective, let's compare it to the company's real menu items. All values are approximate based on public nutritional information.

Burger Type Patries Cheese Estimated Calories
Hamburger 1 0 390-480
Double-Double 2 2 610
4x4 (Quad Quad) 4 4 ~1,100
Hypothetical 100x100 100 100 ~18,250

The Maximum Feasible Burger Today: The 4x4

With the 100x100 a distant memory, the largest burger on In-N-Out's 'not-so-secret' menu is the 4x4. Featuring four beef patties and four slices of cheese, it is a substantial and satisfying meal. This is the largest size the restaurant will serve, and it's far more practical and manageable than its mythical predecessor. It's a popular choice for those with a large appetite or a taste for a hearty challenge.

A Look at the 4x4's Nutritional Information

According to some nutritional guides, a standard 4x4 contains approximately 1,100 calories. This provides a hearty dose of protein (around 67g) and fat (around 69g) along with about 40g of carbohydrates. It's a filling meal for one person and stands as the maximum test for a single-burger order at In-N-Out today.

The Final Verdict: Was the 100x100 Burger Even Possible to Eat?

The calculation reveals that a 100x100 In-N-Out burger was more than just a massive undertaking; it was an incredibly indulgent food item with an astronomical number of calories. The immense height and weight of the burger would make it nearly impossible to eat in a traditional manner, as the structural integrity of the bun and stack would surely fail. The true purpose of the 100x100 was not to be a serious meal but a viral stunt, a spectacle that eventually led to a more sensible, and safer, cap on custom orders. The 100x100 is a legendary piece of fast-food history, a relic from a wilder time before social media made extreme eating commonplace. Today, the 4x4 remains a worthy, albeit far less caloric, alternative to satiate a true burger craving.

Learn more about In-N-Out's official offerings and standard nutrition information on their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you cannot. In-N-Out capped its custom burger orders at a maximum of four patties and four slices of cheese (a 4x4) around 2005. The 100x100 is a legendary but discontinued menu item.

The calorie count is an estimate based on the known nutritional information for individual In-N-Out components. It's calculated by multiplying the number of patties (100) and cheese slices (100) by their respective calorie counts and adding the calories from a standard bun and condiments.

The largest burger available today is the 4x4, a 'not-so-secret' menu item featuring four beef patties and four slices of cheese.

A standard 4x4 burger contains approximately 1,100 calories. This is the official cap on multi-patty orders.

Following a viral incident involving a 100x100 burger in 2004, In-N-Out decided to cap its custom orders at a more manageable 4x4. This was primarily to address logistical difficulties and maintain food safety and quality.

A Double-Double, which has two beef patties and two slices of cheese, contains 610 calories according to In-N-Out's official nutrition information.

The 18,250 figure is a close estimate based on a breakdown of ingredients from a reputable source. Other sources mention slightly different figures, such as 19,490 calories, but the core calculation remains consistent based on the total number of components.

A 'Flying Dutchman' is two meat patties and two slices of cheese without a bun. You can order it as a 4x4 or larger, but the limit of four patties would still apply if ordered as a single item.

References

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.