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.