If you’ve ever been or lived in California then you are probably very familiar with In-N-Out. It’s the favorite fast food burger chain among many west coasters because you can go all out with a 4×4 or try to be healthy with a Protein Style burger.
![The East Coast Version of In-N-Out Is Way Better Than the Real One 3 Elevation Burger](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-03-at-5.25.20-PM.png)
Photo courtesy of @burgerorder on Instagram
For those of you living on the East Coast, and really anywhere else except for the West Coast, Arizona, Nevada and Texas, you’ve probably only had In-N-Out once or maybe not even at all. Now I know you may feel like there is no equivalent to In-N-Out or that you have to go to California ASAP to try a burger, but I promise you, there is something better on your side of the states.
![The East Coast Version of In-N-Out Is Way Better Than the Real One 4 Elevation Burger](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-03-at-5.30.59-PM.png)
Photo courtesy of @thesquaretable on Instagram
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Elevation Burger – the east coast version of In-N-Out. Elevation Burger got its start in 2002 after Hans Hess, the founder, tried a burger in California (most likely In-N-Out but not explicitly stated) and couldn’t find anything like it on the East Coast.
![The East Coast Version of In-N-Out Is Way Better Than the Real One 5 Elevation Burger](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-03-at-5.52.16-PM.png)
Photo courtesy of @elevationburger on Instagram
He wanted to create a healthier version of his favorite burger by using organic ingredients and a sustainable foundation that would set his burger joint apart from the rest. Here are a few reasons why you should choose Elevation Burger next time you’re craving a burger.
1. It’s organic
![The East Coast Version of In-N-Out Is Way Better Than the Real One 6 Elevation Burger](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Elevationuae.png)
Photo courtesy of @elevationuae on Instagram
Burgers at Elevation Burger are made using fresh, organic grass-fed beef. The cows come from free range farms and aren’t injected with hormones or antibiotics. The land that the cows graze on is also free of chemicals and pesticides. Not only are the burgers organic, some of the toppings are too. Elevation Burger strives to create a healthy alternative to fast food chains by offering burgers that are made from free-range organic beef.
2. It’s healthier
![The East Coast Version of In-N-Out Is Way Better Than the Real One 7 Elevation Burger](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-03-at-6.20.25-PM.png)
Photo courtesy of @elevationuae on Instagram
Grain-fed cows produce beef that is higher in calories which in turn isn’t healthy. Elevation Burger uses beef that comes from grass-fed cows which contains fewer calories and tastes better than grain-fed beef.
3. They’re eco-friendly
![The East Coast Version of In-N-Out Is Way Better Than the Real One 8 Elevation Burger](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-03-at-6.22.32-PM.png)
Photo courtesy of @joshwatermelon on Instagram
The restaurants are built using environmentally friendly and sustainable construction methods and operation methods. They also recycle waste including the olive oil that they use to cook french fries.
4. Each restaurant is owned by local families
![The East Coast Version of In-N-Out Is Way Better Than the Real One 9 Elevation Burger](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-03-at-6.06.45-PM.png)
Photo courtesy of @elevationburger on Instagram
Each franchise is owned by local families who want businesses to succeed in the area and who are also environmentally conscious. If you’re a frequent customer at Elevation Burger, you’ve probably met the managers or owners who go the extra mile to ensure you’re getting the highest quality meal.
5. You can customize a burger
![The East Coast Version of In-N-Out Is Way Better Than the Real One 10 Elevation Burger](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-03-at-6.00.52-PM.png)
Photo courtesy of @elevationburger on Instagram
Feeling like eating a burger with eight patties, onions, mushrooms, organic bacon, six-month aged cheddar cheese and elevation sauce? No problemo, you can add as many patties as you like on a burger at Elevation. (Drake thinks the views from the top of a 10 patty burger is sweet, too.)
6. You can customize milkshakes too
![The East Coast Version of In-N-Out Is Way Better Than the Real One 11 Elevation Burger](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-03-at-6.05.03-PM.png)
Photo courtesy of @sally_c_a on Instagram
Move over vanilla, chocolate and strawberry milkshakes from In-N-Out, Elevation Burger offers milkshakes made with ice cream, real fruit, cheesecake, key lime, and even soda. Can you say #milkshakeheaven?
![The East Coast Version of In-N-Out Is Way Better Than the Real One 12 Elevation Burger](https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ali.nyc1_.png)
Photo courtesy of @ali.nyc1 on Instagram
The first time I went to Elevation Burger, I thought it was heaven on earth, and even better than In-N-Out. There aren’t many fast food chains that offer organic burgers and fries, so when you see an Elevation Burger, you better stop in and grab a bite.