Ron L.
Yelp
To be blunt, I don't miss California. Yes, it's got very scenic areas. But those in charge have put the state into a water shortage, run businesses out of the state, ruined the schools, mismanaged the forests and seen two towns burn down, and have used an easily-treated bug as an excuse to put the state under Fascist tyranny. And in key locations, people love it that way.
But I do miss In-n-Out.
In-n-Out Burger is not the best burger I've ever had. But when comparing fast food places, In-n-Out is near the top. It's one of the best exports from California you can find, if you can find it. One reason is that they emphasize freshness. Their restaurants are located only within driving distance of places that make the beef patties and fries, which is why it's not nationwide. And that's why there are only three In-n-Outs in Houston. Whataburger is simply not as good.
I was on a short road trip, and went out of my way to get my 4x4 fix. I knew it was going to be the same ol' same ol' when I saw the drive-thru line extending deep into the neighboring parking lot. So I parked and walked in. It's a busy place behind the counter, with employees running around making burgers & fries as quickly as they can and still not able to keep up with the demand. If you're in a party of 2+, make sure one snags a table ASAP.
The patty does not have a strong bbq taste that others have, but it's still tasty and halfway between rare & well done. It's a simple burger, with enough on it to satisfy most people. I asked for grilled onions too, but didn't taste them, maybe they didn't put enough on. Fries are pretty good, too.
In-n-Out. I don't know if you'd call it "the taste of California"; there are many parts of California, so what region do you mean? But it does show why it's the most popular burger chain in that state. If you can find a better cheeseburger, eat it!