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TCU 360

TCU 360

All TCU. All the time.

TCU 360

A TCU student reaches for a Celsius from a vending machine- a refreshing boost amidst a hectic day of lectures and exams. (Kelsey Finley/Staff Writer)
The caffeine buzz is a college student's drug
By Kelsey Finley, Staff Writer
Published Apr 18, 2024
College students seem to have a reliance on caffeine to get them through lectures and late night study sessions, but there are healthier alternatives to power through the day.

What it’s like to wait in line for In-N-Out Burger

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​TCU 360 editor-in-chief waited in line for more than two hours to get In-N-Out Burger. Not only was it tasty, but it was entertaining. Here are some of his accounts from the morning, starting from arriving at 5:45 a.m.

1:30
We had a TCU 360 meeting, so I decided to work on the website until now. I popped the burger out and microwaved it. It was still incredibly delicious, although I feel pretty gross about eating a 4X4. In-N-Out was great and the experience was a lot of fun. Now I think it's time for some exercise, a long nap and some vegetables.

9:16 a.m.
More than 2,500 calories sit in front of me. It's just a bit past 9:00 a.m. and for some weird reason, this burger just doesn't seem quite as appetizing as I thought it would. I munch on a few fries, take a bite out of the 4X4 and put the rest in the fridge to enjoy during lunchtime.

8:37 a.m.
The moment of truth. What am I going to get? When in Rome, right?
"4X4 animal style, animal style fries, and a chocolate shake, please," I say proudly. Naturally, I get it to go so I can come back to Moudy and enjoy the fruits of my labor. 

​8:05 a.m.
They bring everyone with wristbands, about the first 25 people, inside to introduce us to the first In-N-Out in Fort Worth. After a brief introduction and photo opportunity, it's time to order. I decide to go last out of the first group of people to see what everyone orders.

7:42 a.m.
Some of the employees are putting up tents to keep people cool. It looks like they also have some water jugs. Some more people are trickling in line. I'm starving!

7:21 a.m.
I just talked to a couple who grew up in California, and were the first in line. The man got here when he got off work at 6:30 p.m. last night. He worked for more than three years at an In-N-Out Burger by Six Flags in Los Angeles. They have the t-shirts and blanket to prove it.

7:01 a.m.
I'm asking around to see what people are ordering. The general consensus is a 4X4 "animal style" – That's four buns, cheese and grilled onions. Chocolate shakes also seem to be pretty popular.

6:52 a.m.
Some of the people waiting in line are singing. Others are talking about how bad their high school football team is. 

6:38 a.m.
The sun is coming up over downtown. It's actually very beautiful. I believe some of the people in line are about to light another tennis ball on fire. Once you've seen one tennis ball on fire, you've seen them all.

6:30 a.m.
We just got some yellow In-N-Out wristbands to differentiate us from the "posers" who will come later, as vice president Carl Van Fleet just told us.

6:00 a.m.
​I just got to In-N-out. There are about 15 people here. One of them is lighting a tennis ball on fire, a few are sleeping and the rest are chatting. It's actually pretty nice outside.

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