In-N-Out Asks Kettle to Rename Double Double Burger

Who makes the best Double Double Burger?

Apparently, In-N-Out Burger doesn't want anyone to think The Kettle's Double Double Burger is in competition with the chain's trademarked burger.

"You can't help but be flattered," said Sarah Simms of The Kettle, the 24-hour legend in downtown Manhattan Beach since 1973, who happens to love In-N-Out's hamburgers.

The certified letter, politely asking The Kettle to find another name for their Double Double, arrived in the last two to three weeks, said Simms, who isn't sure how The Kettle's Double Double came to In-N-Out's attention.

She guesses that someone affiliated with the popular burger chain known for cooking its hamburgers fresh to oder ate at The Kettle and noticed the "Double Double" name on the menu. Or, perhaps someone saw The Kettle featured on NBC TV by weatherman Sean Murphy on Jan. 12 and became aware of the menu item. (Murphy had a weeklong series of visiting the best breakfast spots and included a stop at The Kettle for three hours one a.m., said Simms.)

Regardless, The Kettle's ownership/management was happy to comply and began a campaign to rename the burger on the restaurant's Facebook page. They also left a voicemail for the corporate burger chain to give them an idea of how soon In-N-Out could expect to see a renamed burger on The Kettle's menu. In-N-Out holds the trademark on "Double Double."

The Kettle hadn't realized the Double Double name was trademarked until they received the letter. The item was a standard order for many of its regular patrons, even though it wasn't listed on the menu.

"How would you order it if you wanted a Double [burger]," laughed Simms. The restaurant officially added their Double Double to their menu within the last 6-12 months, she said. 

The response to their Facebook campaign has been more than they expected, with 400+ entries, some serious contenders for $100 in "Kettle Bucks," some more playful and fun, said Simms.

Shortly after noon today, they updated their Facebook page with the two finalist names voters will select from: The 6 Man Burger or The Highlander. The 6 Man honors the city's much-loved Charlie Saikley 6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament, a tradition held on the sand just south of the Manhattan Beach Pier every summer for 50 years; The Highlander reflects Highland Avenue, the street The Kettle is located on.

Votes will be taken for about 24 hours on The Kettle's Facebook page, said Simms, adding that the winning entrant will get their hands on 100 Kettle Bucks. Not a bad prize for renaming what has to be one of the biggest and best burgers around, since $100 to spend at The Kettle sounds like sheer fun, and it's available 24 hours, seven days a week.