The Flying Dutchman is one of the most popular items on the In-N-Out secret menu. It comes with two beef patties and two slices of American cheese, without a bun or traditional toppings. It is one of the most requested off-menu items in the country. Below, you will find how to order it, what it costs, how many calories it has, and how it stacks up against Protein Style, Animal Style, Roadkill Fries, and Gorilla Style.
What Is the Flying Dutchman at In-N-Out?
The Flying Dutchman is two hamburger patties with two slices of American cheese melted in between. That is the whole build. In-N-Out’s official terms, it works like a Double-Double with the bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, and spread all left off. It is not printed on any menu board, and it does not appear on the In-N-Out app or website. It has circulated by word of mouth for years, and it picked up a second wave of attention when a grilled-onion version spread across social media.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredients | 2 beef patties, 2 slices of American cheese |
| Bun | None |
| Toppings | None by default |
| Price | Around $5 to $6 (varies by location) |
| Calories (Estimate) | Roughly 300 to 350 calories |
| Carbs | Near 0g |
| Menu Status | Secret menu item, not listed in stores, the app, or online |
Because it is not an official item, In-N-Out does not publish nutrition facts for it. The numbers above come from combining the known nutrition of two beef patties and two cheese slices, based on the chain’s published nutrition data for its regular burgers.
Why Do People Order the Flying Dutchman?
The appeal comes down to what gets left out, not what gets added. A handful of eating patterns line up naturally with a bunless, toppings-free burger:
- Keto and low-carb diets. No bun means almost no carbohydrates, without needing to modify anything else.
- Carnivore diets. Beef and cheese are the only two ingredients, which fits a meat-and-dairy-only approach without special requests.
- Gluten-free eating. The bun is the only source of gluten in a standard order, so removing it clears that concern entirely.
- Higher protein, fewer calories. Two patties and two cheese slices deliver a solid protein count without the calories that come from bread and sauce.
These reasons connect back to the same root cause: a bun and spread are where most of the carbs, sugar, and extra calories in a burger come from. Take them away, and what’s left is closer to a plain protein source than a traditional fast food order.
How to Order a Flying Dutchman
Ordering one is straightforward. At the counter or in the drive-thru, ask for a “Flying Dutchman.” Many employees recognize the order by name, since it has been part of the secret menu culture for years.
If someone hasn’t heard the term before, describe it plainly: two beef patties and two slices of cheese, no bun. That description works at any location, every time, regardless of whether the staff knows the nickname.
Ordering Tips
- Say the name clearly, since it usually gets the order right without further explanation.
- Ask for extra napkins. There is no bun to absorb the grease.
- List any extras you want up front, since the base order arrives with nothing added.
- If you want a wrap of some kind, ask for the grilled onion version specifically rather than assuming it comes standard.
Most Popular Flying Dutchman Combinations
One of the best things about the Flying Dutchman is that you can customize it just like any other In-N-Out burger. While the standard version includes only two beef patties and two slices of American cheese, you can add toppings or change how it’s prepared to match your taste.
Onion Wrapped Flying Dutchman
The onion-wrapped version replaces the missing bun with two whole grilled onion slices. The onions become soft and slightly sweet as they cook, making the burger easier to hold while adding extra flavor. To order it, ask for a Flying Dutchman wrapped in whole grilled onions. Since this isn’t the default version, be sure to mention the onion wrap when placing your order.
Animal Style Flying Dutchman
If you want more flavor, order your Flying Dutchman Animal Style. This adds mustard-grilled beef patties, pickles, grilled onions, and In-N-Out’s signature spread. It has more calories than the original Flying Dutchman, but it stays lower in carbs than a traditional Animal Style burger because it doesn’t include a bun.
Add Chopped Chilis
If you enjoy spicy food, ask for chopped yellow chilis. They add a mild kick without changing the rest of the burger. This is one of the most popular secret menu add-ons among regular In-N-Out customers.
Mustard Fried Patties
Another popular option is mustard-fried patties. The cook spreads mustard on the beef before flipping it on the grill, giving the meat a richer and slightly tangy flavor. This customization is also used in Animal Style burgers, but you can request it on a regular Flying Dutchman as well.
Extra Cheese or Extra Patties
Want a bigger meal? You can ask for extra cheese or additional beef patties. Keep in mind that adding more patties or cheese will increase both the calories and the price.
Mix and Match Your Order
You can combine several customizations in one order. For example, many customers order a Flying Dutchman with whole grilled onions, mustard-fried patties, chopped chilis, and extra cheese. If you know exactly what you want, simply tell the cashier when ordering, and they’ll prepare it if the ingredients are available.
Flying Dutchman Price
A Flying Dutchman typically costs around $5 to $6, close to the price of a regular Double-Double. Prices shift by location and by state, since In-N-Out sets pricing regionally.
For a while, some customers found a workaround: ordering two single patties and two slices of cheese separately came out cheaper than ordering the Flying Dutchman by name. In-N-Out later adjusted pricing on standalone patty and cheese orders so the cost lines up with the Flying Dutchman price, closing that loophole.
Flying Dutchman Calories and Nutrition
In-N-Out does not list official nutrition facts for secret menu items, including the Flying Dutchman. But you can get a close estimate by looking at what actually goes into it: two beef patties and two slices of cheese, with nothing else. Based on In-N-Out’s published nutrition data for its regular burgers, a Flying Dutchman lands somewhere around 300 to 350 calories. That is meaningfully lower than a full Double-Double, mainly because it skips the bun, spread, and any sauce.
| Item | Estimated Calories | Carbs |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Dutchman | ~300–350 | Near 0g |
| Double-Double, Protein Style | 520 | 11g |
| Double-Double, Standard | 670 | 39g |
| Double-Double, Animal Style | ~770 | Higher, due to added spread |
Protein and fat make up almost all the calories in a Flying Dutchman, since beef and cheese are the only ingredients. That makes it a high-protein, low-carb order by nature, without any special customization needed.
Flying Dutchman vs. Protein Style
Protein Style takes a different approach to the same problem. Instead of removing toppings, it wraps a full burger, patties, cheese, spread, lettuce, tomato, and onion, in lettuce instead of a bun. The Flying Dutchman skips the wrap entirely and leaves out the toppings too. That difference explains the calorie gap between them. Protein Style still carries the spread and vegetables, which add both flavor and calories. The Flying Dutchman has neither, so its calorie count sits lower, but it also loses the fiber and vitamins that come from the lettuce and tomato.
| Feature | Flying Dutchman | Protein Style Double-Double |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~300–350 | ~520 |
| Vegetables | None | Lettuce, tomato, onion |
| Spread or Sauce | None | Included by default |
| Carbs | Near 0g | ~11g |
| Fiber and Vitamins | Minimal | Some, from lettuce and tomato |
Neither one is better across the board. For the lowest calorie and carb count, the meat-and-cheese order wins. For more volume and a bit of nutrition from vegetables at a similarly low carb count, Protein Style is the stronger pick.
The Healthiest Options at In-N-Out
A few items stand out for lower calories across the full menu:
- Protein Style Hamburger. A single patty in a lettuce wrap, coming in under 350 calories.
- Flying Dutchman. Roughly 300 to 350 calories, with almost no carbs.
- Hamburger, no spread. Around 300 calories, with a bun but no sauce.
Fries and shakes add calories quickly, so the lowest-calorie path through the menu usually means skipping sides altogether. Water instead of a soda or shake cuts a large amount of sugar from the total as well.
Flying Dutchman Animal Style
Adding Animal Style turns the plain Flying Dutchman into a more loaded order. This version adds diced onions, pickles, and In-N-Out’s Animal Style spread to the patties and cheese. To order it, ask for a “Flying Dutchman, Animal Style.” Some customers also add mustard-grilled patties for extra flavor, which can be requested at the same time. This version carries more calories than the plain Flying Dutchman, mainly from the added spread, but it stays lower in carbs than a bunned Animal Style burger.
Why Does In-N-Out Call It a Flying Dutchman?
In-N-Out has never published an official explanation for the name. The most common theory ties back to founder Harry Snyder’s Dutch heritage, though In-N-Out has not confirmed this as the source.
Another popular theory points to the old maritime legend of the Flying Dutchman, a ghost ship said to sail forever without ever reaching port. Fans have connected this to the burger’s missing bun, joking that the patties have nowhere to “dock” without bread to hold them.
Neither story is officially confirmed by In-N-Out. Both have circulated among fans for years, and the name has stuck regardless of which explanation is accurate.
Flying Dutchman vs. Other Secret Menu Burgers
The Flying Dutchman is one of the simplest items on the In-N-Out secret menu, but it is not the only off-menu option. Other secret menu favorites, such as Protein Style, Animal Style, 3×3, 4×4, Roadkill Fries, and Gorilla Style, offer different combinations of toppings, buns, and beef patties. The table below highlights the key differences, making it easier to choose the option that best matches your taste and dietary preferences.
| Item | What’s Different |
|---|---|
| Flying Dutchman | No bun, no toppings, just beef patties and American cheese. |
| Protein Style | Lettuce wrap instead of a bun with the standard toppings included. |
| Animal Style | Regular bun with mustard-fried patties, extra spread, grilled onions, and pickles. |
| 3×3 / 4×4 | Extra beef patties and cheese slices served on a standard bun with regular toppings. |
| Roadkill Fries | A Flying Dutchman chopped and served over Animal Style Fries. |
| Gorilla Style | A Flying Dutchman and Animal Style Fries stuffed inside a Double-Double. |
Can You Make a Flying Dutchman at Home?
The build is simple enough to copy in your own kitchen. Grill two beef patties, add a slice of American cheese to each while they cook, and stack them together once the cheese melts. Skip the bun, and skip any sauce unless you want to add your own. For the onion-wrapped version, grill two thick rings or slices of onion until soft and lightly charred, then use them in place of a bun. The result will not taste exactly like the In-N-Out version, since the chain uses its own beef blend and cheese, but the basic format is easy to recreate for a quick low-carb burger at home.
Is It Worth Ordering?
For the right person, yes. If you’re avoiding carbs, tracking protein, cutting gluten, or just curious about the format, it delivers on all four without any complicated substitutions.
It’s a harder sell for anyone who orders a burger for the bun, the crunch of lettuce, or the tang of spread, since none of that is present. The flavor comes entirely from beef, cheese, and whatever add-ons you request, which some people find plain compared to a standard build.
The onion-wrapped version splits the difference. It keeps the low-carb profile while adding some texture and sweetness, making it a reasonable middle ground for anyone unsure about the bare version.
Finding a Flying Dutchman Near You
Since the Flying Dutchman is not printed on the menu or listed on In-N-Out’s website, there is no location finder built specifically for it. It is available at nearly every In-N-Out location in the United States, since it only requires standard burger ingredients that every store already stocks. The easiest way to find your closest location is through In-N-Out’s official store locator. Once there, order the Flying Dutchman by name at the counter or drive-thru, the same way you would at any other location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Flying Dutchman at In-N-Out?
It’s a secret menu order made of two beef patties and two slices of American cheese, with no bun and no toppings.
Is it on the printed menu?
No. It only exists as an off-menu order, passed along by word of mouth rather than listed in stores.
Can you order it through the app or online?
No. Since it isn’t an official item, it can’t be built through the app or website. It has to be requested by name at the counter or drive-thru.
Does it come with spread?
No. The base order has no sauce or spread of any kind. Spread only appears if you ask for the Animal Style version.
Can you add lettuce to it?
Yes. While it’s not part of the standard build, lettuce and other toppings can be added on request the same way any other extra can.
Can kids order a Flying Dutchman?
Yes. There’s no age restriction on secret menu items, and the order can be scaled down to a single patty and one slice of cheese if a smaller portion is preferred.
How do I order the onion-wrapped version?
Ask for a “Flying Dutchman, onion-wrapped,” or specify that you want whole grilled onions on top and bottom in place of a bun.
Is it keto-friendly?
Yes. With no bun, spread, or vegetables, the carb count sits close to zero, which fits most keto and low-carb plans.
What is Gorilla Style?
A Double-Double stuffed with a Flying Dutchman and Animal Style Fries. It isn’t an official order, so it has to be assembled by hand after ordering the parts separately.
Is It Messy to Eat?
Yes, and it’s one of the most common complaints from first-time orderers. Without a bun to hold things together, the patties and cheese shift around, and grease ends up on your hands and the wrapper rather than staying contained. The onion-wrapped version doesn’t solve this fully. Grilled onion is soft and slippery, offering far less grip than a toasted bun. Many regulars eat it with a fork or keep a stack of napkins within reach before the food even arrives. If mess is a dealbreaker, Protein Style tends to hold together better. The lettuce wrap functions more like a traditional burger and is easier to manage one-handed.
