Drive-Thrus Banned at Birthplace

"The In 'N Out Burger chain, credited with spawning the trend that led to McDonald's and all the rest, was founded in 1948 in a town now home to some 83,000 residents with a median income of $42,000 – and 17 drive-in restaurants. Local officials say they wanted to tackle not just the traffic snarls inherent in an "in-car" dining culture, but be part of the national campaign to stem obesity – a cause championed by First Lady Michelle Obama.

'We see ourselves at the forefront of the fight on obesity,' says Marc Castagnola, Baldwin Park community development manager. 'We also want to encourage people to get out of their cars and walk around,' he says with a rueful nod to the obvious challenge of bucking a southern California car culture."

The city has proposed a nine-month ban on any new construction to try to encourage more walking.