Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Food

Rest In Yeast: In-N-Out's Bun Baker Passed Away

double-double-innout.jpg
Photo by jslander via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Today is a sad day for burger fans here in SoCal. John Markulis, the bun baker responsible for the bread at In-N-Out, Fatburger, and The Original Tommy's, has passed away at 83.

Markulis was the owner of Puritan Bakery in Carson, which has supplied breads and buns for more than 2,000 restaurants across the Southland. The bakery has been operating since 1938, offering up what they deem the "Best Buns in Town."

Saysthe Times:



The factory, based in Carson since the '70s, makes more than 300 types of breads and buns. In-N-Out has used Puritan's specially formulated 4-inch buns since the 1950s... Not only are our hamburger buns absolutely delicious," Puritan's website says, "they are specially designed to stand up on the grill and will not fall apart when full of meat juices, dressings and condiments." It's a seven-hour process to make the buns, from sponge to final product.

The work was worth it. Just as a good pie starts with a perfect crust, a great burger requires buns that are as delicious as they are structurally sound. It's pretty amazing that Markulis' can hold up to double animal styles and Tommy's chili. Here's to hoping his legacy of perfect buns continues on.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today