[ironchef]

There is actual hacking involved.

Per the definition: "Hacking (English verb to hack, singular noun a hack) refers to the re-configuring or re-programming of a system to function in ways not facilitated by the owner, administrator, or designer"

The owner (or in n out burger corporate) would like you to enjoy from a very limited menu. The article writer was attempting to circumvent that and use the underlying system in a different manner to produce other results.