In-N-Out is coming to Boise. Here’s what we know so far, and vote on your favorite burger
If you haven’t heard the news by now, you’ve either been living under a rock, or you have something against delicious burgers.
That’s right. In-N-Out Burger is finally coming to Idaho.
The famous burger joint is one of those fast-food chains that everyone raves about when they visit Southern California and begs for it to come to their home state once they leave.
Last month, the Irvine, California-based burger chain announced it was planning to open its first restaurant in Idaho, in Meridian. That was followed up on Tuesday with the news that In-N-Out intends to open a second Idaho restaurant, this time in Boise.
Here’s what we know so far
In-N-Out applied for its first Idaho location at 3520 E. Fairview Ave. at The Village at Meridian shopping mall. The fast-food chain seeks to construct a 3,879 square foot building with a drive-thru.
The second location is a little closer to downtown Boise. In-N-Out applied to build a 3,885 square foot building with a drive-thru close to the Boise Towne Square mall at 140 N. Milwaukee St. The restaurant will be built on the site of the former Pier 1 Imports store. The retailer declared bankruptcy in 2020.
How long will you have to wait to finally get your hands on a Double-Double burger in the Gem State? That answer isn’t so clear, but at the latest, it should be by 2025.
“We are still in the very early stages of our development plans in Idaho, but we remain committed to the goal we set in 2020 to be serving Double-Doubles to our Boise area customers within five years,” Mike Abbate, In-N-Out’s assistant vice president for real estate and development, previously told the Idaho Statesman.
“We are very much looking forward to that day,” he continued, “and we appreciate our customers in Idaho who have shared their anticipation with us as well.”
So why is In-N-Out expanding to Idaho? It may have to do with the large influx of Californians to the state in recent years.
Interstate migration data from the U.S. Census Bureau show that 17,772 Californians relocated to the Gem State in 2019. When looking at net migration — the arrivals from California minus the Idahoan departures to the Golden State — Idaho gained 757 new Californians per 100,000 Idahoans, the largest rate of gain in the country.
The Statesman ran a poll in 2017 asking readers which fast-food chain should be the next to come to Boise. In-N-Out was the runaway winner, picking up 44% of the vote from 4,588 voters. The next closest was White Castle, with just 8% of the vote.
What’s your favorite In-N-Out order?
In-N-Out doesn’t have the vastest in-store menu, but its famous Double-Double burger makes up for any sort of deficiencies. Did you know about the restaurant’s Not So Secret Menu?
Why get just a regular burger when you can have your burger Animal Style, with extra dressing, mustard-grilled patties and pickles? Or the grilled cheese, which is simply two slices of melted cheese with tomato, lettuce, in-house sauce, and onions on a freshly-baked bun?
Tell us your favorite In-N-Out order in the poll below, and check out what other people love once you’ve voted.
Never had In-N-Out before? Click “I don’t know” and see what other people are voting for so you know exactly what to order when In-N-Out finally opens its doors to the people of Idaho.
This story was originally published April 29, 2022 at 12:06 PM.
