Why Now?

In-N-Out Burger has been toying with Houston’s heart for years. Lauded for its signature burgers and animal-style fixin’s, the California-based chain has managed to set up shop in every major Texas city besides Houston — Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio have all snagged outposts.

Of course, the rumor mill has swirled for years with predictions of In-N-Out’s eventual Houston arrival, but all those leads led to dead ends and broken foodie hearts… until now. Commercial real estate company CRBE’s vice president Jazz Hamilton revealed In-N-Out’s recent purchase of multiple Houston sites during a company press luncheon on Tuesday, as reported by the Houston Business Journal.

The reveal finally provides solid evidence that the popular burger joint will finally plant roots in the Bayou City. While In-N-Out hasn’t release an official statement, Hamilton says the fast food chain’s influx is a sure thing.

“This time, they’re doing it,” Hamilton told the crowd. “You’ll see them closing (on sites) quietly, and then all of the sudden, they’ll start building all at once.”

As Houstonians twiddle their thumbs awaiting In-N-Out’s arrival, it leaves more time to question just why it took the company so long to migrate to Texas’ top food city? Could Houston’s recent influx of national culinary press attention be the kick in the pants In-N-Out needed? Or was it the recent Houston additions of burger heavyweights like Shake Shack and Hopdoddy Burger Bar that shook them out of their slumber. We probably won’t ever know for sure.

Until then, we’ll be prepping our palates for some heavy critiquing. Because if there’s one thing Houston doesn’t need, it’s another burger joint. Will the cult of In-N-Out take firm hold in H-Town and equal the fever felt elsewhere? Or were we made to wait too long? Time will tell.

All are welcome to challenge our diverse burger landscape.