PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A cult-favorite fast food chain’s first Washington outpost is expected to debut as soon as next month.

In-N-Out Burger’s much-awaited restaurant in the Ridgefield Union Ridge Town Center could open its doors by mid-July, according to Steve Mathis.

The 69-year-old man is not affiliated with the burger chain. But as a native of the state where the company was founded and as the administrator of two Facebook groups tracking its Ridgefield and Vancouver developments, he has become the go-to person for all things related to In-N-Out’s Washington expansion.

He uses a drone to take footage of the ongoing construction.

“I’m just doing it for fun,” Mathis, who also runs a Facebook account featuring In-N-Out fun facts, said. “I love their food. I love their philosophy of doing business, and so I just want to be able to share it with other people.”

He told KOIN 6 the company is typically tight-lipped about its openings, but crews usually take between eight and nine months to construct a new restaurant — and July 15 would mark nine months. Mathis added that the chain announced the May 21 opening of its second Indio, Calif. location just the day before.

Renderings courtesy of City of Ridgefield, Wash.
Renderings courtesy of City of Ridgefield, Wash.

The City of Ridgefield first confirmed that In-N-Out filed a permit application for the new spot in February 2024. It was quickly met with concern from residents who weren’t sure whether the area would be overly congested by customers of the drive-thru and a new Costco. Officials are still reviewing a traffic management plan, according to Mathis, who said he communicates with the city as well as the chain.

Once opened, the drive-thru on Pioneer Street could be the first of several in Washington. The California-founded company filed a commercial development pre-application for a location in Vancouver’s Firscrest neighborhood last year.

KOIN 6 has reached out to Ridgefield and In-N-Out for comment.