A yearslong plan to replace a former El Torito Restaurant in the Outlets at Orange with an In-N-Out drive-thru is moving forward.
The existing restaurant in Orange’s outdoor shopping center has been demolished and construction workers are clearing the lot at 3520 C The City Way East.
Demolition of the 11,463-square foot sit-down restaurant and construction of a new 3,885-square foot drive-thru was approved in December, according to the city. The new building would have indoor and outdoor seating and a double-stacking lane to accommodate 30 vehicles.
The project is still very early in the development process, according to Mike Abbate, assistant vice president of real estate and development for In-N-Out, which is based in Irvine.
In-N-Out applied for a conditional use permit for the property in August 2020.
It’s not unusual for restaurants to spend years in the planning and permit stage or for plans to appear on city planning agendas long before In-N-Out announces them. The chain usually adds restaurants to the “opening soon” page of its website when projects are at or near the construction phase. Construction typically takes eight to 10 months.
That page currently lists two Southern California restaurants that are underway, in Perris and San Juan Capistrano.
Judging from news reports, residents of Meridian, Idaho, are closely watching for the Gem State’s first In-N-Out to open there soon. It will be the eighth state to have In-N-Out, after California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon and Colorado.
The chain has nearly 400 restaurants and celebrated its 75th anniversary last month.
