Well that didn’t take long. Only a day after I reported on our latest restaurant closures – and the particularly painful loss of Mad Greek Too – here comes news that In-N-Out are looking at the now vacant location for further Utah expansion. In-N-Out originally debuted in Northern Utah circa 2008/2009 and have been on a modest expansion trajectory ever since; the privately owned company are well known for their slow and steady approach to growth. The brand currently operate twelve locations in the state.
You might recall the popular Cali chain was previously slated to appear on the opposite side of 21st many moons ago. Those original plans would have seen the business pitch up in the spot now host to Jack In The Box; the very same one that garnered as many column inches as it did cars down State Street. Instead, the burger brand are opting for the South side of 2100 South – and with it – a home in neighboring South Salt Lake City.
The potential project was discussed this week at the South Salt Lake planning commission (you can watch online here) and highlighted some of the zoning changes needed for the plan to be given the green light. Specifically the big development would see the former Mad Greek plot merged with a larger lot to the West; this 28E plot has sat dormant since an office office building was torn down back in 2015. Here are some pertinent shots from the planning meeting this week to see what In-N-Out have in store:
A representative for the company attended the meeting in person confirming In-N-Out had been looking at the area for quite some time and “we couldn’t be more excited to bring some good jobs, some good affordable meals [to the city]”.
The proposed conceptual plan above (do note this is presently a preliminary draft) shows that the new outlet would include extensive landscaping along 2100 South – and mercifully for those counting the cars – no direct access to the site from 21st itself. Instead guests would access the In-N-Out via either Main Street or Major Street. From there cars would line up within the site itself – in what appears to be a dual drive thru lane.
The plans also show the building located at the corner of Main and 2100 south with an outdoor patio area to the building’s East side. A few other highlights from the meeting indicate that In-N-Out expect as many as 1800 visits per day for the South Salt Lake outlet (which backs onto the city’s Winco site) which in turn would generate 81 new jobs for the city.
Featured image credit, Photo by W on Unsplash.
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Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC. I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.
I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV. Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.
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The article says you would access the site from State street. Surely that can’t be correct. Isn’t the 7-11 on State street? Mad Greek sat on the little side street that runs into the WINCO lot, but it certainly doesn’t reach State.
My apologies, you’re quite correct, I’ve corrected the piece. Access would be either via Main Street or Major Street – that itself either comes from 2100 South or the Winco lot. I think the current design tries to avoid direct access from 21st to prevent cars backing up there.