In N Out on Mill Plain: Vancouver WA’s New Burger Buzz

PC: https://www.reddit.com/user/No-Mushroom7751/

As someone who’s been writing about the Vancouver food scene for a while now, few projects have stirred up local chatter quite like the new in n out on mill plain. For fans who have been driving to Ridgefield or Salem for their Double‑Double fix, the news that an in n out near me is finally materializing right here in East Vancouver feels almost surreal. It sits on the busy corner of Mill Plain Boulevard and SE 136th Avenue, a prime location in mill plain wa that is already buzzing with retail and residential growth. The chain’s presence here is a sign of both Vancouver’s continued growth and the brand’s push into the Pacific Northwest. If you’ve ever typed “in n out” into your phone while craving a burger, you already understand the hype.

What makes this project noteworthy isn’t just the name on the sign, it’s the scale and how deliberately it was designed for this location. City records show that the former structure at 13511 SE 3rd Way was cleared to make way for a 3,860-square-foot In-N-Out restaurant with a drive-thru, a move that signaled just how serious the brand was about its East Vancouver presence.

Pre-planning documents outlined a layout with approximately 84 indoor seats plus a dedicated drive-thru lane, putting this location in line with In-N-Out’s newer, more efficient builds. For locals who used to type “in n out near me” and still end up driving 30 miles, this was the expansion many had been waiting for.

The former Rite Aid lot was selected intentionally. Its size allows for both the building and a queuing lane, and its position at the intersection of a four-lane road and a six-lane road is one reason some locals described it as “one of the few, if any, better than this.” With a parking parcel of roughly 96,480 square feet, the site gives In-N-Out the flexibility to manage traffic flow, a critical factor for any in n out on mill plain.

What locals are saying

Reddit threads have been alive with speculation and jokes since the plastic came off the site’s sign. Some residents worry that the restaurant is squeezed into “a small parking lot with nowhere for super‑long lines,” adding that being on major streets could make congestion worse. Others note that the Mill Plain location sits next to Compass Oncology, and they’ve heard the connection to that building’s parking will be closed to prevent left‑turn backups off 136th Avenue. Long‑time fans offer a different perspective: one commenter from Los Angeles points out that their local in n out operates near a freeway entrance, a recycling center and a high school and it still manages traffic with ease. 

There’s also debate over whether In‑N‑Out can handle the lines. One person quipped, “I sure hope they have adequate space for the lines”, while another argued that the company is a pro at traffic management and likely has deals with nearby surface lots. A skeptic recalled passing the Ridgefield store on a Wednesday night and seeing “ridiculously long” lines, while optimists shared that they were through the Ridgefield drive‑through in less than thirty minutes or that waits drop to around 5–15 minutes if you time your visit right. Some folks even reported that they didn’t have to wait at all when they swung by at 10:30 a.m.. It’s clear the public sentiment is a mix of excitement, anxiety and amusement, exactly the kind of passionate discourse a beloved brand like in n out tends to generate.

Parking and traffic: what to expect

Parking is the elephant in the room. The Ridgefield and Keizer openings taught us that early crowds can spill into the street if there isn’t adequate space, and Vancouver’s east–west corridor is already one of the busier routes in mill plain wa. Critics point out that the new site sits in a relatively tight lot with few options for overflow, raising fears that lines will snake onto Mill Plain and 136th. Some even joke that the in n out on mill plain might make Ridgefield look like a hidden gem.

Supporters counter that In‑N‑Out is famous for training large opening teams and deploying staff specifically to manage drive‑thru queues. They cite the company’s “quickest and most efficient lines in all of fast food” and note that the Mill Plain project has plenty of surrounding surface lots for potential partnerships. A few locals have suggested avoiding the grand‑opening weekend, visiting during weekday afternoons, or simply walking in from nearby shopping centers to sidestep congestion. Ultimately, whether you view the parking situation as a nightmare or a manageable inconvenience depends on your tolerance for lines. But let’s be honest: if you’ve ever typed “in n out near me” and driven half an hour for a burger, a few extra minutes in the queue won’t scare you away.

This forthcoming in n out is more than just another fast‑food joint. It’s a sign that East Vancouver’s commercial corridor continues to attract marquee brands, and it will give residents a convenient option when that “Animal Style” craving hits. Traffic headaches are almost a given during the first month, but evidence from Ridgefield suggests that lines eventually calm down. As long as you plan your visit, maybe avoid peak dinner times and bring your patience, the new in n out on mill plain should be a welcome addition to mill plain wa’s dining landscape. Personally, I’m excited to have an in n out near me and will happily wait for a Double‑Double while admiring the organized chaos of their drive‑thru ballet. 

Stay tuned for updates as construction progresses and an official opening date is announced. I’ll continue to monitor community sentiment and city filings so that you’re among the first to know when the burgers start sizzling.

Across the board, community interest from all corners of mill plain wa suggests this opening will be the talk of the town.