Southwest Washington is becoming quite the attraction for fast food hamburger aficionados

Drivers along Interstate 5 can see the sign that In-N-Out Burger is coming to Southwest Washington soon. No official opening date yet, but construction is ongoing in Ridgefield. Photo by Paul Valencia

Shake Shake opened last week, Habit Burger and Grill is opening next week, and In-N-Out Burger is coming to Ridgefield soon, plus we already have local favorite Burgerville

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

Southwest Washington is becoming THE place to be for famous fast-food hamburgers.

Vancouver has been the longtime headquarters of local favorite Burgerville, with its fresh ingredients, seasonal promotions, and quirky ad campaigns. If local is what you desire, Burgerville will still be the place to eat.

Then there are the Big Three of burger chains — McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s — around every other corner.

Then last week, a brand with a national following opened in Vancouver — Shake Shack.

Later this week, a California brand will open, as well. No, not In-N-Out. Not yet, anyway. But Habit Burger, specializing in Charburgers.

Later this year is one of the most anticipated fast-food openings in Clark County. The yellow arrow sign was installed last week, with the wording covered. But even without words, we know what is coming in Ridgefield: In-N-Out Burger.

It. Is. Happening.

The words are covered up but hamburger fans know this is an In-N-Out Burger sign. It went up last week in Ridgefield. Photo by Paul Valencia

If the In-N-Out Burger in Keizer, Ore., is any indication, there will be hours long waits for a Double-Double combo in Ridgefield. Especially in the first months of operation. In-N-Out aficionados might be the most passionate fast-food burger fans on the planet. If Vancouver and Portland residents drive an hour or so to wait for another hour or so for burgers, then surely the same will happen in Ridgefield, with folks driving from Olympia and maybe points farther north.

It’s not just the food. It’s the experience, right?

Eventually, the lines will subside, especially if rumors are true that more In-N-Out Burger restaurants are on the way throughout the Vancouver-Portland area.

Fans of other big brands that showed up to Vancouver surely remember the large lines at Krispy Kreme and Chick-fil-A. Driving past a Chick-fil-A now, it clearly remains popular but certainly not quite as long of a line. Same for the recently opened Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.

Brands such as Shake Shake and In-n-Out are not new, but they are new to here. So that will attract a buzz.

Shake Shake opened in east Vancouver last week at 2100 SE 164th Ave. It is the first Shake Shack location in Vancouver, the sixth in Washington and the fourth in the Portland area.

Shake Shack, another national brand fast-food chain, opened in Vancouver last week. Photo by Paul Valencia

The first wave of guests last week were given Shake Shack tote bags. Also, as part of the Shake Shack mission to “Stand for Something Good,” the Fisher’s Landing location donated a dollar for every sandwich sold on opening day to the Clark County Food Bank.

According to its website, Shake Shack started as a hot dog cart in New York City to raise funds for a public art project. Today, Shake Shack is known more for its shakes, of course, and hamburgers. But it still has the community at heart.

“Doing good is in our roots, a part of our DNA since day one,” the website says. “We’re still continuing to expand and evolve our mission to Stand For Something Good in everything we do.”

Next week is the official opening of Habit Burger and Grill in Vancouver.

Habit Burger and Grill, which has restaurants throughout the country and several in Washington, is opening soon in Vancouver for the first time. Photo by Paul Valencia

Habit started in Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1969. It now has locations in the south, the east, and throughout the west. There are 14 other Habit Burger and Grill locations in Washington.

The official grand opening of the Vancouver restaurant — at 8320 NE Vancouver Plaza Dr — will be Wednesday, April 30. (Interestingly, that location is a former Burgerville site.)

For those who cannot wait, Habit is offering VIP specials starting Saturday, April 26 to those who sign up on their CharClub or those who use Habit’s mobile app. Go to: http://habitburger.com/vancouver for more details.

Habit Burger and Grill is known for Charburgers cooked to order over an open flame. Another Habit Burger and Grill is expected to open in Salmon Creek soon, as well.

Meanwhile, in Ridgefield this week, construction crews could be seen working on the In-N-Out Burger location. The opening date has not been set.

But, oh, that famous sign has been installed.