Midnight Madness for In-N-Out Burger

Steve Mathis, who runs a fan-based Facebook page on the arrival of the state’s first In-N-Out Burger, stands outside the Ridgefield location around 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, in line for opening day. Notice his first In-N-Out license plate. Photo by Paul Valencia

Dozens of people lined up to camp in their cars in Ridgefield, just outside of the newest In-N-Out Burger, the first-of-its-kind in Washington

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

This was their moment.

The moment took hours, but still, it was their moment to shine … in the darkness.

It was 1 a.m. in Ridgefield in the wee early morning hours Wednesday, and at that time there were 17 cars in the drive-thru lane. Nearby, others who wanted the dine-in experience were parked in their cars, as well.

The restaurant was scheduled to open at 10:30 a.m., but there was a rumor that it might be 8 or 9 a.m.

Either way, for these In-N-Out fanatics, getting in line at midnight was the right thing to do.

“I discovered In-N-Out in 1994. I think they got the best burger in the game. I’d die on that hill,” said Mark Horton of Ridgefield.

Mark Horton of Ridgefield said In-N-Out has the best burger in the game, and he is willing to die on that hill. Photo by Paul Valencia

This morning, the first In-N-Out Burger in the state of Washington opened, and Ridgefield was the place to be for burger bliss. As word spreads, this location will continue to draw big crows. How do we know? Because the closest In-N-Out to Washington, in Keizer, Ore., still has long lines years after it opened. Now, Ridgefield will be the closest location for so many in the Northwest.

Mark’s wife Michelle and their daughter Abby convinced him to pull the all-nighter in line.

“We’re going to have to check back in and see how we’re feeling in the morning, but right now it seems like a great idea,” Mark said.

The Horton vehicle was the second in line. When Clark County Today arrived, it appeared the driver in the first car — a mini van — was asleep. Mark said the driver of the first car is from Seattle.

In the third car were four friends from Longview. Two were asleep, but two sisters were awake, having a blast.

Sisters Maddy and Abby Bailey of Longview medaled, if you will. They were third in line for the In-N-Out Burger opening, and that’s good enough for a podium finish Abby said. Photo by Paul Valencia

“We wanted to be first in line, but we’re third,” said Maddy Bailey incredulously.

She acknowledged she was a bit bummed about that.

Abby Bailey’s attitude saved the day, though. If this were the Olympics, they medaled.

“We’re still on the podium. Top three. We still made it,” she said.

Abby Bailey said she has been following all of the updates about the first In-N-Out Burger in the state.

“I want to camp out. I didn’t even think about it,” she said. “Oh my gosh, we have to do it.”

The In-N-Out Burger restaurant did not have its exterior lights on at 1 a.m. Wednesday, but there were spotlights to help security queue the line of cars that were forming for the restaurant's opening. Photo by Paul Valencia — The In-N-Out Burger restaurant did not have its exterior lights on at 1 a.m. Wednesday, but there were spotlights to help security queue the line of cars that were forming for the restaurant’s opening. Photo by Paul Valencia

Steve Mathis, In-N-Out Burger Super Fan, used his drone to take this photo of the cars lined up for In-N-Out Burger guests who preferred the dine-in experience rather than the drive-thru lane Wednesday morning. Photo courtesy Steve Mathis.

Steve Mathis, who has become a celebrity of sorts with In-N-Out Burger fanatics in Washington for his fan-based Facebook page, was among the first in line to be a walk-in customer.

“I’m stoked. Very happy. Looking forward to eating the food, sharing it with friends, and seeing the friendly people.”

It turns out, none of them had to wait until 10:30 a.m. In-N-Out Burger opened early, around 8:45 a.m. according to social media reports.

This reporter can confirm that security was nice and informative in the early hours. They believed there was enough space to queue close to 400 vehicles in the large space next to In-N-Out. They did expect to direct vehicles in a number of access lanes, fill those lanes, and then, one-by-one, allow a lane into the drive-thru lane.

All in line had a common goal, a love for In-N-Out Burger.

The Hortons, in fact, made a point to introduce themselves to Mathis. They talked about their favorite orders, and they both knew all about all the special requests that can be made. The In-N-Out Burger menu is simple, but the not-so-secret secret menu has nuances that only real In-N-Out fans understand.

They also talked about their favorite locations. For Mark Horton, it is on 2nd Street and the Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, Calif.

Judging from the many fans willing to camp out for a double-double and more, the newest In-N-Out Burger just might become the favorite for every Washingtonian.