The project, currently listed on the City of La Mesa’s “Projects Under Review” page, would place the popular California burger chain on a former bank site in one of East County’s busiest commercial corridors. The location sits adjacent to Grossmont Center, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, and the Grossmont Transit Center, an area already known for steady vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
City communications officials confirmed that the application is in the early review phase. Once deemed complete, the project will move through the city’s Design Review Board and Planning Commission before ultimately heading to the La Mesa City Council for final consideration. As part of the public process, notices will be mailed to residents within a 300-foot radius of the proposed site and published at least 10 days prior to the Planning Commission hearing.
If approved, the restaurant would be the first In-N-Out within La Mesa city limits. The closest existing location is in Lemon Grove, approximately four miles away. San Diego County currently has more than a dozen In-N-Out restaurants, including locations in Santee, El Cajon, College Area, National City, Mira Mesa, and beyond.
Excitement among residents has been swift. Supporters point to the brand’s affordability and efficiency, noting that In-N-Out frequently deploys employees with handheld ordering devices to expedite drive-thru service. City officials have indicated the proposal includes two side-by-side drive-thru lanes, a configuration designed to improve vehicle flow compared to a single-lane model.
Still, the prospect of a new drive-thru restaurant at an already congested intersection has raised concerns among nearby residents. Grossmont Center Drive is a primary access route for shoppers, hospital traffic, and trolley riders, and some neighbors worry that In-N-Out’s famously long drive-thru lines could spill onto public streets.
According to city representatives, the applicant will be required to submit a technical traffic analysis demonstrating that surrounding intersections will continue operating efficiently. In addition, the company must provide a detailed overflow management plan outlining how drive-thru backups will be handled. If on-street impacts occur, the city says the operator would be required to remedy them immediately under direction of the City Engineer.
In-N-Out’s Vice President of Store Development has stated that the company is still in the application phase and emphasized its commitment to being “a good neighbor and positive presence in the community.”
Founded in 1948 in Baldwin Park, California, by Harry and Esther Snyder, In-N-Out remains family-owned and operates nearly 400 locations across the western United States. The chain is known for its tightly focused menu of burgers, fries, shakes, and its “Animal Style” variations, as well as its consistent expansion strategy that prioritizes controlled growth and operational efficiency.
At this stage, there is no timeline for construction or opening. The proposal remains under city review, with public hearings expected later this year.
If approved, the La Mesa location would further cement In-N-Out’s presence across East County while testing how one of California’s most popular burger brands integrates into one of La Mesa’s busiest intersections.
For updates, residents can monitor the City of La Mesa’s development review portal.
Originally published on February 17, 2026.