In Palm Springs, the Lure of an In-N-Out Means Local Jobs and Headaches

Who gets what

The greater Coachella Valley community is booming right now, with a slew of new hotel and restaurant openings in the past year alone. But one big restaurant name continues to elude many of the densest parts of the various cities that make up the area: In-N-Out. According to The Desert Sun, Cathedral City has been lobbying the fast food chain for its own location for some time, but the company says they “grow pretty slowly” and so far don’t have any plans to add new outlets beyond their four locations in La Quinta, Indio, Cabazon, and Thousand Palms respectively. That leaves Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and Coachella all without their own In-N-Outs to speak of, though local leaders for those communities are mixed on whether or not they’d even legally be able to host one of the most successful burger chains in America, owing to each municipality’s laws on drive-thru dining. Others, like Indian Wells, limit fast food altogether, while officials in nearby cities like Coachella are clamoring for any kind of new popular business within their borders. For now, Cathedral City — and all the rest of the greater Coachella Valley — continues to wait.

Meat days

Horn BBQ is popping up in Los Angeles again next week near Third and Fairfax, hosting a $65 feast filled with brisket, ribs, chicken, and more. Tickets are open now.

And even more barbecue

Speaking of smoked meat, the fall barbecue boot camp is returning to Alisal Guest Ranch up in Solvang on the Central Coast. Frank Ostini of The Hitching Post II and LA’s own Valerie Gordon will be helping to lead the weekend-long charge.

All the gyoza

Joey Chestnut and a slew of other professional eaters will be in Los Angeles over the weekend as part of the 12th annual World Gyoza-Eating Championship in Little Tokyo. The Saturday event is free to attend.

Triniti’s new look

Triniti is turning out a limited all-Greek menu for this weekend’s Echo Park Rising. The pop-up is called Family Meal, and should continue on after this weekend as an evening and weekend delivery-only meal option cooked out of the Triniti kitchen.

More chicken

Yang’s Braised Chicken Rice, the massively popular international chain, is expanding to Santa Ana. The restaurant’s first stateside location landed in Tustin last year, now they’re jumping to MacArthur Plaza at 2 Hutton Center Drive.

Commerson’s new move

Mid-City restaurant Commerson has a new happy hour in effect. The La Brea spot’s updated menu runs Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and includes everything from $2 oysters to a $10 chicken sandwich or cheeseburger. The happy hour menu is below.