Food & Drink

The story behind Caliburger, In-n-Out type burger shop coming to Seattle

Caliburger offers improvements to In-N-Out, including boozy shakes and even multiplayer Minecraft

By Seattle Mag September 7, 2015

calichickentiny_0

There are several new burger spots popping up around Seattle this fall and winter, but if you saw our general news report on Sept. 4, you know that there is something unique and controversial about CaliBurger, the new restaurant coming to the U District (at 45th and University Ave) later this month.

First, the unique: You can play Minecraft while you eat at CaliBurger by using a customized team-based version of the game. Geekwire notes that it allows customers to play on their smartphones and have their moves show up on TV screens and video walls throughout the restaurant. Yes, there will even be a leaderboard so you can compete with gamers while you scarf down your lunch. 

Now, to understand the controversy, you need to understand a bit of California burger history. According to The Los Angeles Times, a former manager of the cult-favorite In-n-Out opened the first CaliBurger in China in 2012 and In-N-Out immediately sued the company for advertising a Double-Double burger and Animal-style fries – two of the company’s popular specialities. CaliBurger ultimately changed the names of those items and added some new (non-In-N-Out) features to the menu, including boozy milkshakes and local wines. Impressive, indeed. Compare for yourself.

To date, CaliBurger has opened locations around China and the Middle East and plans to expand to London, Stockholm and Washington, D.C. soon. The Seattle location will be one of the first CaliBurger restaurants in the United States, along with, wait for it – Los Angeles. The Seattle branch will be 2,500 square feet with a patio, mobile ordering, wireless charging stations and other tech goodies.

Ask any California transplant around here (and there are many, as we all know) their thoughts on an In-N-Out replica and they will immediately defend the decades-old chain. Mention improvements, like animal-style fries with Washington wine and Minecraft duels – and you may just hush them up faster than you can say trademark infringement. Stay tuned for more information on the opening date and festivities.

 

 

Follow Us