Whataburger, Beware! In-N-Out Burger Reportedly Close To Land Deals in Houston

The burger wars could soon grow hotter in Houston, according to CBRE's vice president of retail operations.

Jazz Hamilton told Houston Business Journal that the California-based chain is close to signing deals in the city for multiple sites.

"This time, they're doing it," Hamilton told the Journal. "You’ll see them closing (on sites) quietly, and then all of the sudden, they’ll start building all at once."

The news will likely be met with mixed reviews by Houston "foodies" and burger fans. Some Houstonians have little more than disdain for "outsiders," especially the ones that open locations in Austin or Dallas before doing so in Houston. There are more than 20 In-N-Out locations in the Dallas area and five in and around Austin, according to the company's website.

The first In-N-Out Burger opened 1948 in Baldwin Park, California, and now operates 313 locations nationwide. The company has resisted overtures from financial firms to take it public, a stance that many say has helped the company maintain the quality of its food.

When (and if) In-N-Out lands in Houston, make sure you try a 4x4 — a burger with four patties and four pieces of cheese. (And get to know the "secret" menu items.)

— Images courtesy Wikipedia Commons/Caroline Culler and Flickr/John Herschell