Palm Springs, California — The long-awaited arrival of Palm Springs’ first In-N-Out Burger has encountered another obstacle after city officials postponed final architectural approval, although the highly anticipated restaurant is still expected to move forward.
During a meeting Monday evening, the Palm Springs Planning Commission voted to continue reviewing the proposed restaurant at 1801 E. Palm Canyon Drive in the Smoke Tree Village Shopping Plaza, requesting additional design revisions before giving the project its final approval.
While the decision adds another step to the approval process, officials have not indicated that the project is being canceled.
Planning Commission Wants More Design Changes
The proposed restaurant has been under review for several years, with city officials and developers working to create a design that better fits Palm Springs’ iconic mid-century modern architectural identity.
During Monday’s meeting, commissioners spent nearly three hours discussing the latest proposal, which included a lighter exterior color palette and additional landscaping intended to blend with the surrounding neighborhood.
However, several commissioners and residents said the updated design still fell short of reflecting the city’s distinctive architectural character.
One commissioner reportedly described the revised proposal as “putting lipstick on a pig,” expressing frustration that multiple revisions had yet to address their concerns.
As a result, commissioners voted to require one additional architectural review before considering final approval.
In-N-Out Says Design Was Created for the Location
Representatives for In-N-Out Burger defended the latest plans during the meeting, explaining that the restaurant’s design had been specifically developed for the Palm Springs site rather than simply copying existing locations.
Even so, the commission requested additional modifications before the project can receive its final architectural approval.
The project will now return to the Planning Commission at a future meeting after the recommended changes have been incorporated into the design.
Opening Still Expected in Late 2027 or Early 2028
Although the latest review could slightly delay the process, city officials have previously estimated the restaurant could open in late 2027 or early 2028.
No updated opening timeline has been announced following Monday night’s meeting.
The proposed restaurant has been under review since 2024, and the Planning Commission previously approved the project in 2025, with architectural details continuing to evolve throughout the planning process.
Residents Continue Waiting for Palm Springs’ First Location
The restaurant remains one of the most anticipated dining projects in the Coachella Valley, where both residents and visitors have long hoped for a local In-N-Out Burger.
Until construction is completed, customers in Palm Springs must continue traveling to the nearest locations in Rancho Mirage or Thousand Palms, both roughly a 20-minute drive from the city.
Despite the latest delay, the project continues moving through the city’s approval process, bringing Palm Springs one step closer to welcoming its first-ever In-N-Out restaurant.
Are you excited about Palm Springs getting its first In-N-Out Burger? Do you think the city should prioritize preserving its architectural style, even if it delays new businesses? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
