Del Taco out, In-N-Out in in Encinitas

The privately owned, five-state In-N-Out Burger chain has secured property just east of the I-5 at Encinitas Blvd — currently the site of a Del Taco. Meetings with city planners will take place this week.

The rumor has been floating around for years, with vice president of the chain’s operations, Carl Van Fleet, stating in an article published here in April of 2009 that In-N-Out was aware of Encinitas and wanted to have a location there. He indicated finding a freeway-close site with enough space was the challenge.

John, pulling away from the Del Taco drive-thru with his order in is lap, said he will miss Del Taco. But, as he gobbled down his Del Taco crinkle-cut french fries (noted by connoisseurs as the chain having the third best fries — McDonald’s and In-N-Out, respectively, lead the pack in consumer polls), John stated he will like In-N-Out too.

Del Taco’s manager, Luis, said the owner has not told him or his staff anything about the sale of the business, but they were aware of the news.