Don't Expect In-N-Out, Culver's or Carl's Jr. in D.C. Anytime Soon

When talking cult favorite burger chains, a few obvious contenders come to mind.

Perhaps the most omnipresent: California's own In-N-Out Burger. Should the chain ever expand to the East Coast, it would be a game changer for the burger world. But there are no plans for this to happen anytime in the future.

"We only operate in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Texas today," the company said in a statement. "While we hope to make it to D.C. someday, our slow growth plans will prevent us from getting there in the near-term future.  While D.C. certainly is a great city and filled with many opportunities, it is just too far away from our distribution centers and patty production facilities."  The company makes all of its burger patties in facilities in California and Texas, and since they don't freeze anything, their growth plans are limited by how far they can travel from those facilities.

Another burger joint with its own fans: Culver's, a Midwestern chain also known for its frozen custard. Spokesman Paul Pitas says all of its restaurants are owned by independent franchisees, but the company has not heard from anyone interested in establishing a Culver's in the D.C. area.

Though their semi-salacious commercials still play in the D.C. market, Carl's Jr. also won't be opening in Washington. The company also owns Hardee's and does not open Carl's Jr. locations in the same markets where Hardee's operates (there are locations in Maryland and Virginia).