COURTESY OF IN-N-OUT In-N-Out Burger plans to build a restaurant in the Arizona Pavilions shopping center at Interstate 10 and North Cortaro Road to open in August 2005.

Burgers made fresh, fries cut on the spot and pure ice cream shakes have UA students crazed about In-N-Out Burger, which is coming to Tucson in August 2005.

The popular California-based fast-food chain with a cult-like following will open in the Arizona Pavilions at Interstate 10 and North Cortaro Road.

Fred Encinas, director of real estate for In-N-Out, said since the restaurant already has Phoenix markets, opening locations in Tucson "seemed like the natural plan of expansion."

Leo Thornton, a pre-physical education sophomore, said he is excited about the opening because he frequently went to In-N-Out while he lived in California.

"It was down the street," he said. "They should hire me since they pay employees $8.50 an hour."

Sara Blight, a math education senior, said she is impressed by the customer service at In-N-Out. While at a marching band performance in California, Blight said In-N-Out served more than 200 students in 20 minutes.

"I like the fact that it's fresh," said Jonathan Duckworth, a pre-business freshman who prefers In-N-Out over any fast-food chain.

In-N-Out, known for cooking food only when ordered, serves hamburgers, assorted shakes and fries that are cut in front of the customers. In addition, In-N-Out has a "secret menu," which includes items such as grilled cheese sandwiches and the protein-rich, Atkins diet friendly "Protein Style," a bunless burger wrapped in iceberg lettuce.

Laura Weinhardt, a Near Eastern studies graduate student, said although she is a vegetarian, she would go to In-N-Out for the shakes and fries.

Farrah Jafari, a Near Eastern studies graduate student, said she doesn't care for the food at In-N-Out but likes the friendly ambiance.

"The cuisine of the campus environment is already an artery-clogging factory," she said. "So I say let's get In-N-Out in this mo-fo."

Ben Stoddard, a music sophomore who was an employee of the Las Vegas In-N-Out, said he likes how customers can order their fries soggy, regular or crispy.

"Slowly but surely, In-N-Out will take over the world," he said. "But that's not a bad thing."

Greg Wexler, the Arizona Pavilions project manager who helped bring In-N-Out to Tucson, said he expects In-N-Out to be packed with patrons.

"It's like Krispy Kreme, but you can eat there more often," he said.

Encinas, who is considering a second location in El Con, said reception should be good in Tucson but would expect to find "success in any market."

According to the In-N-Out Web site, the first In-N-Out Burger was founded in 1948 by Harry and Esther Snyder in Baldwin Park. Since then, it has grown to more than 140 locations throughout California, Nevada and Arizona.

"It would go over well in a college town like Tucson," said Jana Swenson, an education senior.

Michael Lehew, a mathematics junior, is also optimistic about In-N-Out's opening in Tucson.

"It beats driving to Phoenix," he said.