First U.S. Location of CaliBurger Heads to Seattle; Skillet Expands to SLU

Welcome to CascadiaWire, a weekly collection of restaurant news from up-and-down the Pacific Northwest corridor.

SOUTH LAKE UNION -- Rejoice, Skillet fans: the brand that largely kickstarted Seattle's food truck movement back in 2007 has since put down deep roots, and is preparing to open its fourth brick and mortar before the end of the year. The new 1,747-square-foot Skillet will set up shop in one of South Lake Union's new Amazon buildings, just down the street from a whopping seven other new restaurants also preparing to open their doors in the coming months.

FUTURE WEEK -- It's Future Week over on Eater.com, and across the country, Eater city sites are asking local industry professionals this question: What do you think the future of dining looks like? Read up on the predictions for Seattle from eight chefs, bakers, and other industry professionals. 

U DISTRICT -- It's been three months since Eater brought word that CaliBurger, the international burger chain inspired by the cult California-based In-N-Out Burger, was coming to Seattle to set up one of its first US branches. (Coincidentally, Medford, OR just received its first actual In-N-Out, so if that chain continues north, CaliBurger may have quick competition.) As it turns out, Seattle's new CaliBurger at 4509 University Way in the U District is now set to be the chain's very first outpost in the country, scheduled to open sometime the week of September 28. (Locations in LA and DC should be ready in the coming months.) CaliBurger debuted in China in 2011 and currently exists in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, with locations operating or under construction in 12 countries.