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Wow, it’s been nearly two years since the official corporate announcement that moistened the saliva glands of countless local fast food aficionados: Eureka is getting a Habit Burger & Grill.

Oh. Em. Gee!

While LoCO commenters nobly rushed to the defense of our treasured local burger joints, the debauched appetites of our less civic-minded residents would not be denied. Their excitement was as palpable as a sesame seed bun. But as the Habit-less weeks turned to months, forlorn rumors began to surface: Has Habit Burger backed out? Why has it forsaken us?!

Fear not: The home of the Double Char — recently rechristened as USA Today‘s No. 1 best fast food burger — is still headed our way.

A Eureka location recently materialized on the corporate website, complete with an “Apply Now” button for job seekers, as noted by one of the culinary connoisseurs over on the “Humboldt Foodies” Facebook group (where dreams of Humboldt Olive Gardens and Cheesecake Factories go perennially unfulfilled).

A message sent to Habit’s corporate headquarters requesting an official opening date was not returned by the time this post was published. 

Meanwhile, for those who steadfastly keep your dining dollars local, a business called 707 Smash Burgers recently announced its upcoming opening at 1604 Fourth Street in Eureka, the green-hued former home of Gallagher’s and Shenanigans Pizza.

Promising fish & chips, loaded fries and a wide array of “exotic cereal milkshakes” alongside “the best smash burgers you’ve ever had,” the company is eyeballing an opening date of Aug. 30 with plans to stay open as late as 3 a.m.

We’ve reached out via phone and social media for more information. Stay tuned, burger fans.