Spend some time in Texas and you'll be sure to hear the debate between Texans for the best burger: Whataburger or In-N-Out Burger. They both sling burgers, whip up delicious milkshakes, and serve up their sandwiches with a signature sauce. But there can only be one clear burger joint winner. It's a hard job, but someone has to do it!
All About In-N-Out Burger
Lyndsay Cordell
Founded in 1948, in Baldwin Park, California, In-N-Out was a pioneer in the fast-food world. They opened the first drive-thru (before then carhops would take your order and wheel your burgers to you) and had a secret menu before it was trendy to have one.
The menu is sparse with only offerings such as cheeseburgers, fries, and milkshakes but each item is executed perfectly, including the double-double and cheeseburger served up "animal style" on the secret menu.
Employees hand-cut potatoes for french fries, buns are toasty, and the milkshakes require a spoon from being so thick. The California chain is also highly popular due to its scarcity and can only be found in California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and a few cities in Texas. It was its expansion into the Dallas area back in 2010 that started the battle between the two fast-food chains.
Wild About Whataburger
Lyndsay Cordell
Founded in 1950 in San Antonio, Texas, Whataburger has held a cult-like following since its opening. With over 670 stores in Texas and another 150 in New Mexico, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, and Alabama.
The menu has something for everyone, whether you like chicken, burgers, fish, salads, or breakfast. Favorites include the Whataburger Patty Melt and the honey butter chicken biscuit if you visit during breakfast hours. The Whataburger is the flagship burger and comes topped with tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, diced onion, and mustard. Feeling bold? Dress it up with a squirt of spicy ketchup or creamy pepper sauce.
Whataburger and In-n-Out Battle of the Burger
To get the most accurate reading, I ordered 1 of each of the brand's flagship items. For In-N-Out, it was a Cheeseburger topped with American cheese, a 100% beef patty, onion, lettuce, In-n-Out Spread, and tomato. For Whataburger it was the Whataburger topped with a large beef patty, tomato, lettuce, pickles, diced onion, and mustard.
I should preface and state that I am a Cali-girl. I grew up in the sunshine state and spent afternoons after softball games eating burgers in the backseat of my parent's cars. Whataburger, on the other hand, was a completely new experience for me. According to my Texas co-workers, it was worth the hype and I was in for a life-changing experience.
After taking a bite of In-n-Out, sensory memories took hold of me, taking me back to beach days and the worry-free days of childhood. It wasn't fair. Whataburger didn't stand a chance. Of course it's a good burger, but if there is something that being in the food industry has taught me, it's that food has the magical powder to bring back memories the moment it hits your lips.
The winner of Whataburger vs In-n-Out is In-N-Out.
