The Real Burger War: Why Texans Are Fiercely Loyal to Their Fast Food
Aug 07, 2025
It’s Not Just a Burger. It’s a Battlefield.
In Texas, we don’t just eat fast food; we take sides. And when it comes to burgers, we don’t play nice.
As Whataburger celebrates 75 years this week, it’s more than just a milestone for a burger chain. It’s a reminder that in the Lone Star State, where you grab your drive-thru dinner says a lot about who you are. You don’t just pick a combo—you pick a side.
Welcome to the Texas Burger War.
Whataburger: The OG That Started It All
Founded in 1950 in Corpus Christi, Whataburger was built on the idea that burgers should be big, made to order, and good enough to make you say… well, what a burger. With its signature orange-and-white A-frame buildings, patty melts that belong in the Hall of Fame, and that cult-favorite spicy ketchup, Whataburger quickly became a Texas icon.
But Whataburger isn’t just beloved—it’s defended. Ask any Texan who’s ever traveled out of state and mourned the absence of a #1 with cheese. Or who’s been in a heated argument when someone from California dares suggest In-N-Out is better. (Sit down, Chad. We’re not doing this today.)
In-N-Out vs. Whataburger: A Statewide Standoff
When In-N-Out entered Texas in 2011, it didn’t just bring burgers. It brought beef, figuratively and literally.
Californians came in confident with their minimalist menu, “secret” sauce, and animal-style arrogance. But they quickly learned: You don’t mess with Whataburger on its own turf.
Social media exploded. Taste test videos went viral. Politicians weighed in. One Texas Congressman even tweeted, “In-N-Out is fine, but Whataburger is the lifeblood of Texas.”
The truth? In-N-Out was never just competing with a burger—it was challenging a legacy.
It’s Not About Taste. It’s About Identity.
Whataburger isn’t just food. It’s Friday night after the football game. It’s 2 am post-concert cravings. It’s road trips down I-35 with orange-and-white bags riding shotgun.
In Texas, fast food becomes part of the cultural fabric. We’re loyal to brands born here because they feel like ours. That’s why names like Dairy Queen (the Texas version), Taco Bueno, and Golden Chick still hold strong decades later.
And let’s be real, no one’s ever gotten a tattoo of a Double-Double. But people have tattooed the Whataburger logo on their bicep. That’s commitment.
75 Years Later, Whataburger Still Wins
This week, Whataburger celebrates 75 years of feeding generations of Texans—and they’re marking the occasion with a $0.75 deal on their classic #1 burger on August 8. (In-store only, while supplies last. So line up early, y’all.)
It’s a perfect excuse to skip cooking, hit the drive-thru, and toast to a true Texas legend. No secret menus. No attitude. Just a damn good burger, made your way.
Long Live the Orange W
The Texas burger war isn’t cooling down anytime soon—but we all know who’s holding the crown. Whether you're a die-hard loyalist or just along for the fries, one thing’s clear:
In Texas, fast food is personal.
And Whataburger?
That’s family.
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