Another 52 Weeks — #14
What is it about Whataburger?
When someone learns I grew up in Texas and the subject turns to food, logic dictates that the conversation would tilt toward Tex-Mex or barbecue.
Nope. At least 90% of the time, the discussion heads straight to Whataburger, the fast food chain that has almost 700 locations across the state.
For some reason — maybe “King of the Hill” — I find myself in existential conversations about the mysterious, yet ubiquitous, popularity of Whataburger, which marks its 75th anniversary in June.
And, no matter the question (I don’t go beyond the OG menu), the answer is always the same.
What makes it so good? “It’s Whataburger.”
Is it the meat? “It’s Whataburger.”
Is it how it’s made? “It’s Whataburger.”
Is it the service? The fries? The malts? “It’s Whataburger.”
Thirty-one years after leaving the state, I don’t have a better answer.
Whataburger was one of my father’s favorite places to eat. Every time I return to see family, which I’m doing next week, I get a burger, fries, and vanilla malt in his honor. The only difference: He held the onions; I don’t get lettuce and pickle.
While I can’t explain its appeal, I do have two pieces of advice for would-be Whataburger connoisseurs. For some reason, the locations I’ve tried outside Texas — there are 330 in a dozen southern states from Arizona to Florida — just don’t taste the same.
If you go to What-A-Burger or the What-A-Burger Drive-In, two chains of family operated restaurants that you might find in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, it’s not even the same place I’m talking about.
Sadly, I found that out the hard way.
Do you have a Whataburger opinion? Is there a similar place where you live? Let me know, and I hope you enjoy rest of this week’s photos.
Book Party!
If you are close to the Greater Washington, D.C. area on Thursday, May 29, I hope you’ll consider joining me at a party for the formal launch of my photo book, Keep Your Distance: Walking Through the First Year of COVID.
(NOTE: The date originally was scheduled for May 15, but had to be postponed due to a conflict.)
The free event, which will feature a social hour, interview/Q&A session, and book signing, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Elaine’s in Old Town Alexandria. Tickets are limited to 50 guests who sign up here.
Books will be available for purchase at the event. If you’d like to get one before then, go to this link. You also can catch up on the “Social Distancing Diary” entries I’m posting to Substack here.