Whataburger vs Inn and Out

[Crockett]

Shark: when I made that post, I'd just had a couple positive experiences with in and out. Now Whataburger is back at the top of my list and I like the avocados.

 

[ShAArk92]

yes, I'm a fan of the bacon-avo myself. I gotta remember ... hold onions and easy sauce ...

usually getting one while I'm driving home, don't wanna WEAR the sauce.

 

[Driver 8]

I'm a fan of the bacon-avo myself

I must have this

 

[X Misn Tx]

I put in-and-out below Wendy's too. I just don't think they're that good.

 

[CaptHornAA]

BWAHAHAHA!

Crockett, you're not the "worst" in left field, but this sums the problem with the political left (I know this isn't West Mall, bear with me) ... I missed the bus ... vice the bus left me! I messed up but it's still your fault.

Anyhow ... to the OP ...

Whataburger HANDS DOWN. Not even close. Smash(mouth) burger is the closest to the Texas built orange/white tent table franchise burger. Five guys is pretty good.

In/Out ... I'm OUT. If that's all there is, I'll have something else ... burrito/taco/chicken/pizza ...

S Ft. Worth RAVED when that I/O arrived. I tried it about 6 months/so after it opened. I even tried it again a couple months later.

NOT
A
FAN

The only good thing about I/O is it keeps the less "burger woke" from twice wrapping the line at Whataburger.

We could be brothers!

 

[Chop]

For my tastes:

Overall rating, In-N-Out wins out. The fresh, sliced-in-the-kitchen fries are better. Their food just tastes fresher. Whataburger is far superior to the big national chains (McDonalds, Burger King, Jack in the Crack, etc.) and has home field advantage.

In-N-Out Pros: the freshest of any chain, friendly competent staff, very clean, best shakes, grilled onions, still family owned (I think), all locations always the same quality and service every time, so popular they don't even need to advertise (that alone says volumes).
In-N-Out Cons: limited menu, a bit skimpy on the meat portions, they insist on putting thousand island dressing on everything (I have to tell them "no spread, mustard instead"), a California groove to the place.

Whataburger Pros: big menu, lots of variety, jalepenos available, big portions of everything, Texas toast, top burger chain from Texas.
Whataburger Cons: seems greasier than most fast food burgers, frequently slow, fries can be soggy, noticeable variation between sites especially regarding competence of employees/getting the order right.

Both easily beat out the big national chains.

 

[Vol Horn 4 Life]

For my tastes:

Overall rating, In-N-Out wins out. The fresh, sliced-in-the-kitchen fries are better. Their food just tastes fresher. Whataburger is far superior to the big national chains (McDonalds, Burger King, Jack in the Crack, etc.) and has home field advantage.

In-N-Out Pros: the freshest of any chain, friendly competent staff, very clean, best shakes, grilled onions, still family owned (I think), all locations always the same quality and service every time, so popular they don't even need to advertise (that alone says volumes).
In-N-Out Cons: limited menu, a bit skimpy on the meat portions, they insist on putting thousand island dressing on everything (I have to tell them "no spread, mustard instead"), a California groove to the place.

Whataburger Pros: big menu, lots of variety, jalepenos available, big portions of everything, Texas toast, top burger chain from Texas.
Whataburger Cons: seems greasier than most fast food burgers, frequently slow, fries can be soggy, noticeable variation between sites especially regarding competence of employees/getting the order right.

Both easily beat out the big national chains.

I suppose differing opinions is what makes this country great and makes different business models successful. However, I just can't see how you think those crappy fries are great. They are literally the worst fries I've ever eaten. To me the burgers are terrible too. Paper thin patty and just blah.

I had a patty melt from Whataburger a couple days ago and it is absolutely the best fast food burger on the planet. Not as big a fan of their regular burgers because I've had better in many places, but that patty melt is kill ya good.

 

[ShAArk92]

and someone earlier complained about the speed of service ...

yeah, it's not as fast as I/O ... but you're clearly not seeking a burger if you goto I/O ... just something to fill yer gullet fast.

Said it before, but I really like the bacon/avo burger at Whataburger. easy on the sauce. (I always end-up wearing it!)

 

[Chop]

I suppose differing opinions is what makes this country great and makes different business models successful. However, I just can't see how you think those crappy fries are great. They are literally the worst fries I've ever eaten. To me the burgers are terrible too. Paper thin patty and just blah.

I had a patty melt from Whataburger a couple days ago and it is absolutely the best fast food burger on the planet. Not as big a fan of their regular burgers because I've had better in many places, but that patty melt is kill ya good.

Nothing wrong with Whataburger, but I prefer In-N-Out. As for the fries, the fresh taste is what I like--they slice the potatoes right in the restaurant. For enough meat by Texas standards, you'll need to order a double double.

In general, for cooking fries, to get the absolute best taste, fry them in tallow (beef fat). No cardiologist would recommend this and (to my knowledge) none of the big national chains do this anymore. Chick Fil A used to fry in peanut oil and make very good waffle fries until the anti-peanut brigade leaned on them. I've observed that, in my neck of the woods, the only fast food joint that appears consistently more busy than In-N-Out is Chick Fil A. So in-N-Out is here to stay. Other good out-of-state entrants in recent years are Five Guys and Backyard Burgers.

Apparently, "FatBurger" is the current West Coast burger rage. Interesting name--sounds like the sort of place that might still fry in tallow. I checked out their website--bucking the California burger trend, let's just say they don't skimp out on the meat portions (see below). Not in Texas yet...

Never hesitate to remind out-of-state people that the hamburger was invented in Athens, Texas (Not Ohio or any other place).

 

[Chop]

Houston's James Coney Island chain, while mostly known for hot dogs, makes some good burgers too. If they went state-wide, they would be competitive with Whataburger and the others.

 

[Dionysus]

In general, for cooking fries, to get the absolute best taste, fry them in tallow (beef fat).

Absolutely this. Not only for taste but for health. Animal fat is ideal and the recommended “vegetable” oils are actually nasty hyper-processed inflammatory seed oil garbage.

This is how it used to be done before the government idiots/USDA decided that humans needed to be told what food is, like we didn’t have a little historical experience with feeding ourselves.

No cardiologist would recommend this

That’s because doctors, nurses, dietitians, etc are all trained on the same ****** epidemiological studies that brought us the failed experiment known as the dietary guidelines.

/threadhijack

 

[Vol Horn 4 Life]

As for the fries, the fresh taste is what I like--they slice the potatoes right in the restaurant.

I've heard they do that in store, but I'm pretty sure they don't soak them long enough or at all to get some of the starch out so it ends up being this pile of crunchy starchy fried potato sticks. I prefer a little less crunchy, less starchy and more flavorful fries....not the soggy garbage I've gotten when they stay in the warmer too long.

You also mentioned ordering a double and I did the last time. I guess to me it's too much bun & vegetable to meat ratio. Even with double meat it's about 75% bun/veggie to 25% meat ratio. I want about a 50/50 burger & bun/veggie ratio not bun & veggie with some meat.

 

[chango]

However, I just can't see how you think those crappy fries are great. They are literally the worst fries I've ever eaten.

I keep trying in and out, the burger is good for the price - but I agree with Vol. Fresh cut fries are great - lots of places make them nice and crispy. But in and out's fries have tasted like cardboard every single time I've tried them.

 

[Phil Elliott]

If I want an In-N-Out type burger, I go to P-Terry's. There is nothing, IMO, that In-N-Out does that P-Terry's does not do better.

 

[Chop]

The real reason Bru McCoy is going back to California for good:

The fast food burger joints and Mexican food are soooooooooo much better out there.















(obviously just kidding---at least as to the Mexican food )

 

[Vol Horn 4 Life]

Quite impressive when Bru can somehow impact our Whataburger thread. Now that's talent.

 

[Joe Fan]

 

[Driver 8]

^ Prediction: Whataburger will suck in five years

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

^ Prediction: Whataburger will suck in five years

Suck might be too strong of a word, but I'm about 90% sure they will be far worse than they are today.

 

[Dionysus]

A new Inn-&-Out is being built around the corner from my neighborhood. Gotta try it out.

 

[horninchicago]

Was eating at a Chuy's in the Chicago burbs yesterday and commented to my wife about the fact that Whataburger has expanded so little. If this causes them to venture up here, I'm all for it.

 

[ShAArk92]

A new Inn-&-Out is being built around the corner from my neighborhood. Gotta try it out.

pot stirrer!

 

[Joe Fan]

^ Prediction: Whataburger will suck in five years

That would suck (although might slim me down a pound or two)

 

[Vol Horn 4 Life]

That would suck (although might slim me down a pound or two)

What's that comment from them supposed to mean? Since when does anyone in Chicago know what being Texan means? It'll all change for the worse. It always does when companies sell out because the purchasing company ALWAYS wants to maximize return off the brand they just purchased which usually means ruining it. But then they make a whole lotta money off 1,000 stores nationwide selling a meh product off the Texas rep.

 

[Joe Fan]

What's that comment from them supposed to mean? .

Maybe something like "Please dont hate us for cashing out?"


The family retained a minority interest. So I guess they think they will still have some influence. Hope so but we will see

 

[Vol Horn 4 Life]

So I guess they think they will still have some influence.

They will have some influence, but we all know the majority owner will have the final say on all decisions. And that's sad coming from the city who founded McDonalds and White Castle. Here we go McWhataCastle!!

 

[Joe Fan]

They will have some influence, but we all know the majority owner will have the final say on all decisions. And that's sad coming from the city who founded McDonalds and White Castle. Here we go McWhataCastle!!

That sounds so gross
But am pretty sure McDs is from Calif

 

[theiioftx]

Private Equity will destroy Whataburger in pursuit of profit. A minority owner will have no say in how the business will run in the future. I’m sure the family cashed out on Dobson’s hard work, but they sold a legacy.

 

[Vol Horn 4 Life]

That sounds so gross
But am pretty sure McDs is from Calif

Chicago claims it....actually a suburb of Chicago.

7 Burger Chains That Got Their Start In Chicago

Edit:. Upon further research the first McDonalds was opened in San Bernadino, Ca. The Des Plains, Il location was actually the ninth but the first one opened by Ray Kroc which is why it is referred to as McDonalds #1 by the company. So for my point the modern day Chicago McDonalds is what Whataburger will become.

 

[Joe Fan]