
In a New Exhibit, Artists Find the Sublime at Whataburger and the Supreme Court
"Day Jobs," on view at the Blanton Museum of Art, argues that beauty and inspiration can be found even during a nine-to-five.
When a Texan hears the words “just like you like it,” his mouth begins to salivate. The phrase elicits images of orange-and-white triangular buildings and larger than average hamburgers wrapped in paper studded with brightly colored stickers that say things like bacon, jalapeño, ketchup. In a nutshell, the sites and tastes of a Texas classic: Whataburger.
In 1950 a man named Harmon Dobson had a dream, a dream to build a burger so tasty that customers would exclaim “what a burger!” after the first juicy bite. He opened up his first hamburger stand that year in Corpus Christi and the rest is gastronomical history. Around the time of the restaurant’s fiftieth anniversary, in 2000, Mark Mazzetti wrote, “over time, Whataburger has evolved into a true Texas icon. The A-frames with orange-and-white-striped roofs can be found in the state’s smallest towns, often where national franchises fear to tread. Talk to anyone who grew up in Texas, and he can rattle off Whataburger stories, from middle-of-the-night visits to morning coffee klatches.”
The icon has picked up a cult following, marked by love letters to the restaurant from displaced Texans wallowing in nostalgia for the memories made under those A-framed roofs. But for those far from a Whataburger or for those who just simply can’t get enough, the Texas staple began selling some of its products in stores and online in 2013.
Although the franchise has expanded to many other states–and Mexico!–Whataburger is a Texas Treasure, an official designation declared by the Seventy-seventh Texas Legislature (one that has been unofficially declared for decades by generations of Texans). As Texas Monthly’s own Wanderer, Jordan Breal, puts it, “a Whataburger is by no means fancy or gourmet. Nor is it the best burger in Texas. But it has a way of hitting the spot exactly when it matters.” And that’s just like we like it.
"Day Jobs," on view at the Blanton Museum of Art, argues that beauty and inspiration can be found even during a nine-to-five.
H-E-B. Whataburger. Blue Bell. Southwest Airlines. Four iconic Texas brands remain, but only one can be crowned champion of them all.
Can anything stop H-E-B? Plus: a recap of the bracket's tightest matchup yet, between Schlitterbahn and Austin City Limits.
Torchy’s flames out, Chili’s cools off, and Chip and Joanna Gaines get fixer-uppered—while H-E-B, Whataburger, and Dr Pepper keep rolling.
The top seeds remain dominant, Mattress Mack scores an upset, and Dairy Queen faces a surprisingly tough test.
Which of these 64 iconic Texas businesses is the most beloved? This March Madness, there’s only one way to find out—with your help.
The first full-fledged ACL Fest since the start of the pandemic is a wrap. ‘Texas Monthly’ recalls Megan Thee Stallion’s twerk-team auditions and other highlights.
In 2018, as national chains pledged to ditch their nonbiodegradable polystyrene cups, Whataburger said it would look into alternative materials, too. What happened?
Most Texans miss Whataburger when they leave the state. Not many of them are in a position to open their own.
Four of the best ingredients on Earth. One true champion?
An Austin man is skeptical that a company held by a Chicago investment firm can claim that distinction.
And sometimes that’s all you want in a burger.
During these strange and difficult times, crafting can perhaps help assuage anxiety.
Two beloved Texas institutions team up in a moment of crisis.
Plus, Beto’s bandmate blasts his Biden endorsement, Mike Bloomberg comprende Tejas, Dan Crenshaw vs. Pete Davidson, and Dan Patrick vs. shirts.
Dear candidates: Please stop with the pandering.
Who put H-E-B and Whataburger in the same division?
It was a long, eventful year.
Beto O'Rourke, Dennis Bonnen, and the Houston Astros make our annual dishonor roll, along with assorted lesser-known idiots and evildoers.
And they seem fine with it?
Maybe the decade.
Hundreds of Whataburger meals, tons of tacos, and other staples to consider before this astronomically expensive meal.
Is it the burgerpocalypse?
A Houston man is puzzled by the mustard-laden grub at Jack in the Box and McDonald’s.
The beloved Texas chain is reportedly seeking investors to fund an expansion. Should we panic?
Happy WhataGames! May the ketchup be ever in your flavor.
With a new CEO, the beloved Austin chain looks to expand beyond its hometown for the first time.
The cover of ’Adult’ captures the nature of time, but not the nature of hamburgers.
What better way to show your love for Donut Taco Palace than with a song called “Donut Taco Palace”?
A soldier stationed in Afghanistan is looking forward to coming home.
It’s Whataburger as we always imagined it.
We guess our Whataween invite got lost in the mail.
Plus, a very flattering mug shot and a doggy-door intrusion.
O’Rourke continues to nip at Ted Cruz’s heels in the latest poll, even if a third of the state's voters are unfamiliar with him.
Thank you, Ted Cruz campaign, for introducing the Whataburger-themed insult to Texas politics.
An Arizona woman just doesn’t get the appeal of Mrs. Baird’s Bread or Hill Country Fare cut green beans.
A Houstonian turned New Yorker’s company is relocating him to small-town West Texas. If life were a sitcom, that would be pretty funny.
Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. But it could come from Whataburger.
...according to data. Not according to us.
Let's settle this once and for all.
#FakeNews, indeed.
The beloved burger chain will reward fans who celebrate them in verse.
Readers respond to the August 2016 issue.
We put Texas’s favorite burger in a blind taste test.
The iconic Texas burger chain’s oldest franchisee claims grocery store sales are part of plan to make its restaurants obsolete.
Opting out or declining to opt out—either one sends a message to customers about politics.
Congratulations, displaced Texans, you no longer have to load up your luggage every time you visit home.
“We have come to receive your Honey Butter Chicken sermon,” indeed.
Whataburger landed itself in another pickle—but not the kind on its tasty burgers.
How the iconic burger chain’s attempt to build a bigger, better company alienated some of the people behind its success.