Whataburger stands out in the crowded fast-food landscape with its distinctive orange-and-white striped buildings and commitment to made-to-order meals. Founded in 1950 in Corpus Christi, Texas, this beloved chain has grown to over 735 locations across the southern United States. Whataburger’s “What-A-Meal” combos offer customers a complete dining experience, featuring their signature burgers, crispy fries, and refreshing drinks at competitive prices.
The cornerstone of Whataburger’s menu is its customizable burgers. With thousands of possible topping combinations, patrons can craft their ideal burger to suit their tastes. The chain’s dedication to freshness means each burger is prepared only after it’s ordered, ensuring a hot and satisfying meal every time.
Beyond burgers, Whataburger’s menu includes a variety of options to please different palates. From the popular Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit to spicy alternatives and lighter fare, the restaurant caters to diverse preferences while maintaining its focus on quality and value.
Overview of Whataburger
Whataburger has become an iconic fast-food chain, known for its made-to-order burgers and Texas roots. The company’s growth and distinctive brand have shaped its identity in the competitive fast-food landscape.
History and Expansion
Whataburger was founded in 1950 by Harmon Dobson in Corpus Christi, Texas. The first restaurant gained popularity for its large, five-inch burgers that required two hands to hold.
By 1960, Whataburger had expanded to multiple locations across Texas. The company’s growth continued steadily, reaching beyond state borders in the following decades.
Today, Whataburger operates over 735 restaurants, primarily in the Southern United States. The chain has maintained its focus on quality ingredients and customizable options throughout its expansion.
Brand and Identity
Whataburger’s distinctive orange and white striped buildings have become a recognizable part of the brand. The company’s slogan, “What a burger!” emphasizes its commitment to quality.
The menu features a range of customizable burgers, chicken sandwiches, and breakfast items. Whataburger is known for its 24-hour service at many locations, catering to late-night cravings.
The chain has cultivated a loyal customer base, particularly in Texas where it’s considered a cultural institution. Whataburger’s dedication to fresh, made-to-order food sets it apart from many fast-food competitors.
Exploring the Menu
Whataburger offers a diverse menu featuring signature burgers, chicken options, fresh salads, breakfast items, sides, desserts, and beverages. The menu caters to various tastes and preferences, providing customers with a range of flavors and choices throughout the day.
Signature Burgers
The Original Whataburger stands as the cornerstone of the menu. This classic burger features a large beef patty on a 5-inch bun, topped with mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and diced onions. For those seeking variety, the menu includes options like the Whataburger Patty Melt, served on grilled Texas toast with cheese and grilled onions.
The Double Meat Whataburger satisfies larger appetites with two beef patties. Customers can customize their burgers by adding bacon, cheese, or jalapeños. For a lighter option, the Whataburger Jr. offers a smaller version of the original on a more compact bun.
Chicken Delights
Whataburger’s chicken offerings provide flavorful alternatives to beef. The Whatachick’n Sandwich features a breaded chicken fillet with lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo on a toasted bun. Grilled chicken options are available for health-conscious diners.
The Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich combines crispy chicken strips with tangy barbecue sauce. For a spicier kick, customers can try the Spicy Chicken Sandwich. These chicken selections offer a satisfying change of pace from traditional burgers.
Fresh Salads
Health-conscious diners appreciate Whataburger’s salad options. The menu typically includes a Garden Salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, and croutons. For added protein, customers can choose the Grilled Chicken Salad, featuring seasoned chicken breast atop fresh vegetables.
Salad dressings range from classic Ranch to lighter vinaigrette options. These salads provide a refreshing and nutritious alternative to heavier menu items, catering to those seeking lighter fare.
Morning Favorites
Whataburger’s breakfast menu serves early risers from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m. The Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit stands out as a fan favorite, combining a crispy chicken strip with sweet honey butter on a warm biscuit. Traditional options include the Breakfast on a Bun, featuring eggs, cheese, and a choice of bacon or sausage.
For heartier appetites, the Breakfast Platter offers eggs, bacon or sausage, hash browns, and a biscuit. Taquitos with cheese, wrapped in a warm tortilla, provide a Tex-Mex breakfast option. Coffee and orange juice complement these morning offerings.
Savory Sides
Whataburger’s side dishes complement main menu items. French fries, a staple side, come crispy and golden. For a change of pace, customers can opt for onion rings, featuring thick-cut onions in a crispy batter.
Apple slices offer a healthier alternative. The Texas Toast, buttered and grilled to perfection, serves as a popular add-on. Hash brown sticks, available during breakfast hours, provide a crispy potato option to start the day.
Sweet Treats and Shakes
Dessert options at Whataburger satisfy sweet cravings. The menu features classic shakes in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. These thick, creamy shakes come topped with whipped cream.
Hot Apple Pies, filled with warm apple filling in a flaky crust, offer a comforting dessert choice. Cinnamon rolls, available at select locations, provide a sweet option for breakfast or an indulgent snack. Cookies round out the dessert menu, offering a simple treat to end the meal.
Beverage Options
Whataburger’s drink menu covers a wide range of options. Soft drinks include popular carbonated beverages, available in various sizes. For caffeine seekers, iced tea and coffee provide refreshing picks.
Specialty drinks like lemonade and flavored teas offer alternatives to standard sodas. During breakfast hours, orange juice and milk complement the morning menu items. For those watching their calorie intake, diet sodas and unsweetened tea provide low-calorie options.
Nutritional Information
Whataburger’s Whatameal provides a substantial amount of calories and nutrients. The meal’s composition includes a mix of macronutrients and micronutrients that contribute to its overall nutritional profile.
Caloric Content Overview
A Whataburger Whatameal contains approximately 1330-1420 calories. This calorie count represents a significant portion of the average adult’s daily caloric needs.
For those tracking their calorie intake, it’s important to note that consuming this meal would require about 117 minutes of running or 190 minutes of walking to burn off.
The calorie distribution in the Whatameal comes primarily from two macronutrient sources: fat and carbohydrates.
Macronutrient Breakdown
The Whatameal’s macronutrient profile is as follows:
- Carbohydrates: 56-62%
- Fat: 28-34%
- Protein: 9%
This breakdown shows a meal high in carbohydrates and fat, with a lower proportion of protein. The exact percentages may vary slightly depending on specific meal components.
The meal provides about 61% of the Daily Value for protein. It also contributes significantly to daily fiber intake, offering approximately 29% of the recommended Daily Value.
Dietary Considerations
Sodium content in the Whatameal is likely high, as is typical with fast food options. This may be a concern for individuals monitoring their sodium intake.
The meal is a good source of iron, providing about 101% of the Daily Value. This can be beneficial for those at risk of iron deficiency.
For Weight Watchers followers, the high calorie and fat content would translate to a significant number of points. Exact point values would depend on the specific Weight Watchers program being followed.
Individuals with dietary restrictions or health concerns should review the full nutritional information before consuming a Whatameal.
Special Menu Items
Whataburger offers a diverse array of special menu items to cater to various tastes and preferences. These include beloved classics, seasonal offerings, kid-friendly options, and choices for groups and families.
All-Time Favorites and Limited Offers
The All-Time Favorites menu features iconic items that have stood the test of time. The Whataburger Patty Melt is a standout, combining two beef patties with grilled onions, melted cheese, and creamy pepper sauce on Texas toast.
Another popular choice is the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, a breakfast favorite available from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m. It features a crispy chicken strip nestled in a warm biscuit, topped with sweet honey butter.
For those seeking a lighter option, the Justaburger offers a single patty with mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and diced onions. Limited-time offers rotate seasonally, providing customers with new flavors to explore throughout the year.
Kids’ Corner
Whataburger’s Kids’ Meals cater to younger diners with scaled-down portions of popular menu items. Options typically include a Justaburger, Whatachick’n Strips, or a grilled cheese sandwich.
Each meal comes with a side of fries and a drink. For a healthier alternative, apple slices can be substituted for fries. Kids’ meals also include a toy, making the dining experience more enjoyable for children.
Whataburger ensures that their kids’ menu items maintain the same quality and taste as their regular menu, just in smaller portions suitable for younger appetites.
Group and Family Options
Whataburger accommodates larger groups and families with several convenient options. The Family Fry Box is perfect for sharing, offering a generous portion of their crispy, golden fries.
For gatherings, Whataburger provides group ordering options. These allow customers to easily order multiple meals, making it convenient for office lunches, team events, or family get-togethers.
Bulk orders of popular items like Whatachick’n Strips or burgers are available upon request. These group options ensure that everyone in a party can enjoy Whataburger’s offerings without the hassle of individual ordering.
Customization and Ordering
Whataburger offers extensive options for personalizing meals and convenient ordering platforms. Customers can tailor their orders to their exact preferences and access the menu through various channels.
Build Your Own Meal
Whataburger’s menu flexibility allows customers to create their ideal meal. Diners can start with a classic Whataburger patty and add or remove toppings as desired. Options include bacon, cheese, jalapenos, and avocado. Bun choices range from Texas Toast to wheat buns.
For lighter fare, customers can opt for a crisp salad with grilled chicken. The biscuit sandwich provides a hearty breakfast option, customizable with egg, cheese, and meat selections.
Dessert lovers can personalize their sweet treats too. Milkshakes come in various flavors, and customers can add mix-ins like Oreo cookies or fruit.
Sauce Selections
Whataburger’s signature sauces play a crucial role in meal customization. The Fancy Ketchup and Spicy Ketchup are fan favorites. Other options include:
- Creamy Pepper Sauce
- Honey Mustard
- Ranch
- BBQ Sauce
- Jalapeno Ranch
Customers can request extra sauce packets or choose to have sauces on the side. This allows for perfect dipping or spreading according to personal taste.
Ordering Platforms
Whataburger provides multiple ordering channels for customer convenience. The Whataburger mobile app offers a user-friendly interface for browsing the menu, customizing orders, and saving favorites. Users can also earn rewards points on purchases through the app.
The company’s website allows for online ordering with similar customization options. Customers can schedule pickup times or opt for delivery where available.
For group orders, Whataburger offers catering services. This option is ideal for office lunches or family gatherings, allowing for bulk ordering of popular menu items.
In-restaurant kiosks provide another self-service option for customizing and placing orders efficiently.
Nutritional Guides
Whataburger provides detailed nutritional information for its menu items, allowing customers to make informed choices. The company offers tools and resources to help patrons understand the calorie content and macronutrient breakdown of their meals.
Menu Item Nutritional Details
Whataburger’s nutrition facts cover key nutritional components for each menu item. A standard Whataburger contains 590 calories, with fat, carbs, sodium, and protein clearly listed. The Whataburger Meal, which typically includes a burger, fries, and a drink, totals 1330 calories.
Nutrition calculators are available on Whataburger’s website and mobile app. These tools allow customers to customize their orders and see real-time updates to nutritional values. For example, adding or removing toppings will adjust the calorie count and nutrient profile accordingly.
Making Health-Conscious Choices
Customers looking for lighter options can find alternatives on the Whataburger menu. Grilled chicken sandwiches and salads generally contain fewer calories and less fat than traditional burgers. Opting for water or unsweetened tea instead of sugary drinks can significantly reduce calorie intake.
Portion control is key when dining at Whataburger. Choosing a junior-sized burger or sharing a larger meal can help manage calorie consumption. Customizing orders by removing high-calorie toppings or sauces is another effective strategy for reducing overall calorie and fat content.
Whataburger’s nutritional guides empower customers to align their food choices with their dietary goals. By utilizing these resources, patrons can enjoy their favorite meals while maintaining awareness of their nutritional intake.