Burgers and Fries and Nothing but Lies

Things are finally beginning to reopen after the pandemic, and it's been nice to get out and about without wearing a mask (unless a business requires it).  I must confess that, during the pandemic, we would occasionally make a drive-thru or pick-up run just to try to give some business to the restaurants in the area.  Now we can go in and actually sit down and have a meal without taking it home.

Now, with things being almost back to normal, I'm reminded of the old Whataburger vs In N Out debate.  Up until about 10 years ago, it was a pretty cut and dried thing.  There was the Whataburger cult here in Texas and the In N Out cult over in California.  Then they started opening In N Outs here in Texas, starting in the DFW Metroplex.  Ever since I had my first Whataburger, I've eaten there waaaaay too much.  Whenever I'd fly out to California, my first stop after I picked up the rent car was an In N Out for a little animal style goodness.

Since In N Out started opening in Texas, it seems there has been an outcry from the Whataburger faithful.  I think it has a little to do with the whole "don't California my Texas" attitude, and a little with the fact that it's one cult now encroaching on the territory of another.  I believe that I'm a member of both cults.  I dig me some of both.  And they're both good fast food burgers of their own type.

And notice something I just said.  "Fast food burgers."  I point that out because so many people that talk about how awful In N Out is are comparing it to local favorites Fred's, Rodeo Goat, and Kincaid's or the bigger chains like Five Guys.  They talk about how much better those burgers are than In N Out.  Well duh!!  Kincaid's is the least expensive of those places, and last time I was there, it cost me 12.50 for a burger, fries, and a drink.  The others were north of $15.  I went to In N Out today, and a double-double, fries, and drink were just over $8 with tax.  If I'm paying anywhere from 50% to double or more the price, I would expect that the burger be much better as well.  Whataburger's pricing is comparable to In N Out, and both are fast food.  Those others aren't.

In N Out and Whataburger are both different burgers.  Whataburguesa (as I often call it) is your typical Texas-style burger...meat, mustard, and veggies.  In N Out is more the California style...meat, spread (like 1000 island stuff), and veggies.  Two different kinds of burgers. 

The orange and white will let you customize your burger  just about however you can imagine it.  For those familiar with them, mine usually comes in a yellow-orange wrapper with stickers that say bacon, plain, and dry.  Give me a #5 all day long. 

I'm guessing that you can do the same under the palm trees, but I'm not sure.  I've always gotten the same thing there.  A #1, animal style with no tomatoes.  Animal style means that they cook the meat with mustard, put grilled onions on it, extra spread, and extra pickles.  A non-animal style burger there is just an average fast food burger.  Animal style just kicks it up a notch.  Although, I heard a native Californian say the other day that, on the occasion that they go there, they get there's with no spread and add chopped chili peppers.  I think I may need to try that sometime.

I totally don't get the In N Out hate.  It's just a different burger.  One is a good mustard burger.  The other is also a good burger.  Have an open mind.  Realize that both have their places.  And stop with all the hate.  The orange and white and the palm tree are both great burgers for what they are.  Oh - and while I'm on it, Whataburger's quality hasn't fallen off the face of the earth since that Chicago company bought them.