After a couple of rounds of "Fast Times" at Whataburger for chicken sandwiches and limited-time-only shakes, I finally decided to head back for the titular sandwich. I have had several Houstonians recommend the Whataburger cheeseburger -- in comments here on EOW, and "IRL" -- and this week I decided it was time.
I'm always amused when I stop in at my neighborhood Whataburger, because there is usually a lot of fumbling by the person who takes my order. Sometimes they get it right, and sometimes they get it wrong, but there is always a period of a couple of minutes during the order-taking when mass confusion takes over; weird, since I tend to go well after the lunch rush. I think this time 'round my cashier was training, and I give her props for realizing almost immediately she had made a mistake when entering my order and went back to correct the ticket in person.
By the time I got the sandwich in my hands, my mouth was watering.
In the interest of full disclosure, I ordered my Whataburger with ketchup, which I recently learned Texans don't do ... but I'm from New York so I don't care. Where I come from, you can put what you want on a hamburger. (To be fair, we frown upon ketchup on hot dogs.) I went with lettuce, tomato, ketchup and mustard; I omitted mayo (as always) and onions in any form, since I still had a business meeting and a workout on my afternoon schedule, though next time I would like to try the grilled onion option.
And it's official -- I friggin' love Whataburger! Thank you, Texas, for this delicious fast food option. Usually when I eat a sandwich for these Fast Times pieces I only eat half, and save the rest for my husband, but not the Whataburger. I crushed all 610 calories of this thing, and I enjoyed every bite. I particularly like the way the cheese on the bottom kind of anchors the patty in place on the bun. The patty had great beef flavor, the cheese was melty and salty, and even the tomato tasted like a tomato -- pretty sweet for fast food. Seriously, I can't believe I ate the whole thing.
Thanks, EOW commenters, for insisting I try it.
Nutritional information: 610 calories, 30 grams fat (10 saturated), 65 mg cholesterol, 1261 mg sodium, 56 grams carbs, 12 grams sugars, 2 grams fiber, 26 grams protein
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