My friends and I are considering starting a petition at Rice to put a Whataburger and Shipley's on campus in the extension of the Memorial Center. Small-town DQ is delicious, but nothing beats Whataburger.
I worked there when I was a teen. Whataburger received their lettuce in crates of heads of lettuce. The tomatoes arrived as whole tomatoes. Same with the onions. The staff would dice and shred the vegetables there at the store. I can say, firsthand, that the quality of the vegetables that we received were as good as the fresh veggies at a big grocery store. Great stuff. Burger King and McD's were getting their lettuce pre-shredded in garbage bags. The restaurant I worked at (Jersey Village) was clean and efficient. The only thing I would warn people against was the tartar sauce on the fish sandwich, which was usually not fresh. I don't know things have changed since I worked there (that was over 20 years ago). but the quality at Whataburger at that time was a LOT better than competitors.
Those of you that do not like Whataburger will come around. Whataburger is the best and you homos are in denial.
As far as the quintecential Texas fast-Food...would have to Be WhataBurger, then Texas Burger/Taco Cabana. Although I personally can't stand Whataburger, I've eaten at a DQ in Massachusetts..so its automatically disqualified in my opinion. I do prefer DQ and Sonic's food though. LOVE Taco Cabana, but nothing epitomizes Texas Fast Food like Whataburger. Big and Greasy.
Whataburger has a lot of things on the Menu other than the burgers. Some can be amazingly good, some can be the equivalent of lard.
For your sake, Sishir, I hope that Culver's is better up your way. They really suck in Austin. Of course, I think Whataburger and Sonic suck, as well. RM95 pointed out that he saw a DQ commercial where they said peee-can. If that's true, it's not the DQ's I knew in the 1950's. They suck, as well. Taco Cabana sucks. Sad that no one remembers the Ranger Drive-in, by Gulfgate, but me. Best "fast food" place, ever. Pretty girls brought you malts, "dip-fries" and fantastic burgers, chicken-fried steak sandwiches (best in town, easily. each piece of round steak hand dipped in batter), killer onion rings, all sandwiches with fresh lettuce and tomatos, dressed however you wanted it. You sat in your car and they brought all the drinks in glass containers, not paper cups. Straight out of American Graffiti. Prince's used to be close, but I don't know what the few left are like. Here in Austin? I'd say Dan's is the best local fast food spot. Player's is really good, by UT. Actually, there are several good burger spots in Austin. Hut's is fantastic, although it's not a chain. Probably the single best spot in town that's a classic diner.
When I came back from a 2 week vacation in Florida, my first scheduled stop in Texas was the first Whataburger I found.
Sandy's is the place on Barton Springs, right? That gets my vote, even though I do love Dan's/Fran's.
When I was in town a few weeks ago, we all met up there before heading out to the airport to pick up the rest of the family. Had a damn good malt. Had we not been going to Hoover's after the airport, I would've had a jalepeno cheeseburger and fries as well. I can't remember which nights they are, but I know a couple times a week they have buy one get one free (or some other kickass special like that).
I live out of state now and will say this, when I get home, the first culinary thought on my mind is: Whataburger w/ cheese, jalapenos, & mustard. End of mother****ing' story.
Sandy's on Thursday's and Saturday's have the special: burger, fries, and drink for $2.99. Dan's/Fran's are great, as are Hut's, Player's, Dirty Martin's and Shady Grove.
Dirty Martin's... I knew I was forgeting a place! Shady Grove is really good, but what I would consider newer and more upscale. If we're going in that direction, EZ's on N. Lamar has great malts and burgers. They use Blue Bell in their malts. I recommend their banana malt. Fresh banana, Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla, and real malt. Killer! I also like their Thai pizza, but I digress.
