All The Reasons Whataburger Is Superior To In-N-Out

As a Texan, I heard a ton of buzz about In-N-Out Burger's first Austin location when it opened in 2013. California transplants raved about the classic drive-in's burgers, fries, and shakes and it was dubbed a "must-try" by many Austinites after they experienced In-N-Out for the first time. Upon the restaurant's opening, the drive-thru lines were long and the hype was real. However, I was ultimately disappointed in the fast food chain's burgers, especially when comparing it to the ultimate Texas mainstay of fast food—Whataburger.

Whataburger, which originated in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1950, has been Texans' go-to for burgers and fries for decades. The orange and white Whataburger sign is, for many Texans, more like a beacon of home than just a signifier that there's food ahead. Kids in high schools across the state, myself included, have made a trend out of stealing Whataburger's plastic, orange order number table tents as a sort of souvenir to commemorate late nights, post-game meals, and friend-filled snack breaks. Whataburger is more of a culture in Texas than just a restaurant, so the arrival of In-N-Out pitted the West Coast against the South in a battle of tradition, lifestyle, and, yes, food.

While it is my humble opinion that Whataburger is far better than In-N-Out, I know that loving something for personal connection and nostalgia's sake is not enough to sway In-N-Out devotees. That said, emotions aside, I've cultivated my comprehensive list of reasons why Whataburger is superior to In-N-Out.

Once you've made your entrée choice, it's time to pick a side. And while fries may be the most popular option on the side of any burger, regardless of where it's served, some diners may want additional options. At Whataburger, you can choose between traditional French fries or crispy onion rings. In addition, the restaurant offers packages of apple slices and salads to meet the needs of customers looking for something healthier and not fried.

At In-N-Out Burger, side choices are limited to French fries. Yes, some ride-or-die fans of In-N-Out may boast about the "Not So Secret" menu, which features "Animal Style" fries smothered in In-N-Out's special sauce and grilled onions, but that is the extent of the California chain's side offerings. No onion rings, no apples, no salads. Might be enough for some folks, but for others, like myself, this limited array of sides can be a point against In-N-Out Burger.

One of the key things about a burger that makes it such a staple American dish is that it can be customized in so many ways. From how many patties you want, to what kind of cheese, to what sauces and toppings you'll add to it, a burger is a vessel ripe for customization. Next to your star sign, how you take your burger might tell me more about you than anything else.

At Whataburger, diners are encouraged to customize every burger on the menu, including those that are listed as specialties. The chain is true to its slogan, "just like you like it," by ensuring all burgers are made to order so that every customization can be made. This means if you want extra jalapeños, no mustard, and double meat but your partner wants a single patty with extra grilled onions and creamy pepper sauce, Whataburger has your back.

At In-N-Out, however, you're limited to a handful of toppings like lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cheese, and special sauce. The chain doesn't even offer bacon or avocado, two of the best ingredients that can be added to burgers. If this lack of variety annoys you as much as it does me, turn to Whataburger where you can customize your burger with an array of different cheeses (Monterey Jack, American), bun styles (regular, brioche, Texas toast), toppings (bacon, jalapeños, avocado), and sauces (ketchup, mayo, creamy pepper sauce, jalapeño ranch).

A late-night spin through the drive-thru for a sweet snack is a classic way to end the night, whether you're heading home from a game or ending a date with dessert. Although it's not necessary for fast food places to have a ton of dessert options, it helps to have a little variety.

When it comes to desserts, In-N-Out Burger has one thing available—milkshakes. And when it comes to flavors of milkshakes on In-N-Out's menu, diners are limited to vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. For the more adventurous eater, Whataburger's lineup of shakes might be more appealing. Not only does Whataburger offer vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry milkshakes, but it also offers the same flavors available in the form of malts. In addition, there is a rotating seasonal shake offering. For example, as of publication, Whataburger is currently showcasing its banana pudding milkshake, the perfect summer treat. The restaurant has also featured shake flavors like Dr. Pepper, root beer, salted caramel, and more.

Moreover, Whataburger has dessert options beyond shakes for those looking for something warm or ice cream-free. It offers chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, hot apple pies, brownies, and individually-sized packages of graham crackers or fruit snack gummies for children and adults alike.

Both In-N-Out and Whataburger have extremely dedicated fan bases. As a result, both chains offer online stores through which fans can order themed and branded merchandise like shoes, jewelry, and drinkware.

In-N-Out's store is just okay. It offers a good array of apparel items like t-shirts, shoes, accessories, and baby clothes, and it hits the nostalgia that the brand is known for on the head with its vintage-inspired designs.

However, there's absolutely no question that Whataburger has far superior merch for its fanatics than In-N-Out Burger. The company has made its merchandise an arm of its brand in a way that I haven't seen other fast-food companies replicate. From the expected (t-shirts, shoes, and drinkware) to the utterly unbelievable (the Dip Trip to hold your Whataburger sauces in the car, the Whataburger Loteria game, a "Just Married" Whataburger table tent, an Igloo brand Whataburger cooler), there's almost any item you could think of available through Whataburger's Whatastore.

The restaurant has even curated collections with top companies like Magellan Outdoors, Sportique, James Avery, and The Comfy to release special collaboration-specific items.

For true Texas style, you can even purchase a cup from Texan-owned Yeti that looks like a Whataburger to-go cup, complete with the restaurant's trademark orange and white stripes. It's simply a must-have for Whataburger devotees.

If you are a frequent visitor to any fast food restaurant that has an app, you're likely aware of the benefits of rewards systems. Using the app often means earning points towards rewards like discounts, free food, and more. Whataburger is no stranger to the ever-growing world of loyalty rewards systems, and frequent diners of the restaurant can quickly and easily earn points for more Whataburger by signing up for the rewards program and using the chain's app when driving through.

When diners order online or have their app scanned in the drive-thru, they earn 10 points per $1 spent. The points add up and can be put towards free food like sides, entrees, and desserts.

In-N-Out, on the other hand, does not feature any kind of reward system or online ordering. This, unfortunately, keeps In-N-Out Burger behind the curve as other chains embrace technology and offer customers rewards for coming back time after time.

In 2023, it's hard to believe that any major restaurant chain would choose to not offer online ordering, however, In-N-Out is apparently so committed to its vintage drive-thru vibe that it is not keeping up with technology by offering any kind of online ordering. The In-N-Out website does not offer ordering functionality, and though the California-based chain does offer an app, you can't order food on it. Instead, the app that is currently available is simply a restaurant locator. Despite some rumors that it does, a representative for In-N-Out Burger confirmed to Mashed that the chain does not offer any form of online ordering.

Comparatively, Whataburger's app offers online ordering both on its website and its app for everything from custom burgers to family meals for your next get-together. This allows diners to skip the line, order their meal with as many customizations as they want, and snag points via Whataburger's previously mentioned rewards system.