14 Things To Know Before Making Your First Whataburger Run

McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's may have won the battle for fast-food brand recognition, but other chains deserve hype, too, like Whataburger. One major reason Whataburger's fan base isn't as big as the iconic trio's is that it has far fewer locations nationwide. It seems like you can't drive down any street in America without encountering a million fast-food restaurants in close succession. However, Whataburger currently operates in only 17 states.

If you're visiting a state with Whataburger, it's worth planning a stop. Some folks go on a vacation to California with In-N-Out at the top of their bucket list. You may be surprised to hear that some people think Whataburger is better than In-N-Out. In-N-Out has claimed California for itself, but the state that has the most Whataburgers is Texas, with a whopping 787 locations.

So, are you gearing up for your first visit to Whataburger? As you'll soon discover, the menu has a lot to unpack. Read on for 14 things to know before making your first Whataburger run to guarantee an epic experience.

Going to any restaurant for the first time can be overwhelming because you have to navigate an entire menu. The pressure is even more intense at a fast-food joint because drive-thru lines can be wild, and standing around the lobby while everyone else rushes feels crummy. This is why one of the handiest Whataburger tips for newbies is to download the app ahead of time so you can familiarize yourself with the menu. You should also reference this ranking of popular Whataburger menu items if you're on the fence about your order.

More importantly, you can explore the wide range of customizations available to you. Without other hungry customers looming behind you, you can scroll leisurely and concoct your dream order.

Another perk of downloading the app is access to app-exclusive deals that will make your first visit as affordable as possible. Once you place the order, loyalty points will be added to your account. If you become a Whataburger fan, you can work toward earning prizes. Worst case, you can always delete the app if your visit is a bust.

One of the most annoying things about fast-food chains is nickel-and-diming customers for every little thing. Whataburger lets customers order exactly what they want, with no upcharges when selecting the bread. Customers can choose a pillowy potato bun or its famous, buttery, Texas toast. In fact, swapping the regular bun for one of these options is one of our top four ordering tips to get the best Whataburger burger.

If you like a classic hamburger bun but find it a little too bready, Whataburger also offers a slightly smaller bun that lets the meat and toppings shine more. The standard hamburger bun is 5 inches, while the smaller one is 4 inches. It still contains everything, but the bread is less prominent in each bite. Of course, carb-conscious folks can also eliminate the bread altogether. This would be a nice option for regulars, but it's worth splurging on your first visit to get the full experience.

Another handy customization that's worth knowing is that you can request both sides of the bun be toasted. This option is perfect for people who want a bit more crunch. With a juicy patty and wet toppings, this can better preserve the burger's integrity.

Foodies could spend hours debating the best and worst burger toppings and still not cover all the bases. Most of us would agree that the standard toppings include ketchup, mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, and maybe even some pickles. If you order a standard burger at Whataburger, you might be disappointed because the brand does toppings a little differently. Without any customizations, a standard Whataburger burger comes with lettuce, tomato, diced onions, and mustard. This is a fantastic base that will please a lot of folks, but others will crave more, especially if they want a moister burger.

Thankfully, it's easy to request more toppings and substitutions once you know what the default burger comes with. According to Whataburger, the most popular toppings are bacon, jalapeños, and grilled jalapeños. Grilled onions and Monterey Jack cheese are two other sumptuous add-ons that can make any normal burger taste fancy. Customers can also choose from a wide variety of sauces, including the mayo and ketchup many expect on their burgers. Whether you're ordering on the app or in person, you can also remove the default toppings if you don't like a particular one.

Chocolate and vanilla milkshakes are the standard flavors at fast-food restaurants. However, Whataburger definitely knocks its drink menu out of the park. Diners can order traditional chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry milkshakes, or try those flavors as malts for an elevated flavor profile. Whataburger even sells a peach shake and malt, which tastes like summer.

There's so much more beyond the shakes and malts, though. Whataburger takes tea seriously. Folks can order all kinds of concoctions with sweetened and unsweetened tea and lemonade. There are even fun mix-ins, like raspberries and freeze-dried peaches. Those ingredients add flavor and a fun texture. Coffee lovers can also get their fix with iced coffee and caramel- and vanilla-flavored coffees.

We'd be remiss if we didn't mention Whataburger's Whatafreshers and sodas. Fruit lovers will enjoy the specialty prickly pear raspberry and summer peach Whatafreshers. They're the perfect palate cleanser before diving into more greasy burgers, chicken, fries, and other goodies. As for fountain drinks, Whataburger has over a dozen to choose from. If you're lucky, your location may even have the right beverage options to make Whataburger's secret menu Hulk drink. While we haven't even covered every drink available at Whataburger, rest assured that you'll have a fabulous time sampling the unique options.

It's funny to think sauces can be as noteworthy as actual menu items at fast-food restaurants. In our ranking of every McDonald's dipping sauce, Szechuan won. This victory is bittersweet because the prized sauce returns only for limited runs, and fans get whipped into a frenzy. If you're tired of brands playing with your emotions, you'll be relieved to know that Whataburger isn't up to any shenanigans with its sauces.

Whataburger has sauces that pair perfectly with every menu item and craving. Whether you want salty, sweet, tangy, smoky, spicy, creamy, or some combination thereof, your taste buds will go to heaven after visiting this chain. Of course, classics include ketchup, mustard, mayo, buffalo, honey mustard, ranch, and honey BBQ. However, there are several noteworthy sauces that take things up a notch. You won't be disappointed with the spicy ketchup, creamy pepper, jalapeño ranch, or honey butter. You can also order picante sauce and salsa verde, which are great on eggs or drizzled over the breakfast taquitos.

Now, it's time to dive into the actual menu items and give advice on what first-timers should consider ordering. Whataburger has plenty of delicious burgers, but the one that's landed in its "All Time Favorites" category is the patty melt. If you're wary of marketing language, regular folks often rave about it online. In fact, Whataburger's patty melt is so good it made the cut in our roundup of Mashed staff's favorite fast-food burgers of all time.

So, why is this sandwich so legendary? It starts with buttery Texas toast, then two burger patties with Monterey Jack cheese melted on top of each, grilled onions, and lots of creamy pepper sauce. Taking a bite out of this beautiful monstrosity is messy, but incredibly satisfying. There may not be many ingredients, but everything in the sandwich works together harmoniously.

First-timers should definitely order the patty melt in all its glory, but if you fall in love, you may want to experiment with toppings next time. One Redditor's favorite way to order the patty melt is to substitute the creamy pepper sauce for barbecue, then add jalapeños and pickles. The sandwich's only potential pitfall is that some folks have reported getting melts with Texas toast that wasn't properly toasted. Even if this happens to you, the melt should still be enjoyable.

People often get into passionate debates about which chain sells the best fried chicken sandwich. If you check out Mashed's ranking of chicken sandwiches, you may disagree with where each restaurant lands. Some folks are devoted Whataburger chicken fans, but many folks online agree that the brand's chicken isn't mind-boggling. That said, it's yummy when you're not in the mood for a burger. The biggest issue for many customers is the cost. When Whataburger offers deals on the chicken, people are much happier with their order. Others share that customizing the sandwich with your favorite toppings is a must, too.

With so many chicken sandwiches to choose from, it's worth poring over the menu to find one that speaks to you. The spicy chicken sandwich was deemed a copycat of Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich, so it should be right up your alley if you're a fan. Whataburger also rolls out limited-time offers regularly, so check what's available during your visit. As of October 2026, the limited-time offer is the Bacon Wrangler Chicken, which includes bacon, fried onion strips, Monterey Jack cheese, pickles, and chipotle aioli.

If you're not in the mood for a chicken sandwich, Whataburger customers can order chicken strips, wraps, and chicken wings as well. Wings come in 9, 18, 36, and 72 pieces. Customers can mix and match various wing flavors and dipping sauces with each order.

Choosing menu items à la carte can be fabulous for folks who aren't famished or want to sample several sandwiches without filling up on a bunch of fries. However, most of us agree that a fast-food run isn't complete without salty fries and a sweet, refreshing drink. Whataburger's Whatameal upgrade for both breakfast and the regular menu is a solid deal.

During lunch and dinner, folks can score a medium fry and medium drink for a reasonable fee, while the breakfast Whatameal comes with hash brown sticks and a coffee. Whataburger also lets customers upgrade to a larger side or a more expensive drink as long as they're willing to cover the difference. Prices vary by location, but you can expect a breakfast meal combo to cost about $2.50 more and a lunch or dinner meal combo to cost about $3.70 more. Opting for the combo is cheaper than adding the same items separately to the order.

If you've never browsed restaurant reviews on platforms like Google or Yelp, you're missing out. Some folks write the battiest things, like the ambiance didn't feel Australian enough in this roundup of the three most hilarious Outback Steakhouse reviews on the internet. While a restaurant can never please everyone, in general, any chain should have a decent star rating. According to several Redditors, Whataburger's food quality can vary wildly from location to location. If you live in a state where Whataburger seems to be on every corner, like Texas, it's worth taking a quick peek to find the best location near you.

One of the biggest pitfalls is limp Texas toast. One user revealed a fascinating and slightly horrifying explanation. Apparently, if the toasters aren't cleaned often enough, they can't toast the bread properly. While this doesn't mean the entire restaurant is dirty, it can shake your confidence a little.

Another user posted a sad photo of a chicken tender sized for ants on top of a biscuit that looks enormous by comparison. The sauce also looks suspicious. Some users wondered why the original poster was upset since the menu item says the biscuit comes with one tender, but another chimed in that those tenders are from the kids' menu and the restaurant was pinching pennies. You can't control everything that happens in the kitchen, but you can increase your odds of receiving a better meal by assessing reviews.

Fast food is meant to come out quick and hot, and subsequently, be scarfed down fast. Many people love the convenience of a drive-thru, but several Redditors advised a first-timer to sit down at Whataburger. The most important reason is that fast food tastes best when it's as fresh and crisp as possible. If it sits in a steamy bag on the drive home, it doesn't reflect Whataburger's potential.

In addition, Whataburger has great customer service. If you notice that your order is wrong, the employees let you keep the original, incorrect item and prepare the correct one as well. Obviously, it's best to get the correct order immediately, but an incorrect item certainly tastes better when it's free. You definitely don't want to wait until you're home, after the anticipation has built, and realize that you didn't get exactly what you were craving. You shouldn't worry about receiving the wrong order, but since Whataburger offers so many customizations, accidents can happen.

French fries will forever be the most iconic burger pairing. However, there are plenty of other amazing fast-food sides when you're not in the mood for French fries, and onion rings deserve some love. If you're a fan, Whataburger serves some pretty tasty onion rings. Whether you only order onion rings or get onion rings and fries, like one Redditor recommends, you should ask the employee if they could drop some fresh ones into the fryer for you so they're nice and crispy. Like any special request at a fast-food restaurant, it's best to ask when it's not rush hour.

Many Whataburger employees will prepare fresh French fries for you as well, if you ask politely. One fry option first-timers may not know about is the extra-crispy version. This means dropping fries into the fryer a second time so the exterior gets even crunchier. If you're up for a little adventure, you and a friend should order two fries so you can both try the regular and extra-crispy versions and discover your favorite.

We've all experienced the devastation of rolling up to a McDonald's at 10:30 a.m. only to find breakfast is no longer available, or having an immense craving for Chick-fil-A burritos or biscuit sandwiches on a Sunday. Other fast-food chains may not cater to the breakfast crowd as much as we'd like, but Whataburger's policy is incredible. Most locations are open 24/7, and breakfast is available during a 12-hour window from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m.

Whataburger's breakfast menu mostly features biscuit sandwiches. The most iconic is the honey butter chicken biscuit, and many fans urge others to order extra honey butter. Perhaps the second most popular breakfast item is the breakfast burger, which packs a beef patty, bacon, egg, cheese, and hash browns into a bun. The taquitos are also popular. You can choose sausage, bacon, or potatoes mixed with scrambled eggs and cheese, but no one will stop you from ordering all three if you're feeling wild.

The only bummer is that breakfast menu items can vary by location. For example, some Whataburgers offer pancake platters, cinnamon buns, and breakfast bowls while others focus on the sandwiches and biscuits.

Whataburger serves classic biscuits and gravy, which always hits the spot. What casual Whataburger fans and first-timers may not know, though, is that the chain also lets customers add gravy to any breakfast item. Since many of these dishes are served on a biscuit, the decision seems like a no-brainer.

Imagine how much more decadent your breakfast will be when you dunk your breakfast sandwich in savory, meaty gravy. Folks who worry about dry biscuits will appreciate the option, too, because gravy on the side lets everyone control each bite. As wonderful as Whataburger's sauce lineup is, you may want to dunk your hash brown sticks in the gravy, too.

Price is another compelling factor. Let's say you order a biscuit sandwich with bacon. Adding a sausage patty costs about $1.15, while a cup of gravy costs about $1.50. This small increase gives you all the sausage flavor you love, plus luscious gravy that helps the biscuit shine.

Many businesses have trained the staff to ask customers if they want a receipt because most folks can't wait to chuck theirs into the trash. Although your instinct may be to get rid of your Whataburger receipt as quickly as possible, it's worth hanging onto it. The reason is that Whataburger often prints surveys at the bottom of the receipt. Don't worry: This isn't a crummy situation where you trade your time for a one-in-a-million chance to win $100 or some other prize that isn't worthwhile.

Every location varies, but you can expect to see a QR code or a link to visit for the survey. Best of all, the survey should take about three minutes to complete. Once you submit yours, you'll get a free Whataburger. The only catch is that you need to buy a medium fry and a drink, but this seems like a fair trade-off. You also need to take the survey within three days of your visit, when your memory is fresh enough to reflect on your dining experience.