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My Last Goodbye

January 11th, 2010

Today I write to you world with a heavy heart and a tear in my eye. For January 11, 2010 is the final goodbye to a dear friend. This friend has been there for us all in times of hunger, in times of cramping, and in times of A-1 cravings. Whataburger fans across Texas are mourning as the “A-1 thick-n-hearty” burger is being lowered into the ground.

I have great memories of you my friend. Many late, late night cravings during the second trimester of my pregnant life, we stayed up late talking and crying over a sappy movie. You were always there to comfort me. The couple months a year that you were around made my world a little brighter. Well, most of the time, exception being when I found you half eaten and smooshed in an orange and white paper bag under the seat of my car, and my whole car smelt like a new born baby’s soiled pants. I could not look at you for a few weeks. But through it all, my friend, you kept returning into my loving hands. But you are leaving me now; many say you will never again return. My hopes are still high that we will meet again, if not in this life, surely in the next. For you, dear friend, are simply “Heavenly”.

You are no mere Tyler burger. You are like a king among all other fast food peasant burgers. You were a revelation, steak sauce in fast food, who would have thought? Inspiration, pure inspiration. Your double meat patties falls apart in our mouths as we hear the melody of rhythmic trumpets, your cheese playfully dances with our taste buds, the strips of bacon satisfies your unknown “heart attack cravings“, and your onions cooked perfectly to a light brown to ensure pure pleasure, now the sauce, the finishing touch that puts the A-1 in the “A-1 thick-n-hearty” makes you who you are. You are the reason my stomach stayed full and my wallet empty.

We will never forget you. We will try to keep your legacy alive. It is hard to imagine what we will do without you. Well, I guess we could just get a Whataburger cheese burger with bacon and onions and just bring A-1 steak sauce. That might actually work; it would probably be about the same price, maybe cheaper. Well so long my friend.

That Old White And Orange

January 8th, 2010

It all started with one man’s dream, a dream of forcing people to praise his hamburgers by merely mentioning his restaurant. Maybe it was the constant subliminal verification of his burgers deliciousness, or maybe it was the five inch diameter, but whatever the reason something brought people back to Harmon Dobson’s burger stand. Now nearly sixty years later, Whataburger is still selling its monstrous burgers and is still under the Dobson name. Even the employees of Mr. Dobson’s legacy are referred to as family members, giving the restaurant just a touch of a cult atmosphere that will leave you curious and willing to accept their fast food answers.

A self proclaimed Texas treasure, Whataburger can be counted on twenty four seven for your burger, chicken or cinnamon roll needs. The prices may have changed from the twenty five cent burgers first sold in 1950 but the menu, has actually changed quite a bit as well. The iconic white and orange A-frames beckon to your inner glutton with a menu that could feed a small African nation. Whataburger will show you the meaning of delicious and excessive variety with their carte du jour which spans from taquito’s to pancakes, not to mention the standard and not so standard burger options. And occasionally if you’re lucky you may stumble into one of their themed locations in Tyler Texas, adorned with anything from un-blinking taxidermy of mythical animals to fifties icons caged in plexi glass.

But decorations aside, the food speaks for itself. Rarely does a restaurant come along that truly relates to all varieties of taste, from the Barbeque chicken burger for individuals with a bit of a sweet tooth to the mustard, onion, and pickle Justaburger for people who were apparently born with no sense of taste. But in the end we can all depend on Whataburger for more food than you could or should possibly eat.

Confession of a fast food hypocrite

November 7th, 2009

                The following article is something of a confession, or a coming out column for me. For years I’ve been vocal about the fact that I hate the fast food restaurant chain “Jack in the Box” due largely to the store’s advertising campaign. I have openly declared my unwillingness to eat at any of the store’s Tyler locations regardless of the quality of the food they serve because I so detest their commercials… that is until recently.

            When my workplace moved to a new building, I found that “Jack in the Box” was the closest available eatery. One day, while on my lunch break, and without the time to visit one of my regular favs. I reluctantly swallowed my dislike for the franchise and made that infamous right turn into the small parking lot. I rationalized the decision by telling myself it would be a one time thing. Besides, I didn’t have to tell anyone, right? Except that the food was great! I had a problem, or rather I still do. As fast food goes I like “The Box” (not as much as Whataburger by the way), but it’s close to my work, the prices are reasonable and they serve breakfast all day, on the other hand, those commercials are just more than I can take, a sentiment shared by my whole family by the way.  

            So why make this confession now? Because I can live the lie no longer! I like Jack in the Box’s food! There I said it. The menu is unique, and the quality good. I still make no excuses for the company’s ads however. In fact, they are the ones who should be ashamed, not me or those like me. We are just the victims, the users if you will. I call on the corporation to do the right thing and fire the current ad agency and find another. Please, make it easier for those of us who enjoy the product, but whose consciences object to the mindless temptation they use to appeal to the masses. A step like this can only bring in those stronger than I who would ordinarily never set foot in a Jack in the Box restaurant.

            So please don’t judge me! Pity me, and remember you may be one sausage egg and cheese biscuit away from becoming a “Box” fan as well. Tyler Locations can be found on Broadway next to Burgfield Park, and on the west loop next to CIci’s.

The Many Faces of Whataburger in Tyler

September 24th, 2009

When you come to Texas, you’ll see the white and orange A-frame roofs all over the place. There are almost as many them in Texas as there are Texans, which is good news for everyone who lives there! Call it Texas’ own In ‘n Out Burger. Call it a slightly higher class, more expensive fast food option. Just don’t call it “Water Burger.”

Whataburger was founded in the 1950’s in Corpus Christi by a man who wanted to impress his customers so much by the size and quality of his food that they would exclaim “What a burger!” The restaurant took off and made a name for itself by making fresh, quality burgers to the exact specifications of each customer. Their plethora of condiments was never stale and always at your disposal. In other words, they were giving burgers “your way” long before burger king ever did.

Today, Whataburger restaurants can be found all throughout the South, and they are still committed to that principle. When you order, they’ll suggest “all the way, mustard,” but you can can tell them exactly what you want. Scratch the pickles and add jalepenos. Lots of ‘em. This is Texas, after all!

I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend the #1 with cheese and bacon. If you’re really hungry, go ahead and make it a double meat. You won’t be disappointed. They don’t have much use for heat-lamps because they still make it fresh when you order. And the fries are terrific, just like everything else on the menu.

In Tyler, Whataburger is a more interesting option than most other fast food restaurants because of the individual themes of the various locations. Do you love music? Are you a fan of Elivs Presley? Try the 50‘s Whataburger on the East Loop next to El Charro. The walls are filled with memorabilia and vinyls from from the golden age of Rock ‘N Roll, and posters of the movie starts like James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. The 50’s Whataburger is guaranteed to bring back memories for the elders, and create new ones for the young.

Need something to get your motor running? NasCasr fans rejoice! There’s a Whataburger for that! Stop into the Hot Rod Whataburger on South Broadway in front of the WalMart Supercenter for a breakfast burrito a cup of coffee, and some high-octane decor. Come really early if you want, because this Whataburger, like the others, is open 24 hours.
Or maybe you’re just feeling especially patriotic about Texas. (This is a peculiar phenomenon, found in almost no other state.) There’s a Whataburger for that, too, on the south loop across from Broadway Square Mall. The Texas theme Whataburger features long horns and oil references galore–a visual history of the state of Texas. Put on a Rangers hat while sitting in there with a #2 double meet, and even Nolan Ryan would be impressed with your Texan authenticity.

And hey, speaking of Nolan Ryan, the All-Star Whataburger is on the West loop between Hightways 64 and 31. This one is my personal favorite, not just because I used to go study there in the middle of the night, but because it is littered with sports memorabilia and TV’s tuned to ESPN. My favorite display, more than the motorcycle or the Cowboys pictures from their 1990’s Super Bowl teams, has to be the framed picture of the aged Nolan Ryan, pummeling the head-locked Robin Ventura after the much younger man charged the mound. It was not only one of the funniest, most unforgettable moments in recent baseball history, it was also vintage Texas. Just like Whataburger.

If you show up to the All-Star location for a game, see if you can coax the manager into cranking up the volume. They didn’t used to do it for us, but they just might, now, if you promise to buy a shake with your meal.

There are more locations too! Check out the original Tyler franchise on South Beckham, or the new one on 155, just off the loop. I think you’ll agree that Whataburger is one the best fast food franchises in the country.

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