Whataburger

Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1950 with a simple ambition: a burger so big it took two hands to hold and so good that people would say “What a burger!” when they bit into it. In 1961 he designed the orange-and-white striped A-frame buildings, inspired by his love of aviation, and they became as recognisable in Texas as the flag.

Whataburger is not just popular in Texas, it is part of the identity. The state legislature declared it a Texas Treasure in 2001, and when the Dobson family sold a majority stake to a Chicago investment firm in 2019, a lot of Texans took it personally. Everything is cooked to order, which is slower than the competition and completely worth it.

Around 1,000 restaurants across the South and Southwest, with Texas at its heart.

• Epic Burger (United States, since 2008). A Chicago smash-burger chain with Black Angus beef, local Turano buns and a Chicago accent. Also built on beef, cooked onions, cheese and a double stack.
• A&W Restaurants (United States, since 1919). America’s oldest drive-in chain, and the burger that lost to bad maths. Also built on beef, cheese and a double stack.
• Habit Burger & Grill (United States, since 1969). The chargrilled burger Consumer Reports once called the best in America. Also built on beef, cooked onions, cheese and a double stack.
• Sonic Drive-In (United States, since 1953). Order through a speaker from your car and a carhop brings the burger. Also built on beef, cheese and a double stack.