Whataburger

About a month ago, I took a week-long vacation to the Lone Star State so I could spend Christmas with my in-laws. Of all the things to do in Texas, I was most interested in the food, since a lot of chains were either Texas-exclusive or originated there and, allegedly, tasted different because of that. My in-laws were kind enough to make sure I hit every spot on my list. 

My most anticipated spot was, obviously, Whataburger. It was both the only stop I knew I needed to hit before leaving and the stop my father-in-law was most excited about on my behalf. According to him and my husband, it wasn't spectacularly good, but had higher highs than In-and-Out and held a heap of nostalgia for both of them.

Nearly halfway through the trip, I finally got to experience this great promised land; this golden treasure of Texas. I have to say, it was a lot better than I even thought it would be. The patties were juicy, the lettuce crisp, the cheese melted just right. It was infinitely better than the best McDonald's or Wendy's offers. In fact, it might be my new favorite fast food joint. The service was great, the building was clean, and the fries were the exact right texture and saltiness.

It's possible that the Whataburger I experienced is better than the average one. Regardless, I couldn't believe it was as delicious as I anticipated. Did it still taste greasy and give me a stomach ache? Sure, but all fast food does that. It's still fast food. It's just really, really amazing fast food.

Perhaps the best part, though, was the look on my father-in-law's face when I gave him my opinion. He told me about his childhood love of Whataburger, how it rubbed off on his son, and how excited he was to see I thought so highly of his comfort food.

I think that's the best thing about food. Not the nutrition, the fuel, or even the taste, but the stories it holds and tells from person to person. All of us have at least one dish we love that evokes memories of the best of our childhoods, our college years, our grandparents, our culture, our partners. Your comfort food tells your story, gives a glimpse into who you are and what you love. That dish should be celebrated and cherished, whether it's a casserole your aunt makes, a dessert your best friend does better than anyone, or even a #1 meal from Whataburger with no onions.