Gina Hinojosa for Texas Governor, in a donation outreach email.

“There is nothing better at the end of a long day on the campaign trail than a trip to Whataburger. It’s an iconic Texas staple, and always a good place for a quick bite.

We’ve still got about seven months until Election Day, so I can already foresee a few (or a lot?) more stops at Whataburger over the course of this campaign.

I don’t have Greg Abbott’s mega-millions behind me, but I don’t need that. I know we can win this race with real grassroots support from people ready for a change.

With that support, we can visit Texans all over the state and share our message about the better future that is possible for Texas if we turn the page on Abbott.

And we can stop at Whataburger after to refuel and do it all again the next day.”

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I don’t understand the Whataburger love nor does my family. But if we’re eating fast, P Terrys always wins out.

For making bank on a hot dog stand. My wife is from Villa Park and remembers the original.

I've heard things have been spotty since even before they went public, when Berkshire got involved. At the two locations we are most likely to go to: Forest Park and Lombard, the sandwiches seem as good as they were. But that's the only thing I get, I cannot speak for the current quality of the iconic chocolate cake.

But, I live too close to Johnnies and a short walk from the original Buona Beef so Portillos is a once a year thing (for fundraising reasons mostly).

Both Portillos and Buona used to make pretty good burgers and chicken sandwiches, but I've not had one in forever.

But people who follow these things closer than I do believe that the quality dropped off when they went public.

every hotel we stayed at for coaching clinics was within walking distance from a Waffle House. Many ugly nights slurping up pancakes and syrup.

And I've had my fair share of memorable late-night WH experiences. But beggars can't always be choosers, particularly when those beggars are on 2 am walkabouts with a dead phone just looking for something, anything to scarf down and a nice do-it-yourself carwash stall to pass out in til daybreak. If they're lucky, those beggars might come across a Cook-Out along the way.

We stopped going several years ago.

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At night, the ice weasels come.

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Although I agree and when I lived in NC, it was Waffle House or bust late night. At all other times it was Bojangles!

Though my big ole son is a huge cook out fan.

It's like a line cook downed an entire fifth of Beam while on a smoke break and had an epiphany about recreating what they could remember from the Cheesecake Factory menu on the cheap.

I have no idea regarding the actual quality of the food I ate, only that it bailed my ass out on several occasions during all-night benders while traveling in the southeast. Certified lifesaver.

I've not tried the one near me, mostly because it is too damn busy.

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I first discovered it 20+ years ago when I spent a summer in Downers Grove. And it was just as good 20 years later outside of O’Hare.

Apparently there’s one in Katy, Texas now!

Had to bring DJT into the thread.

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"F--- everyone who isn't us."
#Team128

Had it randomly while traveling a long time ago, before regional burger chains were ever a big deal. Always been surprised that this one got traction. It's ok but Whateverburger would be a more fitting name IMO.

was in Port Lavaca Texas while at the old alumina refinery across the inlet in Point Comfort. That Whataburger was about the only option for lunch in town and it was pretty damn tasty.

For nostalgia's sake, we had it on the strip in Vegas last week (the tail end of a Bryce/Zion trip) and the burgers were fine. Agree with down below that In n Out and Shake Shack are probably better. But you know what? They don't have a franchise in Port Lavaca, Texas....

The first few months, the place was swamped. After things died down, I gave it a try. It was mediocre.

BTW, we had a Portillo's open nearby about 6 months ago. The place is still constantly swamped, so much that there is a police presence to direct traffic during lunch and dinner hours.

Damn pity they didn't survive Covid.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s one of those regional things that’s overhyped as a result. We have them all over the place and I can’t recall ever going to one unless it was out of necessity. Local chain P. Terry’s makes superior burgers and fries, and I’d rather go to In n Out or Shake Shack if I’ve got spare calories to take on. I think some of the specials like the patty melt are maybe worth a trip?

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What do I need to know?

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"F--- everyone who isn't us."
#Team128