The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Welcome To Texas! Hope You’re Hungry

Posted on | May 30, 2015 | 34 Comments

— by Wombat-socho


It’s been almost a year since my recon mission to Las Vegas, during which I reported on In-N-Out Burger and the Heart Attack Grill, and now that I am halfway back to Vegas it’s time for another post on hamburgers.


First, I am happy to report that Krystal continues to be the burger joint White Castle wants to be when it grows up. In addition to the “steamer” burgers and fried chicken sandwiches served on dinner rolls, Krystal also has corn dogs and chili dogs, both of which are decent. Ambience and price are much like McDonald’s, so if price is a concern Krystal is a very viable alternative to the Golden Arches.


Next up is Whataburger, justly celebrated in the comments to the previous burger post. So far I’ve had several of the burgers at a couple of different locations, and except for a tendency to go overboard with the mustard, they are darn tasty, doubly so with avocado. Onion rings likewise live up to the reputation. I have not had either the chicken sandwiches or the breakfast menu, but those aren’t really relevant to our topic; besides, I have a hard time believing anyone’s chicken sandwiches can meet the standard set by Chick-Fil-A.


Then there’s Jack In The Box, which disappeared from the DC area back in the early 1970s when I was in junior high school. The current version’s menu is a weird mix of burgers, chicken sandwiches, tacos, teriyaki chicken bowls, and grilled sandwiches. As you might expect from such a wildly varied menu, the quality isn’t great, but it’s a cut above Burger King and McDonald’s; as for the tacos, whether they are better or worse than Taco Bell’s is a matter of taste. They’re certainly cheaper.


Category: Bacon, Texas

Comments

34 Responses to “Welcome To Texas! Hope You’re Hungry”

  1. Gahrie
    May 30th, 2015 @ 9:16 pm

    Back East, the Jack in the Box chain uses the Hardee’s name.

  2. Gahrie
    May 30th, 2015 @ 9:17 pm

    If you like Chili burgers, you have to try Original Tommy’s. It is originally an L.A. icon, but they have opened at least one near Las Vegas.

  3. Evi L. Bloggerlady
    May 30th, 2015 @ 10:30 pm

    Drive and travel safely and enjoy the trip! (I mean you stay safe, there are a lot of crazy drivers out there)

  4. OrangeEnt
    May 30th, 2015 @ 11:14 pm

    Only if you like your chili dry….

  5. OrangeEnt
    May 30th, 2015 @ 11:17 pm

    Try Farmer Boys in LV, it’s pricey, but tasty….

  6. SDN
    May 30th, 2015 @ 11:55 pm

    Actually, no. Carl’s Jr is the Hardees parent. Here in Dallas, we have both Jack and Carls.

  7. SDN
    May 30th, 2015 @ 11:56 pm

    Where are you finding Krystal in TX? There used to be one or two in Dallas, but not for 5 years or so.

  8. Gahrie
    May 31st, 2015 @ 12:14 am

    d’oh!

    (I knew that…I had a brain fart)

  9. Steve Skubinna
    May 31st, 2015 @ 12:46 am

    Jack in the Box tacos are in a class by themselves. As tacos they’re no big deal, but as the apotheosis of snack food they are dead on. Hot and cool, crispy and soft, spicy and bland mixed up in every bite.

    Of course, the best time to have them is after eleven at night. The later you have them the better they are.

  10. rodander
    May 31st, 2015 @ 7:28 am

    Allow me to recommend the Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich and the Patty Melt at Whataburger. Both are outstanding – best franchise fast food anywhere.

  11. The Osprey
    May 31st, 2015 @ 11:07 am

    Whataburger has a “tendency to go overboard with the mustard?” Infidel! Mustard is The One True Condiment!

  12. Eric Ashley
    May 31st, 2015 @ 1:37 pm

    1. Krystal, in Huntsville, the Rocket City, not the Prison Place, doh, was known for its aromatic aftereffects when i was a wee lad if you know what I mean.
    2. While in Texas, get the UnderWhaterBurger with a Whattaburger burger and fresh fish on top.
    3. Mustard was invented to cover the taste of spoiled meat.

  13. John Kerry Wounded in Action | Regular Right Guy
    May 31st, 2015 @ 3:20 pm

    […] Welcome To Texas! Hope You’re Hungry […]

  14. Quartermaster
    May 31st, 2015 @ 3:48 pm

    Krystal is better than White Castle. We had both in Nashville before I moved to Ohio. I’ve never understood why White Castle sells their stuff in freezer cases. After having them fresh, I was never tempted to buy their stuff frozen.

    I remember Burger Chef from my time in San Antonio, my father’s last posting in the USAF. We never went to a Whataburger so can’t speak to them. Can’t see having avocado on beef, however.

  15. Wombat_socho
    May 31st, 2015 @ 7:06 pm

    I apologize for being misleading. The Krystal’s I stopped at was in the Birmingham suburbs.

  16. Wombat_socho
    May 31st, 2015 @ 7:08 pm

    Bleah.

  17. Wombat_socho
    May 31st, 2015 @ 7:09 pm

    It’s pretty awesome, especially with bacon.

  18. Wombat_socho
    May 31st, 2015 @ 7:11 pm

    I have to agree. Compared to normal tacos, they are what Totino’s pizza rolls are to actual pizza.

  19. Wombat_socho
    May 31st, 2015 @ 7:12 pm

    I swear, every other vehicle here in Texas is a jacked-up F-350 or the equivalent, and they don’t drive any slower than 65 mph. On the frontage roads.

  20. richard mcenroe
    May 31st, 2015 @ 8:16 pm

    You TEASE!!!!!11eleventy!!!!!1

  21. Quartermaster
    May 31st, 2015 @ 9:31 pm

    I likes me bacon. You can have the green thingy.

  22. Steve Skubinna
    June 1st, 2015 @ 1:41 am

    One of the characteristics of In-n-Out’s Animal Style is the patties are slathered with mustard before going on the grill. Then come the caramelized onions and extra sauce making the whole big wet sloppy mess.

    Jeez, I love those things. None where I live so it’s something to get while traveling.

  23. Steve Skubinna
    June 1st, 2015 @ 1:42 am

    I remember Burger Chef. My favorite was the Super Chef, made with a third pound patty.

  24. WJJ Hoge
    June 1st, 2015 @ 6:33 am

    Ah, the Krystal … Growing up in Nashville, the Krystal on West End near Centennial Park and Vanderbilt University was my favorite burger joint. Burgers at the Krystal were a dime back then. You could get four Krystals, fries, a slice of coconut creme pie, and a Coke and change from a dollar.

    One night, back in the ’70s, Steve Martin was doing a gig at the grad student pub at Vanderbilt. During the show, he passed the hat for a collection and had a girl from the audience count the take. At the end of the show, he took the audience across the street to that Krystal and ordered 357 cheeseburgers.

  25. Quartermaster
    June 1st, 2015 @ 8:11 am

    I can remember when a Krystal was a nickel. That was the early 60s just before we went to Germany the second time. They were still a nickel in October ’69 when we got back, but went up shortly after that.

  26. Quartermaster
    June 1st, 2015 @ 8:12 am

    The was one in Cookeville, TN not far off the Tennessee Tech campus. I went there on occasion. It was the only one I saw after leaving Texas in ’71.

  27. Quartermaster
    June 1st, 2015 @ 8:13 am

    When I was in Hi Skool in San Antone, Huntsville was the metonym for prison.

  28. Eric Ashley
    June 1st, 2015 @ 8:42 am

    Indeed. When I travelled, and stopped at a rest stop, and chatted with some others….and we asked each other where we’re from, and I’d say ‘Huntsville’ they’d get a peculiar look on their face. And then I’d have to clarity it.

  29. Rignerd
    June 1st, 2015 @ 6:12 pm

    Next time you get near a Whataburger try the Monterey Melt.

    http://whataburger.com/food/item/monterey-melt

    I usually add Jalapenos and Bacon.

  30. Wombat_socho
    June 1st, 2015 @ 6:44 pm

    I’ll have your avocado! I love it!

  31. Wombat_socho
    June 1st, 2015 @ 6:45 pm

    I may do that.

  32. Obligatory Bruce “Caitlyn” Jenner Meme Rule 5 | Batshit Crazy News
    June 2nd, 2015 @ 12:16 pm

    […] Legacy of Failure, Greece Threatens Default, and HeteronormativeGaze, the War on Human Nature, Welcome to Texas, hope you are hungry Regular Right Guy: John Kerry Wounded in Action and our GOP Elites AmPowBlog: Drake Bell disses […]

  33. Markham Shaw Pyle
    June 4th, 2015 @ 5:44 pm

    When you do get to Houston… Lankford Grocery. Also, Beck’s Prime. Also, 59 Diner. That’ll do you.

  34. Bias in Prosecution: The Gaystapo teams up with the Gay Mafia, what could go wrong? | Batshit Crazy News
    June 6th, 2015 @ 8:27 am

    […] TOM: Martin O’Malley’s Legacy of Failure, Greece Threatens Default, and HeteronormativeGaze, the War on Human Nature, Welcome to Texas, hope you are hungry […]