Whataburger is a popular fast food chain known for its burgers, fries, milkshakes, and signature sauces. One of the most beloved Whataburger menu items is the chain’s signature burger sauce. This tangy, creamy condiment can be found on many Whataburger sandwiches and burgers. Fans have wondered for years – what is the famous Whataburger sauce called?
Whataburger’s Famous Burger Sauce
The Whataburger sauce that can be found on burgers and sandwiches does not have an official name. Many fans simply refer to it as Whataburger sauce, Whataburger’s signature sauce, or Whataburger’s special sauce. While it does not have an official name, this creamy, orange-colored sauce has developed a cult following over Whataburger’s 70+ years in business.
The ingredients in Whataburger’s popular burger sauce are a closely guarded secret. The recipe is known only by a few select people at Whataburger headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. Employees at Whataburger restaurants mix the sauce together on-site from proprietary ingredients provided by the company.
What Does Whataburger Sauce Taste Like?
While the exact recipe for Whataburger sauce is a mystery, fans rave about its tangy, sweet, creamy flavor. The sauce adds a punch of flavor to Whataburger’s burgers, sandwiches, and more. It has a smooth, creamy texture and an orange color similar to ketchup or Thousand Island dressing.
The flavor is tough to pinpoint, but most agree it has both sweet and savory qualities. Some say it is similar to a special sauce or Russian dressing, with a blend of flavors like ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and spices like garlic, onion, paprika, salt, and pepper. The creamy sauce complements the flavors of Whataburger’s burgers perfectly. It adds the right amount of moisture without overpowering the taste of the meat and other toppings.
Popular Menu Items Featuring Whataburger Sauce
While it can be added to customize any Whataburger order, there are certain classic menu items that are known for featuring the signature Whataburger sauce:
- Whataburger – The namesake burger features two beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and Whataburger sauce on a five-inch bun.
- Double Whataburger – A bigger version of the original with two patties, cheese, veggies, and sauce on a larger bun.
- Whataburger Jr – A smaller burger with one beef patty plus all the Whataburger sauce goodness.
- Patty Melt – Burger patties with grilled onions, cheese, and Whataburger sauce served on Texas Toast.
- Chicken Sandwich – A breaded chicken fillet, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and that signature Whataburger sauce.
- Club Sandwich – Layers of chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and Whataburger sauce.
- Monterey Melt – Grilled chicken topped with bacon, melted cheese, onions, tomatoes and Whataburger’s special sauce.
The sauce is truly the special ingredient that brings these signature sandwiches together and makes them undeniably Whataburger.
History of Whataburger’s Special Sauce
To understand the legend behind the Whataburger sauce, let’s go back to the beginning of the Whataburger origin story.
Whataburger Opened in 1950
Whataburger opened its doors in 1950 as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Founder Harmon Dobson had a goal to serve a burger so big that customers would have to say “What a burger!” That first Whataburger stand became popular for its five-inch burgers, fresh produce, and exceptional customer service.
The Secret Sauce Was Added to the Menu
In the early 1950s, Harmon Dobson tweaked his original Whataburger recipe to include a special, signature sauce. The tangy, creamy sauce added even more flavor to Whataburger’s perfectly cooked burgers. It quickly became a staple menu item along with the fresh-made burgers.
Expansion Across Texas
As Whataburger expanded across Texas in the 1950s and 60s, the secret sauce went along for the ride. New restaurants brought the signature condiment to more cities across the state. The sauce was part of Dobson’s effort to maintain a consistent menu and high quality standard across all restaurants.
| Year | Whataburger Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1950 | First Whataburger stand opens in Corpus Christi |
| 1951 | Second Whataburger location opens in Kingsville, TX |
| 1953 | First Whataburger with dining room opens in Odessa, TX |
| 1960 | Whataburger expands outside Texas for the first time, opening a restaurant in Pensacola, FL |
Business Sold After Founder’s Death
In 1963, Harmon Dobson died in a plane crash. After his death, his widow Grace Dobson continued operating the business. In 1967, she sold Whataburger to entrepreneur P.R. Morrow Sr. He built on Dobson’s legacy, continuing expansion across Texas in the 60s and 70s. The distinctive Whataburger sauce remained central to the chain’s identity and burgers.
Whataburger Sauce: A Texas Legend
By the 1980s, Whataburger’s signature sauce had achieved cult status across Texas alongside its burgers. The sauce became synonymous with the Whataburger experience. Its flavor brought customers back again and again and supported incredible growth. Whataburger eventually expanded across the Southern United States, bringing its special sauce to more cities while remaining dedicated to Texas and its roots.
Whataburger Sauce in Pop Culture
Whataburger’s popular mystery sauce has made its mark on pop culture across Texas and beyond:
- The sauce has become an object of obsession for superfans who seek to decode its secret recipe.
- Musical artists like Drake and Cardi B have rapped about their love for Whataburger and its sauce in lyrics.
- In 1999, Texas Monthly did an extensive feature trying to reverse engineer the signature sauce’s ingredients.
- Whataburger leveraged its famous sauce in a 2018 Spider-Man movie promotional campaign and meme-able gif.
- Limited edition sauces pay tribute to the original, like the spicy “Fancy” sauce and hatch green chile sauce.
- Fans express their creativity through Whataburger sauce tributes, from sauce-inspired fan art to sauce Halloween costumes.
- Superfans have gotten Whataburger sauce tattoos to permanently display their devotion.
Sauce Shortages Cause Customer Frustrations
In recent years, supply chain issues have occasionally led to shortages of Whataburger’s signature sauce at some locations. Customers expressed frustrations on social media over being unable to access the sauce during visits in late 2021 and early 2022. This shows just how passionate people are about the sauce!
Whataburger has called the sauce its #1 most important menu item. Running out of this essential condiment is seen as completely unacceptable by loyal fans who expect it on every visit. The sauce’s cult status means shortages provoke big reactions, emphasizing how deeply it is ingrained in Whataburger culture.
How to Get Whataburger Sauce
Only true die-hard Whataburger fans go to the effort of recreating the signature sauce at home. For most customers, the easiest way to enjoy the sauce is straight from the source:
Order it On Your Meal
The best way to enjoy Whataburger’s special sauce is to order it as a condiment on your burger, sandwich, or other meal. Simply request the sauce on your food when ordering at the counter or drive-thru. You’ll get the perfect creamy dip with each bite.
Ask for Extra Sauce Packets
When ordering your meal, you can request additional sauce packets on the side. Whataburger is happy to oblige – the orange Fancy Ketchup packets proudly display the Whataburger logo. Keep extras on hand at home to enjoy later or share with friends who haven’t experienced the magic.
Purchase Bottled Sauces
Whataburger sells some of its limited edition and seasonal sauces in bottled form on its website. For example, you can buy the Fancy Sauce, Spicy Fancy Sauce, Peppercorn Ranch, and Honey Butter. This makes it easy to enjoy your favorites anytime. However, the classic Whataburger sauce itself is not sold in stores.
Make Your Own Copycat Recipe
Some intrepid home cooks have attempted to replicate the sauce with secret recipe guesses. There are copycat versions online that try to match the tangy, creamy flavor. However, the actual ingredients and proportions remain a mystery locked away in Whataburger’s vault.
Buy from Resellers
Rarely, people will buy large amounts of the sauce packets and resell them online. This is generally discouraged by Whataburger, but some fans feel it’s the only way to get their fix outside Whataburger’s service areas. Buyer beware when going this route.
Conclusion
Whataburger’s beloved signature burger sauce may not have an official name, but it holds an iconic status in the hearts of fans. The creamy, tangy orange sauce graces the chain’s best burgers and sandwiches. While shrouded in secrecy, its flavor built a legendary reputation that turned it into one of the fast food world’s most famous sauces. Whataburger customers will go to great lengths for this special condiment that has become synonymous with the dining experience. Shortages elicit outrage, establishing the sauce as essential to Whataburger’s identity. The mystery of its exact ingredients lives on, yet the sauce itself has achieved fame across Texas pop culture. This iconic burger-topper remains a crucial part of Whataburger’s recipe for success.