In-N-Out 5/5 stars and Whataburger 3/5 stars
The Whataburger and In-N-Out debate has existed for decades, but now they both have a location off Interquest Parkway. Both are staring down the competition on opposite sides of the road. You can see long lines in both directions, blocking people trying to travel.
I went to both, as I have a history with their food. I lived in Texas for a year in 2017 and was within two miles of a Whataburger. I went there a couple of times when I was depressed. In-N-Out was a treat growing up every time my family traveled to Arizona to see my grandparents; it was always a bonding moment with them.
To ensure objectivity, I ordered the same thing from both places: a double burger and fries.
It’s Texas vs. California in the Colorado Springs food battle. Who provides the better burger: Whataburger or In-N-Out?
Wait Times
I hate lines, so both places fail in this category. It is sad that Coloradoans are so desperate for good food that they’ll waste hours just to try a burger. I felt sad waiting in both lines. I knew there was more to my life than just these burgers, but I still did it. I even went late to avoid the lines, but they are always there.
Whataburger’s line is currently worse since they opened on Feb. 23 and In-N-Out has been open since November 2020. There are even police at the Whataburger line to ensure people stay safe, and to prevent people from fighting (like some people did at an In-N-Out in Aurora).
Hours Open
Whataburger wins the hours competition, as they are open 24 hours a day and they offer breakfast. In-N-Out opens 10:30-1 a.m., meaning if I want a burger at 10 a.m., I would be denied. This is not right.
Price
If we compare just their simple double burgers, the prices are close. In-N-Out’s double burger is cheaper, but both are affordable for UCCS students.
In-N-Out’s Double-Double Burger costs $3.45 and the fries are $1.60, totaling $5.05. The Double Meat Whataburger costs $4.59 and the medium fries cost $1.54, costing a total of $6.13.
In-N-Out wins with prices, but it’s close enough that it doesn’t matter where you go based on the price.
These meals offer a lot of food for decent prices. The burgers come with whatever you want on them. I asked for lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles and whatever sauces they offer; I’m not particular about my sauces.
Selection
Whataburger wins with selection. Their menu reminds me of Texas: Large and overwhelming.
In-N-Out only offers a double burger, cheeseburger and hamburger for meals. A chocolate, vanilla and strawberry milkshake for desert and French fries are their only side.
The secret menu everyone raves about offers burgers and just one grilled cheese, or you can just eat the same burger as a lettuce wrap. It’s boring, but it’s their style. Burgers are all will always worry about.
Whataburger does not discriminate with what they place between two buns. They offer nine different burger choices, 10 different chicken selections, breakfast sandwiches and seasonal ones as well. They even offer breakfast. You can purchase a breakfast Taquito, which I did not know was possible.
It’s the perfect place to go cure a hangover as you can order a Taquito and Jalapeno burger and still have more crazy choices.
Quality
Honestly, I was not impressed by Whataburger. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing on their large menu, but I didn’t like their simple burger. It tastes frozen, like the meat was taken out of the freezer the night before it was placed on the grill.
The buns, lettuce, onions — everything. It was all like cardboard. I wasn’t an average fan before, but now I can’t stand it. There was nothing to this burger. It actually reminds me of Texas: Speaks loudly but offers nothing.
I enjoyed the fries as they offered just the right salty flavor and texture.
In-N-Out, however, was perfect. The lettuce was crisp. The onions were spread around perfectly to ensure no overwhelming spicy bite. It doesn’t stop there: the pickles, cheese, patties, buns and their unique spread were all perfect (*chef’s kiss*). Everything is quality. It’s unlike any other burger out there.
In-N-Out reminds me of California; it doesn’t seem like anything special from the outside but there is something magical after you try it.
I recommend In-N-Out for UCCS students looking for a high-quality cheap burger. And I recommend Whataburger for UCCS students who have the free time to wait in line for a subpar burger.
In-N-Out wins. Hands down the best burger place in Colorado. California 1; Texas 0.