The Truth About Whataburger Spicy Ketchup

Whataburger, the iconic Texas fast-food chain, is known for its super-sized burgers (which goes to show that everything really is bigger in Texas). It has several other claims to fame as well, including cookies that were sent into space, a visit from FLOTUS Melania Trump, and being a favorite of Iron Chef Tim Love. One more thing that sets Whataburger apart from other burger chains is the fact that it has a cult following built around what is usually a pretty basic, ordinary condiment: ketchup. 

No little packets of Heinz or (ick) generic ketchup for Whataburger — instead they have generously-portioned tubs filled with two varieties of a condiment created especially for them: Fancy Ketchup and Spicy Ketchup. While the latter of these two ketchups is fairly new, having been introduced as a limited-batch special release in 2011 and not added to the regular menu until 2013, it has by now become an indispensable part of the whole Whataburger experience.

For starters, Spicy Ketchup is much thicker and richer than ordinary ketchup, and it's also not nearly as sweet. The Impulsive Buy praised its "nice spicy bite," remarking that the heat level was noticeable — though not to the point of mouth-burning. Medium.com's I.M.H.O. described the flavor as having "hints of jalapeño and a subtle heat." As for Whataburger's customers? They were evidently stuffing their pockets with the stuff, or asking for ten tubs of Spicy Ketchup to accompany their drive-through order of a single burger. 

Whataburger, seeing a marketing opportunity that went beyond burgers, soon came out with bottled Spicy Ketchup (as well as a bottled version of its tamer cousin, Fancy Ketchup) which can be bought at grocery stores, including H-E-B and Walmart — as well as at Whataburger's own online Whatastore. And if you really want to show the world why Whataburger's the ketchup king, you can even purchase a Spicy Ketchup t-shirt which lists all of its ingredients, which, in case you're wondering, includes "red jalapeno pepper puree" to give it that signature Texas kick.

Whataburger? More like Whataketchup. This is one condiment you've got to try — your French fries will thank you, your burger will thank you, and your taste buds will petition you never to go back to plain old ketchup ever again.