Seventy-five years ago today, a small burger stand opened in Corpus Christi, launching what would become a Texas icon.
On Aug. 8, 1950, Harmon Dobson, a World War II veteran with no restaurant experience, began serving burgers at 2609 Ayers St. His goal: make a burger so big it would prompt customers to exclaim, “What a burger!” At five inches across, Dobson’s burgers dwarfed the standard 2½-inch sliders of the time. Local bakeries didn’t make buns that size, so he commissioned custom pans.
On opening day, burgers, chips and drinks brought in $50. A hamburger cost 25 cents, later increasing to 35 cents in 1951.
Today, fans can mark the milestone with a throwback price of 75 cents for a classic single-patty No. 1 Whataburger. The deal runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, but only for online or app orders. Add-ons such as cheese or jalapeños cost extra, and the limit is one discounted burger per account.
“Seventy-five years after serving our first burger from a stand in Corpus Christi, we’re honoring the fans who made it possible,” Whataburger said.
The celebration also includes new commemorative cups, available starting Aug. 5, and an “Orange Out” event at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, where fans are encouraged to wear their best orange gear while cheering on the Corpus Christi Hooks.
Now headquartered in San Antonio, Whataburger has grown to more than 1,000 restaurants in 17 states.
