Texas' Most Popular Burger

Texas' most popular burger is revealed: In-N-Out completely dissed and dismissed by smart foodies

Ever wondered which burger chain is the most popular in the state of Texas? To be honest, the answer probably won't surprise you.

Food, drink and travel site Thrillist examined more than 20 million check-ins on Foursquare to figure out the most popular burger chains in the country.

The most popular chain in Texas — by far — is Whataburger. This really shouldn't come as a surprise to you if you're one of the many making late-night runs to the popular restaurant chain. Started in Corpus Christi in 1950, Whataburger also has quite a following in New Mexico and Arizona.

While Whataburger dominates the Texas market, there are still a few areas in the state that prefer other chains.

Although Whataburger dominates the Texas burger market, there are still a few areas in the state that prefer other chains. California-based chain In-N-Out has a smattering of fans in the northeastern part of Texas, and a number of areas also have Carl's Jr. as their preferred chain.

Perhaps a bit surprisingly, Dairy Queen is the most popular in only a few areas around the state, although the chain feels nearly omnipresent when taking a cross-state road trip. Jack in the Box, Sonic and Wisconsin-based Culver's are also the most popular in several areas, but it's nothing compared to the dominance of Whataburger.

A number of chains, specifically Checkers, White Castle, Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Hardee's (which is actually the most popular burger joint in the nation) are not featured on the Texas map. Of course, some of those chains don't even have a Texas presence.

Texas' best hamburger? In the vast majority of the state, Whataburger is the most popular burger chain.

Panoramio

Texas' best hamburger? In the vast majority of the state, Whataburger is the most popular burger chain.

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Restaurant business

Comfort food chain Cotton Patch Cafe acquired by Dallas restaurant group

Chicken fried steak, CFS, Cotton Patch Cafe

Facebook/Cotton Patch Cafe

Chicken fried steak at Cotton Patch Cafe.

The Southlake-based Cotton Patch Cafe restaurant chain, known for its Texas-style comfort food, is finding comfort in the form of a new owner from Dallas.

According to a release, Dallas-based Local Favorite Restaurants group purchased Cotton Patch Cafe from Altamont Capital Partners. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Local Favorite's growing restaurant portfolio includes 99 restaurants spanning 10 brands, including well-known names like El Fenix Mexican Restaurant, Snuffer’s Restaurant & Bar, Meso Maya, Taqueria La Ventana, Wok Star Chinese, Twisted Root Burger Company, Campuzano Mexican Food, and Village Burger Bar.

The Cotton Patch acquisition “is an important step for Local Favorite Restaurants and a natural fit for the kind of brands we want under our roof,” Local Favorite founder Mike Karns says in the release. “Cotton Patch Cafe has loyal guests, a proven track record, and a Texas identity that gives it meaningful room to grow.”

Founded in 1989 in Nacogdoches, Cotton Patch operates 46 restaurants in Texas and New Mexico. The only Houston-area location is in Spring.

The deal also brings changes to the leadership team.

Karns will remain with the company in the role of founder and "Free-Range Creative," overseeing its creative direction and growth strategy. Cotton Patch Cafe CEO Brandon Coleman III will become CEO of Local Favorite Restaurants.

Local Favorite also owns and operates Sunrise Mexican Foods, which produces chips, tortillas, and other Mexican food products for retail and foodservice operators.

Cotton Patch Cafe is known for scratch-made, comfort classics like hand-breaded chicken fried steak, along with $9.99 Texas Value Meals.

Coleman says the acquisition won’t result in changes to the “heart” of Cotton Patch.

“We will continue to bring the small-town spirit, big Texas value, and quality scratch-made food guests count on, with the same focus on hospitality and community that has always made Cotton Patch feel like home,” says Coleman.

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