Everybody has an Achilles heel or two…
I won’t bore you with mine, but Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes has a few that I think are interesting. Beyond his droll wife, loser brother and – now – questionable taste in fast food.
Face it, we are what we eat, right?
I grew up thinking Winstead’s on the Plaza was god’s gift to hamburger lovers. My earliest dating skills were forged in its parking lot, backing my Datsun 1600 sports car into its spaces. There I unfurled my early-on, crude – albeit tasteful – romantic skills on Winstead’s so-called car hops.
But before you lose any sleep over Brittany Mahomes clumsy missteps or Jackson Mahomes bizarre bad behavior, check this.
While some Chiefs fans are going out of their way to sample and savor Sir Patrick’s’ favorite childhood chomp, Whataburger, based on my experience, it’s a major whiff.
Mahomes helped bring Whataburger to Kansas, so it deserved to be tried and I did.
That’s right, my Whataburger take: Much ado about nada.
As for it being a “Lone Star staple” – in other words, a basic or necessary item of food – seriously?
No offing way; more like, all hat and no cattle, in my opinion.
So I sampled Mahomes’ Whataburger fave, the Numero Uno, a single with cheese, ketchup and pickle only.
The verdict: pretty dad gum bland, as Roy Williams might say.
Okay, it was OK…
It was served up in a gigantic, boring box, with a five-inch diameter white bread bun, sans much in the way of look or flavor.
No where near the taste – for comparison’s sake – of the wildly-popular-but-unavailable to Cowtowners In-N-Out Burger.
Though far larger in terms of quantity, far lesser in terms of taste.
The dudes I ordered mine from at a Tucson area Whataburger were both familiar with Mahomes, but had no idea he was a fan of the food. One of them tried to get me to order a triple, but my better judgement prevailed and I followed Mahomes advice.
I later learned – via Wikipedia – that “the Triple Meat Whataburger is one of the most unhealthful choices,” according to the vaunted Mayo Clinic.
Mahomes is also plugging Whataburger’s Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich.
I had that for dinner the next night, but other than being super sticky and super sweet and messy, it was merely fine. Just not fine enough that I’ll be planning any return engagements.
OK, fast food is fast food.
And to Mahomes and his co-investors who opened the first Whatburger in the state of Kansas, prolly fast money, too.
But on a good day, Winstead’s wins the burger battle.
Unfortunately, these days, under its non original owners, one never knows if you’re gonna get a stale bun or poorly presented steakburger. Or if the eatery will even be clean. Not since Iraqi refugee Nabil Haddad bought Winstead’s several years back.
“Winsteads used to be great. Not so much anymore sad to say,” commented Brent Layton on a KCUR 89.3 puff piece six years back.
“Great story of how an immigrant, who once lived here, ruined a Kansas City and American icon,” added Charlie Baker. “Should not be a story on (Haddad) being lauded. He is ruining a KC tradition like he ruined Annie’s Sante Fe and other brands…Dude sell the brand to someone who actually CARES!!!!”
Speaking of which…
“Annie’s was a very successful restaurant and introduced many Kansas City patrons to mainstream, classic Tex-Mex dinning…” writes foodie Fred Phillips. “At sundown this lovable Mexican restaurant turned into a disco scene that introduced Kansas City to margaritas, tequila shots and bad pickup lines…The bar scene at Annie’s was rad and regularly featured Royal players, power drinkers, brawls, bighaired woman, stonewashed jeans and mullets on proud parade. Chiefs players took over the bar on Sunday nights.”
But enough with the foodie nostalgia…
Haddad’s nine Winstead’s are now down to three and although the company announced plans to double that number in late 2018, it entered bankruptcy a year later and continues to basically hang on.
So when it comes to trendy burgers, careful what you wish for.
As for Mahomes Whataburger of choice: “I’ve had a lot in my life,” he says. “So obviously I get the #1 with cheese, ketchup, and pickles only with a large fry and a large coke.”
And these days, bigger, cheaper burgers often rule.
Mahomes’ Whataburger is out-the-door at $5.94 with 670 calories. Whereas MacDonald’s cheeseburger will set you back only $3.49 with 300 calories. Winstead’s – which used to dwarf the big chains in terms of higher prices – is now a cheapie at $3.15 plus 39 cents for cheese and no calorie info.
Had a Whataburger in Dallas few years back not impressed at all. Look, once you have had like say a In-N-Out burger or an old school drive-in burger, Whataburger is crap reserved for when you’re close to death from starvation. Not saying Whataburgers are uneatable, opossum stew isn’t either but who really wants it?
As for Haddad, don’t even get me started on that *****!
Nabil kinda flamed out when I was still at the Star – pre circa 2009 – and with all the Plaza closures, and old age, hasn’t been seen or heard from in years.
Or so it seems…
Whataburger=Sonic
Culver’s is the best IMO.
Culver’s is quite good…
Steak & Shake has had lots of ups and downs, but at its best – which didn’t last long – it was very Winstead’s – steakburger-like
Bit of a non-sequitur, but the best fast food burger I ever had was at a Wendy’s in the airport in the Dominican Republic. They really did cook it “to order” and it looked exactly like the burgers you saw up on the menu. Lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions and cheese perfectly stacked like the sandwich was photo ready. More fresh, hot fries than one person could ever eat. We still talk about how F’n good that burger was. Goes t show what’s possible if your workers and managers give a shit. The fact that we found this in a small island nation just adds to the irony.
Never had a Whataburger, so I have nothing to add on that front. But, I’ll put a couple of Northland joints up against anyone’s burger. LC’s and Big Burger are killer.
Well, couple things…
LC’s – as I recall – was a Winstead’s refugee who struck out on his own after the company was sold and started going downhill.
The first one might have been in the old Metcalf South.
I remember interviewing Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas who was passing through Kansas City to promote his book.
They were looking for a fluff piece, but naturally I asked him few questions beyond the scope of standard journalistic kiss up and…
When he told me he could no longer eat Wendy’s food because it was bad for his health, naturally I seized on that. The PR lady and his wife tried their hardest to get me to leave that part out and tried to bribe me by offering to send me an autographed book.
I thanked them and then wrote that he no longer could eat Wendy’s anyway and guess what? My free book never arrived.
I don’t know where the original owner (L.C.) actually came from, but I know they started in Platte Woods in the early 70’s. Seems like that would have been long before Winstead’s decline. he sold in the late 90’s and that owner still runs it. Damn good burgers.
A friend of mine who goes by “The Snake” – his father represented Winstead’s original owners – and Nabil Haddad ended up buying it and expanding it wildly.
Jim is dead on about L.C.’s. Excellent burgers. Westport Flea Market still has outstanding burgers. Shake Shack burgers are outstanding. In and Out is a must stop each time the wife and I hit Las Vegas.
Wasn’t one of – if not – the 1st LC’s at Metcalf South?
And, what’s your take on Winstead’s – say on the Plaza – these days? Still pretty good, but also very iffy. Like stale buns and they no longer use real limes in those drinks.
One of KCC’s most beloved commenters – who is still mad at me from a mild outing of him a few years ago – father represented the original Winstead’s owners and worked there during summer and used to HATE having to cut up all those limes!
Winstead’s burgers were damn good….but in all honesty I haven’t eaten one in years.
The best Winstead’s-inspired smash-type burger can be found at Freddy’s, who takes it to a whole new level. For a “thick’ burger, it’s the Westport Flea Market, hands down.