Passing a love for Whataburger down through generations

When Andy McCord was young, his family would travel every year to Corpus Christi, Texas, where his father grew up, and take a fishing trip out on San Antonio Bay. Each time, they’d eat at Whataburger.

Like many Texan families, Andy’s passed on a love for Whataburger through generations. But his family has a unique connection to the company. His grandfather, Truman McCord, owned the land on which the very first Whataburger was served.

Whataburger #1 was a small shack on Ayers St., across from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. Truman McCord may not be Whataburger’s first-ever customer, but he was darn close. Andy says his grandfather bought two burgers on the first day the stand opened.

Whataburger’s founder, Harmon Dobson, would even frequent the family’s business, which was just a short walk away.

“Mr. Dobson would come down after closing ‘the shack’ to the gas station my grandfather owned, where my dad worked, and would spend time just visiting with them,” Andy said.

The McCord family has passed down a love of Whataburger through generations. Andy says his uncle still goes there every week. When Andy’s father, Jimmie V. McCord, passed away in 2022, Andy went to Whataburger in his honor and ordered a #1 with cheese and a Chocolate Malt. 

Now, Andy’s sons are taking the torch of loving Whataburger. His youngest son, who attends Kansas State University, takes every chance he can to visit the Kansas City location.