Hand holding a plastic cup of Coke in front of McDonald’s storefront during daytime – Steven Luna/Mashed
When dining at a fast-food joint, soft drinks like Coca-Cola are a big part of the enjoyment. Fountain drinks typically taste better than their canned and bottled counterparts, thanks to a careful process that goes on inside the machine dispensing them. Along with ensuring the perfect ratio of syrup to carbonated water, restaurants also put a lot of effort into their carbonation systems. The result is a nicely balanced flavor with just the right amount of bubbles, the perfect accompaniment to a salty burger and fries. You may have heard that McDonald’s is the best of the best when it comes to fast-food Coke, but allow us to be the 10th dentist for a moment.
In our epic ranking of fast-food Cokes from worst to best, which entailed sampling soft drinks at 12 establishments, we hailed Whataburger as the clear victor. According to our reviewer, the restaurant’s Coke is the “winningest formula I found on my soda travels.” The flavor of the soda was “crisp and sweet,” while the beverage retained its bubbly consistency for an impressively long time after being refrigerated. In comparison, McDonald’s Coke landed in last place thanks to a lack of both bubbles and flavor. As our reviewer paraphrased it, “have a Coke and a frown.”
Read more: Secrets Wendy’s Doesn’t Want You To Know
What’s the secret behind Whataburger’s outstanding soft drinks?
Hand holding a soft drink cup in front of Whataburger storefront during daytime – Steven Luna/Mashed
Whataburger might not have the footprint or name recognition of McDonald’s. However, the Texas-based chain has been on an upward trajectory over the years, with locations throughout 17 states and plans to expand even further as the restaurant grows. In case you’re not familiar, Whataburger carries your typical fast food fare like burgers, french fries, chicken and fish sandwiches, salads, snacks, and more. As Mashed recently discovered, the restaurant is also hiding a secret weapon in its fountain drink machine, namely its magnificent Coke.
What could explain the difference in taste and carbonation between Whataburger and McDonald’s beverages? While we can’t say for sure, an equipment malfunction can potentially affect soda quality. For instance, defects in machines can cause temperature variations that contribute to flatness. Carbonation can also fall victim to faults, as malfunctioning machines may carbonate beverages inconsistently. Regardless of the true reason behind McDonald’s lackluster Coca-Cola, this isn’t the first time Whataburger has snatched the crown from the Golden Arches. While McDonald’s is credited with creating the first quarter-pounder, Whataburger offered its own quarter-pounder (Original #1) way back in 1950.
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