The Popular Texas Condiment I Order on Repeat Since Moving to NYC (It Reminds Me of Home!)

As a native Texan, I’m well-acquainted with Whataburger. Well, more than well-acquainted. I’ve been grabbing burgers from the fast food chain for as long as I can remember — it was the hangout spot after high school football games — and I’ve been known to wax poetic about it to my non-Texan friends at length. Though it’s expanded to a few other states since it was created in Corpus Christi decades ago, it’s still a distinctly Texas thing.

One of the states it hasn’t expanded to, though? New York, where I’ve lived for half a decade. It’s a tragedy. There’s been a burger-shaped hole in my heart (and stomach) ever since I moved away, so when I visit a couple of times a year, it’s become a bit of a tradition to head straight from the airport to the drive-thru. I order the same thing every time, and one thing I always tack onto the end of it is extra ketchup. (If you know, you know.)

A couple of years into my Whataburger-less existence, I made an incredible discovery: The restaurant bottles and sells its Fancy and Spicy Ketchup. Read on to find out why you need to keep it stocked in your pantry like I do.

What exactly makes Whataburger’s ketchup so great, you may be wondering? Maybe I’m biased because it tastes like home, but it stands out in more ways than one. The outside of the bottle boasts its iconic, retro label, which I happen to have on a T-shirt. (Thanks, Dad!) More importantly, however, is what’s inside the bottle; the burger joint keeps its exact recipe under lock and key, but according to The Dallas Morning News, the brand says what sets its ketchup apart is its “blend of spices and fresh ingredients.” The ingredients that are listed on the website include tomato concentrate, sugar, distilled vinegar, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder (sans high fructose corn syrup).

The Spicy Ketchup is the same, but it’s infused with a hot sauce made from arbol and piquin peppers, and a blend of signature spices. It was a limited-time addition to Whataburger’s lineup a little over a decade ago, but it earned a menu spot after it became a fan-favorite. The Spicy and Fancy Ketchups are available in some grocery stores across the country, but most of them are located in the South — hence why I include it in my regular Amazon order.

People have tried to recreate Whataburger’s ketchup at home — a task I’m not sure is totally possible — but I prefer to get it straight from the source. Thicker than other brands and with a sweetness balanced by a bit of sharpness, it really is the perfect condiment. It steps up my frozen fries every time. Though you can order the Fancy Ketchup on its own, I recommend grabbing the combo pack with the Spicy version. As someone who can’t handle heat all that well, it goes down easily, ideal for when you want a subtle kick.

If you’re a Southerner missing Whataburger like me or you’re curious about all of the hype surrounding the chain, do yourself a favor and stock up on this pantry staple ASAP. Once you get a taste, you’ll never go back to anything else.

Buy: Whataburger Ketchup Variety Pack, $14.39