What a Mess

A man in Texas is taking legal action against Whataburger, claiming they served him onions against his explicit request to leave them out of his meal. This is raising some eyebrows, to say the least.

Demery Ardell Wilson filed his lawsuit on April 25 in the 269th Judicial District Court in Texas. According to the petition, he accuses Whataburger of negligence, saying they didn’t meet proper standards of care and that, as a result, he is suffering from personal injury.

Wilson, who has an allergy to onions, visited a specific Whataburger location on July 24, 2024, ordering his meal without any allergens. However, his meal arrived in a manner that raised serious concerns, prompting medical advice for him to seek professional care.

It’s a bit murky what exactly he ordered, but the chain’s signature burger typically includes mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and, of course, diced onions. Given his allergy, that’s clearly a problem.

Wilson argues that the negligence from the Whataburger location resulted in “manufacturing defects,” saying the onions made the meal “unreasonably dangerous.” He’s seeking damages between $250,000 and $1,000,000 but has noted he might adjust this figure as the case unfolds.

Whataburger, which has over 1,100 locations in 16 states, responded to the lawsuit on May 16. They expressed that ensuring strict evidence of Wilson’s claims will be necessary. The chain also stated that at the time of Wilson’s meal, they weren’t aware of any defect or danger related to their offerings.

Interestingly, while Whataburger’s website lists various allergens like wheat, soy, and gluten, onions aren’t mentioned in the disclaimer. Makes you think, right?