Photos: Whataburger opens first Columbia area restaurant as the popular chain moves to SC
By Tracy Glantz
Ezra Bonilla, 9, enjoys his burger as his brothers, Alex Bonilla, 7, left, and Benjamin Bonilla, 10, eat at Whataburger during the grand opening of the Irmo location on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.
Tracy Glantz
tglantz@thestate.com
The first Columbia area Whataburger opened Monday morning on Dutch Fork Road in Irmo.
Whataburger opened their first restaurant in the Columbia area on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
People wait in line to enter the Irmo Whataburger during the grand opening on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
Christian Bonilla and his sons, Alex, 7, Benjamin, 10, and Ezra, 9, order during the grand opening of the Whataburger in Irmo on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. The Bonilla family moved from Ft. Worth, Texas so they were familiar with the chain and were excited to come to the opening. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
Whataburger opened their first restaurant in the Columbia area, in Irmo, on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
A woman stands with an armload of drinks during the grand opening of the Whataburger in Irmo on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
Eric Parker puts spicy ketchup on his burger while dining during the grand opening of the Whataburger in Irmo on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
Connor Smoak, embraces Katy Bone at the grand opening of Whataburger in Irmo on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Smoke, Phil Foust, center, and Bone were among the first people in line at the restaurant. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
Phil Foust enjoys a Whataburger patty melt during the grand opening of the Whataburger in Irmo on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Foust got in line at 12:40 p.m. on Sunday to be the first in line when the restaurant opened. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
Eric Parker dips his fries in spicy ketchup while dining during the grand opening of the Whataburger in Irmo on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
Connor Smoak, left, and Phil Foust dine during the grand opening of the Whataburger in Irmo on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. The two became friends while waiting overnight to be the first people in line when the restaurant opened. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
A Whataburger during the grand opening of the Whataburger in Irmo on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. Tracy Glantz tglantz@thestate.com
This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 3:36 PM.
