Whataburger is a nostalgic fast-food chain ingrained in Texas Americana, most famous for its burgers, which many customers think are some of the best in the country.
According to one Whataburger customer, however, you might want to check your chicken tenders before chowing down too eagerly.
Lee (@choppedbylee), a barber based in Humble, Texas, was enjoying some chicken tenders with fries on the side when he noticed a disturbing discoloration hidden inside one of the tenders.
He filmed what he found and posted the video to TikTok, where it got over 197,900 views.
“Bro I’m mad asf,” he wrote in the video’s text overlay.
What Did The Whataburger Customer Find?
“Bro, I’m eating my f—— tenders, bro. And look,” Lee says in the video.
He then shows the inside of the chicken tender. Instead of only white cooked chicken meat, there is a noticeable green discoloration inside.
Lee then breaks the tender in half to show the green spot more clearly.
“What the f—?” he says. “Like, what the f— is this s—, bro?”
He also shared the exact address of the Whataburger where he says this happened: 19591 Woodland Hills Drive in Humble, Texas.
“@whataburger count your days,” Lee wrote in the caption. “It’s my birthday too.”
BroBible contacted that specific Whataburger location via phone and was told the issue is currently being handled by corporate. BroBible has also reached out to Whataburger corporate via email for comment.
Uh, What Does Green Chicken Mean?
In the comments, one viewer guessed, “It means the chicken had cancer.”
That sounds horrifying, but the green discoloration does not automatically mean that. In fact, there is a known poultry condition that can make chicken meat look green.
A chicken tender is typically made from the chicken tenderloin, also known as the pectoralis minor. That piece of meat is tucked under the chicken’s breast on each side. In other words, it is a muscle.
It is impossible to make a definitive diagnosis, but the pale-green wedge is consistent with damaged tissue from the chicken’s deep breast muscle or tenderloin.
It’s known as deep pectoral myopathy, also known as green muscle disease, and it can develop when the muscle swells, often during forceful flapping of the wings.
According to a report by Mississippi State University Extension, deep pectoral myopathy is a major issue in the poultry industry because it doesn’t affect the bird’s overall health in an obvious way. Since the chickens do not show visible symptoms while alive, the condition often goes undetected until the carcass is cut up during processing.
As far as food safety goes, Poultry Extension noted there is “no evidence that a pathogenic organism is involved” in green muscle disease. While it looks unappetizing, the issue is generally treated as a meat-quality problem and not a health hazard.
Viewers Are Disgusted
In the comments, viewers were grossed out by what Lee found.
“It means the chicken had cancer,” one person wrote.
Another blamed Whataburger’s broader changes over the years.
“Whataburger ain’t the same since the franchise was sold,” they wrote. “SMH it’s not Texas owned no more.”
A third viewer referenced the late Houston consumer reporter Marvin Zindler, who became famous for calling out restaurant violations.
“Where’s Marvin Zindler when you need em,” they wrote.
Others said the video made them rethink eating out altogether.
“I’m just gonna eat at home from now on,” one commenter wrote.
@choppedbylee @Whataburger count yo days 😡 it’s my birthday too 💔 #whataburger
BroBible has contacted Lee via TikTok messages for comment.