Lunch options where I work are limited to fast food restaurants nestled in close proximity to the interstates circling the area, and over the last five years, I've tried them all save a few - Hardee's and Jack In The Box. For some reason in my mind I've always associated the two with poor food and service, especially my unfair and long held belief that Jack In The Box tried to kill people in the past.
Hardee's is a different creature though, previously known to me has Carl's Jr, and home of the Thickburger, a 1/3 lb. charbroiled 100% Black Angus beef patty, tomato, lettuce, red onion, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and dill pickles on a sesame seed bun.
The Thickburger and the 2/3 lb. Monster Thickburger are famous worldwide for their gut busting prowess and the history of these burgers is well documented in the media. I've assembled my personal favorites here:
"If the old Thickburger was 'food porn', the new Monster Thickburger is the fast-food equivalent of a snuff movie," - The Telegraph UK
"Cardiac surgeons, expect a busy century. The era of the über-burger is upon us." - Conde Nast Portfolio
"There's another guy wearing Jared's old pants now," - USA Today
"Why do you hate me?" - My heart, in a recent voice-mail found on my cell phone.
Given the shear mass of the regular and Monster Thickburgers, I was happy recently when I saw the introduction of the Little Thickburger, a 1/4 lb. version of its big brothers. With a buy one get one free coupon, I not only got to try this burger for the first time, but try it at a manageable weight that rests between its 1/3 and 2/3 lb siblings.
I have to admit that this is a very good burger compared to other fast food burgers. The patty is indeed think and while I think attention was paid to its presentation, still appears to be machine made and previously frozen. The Angus beef is tasty and seasoned well. Of all the toppings I was particularly surprised at the crispness of the iceberg lettuce, which provided a great foil to the rest of the burger when bitten into. While not a premium burger by any measure, it does approach the quality you will find at most diners, which is not a bad thing at all.
I can say with confidence that this is one of the better fast food burgers I've ever had, coming in a close second to my all time favorite, the Big Bacon Classic at Wendy's. Where most fast food wares fill me with dread and look and taste like the lifeless gray masses that they are, I look forward to this occasional addition to my work day lunch options.
Opinion: Recommended With Reservations (It is after all fast food)
Multiple Locations in the Mid-West.
