Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

I hate to keep bustin’ their chops, but I’m not sure if Carl’s Jr. wants me to buy this Burger!?  It’s the Southwest Patty Melt with Jalapenos, Grilled Onions and Pepper Jack Cheese, which sounds fine, well and good, but I’m not Snap-On Tools.  Do I hang this poster in my garage?

I like the ingredients with Carl’s Santa Fe Sauce and Sourdough Bread, but hope for more creative advertising — I mean, she’s pretty and all, but what’s it got to do with the Burger?  Wow, she likes it, I want one too.  Me want Bur-ger, unga bunga.  Is that the simple hope?

Anyway, it doesn’t work here, but we do like the combination of ingredients on the Southwest Patty Melt, though want the Onions to truly be grilled.  We got a few crunchies, which wasn’t too pleasant.  May need to ask that the Onions be well done, if we buy one in the future.

First, thanks for the opportunity to try your stuff Carl’s Jr.  I liked Carl Karcher and I’m happy to see that you’re still serving after 70 years.  It’s quite an accomplishment — Congratulations.

I also want to compliment Carl’s on its creative marketing packages, especially the latest one received for the Steakhouse Burger, since it doesn’t include a girl in a bathing suit eating a messy Burger — How refreshing.  Does it mean they now want chicks to enjoy their Burgers too?  Sex sells, I know, blah, blah, blah.  Anyway, love the addition of A-1 Steak Sauce and Crispy Onion Strings on the Steakhouse Burger, as it reminds me of the Fancy Smancy Steakhouse Burger I created for Hof’s 60th Anniversary.  A happy coincidence.

And though I’m not a Turkey Burger fan, Carl’s Turkey Burger isn’t bad.

Another coupon redeemed with a tasting crew on hand to try Carl’s Jr.’s new food items.

And thumbs up go to the Hand Breaded Chicken Tender Wrappers, our favorite of Carl’s Jr.’s newest menu items.  Continued research and development will always be appreciated.

The 3-Piece Hand Breaded Chicken Tenders are pictured below.

Hope I didn’t bite the hand that sometimes feeds me, but will always tell it like it is.

I like it that fast food restaurants keep trying to come up with something new.  Some should stick with what they know best and others occasionally come up with something that works.  Thanks to Carl’s Jr. for giving us the opportunity to try their hits and misses.  This time we tried the new Grilled Cheese Bacon Burger and unanimously deemed it one of Carl’s hits.  As pictured, our Burgers were nicely gooey and perfectly toasted.  If all are made as good as this one, it should remain on the menu.  Read more Carl’s Jr. food reviews here — We’re equal opportunity tasters.

It’s always fun to try something new, even though some things we like and some we don’t.  We thank Carl’s Jr. for the opportunity to try their new menu items.  We recently tasted their 100% Black Angus Beef Burger (aka Original Six Dollar Burger), which they purport to be “better than the new McAngus Burger from [the] clowns down the street.”  Although we haven’t tasted the referenced competition, we’d most likely agree, since our preference is largely every Burger over a McAnything.  Also pictured above, we tried Carl’s Jr.’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hand Scooped Ice Cream Shake and their Chicken Parmesan Sandwich.  Although there’s real Ice Cream in the Shake, our preference is for a hard serve scoop, rather than a soft serve Ice Cream — Carl’s Shake is too rich and creamy.  While that doesn’t sound bad to some, we’re not a fan of their “hand scooped” Shakes.  And finally, the Chicken Parmesan Sandwich isn’t bad.  We hoped for more Sauce on ours, like in the commercials, but ultimately we’d choose the Charbroiled Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich over it — That’s our favorite.

FYI:  We were surprised to learn that Carl’s Original Six Dollar Burger, recently marketed as the 100% Black Angus Beef Burger comes with Sweet Pickles instead of Dill Pickles.  We’d want to swap ’em for Dill next time.

I mostly appreciated the Fresh Pineapple received in launch of Carl’s Jr.’s New Teriyaki Burger — That was fun.  The Teriyaki Burger is good too, because I usually choose a Hula Burger aka Hawaiian Burger aka Teriyaki Burger, that’s generally served with a Pineapple slice or two and a sweet Sauce.  Shown is the Six Dollar Teriyaki Burger on the house, but I subsequently purchased another with a regular Burger and think it’s better.  And the Pineapple actually has a grilled taste to it, which is nice.  I’ll take the Fifth regarding their commercials.  Aloha.

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2009/04/01/we-liked-carls-new-kentucky-bourbon-burger/

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2008/10/16/carls-jrs-so-called-600-burger-for-real/

I finally tried one of Carl’s Jr.’s Six Dollar Burgers – The Guacamole Bacon Burger, which sells for about $5.00.  I’m not impressed.  It tastes more like a $3.00 Burger, and frankly I like their less expensive Burgers better.  It certainly doesn’t taste like a restaurant Burger, but more like a fast food Burger, which it is.  Don’t be fooled by their advertising.  It’s priced too high and doesn’t deliver what it boasts.  This Burger is smaller and less attractive than the one currently featured on Carl’s Jr.’s website.  If you haven’t tried it yet, be warned, it’s not worth the money and isn’t what it claims to be.

Related Link:

http://www.carlsjr.com/

Here’s a good looking Burger in real life – http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=270

Carl’s Buns are tight!  They’re fresh baked in the restaurants and served on Six Dollar ‘Thickburgers’ formerly known as Six Dollar Burgers.  I’m not sure if the Burger size is different, but Carl’s Jr. changed the Bun and altered the name, it appears, and we gave one a try.

The Burger above was a little dry and the Bun slightly burnt, but it does make a better Burger.

We say… keep up the Fresh Baked Buns — I’m reminded of my 8-Minute Buns DVD.

Carl’s Jr. just can’t seem to leave sex alone in advertising — It doesn’t make me want whatever they’re selling, but a free coupon does.  Though I call it as I see it, Carl’s Jr. still sends coupons to try new menu items, and this time we tasted two Sandwiches we’d again.

Jalapeno Turkey Burger — The Santa Fe Sauce (also on the Charbroiled Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich), Jalapenos, Pepper Jack Cheese and Wheat Bun make this Burger flavorful.  It’s light and satisfying combined with the Turkey Burger, Lettuce, Tomato and Red Onion.

It’s not the good looking guy eating the Jalapeno Turkey Burger that makes me want to try one (but if taking that route, glad it’s realized that women eat Burgers too), nor does a bikini model cause me to want a Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich.  Interesting correlation.  More than anything I value creativity and humor in advertising, combined with a good deal and tasty meal.  Spare us the overplayed sex-sells sales approach — Make us laugh Carl’s Jr.

Regardless of all, I would’ve tried the Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich anyway.

Though ours wasn’t as thick as the one on TV, it’s a Sandwich I’d buy with my own dime.  The Atlantic Cod was all white with good seasoning and it’s perfect on a soft Honey Wheat Bun.

Two of us gave four thumbs up to both — Soon to be customers in line for these Sandwiches.

This Asparagus Potato Soup was inspired by the Carrot Soup we can’t get enough of.  With no more Carrots on hand, Asparagus and Potato stepped in with Rosemary, and a shake up of the process — Instead of caramelizing the Onions in a pan, I roasted one with Bacon Grease in the oven.  Unlike the Carrot Soup, this one tastes better with a squeeze of Lemon at the end.

Asparagus Potato Soup — General instructions posted.  Please see here for related prep.

Roast Asparagus in the oven with Olive Oil and S & P, until they start to char.  Cut-off Asparagus tips and set aside.  In a Dutch oven, sauté sliced Potato with fresh Rosemary until softened and slightly browned, then add the Roasted Asparagus stalks and Chicken Stock.

I’m presently hooked on Knorr’s Homestyle Stock Concentrate — Just add Water.

Stir, then squeeze Roasted Garlic from the Bulb directly into the mixture — You can see it (below).  Also add an Onion that’s been baked in the oven, and Rosemary instead of Thyme.

A Baked Onion was substituted in for the Caramelized Onions in the Carrot Soup.

All is then puréed in a blender, drizzled with Lemon Juice and garnished with Asparagus tips.

TIPS for all Soup variations — There should be just enough Chicken Stock added to cover all vegetables, which should be soft and cooled down (somewhat) before blending.  The variations seem endless and none need Cream to be creamy or to taste superb.  The Carrot Soup is preferred to this one.  Also, the Asparagus Potato Soup purée may need to be strained to remove some of the hard stalk inherent to Asparagus.  Or peel the lower ends before roasting.  I had to pull a few fibers from my mouth.  This Soup is good, not a superstar.

We Wake And Bake Every Morning — Hhhmmmm, sounds a bit suspicious.  Pushing the envelope again I see, wink wink.  It’s sex, drugs and rock and roll in advertising.  How about some rock and roll, without a cow?  Okay, for now a FREE Biscuit will do.  Thanks Carl’s.

Line up Wednesday morning, November 16th for a FREE Hardee’s Made From Scratch Sausage Biscuit at Carl’s Jr.  During breakfast hours, walk into a Carl’s Jr. and ask for YOUR Biscuit.  No purchase necessary — Eat in or walk out, it’s all yours.  So, how many Carl’s can you hit in the morning?  Puddy says just ask the 8-Ball. 😉

Four of us recently shared one of Carl’s Jr.’s New Kentucky Bourbon Burgers and the consensus is that it’s pretty good.  We all liked it.  One said the Bourbon Sauce might be too sweet for him, but the rest of us thought it complemented the Burger nicely.  We especially like the Crispy Onion Straws, Pepper Jack Cheese and Bacon.  All together it’s a really good combination.  Pictured here is the Six Dollar Burger option — Apparently it comes in three sizes, a Single, Double, or Six Dollar Burger variation.

Carl’s did a good job on this menu item and the restaurant (Irvine Center Drive) did a good job preparing this Burger.  My main hope for all fast food restaurants is to maintain the consistency of respectable products.  All should look as heavily advertised, except for the dripping Sauce — I’m not a fan of that.

Carl’s DIRECT: http://www.carlsjr.com/

WHO?: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl’s_Jr.

Steak Sandwich: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1519

Crispy Burritos: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=2978

I think I’ve had these before — Not from Carl’s or The Green Burrito, but when I was in elementary school.  They taste like Burrito Day back when.  And they also taste like those Mini Tacos in the frozen food’s section of the grocery store, plus a food sample I once received at Costco on a Saturday afternoon. 

In other words, the flavor combination is reminiscent of foods gone by.  And I actually liked Carl’s Crisp Burrito’s flavor and texture.  I received a coupon to try a 3-Pack, but two are enough.  Three were a bit heavy, but they do hit a tasty note I’ve enjoyed before.  Next time I’d need a side of Sour Cream and Hot Sauce.

Coupon: http://www.carlsjr.com/promotions/coupon/free-small-drink-with-purchase-of-3-piece-or-5-piece-crisp-burritos/

I was recently offered the opportunity to try Carl’s Jr.’s New Charbroiled Steak Sandwich.  It’s always fun to try something new, but to be honest I usually don’t eat Steak or Chicken from fast food joints.  It’s a mental problem I have (HA) and I can be a bit of a food snob about some things.  I’m fearful of chewy/tough Beef or Chicken with cartilage attached.  I’ve had plenty of Hamburgers and Ground Beef from fast food restaurants, but never a Chicken or Steak Taco, Burrito, Sandwich, etc. 

HOWEVER, I have enjoyed an occasional Chicken Breast Sandwich and do especially like Carl’s Jr.’s Charbroiled Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich.  And today was another exception, since I tried my first fast food Steak.  Although the picture isn’t as good as the advertisement, Carl’s Steak Sandwich isn’t bad.  The Steak (100% Sirloin) wasn’t chewy or tough and the flavor was acceptable.  I think the Onion Rings add a lot to the Sandwich, just like the Western Bacon Cheeseburger, the Burger I like best at Carl’s Jr.

Related Link:

http://www.carlsjr.com/

Where’s your favorite place to get Chili Cheese Fries?  We’ve been trying a few around town and would love to know whose Chili Cheese Fries you like BEST.  Some are extra good and some are just okay.  We describe a few, but want you to be the judge too.  Each photograph will have a brief description and related restaurant link directly below it.  And we’ll be adding more Chili Cheese Fries photos and observations, so keep checking back.

The Hat’s Chili Cheese Fries with Pickles & Tomatoes – You get a lot of them.  It’s heavy.

Tommy Pastrami’s Chili Cheese Fries – It’s got nice Steak Fries, but the Chili is a bit Tomato-Paste tasting.  It has big chunks of Beef in it, which is ok, but generally not preferred in a CCF.

Carl’s Junior’s Chili Cheese Fries – They’re not bad.

Fatburger’s Chili Cheese Fries – For some reason I expected more, but they were good.  Fatburger offers a choice of Skinny Fries or Fat Fries.  Pictured here are the Skinny Fries.

SONIC Drive-In’s Chili Cheese Fries – I haven’t tried these yet, but others like them.

Orange County Fair’s Chili Cheese Fries – You can only get them during the OC Fair.

Wienerschnitzel’s Chili Cheese Fries – Unfortunately they’re not one of my top picks.  I’d have to go with Carl’s Jr.’s Chili Cheese Fries before these (above).

Pink’s Chili Cheese Fries – Very good.  Second favorite to Original Tommy’s Chili Cheese Fries.

Del Taco’s Chili Cheese Fries – I’d pick them over Carl’s Jr. ones, since the Fries are better.

EZ Take Out Burger’s Chili Cheese Fries – I liked them, especially the French Fries.  Their Hamburgers are similar to In-N-Out’s Burgers, but dare I say I like EZ Take Out’s Fries better.  And Chili Cheese Fries don’t appear to be an option at In-N-Out Burger.

Johnny Rocket’s Chili Cheese Fries – They’re acceptable.  Nothing to rave about, nor rag on.  On a separate note, their Hamburgers are very good.

Original Tommy’s Chili Cheese Fries – They still stand as my favorite over all those pictured.

Wendy’s Chili Cheese Fries — It’s made with Chili that should be served in a bowl with a side of Buttered Crackers, but instead it’s dumped over French Fries and topped with Cheese.  I don’t think so.  They’re not recommended.

Jack in the Box Loaded Chili Cheese Wedges — Good with the Onions picked out.

Portillo’s Chili Cheese Fries — Portillo’s Chili has a really good flavor that goes well with their crinkled-cut French Fries and a little melted Cheese.  We’d have them again.

Santa Fe Cafe Chili Cheese Fries — They’re best had on their outdoor patio with a Pitcher of Beer.

MORE TO COME.