WENDY's, healthy or not? It's your choice.
Written: Oct 13 '03 (Updated Jun 28 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very Good salads.
Cons: Always a line at lunch time.
The Bottom Line: Wendy's founder, Dave, had always dreamed of serving a hot juicy burger, with friendly service, in a carpeted dining room. They have it down fairly well.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Wendy's |
Over the last few years I have found myself more at Wendy's than at McDonald's or Burger King for a few different reasons.
One was for convenience. There was one just a hundred feet or so from my office where I used to work. We would get together there and have our "Power Lunch."
Another reason is because my wife happened to like the salads they offer. And the third is because I gave a couple of those salads a try and this meat eatin' big guy actually liked them himself.
That means that I will stop by a Wendy's on my own at times.
The Building
I have found that the three Wendy's I frequent are all well trimmed outside and clear of trash that can accumulate in fast food parking lots.
Inside they are bright with full windows all around and there are plants hanging near the natural light. The outside perimeter of the dining area has booths and small movable tables for two dot the interior areas.
The floors in the dining area are carpeted and it is kept clean by an attendant that will remove any items not cleared from tables. They will also wash down tables and keep the floors tidy.
In the middle, as a divider between the dining area and ordering station, is a counter with plastic utensils, big ketchup dispensers, napkins and straws. This area is generally well stocked. I have had occasions when I couldn't find a spoon for chili.
I do not like the ketchup dispensers in that I've found the dispensing end is not always cleaned and crusted ketchup builds up.
Overall, however, I give them high marks for cleanliness. That includes the men's rest room too. It was well stocked and as pleasant as a men's restroom could be.
The Wendy's I go to have ordering stations with about three registers. There are railings for keeping lines of people in order.
ORDERING
I have been in Wendy's countless times. It seems that at lunch time there is always a five to eight minute wait to get to the order stations. At off peak times you can walk right up to the counter and order.
I have found the staff somewhat friendly and very professional. You place your order, they set up your order, take your money, and when finished send you on your way.
The ordering process is made easier by their numbering system of combos. Combos are the entree, fries, and a drink. Here are some examples. Wendy's classic single combo is #1 The classic double is #2, while a triple classic is #3.
What's a classic? It's a cheese burger on a bun with ketchup, onion, lettuce, and a slice of pickle. The meat is about a 1/4" thick piece of beef that is square. A double would have two pieces of meat and a triple, three. The prices at Long islands, East Meadow Wendy's are $4.19, $5.09, and $6.39.
I was asked if I wanted to make the combo a Biggie. It would cost me just 39 cents more and I would receive large fries and a large coke. I passed. It is a good value if you are really hungry.
MY DOUBLE CLASSIC COMBO
The last time there I ordered a #2 to stay. The attendant then made my coke and bagged the fries that are also part of the combo package.
She then took my money. Afterward she grabbed my double burger, that was already wrapped in a soft foil wrap, and added it to the tray with the fries and coke. She then said thank you.
Even though it was peak time I found a table without any problem. Many of those on line just order and take it out. I believe many people come inside to order when they see the long lines at the drive up. I'll talk a bit more of that in a bit.
Coke
I first tried my coke, it was perfect. Sweet but not too much syrup. The right amount of "fizz" was also in the coke. I have had flat sodas and those that are just too "fullafizz" and watered down at other places. Wendy's does well here. They also don't overload your glass with as much ice as other fast food places. When I finished the coke about ten minutes after start the ice was in about the first 1/4 of the glass. I have had some soda from other places where, even after you finished drinking the coke, there was still ice almost up to the top of the glass.
Fries
Wendy's fries are not the best. At the same time they are far from the being the worst. They are served very hot. They are golden on the outside with a slight crispiness. When you bite into the meat of the potato is soft and hot.
The taste of the oil in which the fries are cooked is pleasant. They are a bit greasy in the mouth. You can also taste the salt on the fries.
After the fries start to cool they quickly lose their good taste and the potato gets a mealy consistency.
The Classic Double Burger
This is not a big burger like a Whopper and, at the same time, it's not small like a White Castle "belly bomber"
It's a somewhat satisfying size for this big guy. A triple would be better. Each piece of meat is about a 1/4 ounce in weight. It's well cooked on the outside and juicy inside. Well, as juicy as a 1/4" pieces of meat can be.
I bit into the burger. You can taste a chopped meat flavor. It's real and it's good, but it just isn't a good juicy burger, if you know what I mean. The roll it was on is soft and basically tasteless. It takes on the taste of the burger and all that is on it. The consistency is somewhat chewy in that it does not break down right away. This is good. It gives a more satisfying eating experience. The pickle and onion were tasty and not overpowering.
Don't be CHICKEN
Try it!
They have added more and more chicken to their menu over the years. This year the newest is Homestyle Chicken Strips. These also offer different dressing/dips. They offer a Southwest Chipotlpe, Heartland Ranch, or deli honey mustard.
A Grilled Chicken combo was $4.99. A Spicy Chicken Combo, $4.99 and the Chicken Breast fillet was the same.
SALADS
As I mentioned, my wife comes here for the salads. We both happen to love the Mandarin Chicken Salad. It is $4.49 as are the Chicken BLT Salad, the new to the menu, Southwest Chicken Salad, and the Taco Supreme.
The Chicken Mandarin Salad is very fresh, and tasty. Hey they even give a decent amount of chicken. I happen to like the different consistencies of the ingredients. The very crispy noodles, fresh greens, warm chicken, and soft Mandarin oranges with the dressing are really good stuff!
99 Cent Specials
Wendy's has a board that advertises 99 cent items. I strongly suggest you try their chili. They make a good one! At 99 cents you can also get a baked potato with sour cream and chives, a side salad, or a Caesar side salad. Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger and Jr. Cheeseburger deluxe are also on the list. You can end it all, your meal that is, with a 99 cent frosty dairy dessert.
OUTSIDE AGAIN
The express windows, as they call them, is for "drive by" orders. You drive up to the menu board and a voice comes and says" hello, may I take your order." Wendy's sound system is pretty good. I, who can sometimes be hard of hearing, don't have to keep asking them to repeat themselves. After you order you drive up first to the "payment" window and then in turn to the "pick up" window. I don't use this very often so I couldn't tell you if they get the orders correct and if the line moves well. It's been good whenever I have used it.
Every Wendy's, I've noticed, also proudly flies an American flag in front.
Hey, Dave, the founder of Wendy's made his dream come true here in America when he opened his first place in 1969. His legacy, promised to be continued by his staff, is that of friendly service, a hot juicy burger, and carpeting in the dining area.
They've got a couple of these things right.
Wendy's is pretty good.
More chain eateries by popsrocks
Applebee's / Romano's MACARONI GRILL / KFC / OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE / Wendy's / OUTBACK Restaurant / Cozymel's / Cheesecake Factory / McDonald's / Taco Bell / Checkers Burgers / Red Lobster / The White Castle / TGI Friday's / Charlie Browns / Burger King / Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips / Dunkin' Donuts / Starbucks / Ralph's Famous Ices / Cold Stone Creamery / CARVEL Ice Cream / Boulder Creek Steakhouse / Waffle House / Krispy Kreme / Friendly's / Nathan's / Jillian's / Blimpies / Quizno's / jumba juice
Recommended:
Yes
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