Stopped in at the burger joint today as Bob and I were out and hungry while doing errands. As before, we split a burger and fries. Burger: just okay. Had it made with just lettuce, tomato and raw onion, and I have to tell you the big clumsy dice (page Jeff B!) is a turnoff. So is the chopped lettuce, which just doesn't have the flavor that biting into torn crisp leaves would have. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't come from the factory already chopped, in big bags. The bun? Steamed and mashed into more or less nothing by the time you unwrap the foil it comes in. Conclusion? The meat tastes good but the rest of it's so pedestrian it takes the meat down with it. The fries were very different and much better than last time, correctly colored and crisp. But still, after sharing just half of each, I felt like I'd poisoned myself with bad calories. Bob did too and further commented on the cost, pointing out that "A guy who comes in here alone really gets f---ked. The basic burger, fries and smallest drink runs almost $11." He's got a point.
But my criticism isn't going to hurt them one little bit. Even well past the usual lunch hour at 1:30, the place was packed.
Like most people, Gene and I occasionally go for a fast food burger (always my suggestion, never his) and every time I swear I am never going to do that again. For some reason, it settles like a rock in my gut. A year goes by and we do it again!