So, Wendy's is rolling out this "new style" of french fries which they're calling "Natural Cut Fries With Sea Salt." Russet spuds, peels left on, shoestring cut (fairly standard "Boardwalk Fries" if you know what I mean) sprinkled with "sea salt" as if that's going to make a big flavor difference on a handful of greasy fried taters.
It shouldn't come as a big surprise that the new fries aren't any better - or even substantially different - than any other burger joint fries. They're okay thirty seconds out of the fryer and they go downhill fast from there, at first getting kind of soggy in their own steam and then just getting tough and cold and nasty when the heat leaves. Hey, even McDonald's fries - supposedly the industry leader - suck when they get cold. Wendy's fries are going to continue to run a distant third in the Fast Food Wars, if only because they don't have to get cold all the way through before they suck.
I really don't understand what the hell Wendy's was thinking here. What was so wrong with their fries the way they were? I've never heard anyone ever complain about them, so it isn't like there was some huge public outcry to have a "new improved" fried potato on the menu. Won't surprise me a bit if regular Wendy's customers raise hell about these new fries, though.
6 comments:
Hi Dave, funny I noticed Carl's Jr. advertising the same (is it Hardees there?). After the angus beef phenom you'd think they all originate from the same giant factory....
A mystery to me too. Wendy's isn't known for their fries but more along the lines of the fact that you can get a freakin' baked potato with the combo. Which is an infinitely better (and tastier) choice anyway.
I do miss me some Wendy's though. Hell, even the KFC over here is all sorts of screwed up. They don't have mashed potatoes, gravy, or biscuits. Just fries.
Spot on with this post. I have no problem admitting that I like pressed, formed potato product french fries. I thought Wendy's fries were just fine the way they were. They are definitely going to lose my money with the change. I specifically dislike Boardwalk-style fries. I wouldn't accept a bag of Five Guys fries if they were given to me for free. I know it's a love-it-or-hate-it thing, though. My husband likes natural cut french fries.
I was excited. That's the kind of fry I like. But I ate 'em and hated 'em.
BLECH. i hardly eat fast food nowadays, but micky d's fries are NOT THE SAME ANYMORE. when they were fried in that mystery fat they were outstanding. everytime i pick up a small fry for old time's sake, i'm always disappointed. you know who has good fries? checkers. pref loaded w/cheese and bacon. :-)
I thought of your comments today when I noticed what our Saltine's box had on it today:
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy250/tcwkcw/Cooking/SeaSaltSaltines.jpg
I wonder how long the sea salt phenom will last?
Tom
Post a Comment