Iama Critic Rating - Hardee's - 3 Stars 451 Mills Avenue, Greenville, SC Our Experience: Chef Iama Critic usually rips fast food dives like Hardee's a new one for false advertising that promises food you ain't got a chance in Hell of ever getting. And Hardee's ads are some of the most provocative, with gorgeous women eating humongous burgers that I would trade my mama for, and dripping sauce in unholy places. But despite the sumptuous imagery, I care not about such things; I just want a burger that doesn't look or taste like my fat aunt sat on it. But hey fast food fans, fret not, because this particular Hardee's seems to almost have its act together! In my standard routine for fast food burger joints I ordered my sandwiches "Served individually on plates, unwrapped, unmolested with perfect, un-smashed buns just like in the commercial." To which Hardee's responded by ignoring everything I said. So much for "Have it your way!" But surprise, surprise, the food I received, despite being wrapped, was worthy of photos. My burger and condiments were overflowing the perfect bun in a glorious display with each ingredient clearly visible, just like in the commercials. The Service - 0 Stars (0% tip) Hardee's is a pay first fast food dive and as such we consider a tip optional and choose not to leave one. We typically provide 20% or more for 5 star service on the pre-tax portion of the bill, 18% for 4, 15% for 3, 12% for 2 and 0% for 1 star service. The Food: $1.89 Onion Ring - 2 Stars Nine ordinary onion rings from a fast food joint for $1.89? That certainly is not a value when you consider that there is nothing special about the rings and they don't come with sauce. $1.89 Large Fry - 2 Stars I always used to wonder why my friend orders these boring unseasoned fries. But then I watch him pour two tablespoons of salt on them and I realize the fries are nothing more than a means to inject salt into his bloodstream. This boy is gonna die young! $9.98 1/2 Pound Mile High Burger - 3 Stars This combo comes with a large curly seasoned fries, a large soda fountain drink and a burger that is actually impressive. But it has to be because at this price there is some really good competition from Cheeseburger House, Mojo's and Five Guys. The seasoned curly fries were excellent and you can't go wrong with a bottomless drink. But despite the burger looking and tasting good, it still could not match the imagery that Hardee's was responsible for putting in my head, of that gorgeous woman eating that humongous burger. Yea baby, that is the burger I want! $5.00 Big Bag Meal - 4 Stars My guest critic ordered this combo for only five bucks! And I must admit it was impressive! He ordered his combo with a spicy chicken sandwich, a double cheeseburger, an apple turnover, a small bottomless soda fountain drink and more of those boring unseasoned fries. That is a lot of "and(s)" for five buck! That is a heck of a value! I thought the five dollar options at Cook Out were great, but this deal comes with a drink and desert. Sure his dinner was not fine dining excellence, but his order was half of what mine was and I felt jealous. I could have bought two of these combos for the price of my one burger and had four different sandwiches, two deserts, two curly fries, and two drinks, of which one would have been a shake! What a value! Total Bill: $20.26 for two adults including tax. Final Thoughts: After seeing what my guest critic received for just five bucks and witnessing an unmolested burger at a fast food dive that was almost as good as advertised, I just might make another trip to Hardee's.
Iama C.
Iama Critic Rating - Hardee's - 3 Stars 451 Mills Avenue, Greenville, SC Our Experience: Chef Iama Critic usually rips fast food dives like Hardee's a new one for false advertising that promises food you ain't got a chance in Hell of ever getting. And Hardee's ads are some of the most provocative, with gorgeous women eating humongous burgers that I would trade my mama for, and dripping sauce in unholy places. But despite the sumptuous imagery, I care not about such things; I just want a burger that doesn't look or taste like my fat aunt sat on it. But hey fast food fans, fret not, because this particular Hardee's seems to almost have its act together! In my standard routine for fast food burger joints I ordered my sandwiches "Served individually on plates, unwrapped, unmolested with perfect, un-smashed buns just like in the commercial." To which Hardee's responded by ignoring everything I said. So much for "Have it your way!" But surprise, surprise, the food I received, despite being wrapped, was worthy of photos. My burger and condiments were overflowing the perfect bun in a glorious display with each ingredient clearly visible, just like in the commercials. The Service - 0 Stars (0% tip) Hardee's is a pay first fast food dive and as such we consider a tip optional and choose not to leave one. We typically provide 20% or more for 5 star service on the pre-tax portion of the bill, 18% for 4, 15% for 3, 12% for 2 and 0% for 1 star service. The Food: $1.89 Onion Ring - 2 Stars Nine ordinary onion rings from a fast food joint for $1.89? That certainly is not a value when you consider that there is nothing special about the rings and they don't come with sauce. $1.89 Large Fry - 2 Stars I always used to wonder why my friend orders these boring unseasoned fries. But then I watch him pour two tablespoons of salt on them and I realize the fries are nothing more than a means to inject salt into his bloodstream. This boy is gonna die young! $9.98 1/2 Pound Mile High Burger - 3 Stars This combo comes with a large curly seasoned fries, a large soda fountain drink and a burger that is actually impressive. But it has to be because at this price there is some really good competition from Cheeseburger House, Mojo's and Five Guys. The seasoned curly fries were excellent and you can't go wrong with a bottomless drink. But despite the burger looking and tasting good, it still could not match the imagery that Hardee's was responsible for putting in my head, of that gorgeous woman eating that humongous burger. Yea baby, that is the burger I want! $5.00 Big Bag Meal - 4 Stars My guest critic ordered this combo for only five bucks! And I must admit it was impressive! He ordered his combo with a spicy chicken sandwich, a double cheeseburger, an apple turnover, a small bottomless soda fountain drink and more of those boring unseasoned fries. That is a lot of "and(s)" for five buck! That is a heck of a value! I thought the five dollar options at Cook Out were great, but this deal comes with a drink and desert. Sure his dinner was not fine dining excellence, but his order was half of what mine was and I felt jealous. I could have bought two of these combos for the price of my one burger and had four different sandwiches, two deserts, two curly fries, and two drinks, of which one would have been a shake! What a value! Total Bill: $20.26 for two adults including tax. Final Thoughts: After seeing what my guest critic received for just five bucks and witnessing an unmolested burger at a fast food dive that was almost as good as advertised, I just might make another trip to Hardee's.
(3)