Nationwide – Wendy’s “Baconator”

I rarely stop by a Wendy’s unless they have a new product I want to try;  most recent times I was in, until the other day, was to check out their Black  and Blue Burger, and their Spicy Asian bits. In reviewing my old posts, I see that I have already tried the Baconator, but apparently it was so unmemorable, I didn’t even remember it.

When I found myself in a small burg the other day, I was in search of something, and Wendy’s appeared in front of me. I really liked Wendy’s when a) there weren’t so many other choices, and b) they used to have the salad and pasta bar. During the tenure of the latter, I used to be able to find some interesting things on the bar to top my burger. (Yearning for the days of Burger Chef, now!).

I wheeled in hoping for another Black and Blue burger, but it seems that was a test item. I thought I had read recently they added it full time, but maybe it’s one of those “local participation may vary” items. So I went with the single Baconator combo.

Wendy’s describes the Baconator thusly: “Applewood smoked bacon piled high atop a 1/4 lb. patty of fresh, never frozen, beef. Complete with sliced American cheese, mayo and ketchup for a mountain of mouth-watering taste. Go on obsess a little.”

I did not ask for condiments of my choice, as I usually would, but instead, took it as “chef

Wendy's Baconator

prepared.” It was ready in a sec, and I took a table. It was midday – weekday, and there were about 3 other people dining in.

Removing the top bun, I spied the a) bacon, b) cheese, c) heretofore promised ketchup and mayo. The latter two ingredients seemed to to be applied without thought, and the “Applewood smoked bacon” seemed a little more skimpy and a smaller quantity than I previously recalled.

Reassembled, I took my first bite, and ………..nothing!   Wendy’s beef may be fresh, but it lacks any inherent flavor on it’s own.  Not saying it’s a good thing, but at least McDonald’s patties have a taste of ketchup and dehydrated onions.

Wendy’s meat has no flavor, nor do they season it.  Since the condiments that grace the sandwich were put on so willy-nilly, one can’t even be assured that one will receive the onset of those in every bite.

So the experience just ends up being one of a warm-digestible that probably triggers a taste memory cell of what one should be experiencing.

Wendy’s fries continue to take to take last place in my opinion.  Extruded “potato-like product” does not fill the bill for me.

There was one amusing moment in my experience.  At some point, a kid came our carrying a basket of peppermints, and stopped at each table offering “after meal mint?”   Not sure if this was a local thing or a new chain-wide mandate.   To me it seemed silly.

You may ask yourself if my reviews are affected more by the experience, or by my mood at the time of writing? (I am in the DOGhouse here tonight).   Let me assure you, the former is true, the latter is not.  I take notes during my experience and refer to them extensively, to recall the dining experience as closely as possible.

So Wendy’s Baconator?  #Fail, not worth the drive.

Wendy's Baconator

Wendy's Single Baconator Combo