# Huh. Wendy's overhauled their burgers. Opinions? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 21, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020 "2011-09-21T02:06:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/21 "2011-09-21T13:10:11Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Thin, larger salted beef patty with flavor -\> bland hockey puck. (though still square.) > > White onions -\> Red onions. Meh. > > Pickles -\> Lightly vinegared cucumber chips from Satan’s asshole. And they removed mustard from it instead of mayo. Now in addition to saying “no mayo,” I have to say, “with mustard.” But since I haven’t tried the new burger yet, maybe I’ll only be saying that once. We’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/22 "2011-09-21T13:43:44Z")
They screwed up a good thing. Although making it taste more like McDonalds isn’t a bad business decision. After all, McD’s has over 49% of the fast-food burger market. They have to be doing _something_ people like. The less said about 5 Guys the better. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/23 "2011-09-21T15:07:27Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I’ve never had a burger from Wendy’s. What was the difference between them and the other fast food places supposed to be? Beats me. I used to eat Wendy’s Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers, and they tasted substantially similar to McDonald’s cheeseburgers (except with bacon). But that could be because both of them have a very strong Wonder-Bread-esque flavour from the bun. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/24 "2011-09-21T15:11:27Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I’ve never had a burger from Wendy’s. What was the difference between them and the other fast food places supposed to be? Flamed broiledness? Cause that seems like a \*good \*thing. Are they still square (cause that always seemed like an \*odd \*thing)? I think that their burgers are a lot better than McDonalds and slightly better than Burger King. Otherwise, nothing all that special. I will have to try one of these new ones soon. I can’t believe they’d wipe out their standard recipe. I’ve noticed zero change since Dave’s death. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/25 "2011-09-21T15:29:30Z")
I go to Wendy’s pretty often, as it’s close and they have decent food. I like to get the Double Stack, which had their “25% more beef!” boast attached to it. Honestly, I didn’t notice anything different about it. If anything it seemed like slightly less meat than usual, but otherwise nothing sent up a red flag that it was any worse or better than usual. > [@BigT](#): > > Oh, and I don’t understand how anyone can like their new fries. The amount of salt on them is ridiculous. Newsflash: sea salt is in larger chunks and thus doesn’t integrate with the food. The salt is all on the surface, and leaves the fries with no flavor while giving you a very salty tongue. I _love_ salty fries. And I don’t think the quality of the actual fry is that bad. Wendy’s fries are some of the best fast food fries I can find. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/26 "2011-09-21T15:59:59Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Wendy’s fries are some of the best fast food fries I can find. They are the best of the common fast food places. I preferred them before the change in fries, but the new ones are similar enough that I don’t mind. I should note I never had McDonald’s fries from back when they used lard. I’ve heard they were the best. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/27 "2011-09-21T16:08:22Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Now that I’ve discovered Five Guys, I couldn’t care less about Wendy’s. Hear, hear. Unless you absolutely, positively need to save the extra couple bucks you’ll need for a Five Guys burger, or there simply isn’t a Five Guys near you, I can’t see why anyone would go anyplace else. ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/28 "2011-09-21T16:18:50Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Hear, hear. Unless you absolutely, positively need to save the extra couple bucks you’ll need for a Five Guys burger, or there simply isn’t a Five Guys near you, I can’t see why anyone would go anyplace else. I love Five Guys, but it takes a long time to get your food and you have to go in. Also, I drive by 3 different Wendy’s restaurants on my commute while 5G is on the other side of town. ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/29 "2011-09-21T16:19:50Z")
I actually don’t like Wendy’s much, but the new burgers seem like an improvement to me. The fries are MUCH better. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/30 "2011-09-21T16:25:45Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I’ve never had a burger from Wendy’s. What was the difference between them and the other fast food places supposed to be? Flamed broiledness? Cause that seems like a \*good \*thing. Are they still square (cause that always seemed like an \*odd \*thing)? McDonald’s burgers taste like McDonald’s (They have a unique flavor unlike anything else). Burger King’s burgers taste like Smoke mixed with hot garbage. Wendy’s burgers tasted like actual beef. Not fancy beef but beef nonetheless and their toppings always seemed the freshest. Still haven’t tried the new ones yet. ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/31 "2011-09-21T16:59:18Z")
Haven’t encountered the new burger yet and from what I’m hearing, I hope I don’t. I _like_ the fact that the hamburger and cheese are hot whilst the veggies remain cold. Hot lettuce, hot pickles - eeewwwww. I like a quarter pounder okay but it’s a major step down from a Wendy’s burger. I like Wendy’s new fries, not a vast improvement but I think they are tasty. Man, I was perfectly satisfied with my bagel until we started talking about fries. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/32 "2011-09-21T17:44:36Z")
When I use to work at Wendy’s about 25 years ago their pride was fresh meat. It was not a frozen pre-cooked patty. We cooked them almost exclusively to order as well. Any over run was what was used to make the chili. It was a good burger. I am not sure I have had one since but I bet they are not as good. I do not remember them being flame broiled. They were cooked on a flat top. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/33 "2011-09-21T17:48:40Z")
> [@awldune](#): > > I love Five Guys, but it takes a long time to get your food and you have to go in. > > Also, I drive by 3 different Wendy’s restaurants on my commute while 5G is on the other side of town. They aim for slightly different places in the market. However, the reason Wendy’s made the change is because they are losing market share to 5G at the top and McD at the bottom. It appears that they decided to cede to 5G at the top, and instead try to steal from McD at the bottom - which was their target long before 5G came along. So, they try to move toward McD in flavor but try to retain the “but we’re better” identity. We shall see… (personally, I see it as a “sell” signal). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/34 "2011-09-21T18:10:43Z")
I’d be willing to give the new Wendy’s a try, except that the Braums’ around here does a burger that’s got everything I liked about Wendy’s old burger. So, until we get a Checkers around here, that’ll do. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/35 "2011-09-21T18:32:11Z")
Even though I said I’ve never had a Wendy’s burger, I do love their chicken sandwiches and have eaten my fair share over the years, as has been echoed by others. I suppose it’s too late to overhaul their corporate model but I think they could really do well if they promoted the pollo. Has there been a major chain that was initially based on one food but became famous for something else? ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/36 "2011-09-21T19:48:07Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I’m only here to protest the suggestion that anything McDonald’s sells can be classified as food. It would be more accurate, I think, to name it pseudo-organic, quasi-nutritive simulations of food with long-term toxicity. Not true on the toxicity thing. I’ve eaten McD’s two or three nights a week for the last 25 years, and I’m fi ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/37 "2011-09-21T21:07:05Z")
Who’s ever made a “square” burger at home? For me, that always made them seem odd and as if a robot was in the back doing all the work. They had (have?) a decent Chinese Chicken salad that was pretty good. Moot point - we have an In 'N Out nearby, plus 5 Guys, Steak and Shake and Fatburger. Don’t need Wendy’s, McDonalds or Burger King anymore. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/38 "2011-09-21T21:48:41Z")
The square burger is a more efficient shape for cooking raw burgers to order on the flat top when speed and volume are critical. ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/39 "2011-09-21T22:31:58Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Pickles -\> Lightly vinegared cucumber chips from Satan’s asshole. I last bought a Wendy’s burger just last week for a quick lunch and I didn’t notice anything different about the patty but the pickles were freaking vile! I couldn’t even eat them, after taking one bite I had to pull them off. I couldn’t remember having ever noticed the pickles before so I know something had to have changed though I couldn’t put my finger on what precisely. And FTR I like the new fries. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020/40 "2011-09-21T22:59:04Z")
Had a single combo today. Didn’t really notice much difference. But then again, I order from the drive through, eat the fries while driving back to work, then when I get into the parking lot, I use the wrapper to smear off the onions pickles and most of the mayo from the bun before eating it. For those of you who like the Spicy Chicken Combo, have you tried the Asiago Ranch Chicken Club, with the spicy chicken patty on it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huh-wendys-overhauled-their-burgers-opinions/597020.md?page=3)