We were hungry. Really hungry. We were also in a hurry. We were looking for land to build a home on and that takes a lot of time and it can be exhausting.
We swung into a McDonald’s that shares a parking lot with a Hardee’s. Despite a two-lane drive-thru, McDonald’s line was super long. While in it we could see that there were hardly any cars at the Hardee’s drive-thru.
So… you can probably see where this is going. You’re thinking – there’s a reason no one is going to Hardee’s – don’t go. We were thinking – what fortuitous timing! No one is there, we can beat the rush. We pulled out of McDonald’s drive-thru line and got behind the two other cars at Hardee’s.
Here is what we ordered:
CHARBROILED CHICKEN CLUB SANDWICH
A marinated skinless chicken breast fillet topped with melted Swiss cheese, two strips of crispy bacon, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, and mayonnaise on a 4″ seeded bun. (Hardees.com)
We did complicate things when we said we just wanted lettuce and light mayo. I get it… easy for us, backward for them. But really? Is it that tough? I’m foreshadowing.
We also ordered a bottle of water. The order taker said, “That’ll be $14.76.” I said “What!?” Two sandwiches with virtually nothing on them and a bottle of water was over $14?? I looked at the menu and sure enough. Each sandwich was just about $6 and just under $2 for the water, add tax and there you have it.
The entire transaction could have been redeemed if in fact, these were amazing chicken sandwiches. We have not eaten at a Hardee’s in decades. Maybe this was the best kept secret in fast food.
Should be just a few minutes now, there’s hardly anyone in front of us. Yeah… that is not how it went down. Before we even were able to move away from the order speaker, I saw the car we were behind at McDonald’s leaving with their order. I think I also saw them mocking us.
And more waiting…
We are now next in line.
And more waiting…
I am pretty sure by this time there had been a change in staff and McDonald’s drive-thru was empty.
Finally! we were handed our bottle of water and our brown paper bags full of what is sure to be the best chicken sandwich we have ever had. I mean c’mon they had all that extra time to make it the best ever, right?
Being responsible adults we pulled to a parking spot to eat, rather than driving and eating – and texting.
I open my sandwich and Lisa opened hers and there it was… sustenance. The best damn chicken sandwich ever. But wait… what is that protruding from the bun? Bacon? Why would there be bacon? We only wanted lettuce and light mayo. Sadly, it didn’t look like good back so we peeled it off.
On to the best chicken sandwich ever. It’s charbroiled ya know.
You know how when you’re hungry sometimes you don’t really taste that first bite? That didn’t happen here. Partly because of the taste but mostly because of the consistency or texture. It was thin for a chicken breast but more than that it was rubbery.
We were hungry and maybe that first bite cleansed our pallets. I took a little more time with this bite. I am pretty sure, I recognized the flavor. I think it was – a McRib!
I have only had one McRib in my life but it is an unforgettable experience. It is rubbery but the sauce is good in a way that let’s you know you shouldn’t be eating it. The super processed texture of a McRib is something you don’t forget.
I was sure of it. It was a McRib. The problem was, we were at Hardee’s and we ordered a frickin’ grilled chicken sandwich!
Neither of us could finish the sandwich. The good news was – it left us feeling a little sick for the rest of the day. We never needed to get more food so, in the long run, it saved us money. Maybe it saved us calories too because I feel confident that whatever that sandwich was made from was not absorb-able by the human body. So that’s a double bonus!
UPDATE: Recently, while reminiscing, Lisa said – “Hardee’s is dead to me!”
