November 17, 2004
THE NEO-CON BURGER
Hardee’s serves up 1,420-calorie burger (MSNBC, November 16th, 2004)
As many fast-food chains introduce healthier fare amid fears of being sued, Hardee’s is bucking the trend, serving up a megaburger with 1,420 calories and 107 grams of fat.St. Louis-based Hardee’s Food Systems Inc. Monday rolled out its Monster Thickburger — two one-third-pound slabs of Angus beef, four strips of bacon, three slices of cheese and mayonnaise on a buttered sesame seed bun. The sandwich alone sells for $5.49 or $7.09 with a medium fries (520 calories) and soda (about 400 calories).
McDonald’s Corp., Wendy’s International Inc. and other fast-food giants have broadened their offerings of salad and other lower-calorie fare amid concerns the industry could be held legally liable for America’s obesity epidemic. Hardee's offers no such concessions, although the chain is not completely oblivious to dietary trends, offering at least three "low-carb" items including a low-carb Thickburger.
In an interview on CNBC, Hardee's chief executive Andrew Puzder was unapologetic, saying the company's latest sandwich is "not a burger for tree-huggers."
It appears the modern conservative rejection of legalistic realism is moving beyond the realm of foreign policy.
[Homer Simpson voice] MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, Beef!
Posted by: Chris B at November 17, 2004 8:31 AMHardee's regionalism -- it's mostly a Red State chain -- probably protects them somewhat from the full wrath of the PETA folks and the Food Nazis. But the same company also operates Carl's Jr. on the West Coast. Woe to them if they try to sell this burger anywhere near TV cameras in Los Angeles or in most sections of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Posted by: John at November 17, 2004 9:07 AMMost San Franciscans couldn't lift it, much less eat it.
As for me, gimme two.
Posted by: Bart at November 17, 2004 10:58 AMLook upon our burgers, ye terrorists, and despair.
The Bay Area (at least the Santa Clara Cty. part) used to tolerate its carnivores, as anyone who's devoured a Steakburger and Frunchers at Kirk's would attest.
Posted by: Raoul Ortega at November 17, 2004 2:04 PMSo what's the happy meal toy? A defibrillator?
He just ate a Hardees Monster burger!
Clear!
Vfumph!
Is this a great country or what? The thing's eco-friendly too, since it packs the weekly caloric intake for a Cuban family in a single wrapper.
The Carl's chain has already introduced the single-patty version of this in California. The Ninth Circuit Court is mum how they would handle requests for an injunction against the double.
Posted by: Dave Sheridan at November 17, 2004 9:56 PMI dunno about the Bay area. My nephew, when he was a Bay area geek, had a webpage that opened with a hymn to In-n-Out ('big slab o' cow').
Hardee's CEO, some 35 years ago, was one of the then very rare Southern Republicans in Congress.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at November 18, 2004 9:08 PM