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For weeks we have been waiting to try Wendy's new Natural-Cut French Fries. After visiting numerous locations in search for these sea-salt wonders, we were told that Wendy's would not be serving them until all of the original fries had been cooked and sold. Yesteday (four weeks after the fries were announced) we were pleasantly surprised to finally see an ad for them in the window of our local Wendy's.
Wendy's Natural-Cut Fries with Sea Salt
Grade: C
Nutritional Information (medium): 420 calories, 20 grams fat, 500 mg sodium
Our testers said: "When I eat fries, I expect them to satisfy my salt craving. I would have to add salt to these fries for that to happen. While these fries have a stronger potato flavor, I found them to have an odd chemical-like aftertaste. Since I can no longer order the old fries, I'll have to go to McDonald's for my fries." "I was expecting larger grains of crunchy salt. They're good, but it's impossible to tell the difference between these and the old fries. There's only visible potato skin on a few fries in the batch."
Fast Food Reviews
Subway Fiery Turkey Jalapeno
Grade: C-
Nutritional Information: 440 calories, 18 grams fat, 1350 mg sodium
Our testers said: "It was a just a standard Subway sandwich with the ingredients in a different combination." "I love super hot foods, so considering it's fairly cheap and fairly tasty, I would consider ordering it the next time I'm at Subway." "This sandwich could easily rival BK's Angry Whopper -- it was so hot, I lost the flavor of the other ingredients on the sandwich. For once, the sandwich came together exactly as advertised -- with a ton of jalapeños."
Subway Steak & Cheese
Grade: C
Nutritional Information: 380 calories, 10 grams fat, 1230 mg sodium
Our testers said: "This is a weak take on a classic Philly Cheese steak with ground up beef, melted cheese and a chipotle sauce. I found myself looking for the beef, there was hardly any on the sandwich." "It's not the sort of thing I would rave about to friends." "It wasn't great and it wasn't bad -- there are other sandwiches I'd order again before having this."
Taco Bell Chicken Flatbread Sandwich
Grade: B
Nutritional Information: 290 calories, 15 grams fat, 720 mg sodium
Our testers said: "Surprisingly good. All of the ingredients seemed to be fresh -- the bread was soft and the cheese wasn't a disgusting, chemical-tasting mess." "While it says there's a chipotle sauce, it seems like the heat is coming directly from the chicken. The spices give the sandwich just the right amount of kick and heat down the throat. I would actually eat this again."
The sandwich was admittedly on the small side; you'd probably need two to fill you. On the bright side, it was pretty cheap. In New York City, where prices are inflated, it only cost $1.52 -- that's the cheapest lunch we've had in a while.
Starbucks Toffee Mocha (Hot)
Grade: C
Our testers said: "Very sweet and not a very good toffee flavor to me. It tastes more like the regular mocha coffee that they already have." "I wouldn't mind a stronger hint of toffee. Leaves a very filmy taste in my mouth, though, which I don't like. It's a little bit too thick -- I don't like my coffee (or even my lattes) to be as thick as hot chocolate." "All I really taste is sugar. Maybe a little caramelized, but mostly just overwhelmingly sweet."
Starbucks Toffee Mocha (Cold)
Grade: B
Our testers said: "Was able to taste the toffee flavor in this one more and it was slightly bitter -- in a good way, I hate drinks that are too sweet. It also had a nice aroma." "I can taste the toffee more in the cold drink. But I don't really think I can taste much coffee. Still tastes like chocolate milk." "I'd rather just have some ice cream or a milk shake."
Denny's Fried Cheese Melt
Grade: A
Our testers said: "I thought the mozzarella sticks were amazing. I was concerned that the breading around the sticks would either get lost or soggy because of the other cheese surrounding it, but it held up well. The marinara sauce was delicious. It had just the right seasoning with an incredible amount of basil in it. The sourdough bread was fresh, crispy and had just the right amount of butter on it to make this grilled cheese sandwich one of the best I've ever had."
McDonald's Deluxe Angus Wrap
Grade: C-
Nutritional Info: 25 grams fat, 410 calories
What's in it: Angus beef, tomato, American cheese, pickles, lettuce and red onions.
Our testers said: "I wasn't sure how I would feel about eating my burger in a wrap, but turns out it wasn't so bad. However, when looking at the calories and fat compared to the actual burger, I might as well go for the full-fat option." "When I think of a 'snack,' I think of something less heavy and something that will boost my energy level. After eating this, I just wanted to take a nap." "My favorite part about this wrap was the crunchy pickles."
Bacon & Cheese Angus Wrap
Grade: F
Nutritional Info: 21 grams fat, 390 calories
What's in it: Angus beef, bacon, American cheese, pickles and red onions
Our testers said: "The ketchup mixed with the fake, stringy bacon produced a pungent taste in my mouth -- close to drinking tomato juice while eating a dry beef burger with waxy cheese -- it's not a good combination." "This wrap left me with no words -- it was that bad."
Mushroom & Swiss Angus Wrap
Grade: F
Nutritional Info: 26 grams fat, 430 calories
What's in it: Angus beef, mushrooms and Swiss cheese
Our testers said: "If there was a grade letter lower than F, this wrap would have received it." "This is a complete mess in my mouth -- the mushrooms tasted like they came right out of a can (with a metal aftertaste)." "I would much rather eat any one of those Taco Bell Cantina Tacos than ever eat this wrap ever again."
Taco Bell Cantina Taco - Chicken
Grade: B+
Nutritional Info: 2.5 grams fat, 170 calories
What's in it: "Southwest" chicken, onions, lime, cilantro (wrapped up in corn tortillas)
Our testers said: "This taco is easily better than any other item on their menu. The moist chicken had just the right amount of spice and the corn tortilla's were still warm, not gummy. If we had just one request, it would be to add more sauce or a spicy salsa."
Cantina Taco - Steak
Grade: D
Nutritional Info: 2.5 grams fat, 160 calories
What's in it: Onions, lime, beef, cilantro (wrapped up in corn tortillas)
Our testers said: "The steak and wrap were both dry -- when we tasted the beef alone, it was extremely chewy and lacked the simple basics like salt and pepper. It wasn't worth more than two bites."
Cantina Taco - Carnitas
Grade: F
Nutritional Info: 7 grams fat, 200 calories
What's in it: Onions, lime, shredded pork, cilantro (wrapped up in corn tortillas)
Our testers said: "Never has food looked so completely different in real life than in the advertised photograph. A pile of mush and odd flavors, this mixture of sweet pork and onions never came together. To be brutally honest, when opened up, this taco looked like cat food -- and not chunky style. We couldn't get through more than one bite."
KFC Original Doublicious
Grade: C+
Nutritional Info (small): 23 grams fat, 470 calories
Our testers said: "This is a much better combo -- the saltiness of the fried chicken balances out the sweet bread." "I'd much rather have the sandwich with the Colonel's Sauce rather than the honey mustard BBQ." "While the bun itself does not taste good, it is soft and fresh -- like it just came out of the oven, which is surprising for a fast-food establishment."
KFC Grilled Doublicious
Grade: D
Nutritional Info: 11 grams fat, 360 calories
Our testers said: "If you blindfolded me and didn't tell me what I was eating, I would have said this was a hot dog." "The combination of the honey mustard and the sweet Hawaiian bun was overwhelming, way too sweet." "I couldn't tell whether I was tasting the cheese or the sauce." "I'd much rather splurge on the calories and fat and eat the fried version."
Friendly's Grilled Cheese BurgerMelt
Grade: B+
Nutritional Info: 1500 calories, 97 grams fat, 2090 mgs sodium
Our testers said: The grilled cheese "buns" were buttery, oozing with just the right amount of cheese and just the right amount of greasiness. True, the burger could have been more plump and juicy but it was the right amount of beef to balance out the two grilled cheese sandwiches. The only thing we'd do differently is skip the lettuce. Watery, shredded lettuce did not pair well with the grilled cheese.
KFC's Double Down Sandwich
Grade: B
Nutritional Info: 540 calories, 32 grams fat,1380 mgs sodium
This sandwich isn't for the faint of heart. The sodium intake alone will knock you off your feet: Our testers determined the salty culprit seemed to be the breading on the chicken, though it was pleasingly crispy and the meat itself was quite moist. The bacon was legit -- it didn't have the usual weirdly chewy, artificial bacon-bit taste -- but it was essentially lost, both physically and flavor-wise (along with the cheese), between the two behemoth chicken filets. And there was a lot of discussion around whether the cheese was really a cheese spread, or if it had just melded with the special sauce.
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12-08-2010 @4:51PM Allison said... I miss Wendy's old fries - they were a brand differentiator for me, and the new fries are nothing to write home about.
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12-09-2010 @9:10AM The Truth said... I tried them and they are the best fast food fries yet.
Burger king gets their taste by dusting them with a flour based seasoning before frying.
McDonalds fries are only good when fresh out of the fryer
It all depends what you want, I've always preferred the skins on.
Nutritionally speaking...they're all bad!
12-09-2010 @4:59PM Chadman said... Yeah, so many things are just better off left alone.
12-12-2010 @4:54PM John S said... It's a hard call if you ask me. 1st time I tried the new sea salt fries, I missed the good 'ol normal ones, but now I'm getting used to the sea salt ones and think I'm preferring those actually now. I've printed coupons for 4 free value size ones so I've been using a coupon every time I go to Wendy's. You can get all kinds of awesome free stuff on Http://bit.ly/dailysample
12-09-2010 @12:08PM DBurk said... My family HATES the new Wendy's fries!! WE choose to eat at McDonalds instead because the fries are some what better. Wendy's old fries were my favorite. Please bring them back!!!!
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12-09-2010 @8:18AM Glenda Warfel said... I always loved their fries. Sorry..but I dislike the new ones. I found too many hard ones in mine. Glad that its another fast food joint that I will stop visiting.
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12-09-2010 @10:06AM Ron said... I agree with you very much and surprisingly, with the author of this article also.
I finally went to Wendy's as when I make fries at home I use sea salt. These were lightly salted and too many hard pieces. I also prefer the thicker cut of the original fries.
This may vary from store-to-store and even who fries them as I see others said that theirs were over-salted and greasy.
12-09-2010 @8:24AM Chelle said... I have to admit I'm disappointed in the new fries. They are okay.. but not as good as their old fries. As for salt... your testers should try the Wendy's I've been too! They pile the salt on at the places I've been... to the point where I've found myself dusting them off in order to eat them.
I'm very picky and my fast food choices are very limited because of diet restrictions, Wendy's WAS my go to place.... but no where now has fries I like.
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12-09-2010 @9:29AM Laura said... Same here! My mom and I each got a small order, mine were alright but heres were mega salty. She's salt sensitive and usually wendy's never piled on the salt. So she was disappointed.
12-09-2010 @8:43AM ILENE said... The Wendys in Dale City Virginia is so bad - their new fries are indistinguishable from the straw wrapper. They are dry, papery,not crispy (if not soft, they were so hard they could break teeth) NOT hot and lack salt. Their food quality has gone downhill so much - I only go there if I am short on time during lunch - they NEVER have a line in the drive thru - and McD ALWAYS does. Go figure.
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12-09-2010 @8:47AM Jane said... It's sad that people are so into the greasiest, saltiest food with the highest fat content to be happy, that anything outside of that is unacceptable. No wonder everyone is dropping over dead so young.
Average age in our obituaries is 40-60. Enjoy your fries.
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12-09-2010 @2:10PM Smac talk said... I totally agree with you! I am so glad you said something, too. The fries have 500 mg of salt and that's not salty enough?!? You're only SUPPOSE to get 1500 mg of sodium a day... No wonder our country has SUCH an obesity problem.
12-09-2010 @8:49AM hmm said... I was very disappointed in the new fries. Unlike one of the tester's stated they had to add salt, for me my experience was the exact opposite. TOO much salt!!! The potatoes w/ the skins may taste better if you couuld taste anything but salt....and it didn't even appear or taste like sea salt.
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12-09-2010 @8:49AM Mellie said... I agree with Jane. I actually like the new fries. But then, I don't care for a little potato with my grease and salt.
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12-09-2010 @8:54AM mweb said... soggy.....over salted.....over rated......
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12-09-2010 @8:53AM Rich said... Even the Frosty's at Wendy's are not that great anymone.....we've pretty much stopped buying anything from them.
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12-09-2010 @9:05AM Starla said... I always order my fast food fries without salt. We eat enough salt in our diet without the blizzard of salt on french fries.
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12-09-2010 @9:16AM Screendoor Willie said... Wendy's "new" french fries are even lower in quality than their "old" ones: greasy, some mushy, some like hard little sticks, WAY TOO SALTY. "They'd make a freight train take a dirt road on a rainy night."
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12-09-2010 @11:01AM HG in MN said... I love Wendy's chili and loved Wendy's fries. One down. My family and I shared an order of these new fires (we too were excited about it,) and they were mediocre, at best. I didn't like the texture of the fry itself, kind of like potato jerky instead of the firm on the outside, soft on the inside we were used to, and way too much salt that bore no resemblence to sea salt. Won't be making that special trip anymore.
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12-09-2010 @9:52AM Kennedy said... Wendy's had a real opportunity when they said they were coming out with an all new french fry given that their old fries were probably the worst out of the main FF chains. After tasting the new fries, all I can say is YUK! They taste almost the same as the old fry with an overcooked flavor and they still have the bitterness all things fried at Wendy's has. In other words, the new fries are as bad as the old and still the worst.
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