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| Fried Chicken Combo |
Ring the alarm: You won't find better service at a fast food burger chain than I received at Hardee's of Charlottesville, VA earlier today. For starters, everyone is nice here (and I mean really nice.) Prices are downright cheap (in a good way) and your food is actually brought to your table: Pinch me, I must be dreaming.
"There are some who say less is more; but the good folks at Hardee's aren't among them," reads a quote from MSNBC printed on the Apple Turnover boxes. It's true: Portions are generous, and as I said before... prices are a steal. For example, Hardee's 2-piece Fried Chicken Combo costs only $5. Two perfectly cooked pieces of chicken (leg and thigh) with a side (mashed potatoes & gravy) a biscuit and a soda (with free refills.) Score! It's darn tasty too: For fast food fried chicken, it's level with Popeye's and a step or two behind KFC. The meat was darn tasty, and it arrived piping hot... as did the potatoes (although they were a touch runny.) I like my gravy zestier, but five bites and it was all gone. The biscuit was flatly shaped, but had a nice crunch. Overall impressions (did I mention they serve Mello Yello?) B for "Boy, I'd buy that again."
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| 1/4 lb. Little Thick Cheeseburger (sans cheese) |
As for my 1/4 lb. Little Thick Cheeseburger, which comes with ketchup, mustard, diced white onions and dill pickles on a sesame seed bun for $2.49? Another score! No char on the bun, but other than that... fabulous. Maybe I was still a bit dizzy from gulping my Mello Yello; but I could have sworn that I'd been given 1/3 lb. of beef at least. I know it's Charlottesville, but a quarter-pounder never looked this thick before. Nicely cooked, it was plenty juicy; and super filling. Scary as it sounds, they have an even bigger burger (2/3 lb.) Where's the beef? Hardee's!
Unrivaled customer service, actual conversation (with at least three employees) and really good food propel Hardee's near the top of the fast food heap. You have to travel far to get it, but some trips are worth the effort.
Atmosphere: B (Floor was a bit dirty; but table service in a fast food joint? Priceless!)
Burger: B-
Fried Chicken: B (Great coating, and juicy meat.)
Fries: Oops. I knew I forgot something.
Price: B
Service: A (Truly impressive.)
Overall: B (Dear Hardee's, please come back to DC!)
