By Chongchen Saelee

Don’t say I’m not an American patriot when I tell you Hardee’s Memorial Day themed sandwich the Most American Thickburger isn’t anything special. Maybe Hardee’s can hook in those true blue Americans with the novelty of a Memorial Day picnic slapped together as a single sandwich consisting of standard Thickburger ingredients but with the addition of a split hotdog and kettle cooked potato chips. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think Hardee’s food lab was run by a bunch of kindergarteners. Might as well add Play-doh and marshmallows too. I kid, I kid (no, I don’t kid).

Either way, it tastes pretty good for such a lazy concocted gimmick. But at the same time, it doesn’t stand out, it’s nothing unique when it comes to the flavors or presentation. It literally is just a standard Thickburger with hotdog added to it, and it tastes just like it. Nothing new, nothing fancy.

Or maybe I’m looking at it all wrong. That’s pretty much all there is to it. They’re not claiming to have invented anything new. It’s the traditional American flavors they are celebrating. But ironically, even Hardee’s knows how to play it politically safe. Note they didn’t call it the “All-American” burger. It’s the “Most American” burger, because for some reason they are aware now that there are more flavors in American history than just burgers and hot dogs. It’s their way of leaving the gimmick options open for themselves.

Would I recommend this gimmicky sandwich? OF COURSE. It’s pretty good. But just be warned, if you are looking for something more interesting, say, Hardee’s El Diablo Thickburger, then by comparison the Most American seems incredibly boring. So it will only appeal to you if you want to celebrate the traditional nostalgic flavors of popular Americana cuisine.

In summary, I recommend Hardee’s Most American Thickburger, but be aware that it’s nothing new or special.