Monday, September 15, 2008

The FPT Team Puts The Carl's Jr. 6 Dollar Burgers To The Test

Perhaps you have seen the commercial on television where Carl's Jr. sets up a "fake restaurant" and lets diners order fancy burgers in the 15.00 range from a menu and waiter. They then serve them one of their 6 dollar Angus beef burgers and their responses. The FPT test kitchens are on the west coast, these same burgers are also served in the east at Hardee's. Carl's had an elaborate well done set-up with white tablecloths and chefs with tall hats in their fake restaurant. The staff here at the FPT wanted to try the same switch-off on some unsuspecting friends, however we did not do it such a grand style. (you can watch the commercial and more with the link at the end of this post). Our switch was pulled off by telling a friend that we had some gift cards for a local "fancy pants" restaurant that were going to expire soon. We recommended that they try the 'prime rib burger' as it "was the best and most spendy burger that our gift card restaurant offered. Both of our 'guinea pigs' happily said that sounded good and to keep them fooled, fake cell phone calls were made to order the burgers for pick-up. Using a simple made-up excuse, we arranged it so that we could swap the Carl's Jr. burgers into plain white to-go containers. We also got french fries to go with as Carl's now serves a new 'some skin left on' fry that are REALLY good and look like something from a sit-down restaurant as well. The pictures above are from the pick-up - we did not think it smart to take photos of them eating the burgers as they know us well enough that they could figure out that "we might be up to something". What happened? Our friends never had a clue - they ate the burgers very slowly (maybe when you think you are eating a 15.00 burger you think it deserves more face time than something from a drive-thru). They both absolutely loved them and the fries as well. Nothing but thank you's and WOW that was really really good was said from our 'fooled' friends. We did let them in on the whole thing after letting the meal get settled in their bellies. Laughs were had by all. During both experiments we both had our own burgers as well. The 6 dollar prime rib burger is truly excellent - especially the ciabatta bun. Also special props to the new french fries - best 'drive-thru' fries that you can find right now. Official Fake Restaurant Website

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Even I think their fries are the bestest.

Anonymous said...

Im one of the people FP 'tricked'. Yes, I fell for it completely and the burger was delicious. Glad my picture wasnt posted as I was eating what I thought was a white tablecloth restaurant meal.

Thanks to the FPT staff for the free meal.

Anonymous said...

I don't get it. Does this burger cost $6 or what?

Anonymous said...

Great write up. I love good food at value prices and will definatly give this a try the next time i am near a Hardee's.

I would like to suggest that the FPT staff do a similar test with that pasta from pizza hut. 3lbs delivered for 12.99 sounds like another great deal.

But for now i look forward to trying this Fat Pride Approved burger. Can someone fill me in on what toppings this burger comes with?

Anonymous said...

Visit the website link in the post foo.

Anonymous said...

The 6 dollar burgers cost between 4.50 and 5.95.

I am familiar.