A couple weeks ago I reviewed the limited time Southwest version of Wendy’s Chicken Caesar Salad, and it was excellent. That item is gone from the regular menu now, but hopefully will return again soon. I will keep you posted. Meanwhile, Wendy’s has made a change to their entire salad line, and I’m happy to report it’s a good one.

What’s new? The chicken. Imagine my delight as I witnessed a Wendy’s employee grab a whole grilled filet and then slice it right on the spot, and place it on the bed of lettuce, tomatoes and cheese. There is no more pre-cubed pieces of meat added ahead of time, resulting in cold chicken. Now it’s warm and freshly sliced.

They place the filet on top with the slices grouped together still forming the shape of the solid hunk they once were. There’s something about this presentation method that really appeals to me. I can see exactly how much chicken I’m getting, and can choose to mix it up, or leave it on the side. Plus, when you’re a burger and taco guy eating a salad, it makes you feel better to have that big pile of meat sitting there.

Warm versus Cold. The cold chicken from previous salads was not a problem. It was tasty and refreshing. I wouldn’t necessarily call the warm chicken better, just different. The salad takes on a new character when the temperatures combine. In a way similar to eating a hamburger or chicken sandwich with lettuce and tomato, the contrast of warm meat and cold crisp veggies is a treat for the senses.

The regular menu Chicken Caesar continues the satisfying experience started by the Southwest version. The romaine lettuce is crisp and fresh. The tomatoes are plump and ripe, and the shredded Parmesan cheese is delicious. The warm chicken is moist and juicy, lightly seasoned with a mild natural flavor. It’s not as fancy as it’s limited time cousin, and lacks the spicy kick, but it’s still a mighty good salad.

As always, the dressing and croutons are served on the side, in individual packets. This keeps them fresh, and allows you to control the amount and manner in which they are distributed. The “Supreme Caesar” salad dressing comes from Marzetti. It’s natural and contains no preservatives. It’s good dressing, though not anything special. The croutons also come from the same company, and are quite tasty. I could eat the crunchy little garlic bread pieces as a stand-alone snack. Sometimes I do.

The Chicken Caesar Salad from Wendy’s is very good. The new serving and delivery method of the chicken is a nice change. I still prefer the bolder flavors and spicy kick of the Southwest version, but this is a solid alternative and worthy of my $5.

Price: $4.99 / Website: Wendys.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B+

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Nutrition Facts - Wendy’s Chicken Caesar Salad.

Calories - 490
Calories from Fat - 300
Total Fat - 33 grams
Carbs - 20 grams
Saturated Fat - 7 grams
Trans Fat - 0.5 grams
Cholesterol - 110 milligrams
Sodium - 1200 milligrams
Protein - 31 grams

I’m not normally a salad guy, so let me say that upfront. It’s not often when visiting fast food restaurants that I even acknowledge the existence of salads on the menu, so it was a surreal experience finding myself ordering one. Furthermore, salads depend so greatly on the freshness of ingredients and assembly, that for many years the choices were few in number, and less than satisfactory in quality. Today several of the fast food giants are offering freshly made salads, daily. One of the most interesting is a limited time creation from Wendy’s called the Southwest Chicken Caesar Salad.

Wendy’s calls it “Caesar with an Attitude”. I think that’s a good description, as I was pleasantly surprised by the bold combinations of flavors and textures. From the first bite, the influence of the Southwest was obvious. The roasted corn and black beans, combined with seasoned chunks of chicken breast and Wendy’s spicy southwest dressing produce a taste reminiscent of a Mexican dish. Add shredded Parmesan cheese, bite sized grape tomatoes, and garlic croutons — this salad is loaded.

Sitting underneath those flavorful toppings is a core of Romaine lettuce, which is washed, chopped and prepared fresh daily at each location. After trying this salad on numerous occasions now, I can happily report the locations in my part of the country do a consistent job of keeping things crisp, cold and fresh tasting.

Don’t worry meat lovers, the chicken included in the salad is nice sized chunks of whole breast. Real meat, not over processed and pressed forms. The dressing and croutons come on the side, in individually sealed packets. That’s perfect, because it ensures the croutons will be crunchy and fresh, and the dressing will be applied as liberally, or as sparingly as you prefer. The rest of the ingredients are assembled at the start of the day, by hand, and then refrigerated until ordered and served.

The Southwest Chicken Caesar Salad from Wendy’s is excellent. It tastes like a fresh salad I would make at home, but with more toppings and flavor then I would probably ever be willing to devote the time or effort to achieve. This is a big, hearty and satisfying salad. An entire meal in a bowl. Unfortunately it’s a “Limited Time” item, but hopefully they will receive enough positive feedback to keep it around, or bring it back soon. They continue to offer the rest of their trademarked “Garden Sensations” line of salads, including a regular Chicken Caesar without the Southwest ingredients.

Price: $4.99 — Website: Wendys.com

Fast Food Critic Score: A

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Nutrition Facts - Wendy’s Southwest Chicken Caesar Salad.

Calories - 490
Calories from Fat - 210
Total Fat - 24 grams
Carbs - 37 grams
Saturated Fat - 5 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 105 milligrams
Sodium - 1730 milligrams

You can’t get a baked potato at many fast food places. I’m not aware of any other large chain that offers them besides Wendy’s. Every time I eat one, I enjoy it, and wonder why they are so rare. It would seem to be a great platform. Inexpensive, simple to prepare and dress, and very filling. All you need is an oven to bake the taters. The toppings require no special treatment or storage. You can put just about anything on them, from cheese and sour cream, to meat and veggies. Sometimes I get Wendy’s chili and pour that on top. You can also eat them plain with a tiny bit of butter, and meet the requirements of several popular diets. Baked potatoes are a wonderful thing.

Wendy’s bakes their potatoes in a real oven, not a microwave. Once baked, they are kept in a warmer until served. They are usually decent size spuds. I’ve eaten many over the years, and rarely did I get anything I would consider small. Of course with natural items like this, every one is different. They do a good job weeding out runts.

They taste very good, and I really can’t tell the difference between these and potatoes I’ve baked at home in the past. They are light and fluffy inside, and the peel is slightly crisp. They taste like good quality Idaho potatoes I purchase at the grocery store. Just as good as what I’d make, without the long cooking time or preparing any toppings.

The Cheese and Bacon version is my favorite among Wendy’s 3 standard choices. The others are Sour Cream with Chives, and Broccoli with Cheese. The cheese sauce is good, unlike many ‘liquid’ cheeses found on other fast food items. This melted cheddar reminds me of the thick rich sauce that Arby’s uses on it’s sandwiches.

The bacon bits are quite tasty, and you can tell they are made from real bacon, as opposed to textured vegetable protein which many common supermarket bacon products are made from. Betty Crocker’s Bac-Os for instance, contain no real bacon.

I really enjoy the Cheese and Bacon Potato from Wendy’s. It’s simple, cheap, filling and a different experience than most fast food side orders. Good stuff.

Price: $2.15 — Website: Wendys.com

Fast Food Critic Score: B+

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Nutrition Facts - Wendy’s, Bacon and Cheese Baked Potato.

Calories - 450
Calories from Fat - 120
Total Fat - 13 grams
Carbs - 67 grams
Saturated Fat - 5 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 30 milligrams
Sodium - 950 milligrams

The folks at Wendy’s are introducing a new hand-spun version of their popular Frosty frozen treat. Here’s the details — After almost 39 years, Wendy’s is shaking up the Frosty. Wendy’s announced that it’s introducing a new line of hand-spun Frosty Shakes in three flavors: Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Fudge, and Strawberry, which is a first for the company. The rich and creamy new Frosty Shakes are topped with whipped cream and a cherry, are served with a straw. The traditional Frosty is thicker so it has to be eaten with a spoon.

In 1969, when Dave Thomas opened his first Wendy’s in Columbus, Ohio, the Frosty was one of five original items on the menu. One of the most familiar and enduring items on Wendy’s menu, the Frosty only came in one flavor - Chocolate - until 2006, when Vanilla was added. Since then, the Company has introduced Frosty Floats and Twisted Frostys with candy or cookie toppings mixed in. “This is another example of how we’re actively expanding our dessert and beverage portfolio by leveraging the power of our proprietary Frosty brand” said Wendy’s Interim Chief Marketing Officer Paul Kershisnik. Beginning in early June, national advertising support will emphasize the premium quality of the Frosty shakes, using five kinds of cocoa, real vanilla beans and sauce made from real strawberries.

In addition to shakes, Wendy’s is introducing a Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough Twisted Frosty this month. Annually, they serve more than 350 million Frostys.

Big news — Arby’s has purchased Wendy’s.

Story from the Associated Press, and ABC News. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — After two past rejections, the owner of Arby’s shaved roast beef sandwich restaurants is buying Wendy’s, the fast-food chain famous for its made-to-order square hamburgers and chocolate Frosty dessert, for around $2 billion.

The owner of Arby’s on Thursday, April 24, 2008 said it is buying Wendy’s International Inc. in an all-stock deal worth $2.34 billion that comes after the burger chain’s board rejected at least two earlier offers by the company. Triarc Companies Inc., which is owned by billionaire investor Nelson Peltz, said Thursday it will pay about $2.34 billion in an all-stock deal for the nation’s third-largest hamburger chain started in 1969 by Dave Thomas. Wendy’s had rejected at least two buyout offers from Triarc. Thomas’ daughter Pam Thomas Farber said the family was devastated by the news.

“It’s a very sad day for Wendy’s, and our family. We just didn’t think this would be the outcome,” said Farber, 53. If her father were alive to hear news of the buyout, “he would not be amused,” she said. Thomas became a household face when he began pitching his burgers and fries in television commercials in 1989.

Wendy’s International Inc. deferred comment to Triarc, which had nothing further to say right away. Read the full story.

For a limited time, Wendy’s is bringing back the “Southwest” version of it’s popular Chicken Caesar Salad. It’s been almost 5 years since this item was last offered on their menu. Wendy’s calls it “Caesar with an Attitude”. The salad consists of Romaine lettuce (chopped and prepared fresh at each Wendy’s location), diced and seasoned chicken breast, bite-sized grape tomatoes, black beans, seasoned corn, shredded Parmesan cheese, and garlic croutons. It’s served with a packet of Wendy’s own Southwest Caesar salad dressing on the side. Available now for a limited time, during the months of April and May.

Wendy’s has just introduced their new “Chicken Go Wraps”, an obvious attempt to copy the success of the Snack-Wrap line from rival fast-food giant McDonald’s. As you would expect, the wraps consist of soft warm tortillas stuffed with chicken strips, lettuce, cheese and flavored sauce. The new offerings from Wendy’s cost $1.50 and come in three different flavors: Homestyle, Grilled and Spicy. They should be available at most Wendy’s restaurants already, and the nationwide introduction should be completed by the weekend.

Homestyle Chicken Go Wrap.
Made from Wendy’s Signature Chicken Breast Fillet - specially seasoned and lightly breaded. Plus crisp lettuce, cheddar cheese and a zesty ranch sauce all wrapped in a flour tortilla.

Grilled Chicken Go Wrap.
Made from Wendy’s Ultimate Chicken Grill Fillet - dressed up with crisp lettuce, cheddar cheese and a honey mustard sauce all wrapped in a flour tortilla.

Spicy Chicken Go Wrap.
Made from Wendy’s Favorite Chicken Fillet - made with a fiery blend of peppers and spices. Plus crisp lettuce, cheddar cheese and a zesty ranch sauce all wrapped in a flour tortilla.

Interestingly enough, it’s barely been a month since KFC also introduced a similar line of new products called “Toasted Wraps”. It’s the same basic combination of chicken, lettuce, cheese and sauce, but KFC goes the extra step of grill-pressing the tortilla wrap before it’s served, so it arrives with a toasty shell complete with grill marks.

It would seem that Wraps are now the hot thing in fast food.