37 replies to this topic

[Chris Hennes]

A Jack in the Box just opened up near me (well, near my Home Depot, same thing...): I've never been to one, or heard anything about it. Is there anything good there? What kind of food do they serve, even?

[Porthos]

I'm found of their Southwestern Grilled Chicken Salad.

[Octaveman]

They are a fast food burger place that IMHO serves a better than average selection of food. I personally think their chicken egg rolls are delicious. They often add new food to their menu to keep things interesting which is pretty much the opposite of McD's. I can't say what they'll have on the menu in your area because they do have regional differences but the core foods are probably the same. If they have some sort of a steak sandwich it's pretty good. It's a fast food joint. All over the place here in San Diego.

[kalypso]

A Jack in the Box just opened up near me (well, near my Home Depot, same thing...): I've never been to one, or heard anything about it. Is there anything good there? What kind of food do they serve, even?

Now you're talkin'

Jack-in-the-Box is a fast food burger place homebased in San Diego, CA. They've been around for about the last 55, maybe 60 years. You might recall that several years ago they had a problem with undercooked burgers and E.Coli. They have since become one of the industry leaders in food handling/training, HAACP and prevention of food borne illnesses. They don't pretend to be a major competitor with McD, BK or Wendy's. While they have their array of hamburgers - Bonus Jack, Jumbo Jack, Sirloin Burger, Ultimate Cheeseburger etc - they have focused some of their R/D on other sandwiches. They're target market also trends a little older than the 18-25 y.o. male.

Their tacos are legendary for late night dining after partying all night. It's a skinny, deep fried taco filled with mystery meat a slice of cheese and some shredded lettuce, that of course begins to wilt when it's put in the just fried taco. This might be an item that you need to have grown up eating (especially at 2 am after a lot of alcohol)to really "get".

Their Breakfast Jack is pretty good for breakfast. Soft white hamburger bun, thin slice of ham, fried egg, and a slice of cheese. The cheese melts, the bun is squishy but for some reason it works. They do, of course, have other breakfast sandwiches using croissants and biscuits, but the original Breakfast Jack - which has been around for at least 30 years - is reigns supreme. We sell a knock off product at work and move a lot of them every day.

They've got a couple of ciabatta bread sandwiches with grilled chicken breast that are decent. I used to like their spicy chicken sandwich before I stopped eating a lot of breaded and fried stuff.

JITB has a tendency to run a lot of short term specialty sandwiches through their stores during the year. Right now they're doing grilled sandwiches. I don't expect those to stay around much longer.

There is also usually a choice of fries, regular straight cuts and seasoned twisters. Go for the curly fries, pretty sure it's the Lamb-Weston twister fry which is a very good fry.

Their salads are decent, their rice bowls just kind of so-so.

Their ads are usually a hoot, since "Jack" their spokes person is a man wearing a clown head.

It's fast food, nothing is particularly good, nothing is particularly bad. Jack's Menu

[heidih]

The only fast food I get a craving for: the Jack Spicy Chicken Sandwich - breaded breast with a bit of spice, a mayo sauce, tomato, and lettuce. I is always freshly made and has a nice contrast of crunch (breading), crisp (lettuce), and soft bun.

[Dana]

The Southwestern Chicken Salad is pretty decent (you can get grilled chicken or fried chicken strips) but the grilled sandwiches, namely the Deli Trio, is, for fast food sandwich, really good. Grilled bread, a creamy dressing, 3 types of meats, cheese and a long, crunchy pickle slice. The other grilled sandwich I haven't tried yet - something with bacon.

[dockhl]

Used to be able to get the Chicken Supreme........no more. It was pretty good. And, didn't they have a burger on rye with grilled onions once upon a time? Good stuff that you don't find in any other fast food place. That what I like best about JITB.........

[Dave the Cook]

. . . And, didn't they have a burger on rye with grilled onions once upon a time? Good stuff that you don't find in any other fast food place. That what I like best about JITB.........

I don't remember if it used to be on rye or not, but the steak melt has grilled onions. When I lived in Houston a few years back, it was one of my favorites. I also managed, most weeks, to indulge in a Sourdough Jack. As I recall, the fries are decent when fresh, but the curly fries not so much.

[nonblonde007]

There are no JITB where I moved to, and I find the thing I miss the most are the bacon cheddar potato wedges w/ sour cream.....YUM! Hardly real food but sooo satisfying. As for the tacos, my sons (early twenties) will drive the 500 miles the the nearest JITB just to buy dozens of them and snack for days. I personally, just don't see it.

[heidih]

There are no JITB where I moved to, and I find the thing I miss the most are the bacon cheddar potato wedges w/ sour cream.....YUM! Hardly real food but sooo satisfying. As for the tacos, my sons (early twenties) will drive the 500 miles the the nearest JITB just to buy dozens of them and snack for days. I personally, just don't see it.

I know very little about my only sibling's food tastes, but she was fixated on those tacos when we were kids. I think they are part TVP- umami plus?

[Raoul Duke]

Oh yea baby! It's the tacos. They used to have a super taco but they're gone. The regular deep fried will do anytime @ 2 for 99 cents w/a cold beer in the parking lot. These were very similar to the ones we got in Tijuana in the early sixties. Honestly we were there for the tuck and roll (car upholstery).

[robirdstx]

Oh yea baby! It's the tacos...The regular deep fried will do anytime @ 2 for 99 cents...

Yes! My all time favorite junk food tacos! The mystery meat seems more like greasy refried beans to me. But I love them. We just got a bunch of coupons for various sandwiches and combos, including two free tacos with any purchase, so will have to get myself over there soon.

[Aloha Steve]

The commercials are funny.
20 years ago they had three different boxed dinners. I ate at lest twice a week the ranch fried chicken breast dinner;
IIRC was two pieces of chicken, fries or onion rings and a salad.

Last week I had a meeting at one, ordered the Western Egg bowl....it was without a doubt in the top 10 worst fast food dishes I ever eaten.

[Rico]

Well, there was one in the town where I went to school, and I can tell you this: At 2:30 in the morning, after a billion beers and shots, there is nothing better than jalapeno poppers, tacos, egg rolls and a jumbo jack. All at once.
Sober, I don't think there's anything there I would publicly endorse ...

[Carolyn Tillie]

I grew up in San Diego (where the chain originated) and loved, loved, loved the Jumbo Jack. But that was more than 30 years ago. They were one of the first to create fried chicken tenders which were truly fabulous!

A childhood friend who transplanted to the United Kingdom made a point of seeking out a Jack-in-the-Box when he was visiting and we ordered a handful of things that we had fond memories for. I'm sorry to say that not only is it not a pale reflection of what they once were, they are nothing like the fabulous fast food I fondly recall. There is no similarity in taste to what I recall as a kid...

[AAQuesada]

Oh yea baby! It's the tacos. They used to have a super taco but they're gone. The regular deep fried will do anytime @ 2 for 99 cents w/a cold beer in the parking lot. These were very similar to the ones we got in Tijuana in the early sixties. Honestly we were there for the tuck and roll (car upholstery).

LOL. Buick Regal, Late 70's, Enchiladas Suisas at Sanborns in Tijuana with the family. Good times!

2 tacos and a sourdough chicken really hit the spot at 130a after working 12+ on the line. There food is okay for a fast food place. Their Cubanish sandwich someone else mentioned really is pretty good. That is a nice quality pickle.

[MomOfLittleFoodies]

Right now they're offering grilled sandwiches (panini-ish) and I'm hooked on the Deli Trio, which I suspect is the one people are saying is like a Cuban.

My go-to burger at JITB is the Sourdough Jack. Their salads are pretty good too.

[Kouign Aman]

The only fast food I get a craving for: the Jack Spicy Chicken Sandwich - breaded breast with a bit of spice, a mayo sauce, tomato, and lettuce. I is always freshly made and has a nice contrast of crunch (breading), crisp (lettuce), and soft bun.

The Spicy Chicken Sandwich is a very good sandwich. It requires no qualifiers such as 'for a fast food sandwich'.
It is plain and simply good. It is purt'near always made to order, and can be served too hot to eat.

The jalapeno poppers are a good rendition, using medium/mild peppers.

For everything else, I slightly prefer Jack's to Wendy's, greatly prefer it to McD's, wont eat at a BK.

Last year at thanksgiving, an Arizona location was offering deepfried macaroni&cheese. I havent seen that locally.

[KristiB50]

The tacos are excellent hangover food!

[HawkeyeFoodie]

Kalypso Duke and Kristi. Lets go out drinking and get some tacos. It pains me to say this but I don't live near a Jack in the box and I absolutely crave the tacos. They're terrible but awesome all at the same time.

[kalypso]

Kalypso Duke and Kristi. Lets go out drinking and get some tacos. It pains me to say this but I don't live near a Jack in the box and I absolutely crave the tacos. They're terrible but awesome all at the same time.

You're on

[Chris Hennes]

I finally made it to the Jack in the Box yesterday: I went with the Spicy Chicken sandwich and curly fries, and both were quite good. The tomato on the sandwich was anemic (though I suppose they all seem to be these days), but the chicken itself was very good. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Toliver]

Jack In The Box Launches New Food Truck

Fast-food chain Jack in the Box's first food truck will be making the rounds in San Diego areas like the Gaslamp Quarter for the next month before the crew hits the road and heads to Orange County and Los Angeles.

"Really giving our customers what they are asking for, and if they want the truck at their wedding, we will be there," said Jennifer Kennedy, associate marketing manager with Jack in the Box.

I can see it as a PR gimmick, but as a competitve (in it for the money) food truck? Not so much.

[Moopheus]

Jack-in-the-Box is a fast food burger place homebased in San Diego, CA. They've been around for about the last 55, maybe 60 years. You might recall that several years ago they had a problem with undercooked burgers and E.Coli. They have since become one of the industry leaders in food handling/training, HAACP and prevention of food borne illnesses.

Was it only a few years ago? I remember them from the 70s when there were still some on the east coast; and mainly what I remember is the feeling ill afterwards. Glad to hear they've cleaned up.

[kalypso]

Jack In The Box Launches New Food Truck

Fast-food chain Jack in the Box's first food truck will be making the rounds in San Diego areas like the Gaslamp Quarter for the next month before the crew hits the road and heads to Orange County and Los Angeles.

"Really giving our customers what they are asking for, and if they want the truck at their wedding, we will be there," said Jennifer Kennedy, associate marketing manager with Jack in the Box.

I can see it as a PR gimmick, but as a competitve (in it for the money) food truck? Not so much.

Are you kidding, I think this thing will rock it out. The graphics on their truck rock, they're not going far from their target market (20-somethings who've spent the night drinking in the Gaslamp) and they're serving a very limited menu of their top sellers. I think they'll make a ton of $$$ off this venture.

When I was that age and partied till 2 am, we used to hit up JITB for the tacos. Grease to absorb the alcohol...or so with thought

[OliverB]

Haven't been there in a long while, but it's the one place I go to if I have a fast food craving, no other comes close to crap greasy food with a high dose of guilty pleasure :-)

If I go I get the bacon ultimate cheeseburger with fries, a large order of poppers and a couple of their bbq and sweet/sour sauces. I skip the drink and take stuff home, enjoy it with a beer instead. The big sirloin burger is pretty good too. Their fries are a soggy mess, which adds to the guilt part

A burger needs to have bacon on it (so In'n Out is out) and be floppy, greasy, and lie in my stomach like a rock

Well, a fast food burger.

[Liveitloud]

JITB takes me back to childhood. Anyone remember frings? That was a paper bag with a divider i n it that had fries on one side and onion rings on the other. That and a bonus jack was the best. To this day every now and again I get the junk urge and go get 2 taco's and a small regular hamburger with secret sauce. They don't put the secret sauce on the burgers anymore and you have to ask for it. I would seriously kill for the recipe for the ss.

[eternal]

I went to a JITB last week after a flight home. I was really craving the tacos because I just wanted something small and greasy but alas, they were gone! When did they disappear?

[heidih]

I went to a JITB last week after a flight home. I was really craving the tacos because I just wanted something small and greasy but alas, they were gone! When did they disappear?

NO!!! The greasy little ones that are mostly TVP and spices??? My poor sister will have to be given smelling salts. When she returns to visit the U.S. that is her standard childhood memory.

[kalypso]

The taco is still on the menu in SoCal...194 calories, 100 of 'em from fat, and we wonder why they taste so good

I remember Frings, liked the concept but not so much the actual product