The Hardee’s Experience

I decided to visit my friend today, the one whose wife passed two days ago. I had stayed away because I knew there would be a lot going on at his house. He confirmed he had been very busy with visitors and phone calls—sometimes two phones ringing at the same time. His daughter was there and both said they were doing okay. I knew they were just putting on a brave face. That’s the American way of grieving—smile in public, dry your eyes in private.

Eventually the 7 o’clock hour arrived. The only food I had eaten all day was a 310 calorie “Korean-inspired beef” entrée. (Entrée: a French word meaning a meal in a box from a grocery store freezer.) It was time to take my leave and supplement my day’s caloric intake with some fast food.

I’ve blogged previously about going to Wendy’s at suppertime and finding myself the only customer there. This time I chose Hardee’s. When I walked in, there was one customer making a purchase, and her purchase was takeout. When she left, I had the place to myself. How do fast food franchises stay in business in this town? They must have one hell of a breakfast and lunch crowd.

“Are you always this busy?” I asked the young man behind the counter, but I could tell from his puzzled look that my wisecrack fell flat. Apparently they no longer teach sarcasm in school.

I ordered a bacon-cheese thickburger combo, which came with fries and a drink. The food was good—for fast food. The burger tasted flame-broiled, the small fries were plenty adequate, and the small drink was as large as a medium at another burger joint two blocks away. You can refill your drink, which I did. However, they balked at my refilling my french fries. “Hey, get away from those fries. You can’t be behind the counter, sir.”

So this is Hardee’s at suppertime on a Thursday. It’s located on the same road as the aforementioned Wendy’s, a road that carries combined traffic from U.S. routes 1 and 301 through my small city. So what is missing from these photos? Hint: what’s missing can be found at the McDonald’s just down the street.