Wendy’s 4-Alarm Spicy Chicken Sandwich Ingredients: Chicken filet, artisan bread, Pepper Jack cheese, pickled Jalapenos, chipotle sauce, lettuce, tomato and a more artificial colors and flavors then you can shake a stick at.
Fast food. In the fight to make the citizens of the United States of America fatter, lazier, more dumb, and unhealthy, it is one of the major culprits. Artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, grease, and many other nasty things are some of the main ingredients in the thing that they call “food”. And I ate it for this review.
Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers (why it’s old fashioned I have not one clue) are just one of the many main stream companies that are attempting to jump on the Fiery Foods bandwagon. Their advertisements showing people sweating and reaching for water are all over the TV, radio, and surprising enough, Hot Pepper Forums. So in the best interest of our loyal readers, I decided to take one for the team and eat this mass manufactured muckamuck.
I guess I’ll start with the few things I found positive and work my way down. The breaded chicken was actually tasty (probably due to some flavoring ingredient injected into the meat). It was soft and juicy which was a stark contrast to the bone dry and chewy expectation I had. The meat came with some sort of rub that was sprinkled on before it was heated in the warming tray to “cook” it. I definitely detected Cayenne pepper and I believe that is where their idea of “heat” in this sandwich comes from. Keep in mind I detected the flavor, but not the heat.
The bun was riding the edge of decent. I would barely call it bread though because it was more like a hard shell of a crust housing some sort of spongy substance that obviously had so much yeast thrown in before cooking to make it seem like it was bread when in fact it was nothing but air. Then there were the Jalapenos. Unripened, pickled Jalapenos, pickled for God’s sake! First off, when you pickle peppers the heat drops drastically (Jalapenos barely have heat to begin with), and second it tastes like a pickle, not a Jalapeno. So the taste of a soggy, cold pickle was on top of my slightly room temperature sandwich. It threw off the taste of the whole thing and just didn’t fit.
The Pepper Jack cheese was more along the lines of just plain Jack Cheese. I think I spotted one or two flakes of pepper in there but I can’t be sure. And the chipotle sauce? I’m sorry, was that supposed to taste like chipotle? It tasted more like ranch dressing than chipotle, no pepper flavor or heat at all, just artificial colors, flavors, and probably some hideously bad thickening agent that’ll be lodged in my arteries from the next 20 years.
Oh, and speaking of artificial colors, there’s the tomatoes. I am 100% sure they pumped the tomatoes full of red food coloring. I instantly recognized the bright color and run off that results in the use of coloring. Disgusting, just plain disgusting. Lastly is the Romaine lettuce, which would have been the only thing remotely healthy about this “meal” if it were not for the pesticides and growth hormones it was pumped full of when grown. It hardly had any leaf to the thing. It was mostly just white spine with a little half an inch green leaf section on each side.
Now, I have to say that I am pleased that more and more of the “big” companies are making an attempt to recognize that more and more people are eating spicy foods. By having this on the menu, it also creates an avenue for people who haven’t had spicy to be introduced to a whole new world of culinary possibilities laced with pleasurable endorphin rushes. But come on people! Get your act together! At this point you probably are turning people away from the Fiery Foods industry by giving them a product so pitifully bad that they’ll have a horrible experience to base their opinion of what our area has to offer.
Taste: 2, Heat: 0.2371
Popularity: 46% [?]
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I too got suckered into trying this “spicy ” sandwich. Don’t waste your time or money! As a fried chicken sandwich, it was fine. As a hot and spicy treat, it fell well short of the mark! There was no spice at all to this sandwich. Wendys already had a spicy chicken sandwich, which I believe is spicier than this “4 alarm” creation. C’mon people……if your gonna advertise something as killer hot, put some punch into it!
Ed
Comment fired by ChileHeadEd — April 9, 2007- 11:23 pm
I was skeptical about this creation as well. Of course they are going to use pickled jalapeños. A fast food chain like this wouldn’t touch a fresh chile pepper with a 50 ft. pole! Jon, how are your arteries doing after eating that mess?!? lol -Lars-
Comment fired by Lars — April 10, 2007- 1:35 am
Jon, don’t sugar-coat your reviews, dude. Just tell us what you really think about it.
Comment fired by Joe & Linda — April 10, 2007- 5:42 am
Dam Jon sounds like you really hate Wendy!!!
Comment fired by The truth — April 10, 2007- 6:00 am
Way to take one for the team! As a rule I don’t eat fast food, but if it is the only option, pizza or tacos, at least you can slather them with hot sauce or pepper flakes.
Comment fired by Sam — April 10, 2007- 11:09 am
Worse for the wear.
It’s not just Wendy’s…….
Comment fired by Jonathan Passow — April 10, 2007- 11:52 am
It’s not just Wendy’s…….
Care to explain?..lol im listening
Comment fired by The truth — April 10, 2007- 8:23 pm
I love Wendy’s…. Double Bacon Cheeseburger, large Chili, Large Frie…..Hmmmmmmmmm…. I can say this the Bacon is the real deal, don’t know about the veggie’s or bunn’s, But I do know about there Bacon…. With that said, yes it’s fast food, but a little bit better quality than McDonalds…. Come on did you really think the fast food industry would change because of one sandwich….lol…. Thats like comparing Doritos to Blair’s chips…
Comment fired by BLANE — April 10, 2007- 9:24 pm
You mean Doritos and Blair’s are not the same OMG.
Comment fired by Bret — April 10, 2007- 10:22 pm
Comment fired by Bret — April 10, 2007- 10:23 pm
Comment fired by Bret — April 10, 2007- 10:23 pm
Would be glad to explain. Fast food places and companies (McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Rally’s, Fatburger, In and Out, etc etc) exist to shorten the life span, dumb down the populous, and is aimed at the lowest common de-monitor. The ingredients that they use are proven to have hideous effects on the human body and it’s a disgusting state of affairs that places like these exist.
Comment fired by Jonathan Passow — April 11, 2007- 12:59 am
Blaine…
Do you supply Wendys with the bacon..lol?
Comment fired by The truth — April 11, 2007- 5:17 am
Comment fired by Bret — April 11, 2007- 10:57 am
Jon, Is that all fast food places? Pizza, Tacos, Italian? They don’t exist to shorten your life span, they exist to make a profit and make you come back for more…… And bret is right, an 80/20 burger is all natural, but is hell on your body, sugar is natural but hell on your body, Go to a fancy restraunt, you would be suprised with whats lurking in that food also…..
And yes we do produce Wendys bacon, again 100% pork but hell on the Heart…lol…
I guess I need to start shopping for wheat grass, soy milk and wear all natural shoe’s and hug a tree…lol…
I’m going to Wendy’s to get a triple burger with large fries, because I’m to stupid to realize whats in the food….lol….
Comment fired by BLANE — April 11, 2007- 7:37 pm
Aw Crud, I thought this was the Sushi Blog…..Funny stuff though! Especially the heat scale, my palate is only certified and calibrated to tenths.
Comment fired by parker394 — April 11, 2007- 7:42 pm
PArker , you get my e-mail yesterday?
Comment fired by BLANE — April 11, 2007- 8:18 pm
I guess not, where did you send it, work or Home?
Comment fired by parker394 — April 11, 2007- 10:26 pm
I’m guessing it was home….AOL?
Comment fired by BLANE — April 11, 2007- 11:27 pm
Tacos yes, pizza not so much (that’s just based on ingredients used to make pizza) and I’ve never heard of a fast food Italian place. Keep in mind that Taco Bell uses powdered Grade D meat, which is one grade better than Horse Meat.
Well ya, there’s a lot of profit in making someone sick and shortening their life span.
At this point we have to look at what’s in meat. Growth hormones, anti-biotics, possibility of BSE, the dies that are used to make the meat look appeasing, And then how do you cook it? Does flame actually hit it? Are you grilling it, if so do you use the chemical filled charcoal briquets or natural wood? No I wouldn’t be surprised at what goes into the fancy restraints either, because I already know. I have allergies so I’ve been looking into this stuff AND looking at ingredient lists on everything I buy for the last 20+ years. But you are slightly better off with fancier restaurants.
Well, you’ve got a nice little idea. Wheat grass is great for you, it’s actually too concentrated for my system. Take a 1/2 a shot glass full of that stuff and chase it with a mug of water. Then you’ll have so much energy within 3-5 minutes and it’ll last you at least 5 hours. Plus it has all this great stuff your body needs.
Soy, bad idea. Stay FAAAAARRRRR away from soy. The only time soy is edible is when it is fermented (like soy sauce). It preeminently damages the bodies ability to uptake minerals. That’s why most the Vegetarians (who use the excuse Soy is where I get all my protein…all you need for protein is to have nuts, sprouts such as alfafla, a fresh salad with something other than Iceberg lettuce, and some bread for the carbs to help in the conversion of the amino acids) look like Chemo patients, it’s because their bodies are suffering from long team, progressive mineral deficiency. Tofu is soy as well for those that don’t know. Oh and tree hugging is a great thing to do when you are stressed way out. They are old, connected to the whole world, and won’t judge you (just like pepper plants). Not that I hug a tree everyday, but they are alive just like us. It’s not like I’m hugging a brick. Common misconception on tree hugger thing.
In closing, I still eat meat, I love to grill, I eat fresh food out of my garden. So don’t think I’m not guilty of any of the aforementioned items. But as I get older and wiser, I’m eliminating (forcing myself in some cases) more and more things from my diet.
Comment fired by Passow — April 12, 2007- 12:34 am
Nice response, Thanks….. But I still love meat and all the bad things that go with it….lol…. I’m going to go hug a tree, what could it hurt…
Comment fired by BLANE — April 12, 2007- 1:16 am
A darn tree branch could fall and hit you on the head. Maybe even kill you. But think when your sitting eating your triple burger at wendys in that safe dinning room. Death pass you buy again. Cause your not in your car your eating that triple bacon extra cheese burger at wendys. WHAT EVERY I’M GOING TO TACO BELL FOR SOME POWDER MEAT.
Comment fired by Bret — April 12, 2007- 8:47 am
Keep in mind that Taco Bell uses powdered Grade D meat, which is one grade better than Horse Meat.
Not to bust on you , Powdered Grade D meat?…. Where did you get this information? Taco bell uses a USDA ground beef, which could cover a wide range of Grades which leads to another issue, Meat is not rated by letters, so when your using Grade D I’m assuming your reffering to a cutter or downer cow which is probably the case, it’s the cheapest and lowest form of meat to purchase, to give you a little more detail a 70/30 blend is used (Lean to fat ratio) and then your cost reducing yield producers, such as Alpha-DS (Functional Soy Protein) or Actobind 3900, Ultra-Soy and last but not least Response 4416 (Textured Soy Protein Concentrate) All this good stuff will arrive mixed in a 50lb chub, not saying this is what they use but I’m sure some type of Textured Protein is used..
Soy, bad idea. Stay FAAAAARRRRR away from soy. The only time soy is edible is when it is fermented (like soy sauce). It preeminently damages the bodies ability to uptake minerals
HMMMMMM, you are incorrect fermented soy is not the only form of what your calling as safe Soy!!!!! There are several processes that are forming a safe and alternative Soy based protein… What you have listed above is a soy in it’s raw state, which is correct…. That is about the only truth to your above statement.. Again I’m not trying to attack you Jon, just wanted to post some facts about meat, I deal with this on a daily bases… I will help you out in a layman term instead of getting to tech on you, stay away from meats that say fat free, MST, MDC or anything that list it’s self as Turkey bologna to list just a few, these items are loaded with bad things…
Comment fired by BLANE — April 12, 2007- 7:23 pm
I have to agree with Jon. Fast food, for the most part, sucks.
We were coming back from New Orleans today and I made the mistake of getting a couple burgers from Burger King. I ended up with the worst heartburn I’ve had in years! After eating spicy Cajun food for 4 days straight with no problem!
What do they put in this garbage? I don’t see how people can eat this crap on a regular basis.
Hell, I’ve read FAST FOOD NATION, I should know better.
Comment fired by chuk hell — April 13, 2007- 2:06 am
Thats the funny part to this whole thing, is people say they know better or the famous take one for the team, but go back for more and say how much it sucks….lol…..Look up the definition for insanity!!!!!
Comment fired by BLANE — April 13, 2007- 8:13 am
I did, and there was a picture of you!
Comment fired by huvason — April 13, 2007- 8:28 am
Exactly, but what is your point….lol…
Comment fired by BLANE — April 13, 2007- 11:45 am
I must be the only one that really likes this sandwich. No, I’m not trying to stand up for fast food in any way. I rarely eat it. I gag at the thought of going to the McDonalds by us and I despise most other large chains. But I ate this thing - and loved it. Sure, not one of the 4-Alarms went off…but this is the best sandwich we have on demand. The chicken is pretty tasty and the sandwich is spicy for people like my mom who thinks Taco Bell Medium Sauce is hot. This would blow her away. Think about it though - most people are not super human like us. They don’t have the sophisticated pallets we do. This thing probably hurts guys like Micheal Bolton from Office Space all day every day. I think it’s a great addition to the line served at Wendys because it’ll only open the door to spicier foods as a trend in the everyday market. I’m sick of people trying our Ragin’ Red and saying its too hot. Crap! It’s the mildest sauce we make - get some balls already. Thanks Wendy for raising the heat level again.
Comment fired by Danny Cash — April 13, 2007- 11:47 am
Where have you been Huv…. Someone been keeping your hands full, hope all is well.
Comment fired by BLANE — April 13, 2007- 11:47 am
I forgot the main point without all the politics involved - I liked the way it tasted. It made me smile for about 20 minutes. It was the most satisfying fast food I’ve ever eaten.
Comment fired by Danny Cash — April 13, 2007- 11:49 am
Yo BLANE - this sandwich is really good with a bunch of bacon on it.
Comment fired by Danny Cash — April 13, 2007- 11:53 am
Yeah, I think that’s the upside. Stuff like this and the Habanero Dorritos means that mainstream food manufacturers are starting to cater to the chilehead market…which will hopefully lead to more chile heads.
Now if habanaero futures go through the roof we may regret this trend! ( heh heh)
Comment fired by chuk hell — April 13, 2007- 12:20 pm
Well, we stopped for gas somewhere between Lafayette and Houston and they had one of those little Burger Kings in the place…I was hungry… I guess hunger can lead to temporary insanity.
Still, I would have been better off with a candy bar.
Actually there’s a fast food chain called Culver’s that makes a damn tasty burger. I like that place. So it’s not all fasty food I hate, just the big boys.
Comment fired by chuk hell — April 13, 2007- 12:26 pm
BURP TACO BELL AND A WHOPPER FOR LUNCH
Comment fired by Bret — April 13, 2007- 1:49 pm
WOW Blane, you sure do know yer meat!
Comment fired by Cape Fear Pepper Company — April 13, 2007- 4:46 pm
Yep winder licker really knows HIS meat.
Comment fired by Bret — April 13, 2007- 4:59 pm
LOL - Things have been busy for sure….. but i’m still around. Just more of a lurker for now!!!
Comment fired by huvason — April 14, 2007- 8:20 am
“I’m going to Wendy’s to get a triple burger with large fries, because I’m to stupid to realize whats in the food….lol….”
Ignorance is bliss….and possibly death but who saw it coming? Send me more bacon, dude.
Comment fired by Lee@DC — April 14, 2007- 10:47 am
One large order of Bacon coming right up…..
Talked with Danny yesterday…. Sounds like all is well in that part of the woods… By the way thanks again to DC for the large box of party favors and collectible’s, AWESOME…
BBQ season… (wink)
Comment fired by BLANE — April 14, 2007- 11:10 am
Huv, Blane , Lee good day to you all
Comment fired by Bret — April 14, 2007- 11:45 am
Lee got all my stuff.BUT NO NAGA SABI FROM THE SHOW. AND YES TELL DANNY I GOT MY PANSY SAUCE.
Comment fired by Bret — April 14, 2007- 11:47 am