DRIVE-THRU GOURMET
Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich gives Wendy’s a cheesy smile
Somebody in Wendy’s research and development kitchen clearly has a cheese fetish. In the past couple of years, we’ve been treated to burgers and chicken sandwiches boasting American, Cheddar, Asiago, Gruyère, smoked Gouda, blue cheese and, now, fresh mozzarella with its Fresh Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich.
Exactly how many Wendy’s customers have walked in at lunchtime and asked, “You got any smoked Gouda back there?” Wendy’s may be flying too high to the sun with Gruyère, too.
I wonder if Wendy’s cheese freak sits next to the bonkers bread demon, who’s brought us brioche, pretzel buns, ciabatta, whole-grain flat bread and the good ol’ boring burger bun.
Bread buddy, you’re missing the obvious: English muffins. Everybody adores English muffins with all the nooks and crannies to soak up grease and condiments.
Eat a plain burger bun and butter? You know, that “no carbs after 3 p.m.” diet? I think I’ll try that.
Big, wide, burger-size English muffins. Get it done, Wendy’s.
Back to the Fresh Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich, which is a grilled chicken breast filet, fresh mozzarella, balsamic diced tomatoes and creamy basil pesto on a toasted garlic brioche bun. You can order it in a combo with fries and soft drink for $6.99. That’s getting near real restaurant prices, but no tipping and less waiting makes up for the big tab.
Wendy’s is serious about this mozzarella thing. Someone cuts the cheese (stop laughing) by hand each day in the restaurant. The slices are pretty thick and mozzarella is a mild, welcomed cheese, though a weird choice, in the drivethrough sandwich world.
On Wendy’s corporate orders, the balsamic diced tomatoes are prepared twice a day, and whatever’s left is dumped at closing time. No leftovers the next day.
The brioche bun is the real deal, too. They’re made with fresh eggs and milk. The buns are light and airy, with a pastry texture and taste — not quite a doughnut, but sweeter than a typical sandwich bun.
The standard model Fresh Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich comes with a grilled chicken breast, hence the relatively skinny 430 calories. Ask pretty please for a crispy breaded and deep-fried breast, and it’ll set you back an extra couple hundred calories. There’s a whole lot more flavor, though. Hold the fries, get a diet soda and you break even.