from the Lincoln Journal Star
Round 3: McDonald’s vs Hardee’s
The tournament so far: Introduction | Local Qualifier | Regional Qualifier | Round 1 | Round 2
McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish
The first thing I thought when opening the cardboard box was “This looks small.” And compared to its fish sandwich peers, it probably is smaller than most.
The Filet-o-Fish is about as minimal as you can get and still be a fish sandwich. McDonald’s has reduced the fish sandwich concept to its most basic and necessary elements and perfected them. I couldn’t help but think that the Filet-o-Fish was how Apple would make a fish sandwich — it boasts a clean design with lines that are strong but smooth. The bun is so spherical it almost seems unreal. I don’t know what it is about it, but eating it is a unique experience that other fish sandwiches have been unable to duplicate to this point.
But like Apple products, the Filet-o-Fish is subject to some of the same criticisms. One could reasonably argue it’s overpriced compared to similar sandwiches (the combo hovers right around $5). I’ve long relied on the Filet-o-Fish as my Lent sandwich of choice, but the existence of this tournament shows that I’ve begun second-guessing my brand loyalty.
Hardee’s Beer Battered Fish Supreme Continue reading
Return of the Robots
Back in the mid-2000s, I did a show on 90.3 KRNU called “You are So Beautiful, Beautiful Robot.” It was all electronic music, including stuff like dance music, experimental electronic music, New Romantics-era ’80s stuff, and pretty much anything that had beeps in it. I stopped doing it in the fall of 2006. Not long after, some students who were after my time at KRNU started the show back up again as a straight-up dance music show. I approved. Well anyway, I’m trying to finish up my master’s degree, so I’m technically “back in school,” and I thought I’d have fun for a few months by bringing my show back. But since “You are So Beautiful, Beautiful Robot” still exists, I had to change the name. Thus was born “Ro, Ro, Ro Your Bot.”
Anyway, I bring this up because the show debuts (returns?) tonight at 9:00 p.m. on 90.3 KRNU. You can also listen online at krnu.unl.edu or on iTunes radio under “College / University” — scroll down toward the end of the list for 90.3 KRNU.
Who could have guessed? – Mar 4, 2010
from the San Diego Reader
Multimedia Fish
Thanks to Jack and John at KLIN 1400 for having me on this morning to talk about the NEALO.COM Lent 2010 Fast Food Fish Sandwich Tournament. It was a lot of fun, and I had no reason to be nervous ahead of time. I guess I’ve just never been in a situation where the credibility of my fast food fish sandwich tournament is on the line.
I mentioned on the show that I realized on the way to the station that I forgot about King’s Classic. I talked to my sister afterward and she pointed out that I forgot Sonic too. Next year, I guess.
I’m typing this right now from McDonald’s, where the manager is showing off his singing fish to customers.
Round 2: Wendy’s vs. Runza
The tournament so far: Introduction | Local Qualifier | Regional Qualifier | Round 1
Wendy’s Premium Fish Fillet
The first thing I noticed about this sandwich was how expensive it was. It’s $3.39 for just the sandwich, and cheese is extra. I can’t tell you how much extra, because the signs that are supposed to tell you how much the cheese costs are blank, and the woman at the register didn’t know how much cheese cost either — she just knew it was more. She guessed it was around 40 cents. So if these sandwiches were graded based on communications skills, the Wendy’s Premium Fish Fillet would receive low marks. They are, however, graded on value, and this thing is an expensive sandwich.
The bun is nice and fluffy. It has those little flakes on it like a pseudo-sesame seed bun. I’m sure there is a very simple, mundane description of this but all I can think of is “pseudo-sesame seed.” They’re not seeds — they’re little flakes. The fillet itself is the standard fast-food square. The lettuce comes in single leaf form and the tartar sauce is applied in a nice amount. Toward the very end of the sandwich, I thought I was detecting a light citrusy taste, but I think it was just the last glop of the tartar sauce.
Returning to that near-four-dollar price tag, expense can be forgivable if the quality is high enough. This sandwich shall remain unforgiven for its price. The Premium Fish Fillet is not a bad sandwich. I consider it inoffensive but bland, which I think could end up being a common theme throughout this tournament.
Check the end of this entry for a guest review of the Wendy’s Premium Fish Fillet
Runza fish sandwich
After the regional qualifier, I felt like Runza was my early favorite. But just like any tournament, even good competitors can have an off day.
I had the fish sandwich at a different Runza this past week. Right off the bat, the sandwich was less visually impressive. The bun was smashed and the lettuce leaf was tiny, completely hidden by the fillet itself. The fillet still had the large, impressive “I came from a fish” shape — still unique among the establishments I’ve visited. There appears to be a direct relationship between “How much the fillet looks like it came from a fish” and “How much flavor there is in the fillet,” because I still thought this was a tasty slab o’ cod. Repeating myself from the regional qualifier, I like Runza’s tartar sauce. It’s not as clumpy as traditional tartar sauce, and it reminds me of a tartared version of Runza’s ranch dressing.
My wife, however, was grossed out by this sandwich. She thought hers was soggy and the tartar too sweet. And she’s the Runza fan in the household. I don’t know if I’ve become desensitized to the somewhat universal sogginess of a fast food fish sandwich, or maybe she just got a dud sandwich.
The verdict Continue reading