We tried the 'vile and amazing' tacos that Jack in the Box sells millions of every year
People across the US can't stop eating the tacos at Jack in the Box, a fast-food restaurant chain with locations in almost a dozen states — despite the tacos' abhorrent reputation.
The moment we peeled our soggy taco envelopes from the bag, we knew this could go one of two ways: Either it was a delicious grease-fest, or a nauseating caloric adventure.
It was not love at first sight.
Every Jack in the Box taco gets its start at one of three plants in Texas or Kansas. The tortillas, made of stone-ground white corn, are filled with beef, shrink-wrapped, and frozen.
When they arrive at restaurants, cooks dump the pre-filled tortillas into a deep fryer, giving them their crusty outer rims. The meat clumps in the center.
A slice of American cheese, a dollop of salsa, and shredded lettuce top it off.
I sunk my teeth in, and my worst fears were realized.
It tasted just as The Wall Street Journal had warned, like a wet envelope of cat food.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
The ingredients had congealed, but the beans — flavorless and mushy — stood out.
That is, until a friend said, "I don't think there are any beans." It was beef, pummeled into a fine grain, that I was tasting. The seasoning did provide a nice spicy kick, however.
The lettuce, which was wet with a mild salsa, spilled out the sides.
I wondered whose idea it was to put a slice of American cheese in a taco. (You can make out its edges in the image below.) The distinctive taste clashed with the Mexican theme.
The tortilla acted like a sponge, sopping up the salsa, oil, and beef juice. Surprisingly, it didn't leak or tear much. I have a feeling this thing could double as a Frisbee.
When I ripped the taco open, the ingredients stuck to the sides of the shell, which did not seem natural. After eating about half, my stomach signaled it was time to tap out.
I took some tacos back to the office to share with my coworkers. A few agreed to try it, and promptly declined upon seeing the item unwrapped. Two brave souls gave it a whirl ...
"This one's extra wet, OK. This one's been stewing," said Chris Sanchez, an evening news intern and a Jack in the Box fan, as he opened a taco.
Chris said he keeps coming back for more because of the taco's medley of textures. But he warned that it should always be eaten while it's still hot — or it needs to be tossed.
Nathan McAlone, associate tech editor, wolfed one down in seconds. He said it "wasn't that bad," but conceded that is was "worse than Taco Bell."
For dirt cheap tacos, they were still pretty nasty. I enjoyed my fair share of Taco Bell in college, but I couldn't find a single merit in Jack in the Box's rendition.
At Jack in the Box, you get what you pay for.
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