It was 3:30pm Friday 21st, the day before Carl’s Jr. Grand Opening that 17-year-old Logan took pole position as the first person in the much-hyped line up for Carl’s Jr. Mt Barker.
Bringing nothing but a backpack and a camping chair, Logan may have looked an odd sight for those filling up with petrol at the AMPM service station in Mt Barker. But for those who did know, instant legend status was placed upon him.
Logan’s family hail from California, the birthplace of Carl’s Jr., so he knew that the hype surrounding the opening of South Australia’s first Carl’s Jr. store wasn’t just for hype’s sake. It was justified. For so long he had been dreaming of that Original Thickburger that was to be his breakfast the very next morning.
Very quickly, as news spread like wild-fire across social media, the line grew. When we arrived there were 44 people waiting in line and we hung around long enough to realise this was a sleep over, complete with sleeping bags and playing cards. Students, families and burger enthusiasts alike all took their place in the First 50, with a year’s supply of Carl’s Jr. on their minds. One bloke was waiting with his friend (number 50) to keep him company. Two people dropped out and suddenly he was in spot number 49, proving that friendship does pay.
Unable to stay ourselves, we headed home to prepare for the next day. And suddenly it had arrived. An unseasonably warm winter’s morning, particularly for Mt Barker. There was no frost or mist, just warm rays of sun shining down on the Carl’s Jr. signage. Some official speeches and a ribbon-cutting followed before Logan led the first 50 through to the counter. They had all just won a year’s supply of Carl’s Jr. burgers, Carl’s Jr. swag and the opportunity to be one of the first in South Australia to try the Original Thickburger Combo.
And it didn’t disappoint. As we were waiting in line we looked over and caught Logan’s eyes moments following his first bite. We don’t think he saw us. He was somewhere else. Transported to a place that only the perfect burger can take you.
Before we reached the front of the line, the sound of satisfied customers filled the air. Some lined up again to try something different, but most sat in pure bliss, their t-shirts narrating their experience: “Can’t Talk. Eating.”.
We ordered a Superstar with Cheese, a Chocolate Milkshake and Criss-cut fries with Ranch Dressing (too die for!). Not too soggy, not too dry the Superstar would have pleased Goldilocks. The fresh lettuce, onion and tomato perfectly balanced the double beef patties and the soft bun. Before I’d reached half way I realised this was a big burger.
It didn’t dissolve into thin air in my mouth the way other fast food sometimes does. Here was a burger with personality, character and taste. The milkshake was creamy and smooth – Carl’s Jr. use real hand-scooped ice cream, and I noticed the difference. It reminded me of my childhood and the milkshakes my grandma used to make.
And those fries. Not too oily, with the correct amount of crunch and just enough salt for taste, but not so much that I needed to keep taking gulps of my drink. Not that it would have been a problem, Carl’s Jr. offer free refills at their drink bar.
My mate ordered the Guacamole Bacon Thickburger but he made it a double. It was a lot of meat, but he chowed down on it stopping occasionally to marvel at the guacamole which contained chunks of real tomato and onion.
As we considered the meal we’d just had we looked around and were confronted in every direction by smiling faces, families sharing chips and teenagers taking photos for Instagram.
If you think Mt Barker is too far to go for a burger, you’ll be pleased to know they’ve already announced a second store in Adelaide and have promised it will be closer to the CBD.
We’ll let you know when we find out.
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