REVIEW: Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s Prime Rib & Cheddar Angus Thickburger

Carl s Jr Prime Rib  Cheddar Angus Thickburger Box

Hearing the words “prime rib” brings thoughts of a thick slice of premium beef, served medium rare with au jus. For me, those thoughts are even accompanied by memories of special occasions with family during the holidays. But thinking realistically, I set those lofty expectations aside and ventured to the Carl’s Jr. drive-thru to try its new Prime Rib & Cheddar Angus Thickburger.

Carl s Jr Prime Rib  Cheddar Angus Thickburger Clothed

At first glance, the burger looks a little on the sparse side with only the 1/3 lb. Angus beef patty peeking out of the toasted bun. The cheddar cheese sauce clings to the thin slices of prime rib on top of the burger patty with the caramelized onions hiding underneath.

Carl s Jr Prime Rib  Cheddar Angus Thickburger Alone

From the initial bite, you know that it will deliver on a strong beef flavor just as any burger topped with steak pieces should. The thin prime rib slices are tender while still providing a little extra chew to give the burger a nice texture while eating.

Carl s Jr Prime Rib  Cheddar Angus Thickburger Peek

It takes trying a piece of the prime rib on its own to appreciate the nice pepper notes that it contains. While appearing medium rare in advertising, there is no surprise that the prime rib is medium well at best. It is, however, neither dry nor tough and meets my tempered expectations of a fast food restaurant ambitiously taking on the fine cut of meat.

Carl s Jr Prime Rib  Cheddar Angus Thickburger Split

The warm cheese sauce does not have the strongest cheddar flavor but is just the right consistency, thick enough to not cause a mess while showing no sign of clumps or graininess. The predominant flavor of the whole burger is the caramelized onions, bringing with them an accompanying hint of sweetness. The onions were cooked properly, providing just the slightest crunch and offering the taste that will linger in your mouth the longest.

A notable aspect of the Prime Rib burger is just how clean it is to eat. Between the less than generous portions and the cheese sauce keeping the prime rib pieces in line, only a few small onions ever escaped the otherwise tidy burger. The days of the “if it doesn’t get all over the place, it doesn’t belong in your face” Carl’s Jr. seem to be long gone.

Overall, the burger brings a satisfying onion and beef flavor, with a gentle whisper of cheddar cheese. However, while the prime rib is juicy on its own, the burger as a whole is on the dry side. It also is missing a dynamic flavor that would make me crave another one. This might be remedied with the addition of a horseradish sauce or by improving the flavor of the cheese sauce.

Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s also offer their sliced prime rib in both a breakfast burrito and a buttermilk biscuit paired with Swiss cheese and a fried egg.

Purchased Price: $7.59
Size: Single Patty
Purchased at: Carl’s Jr.
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 740 calories (Editor’s Note: Yup, that’s the only nutrition info we could find. If someone knows where to find the rest, let us know in the comments.)

7 thoughts to “REVIEW: Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s Prime Rib & Cheddar Angus Thickburger”

  1. 100% looks like school lunch at public schools here in New York City. I ate burgers just like these in junior high and high school in the 90s which they still serve to students in the 2020s…

  2. We found them extremely tender & very tasty, with a really nice bun. A little more cheese sauce would have been welcomed though. They go for $7.99 here, and while they were good, I doubt if I’ll buy another at that price.

    Years ago they did a pastrami topped version that I think was better.

  3. I tend towards Carl’s sweeter burgers, so I added BBQ sauce for my second tasting and felt it improved the experience significantly. Solid burger. Worthwhile with BOGO coupon in hand.

  4. Hardly any prime rib and it was dry. Cheese was very minimal. I had to put on my own cheese at home.
    The second time I got one I told them to be sure to put cheese on it. It was a little better.

  5. So one of my friends was ranting and ravin about this burger so of course I had to try it I had it. So I did every bite was absolutely delicious even portioned the perfect burger. Then I had it again about 630 pm on Wednesday 10/21/20 it was soggy, luke warm, barely any cheese flavorless one the worst things I’ve ever took a bite into. It is in the Cooks that are preparing the food.
    $ 30.00 down the drain.

  6. The commercials made it look really good, with the prime rib layered on. So I went out of my way to find a Carl’s Jr as there was none near me. I was very disappointed! The burger was charred and dry, and a tiny bit of overdone prime rib was on top, not pink as shown on TV. Not much cheese sauce on a tiny bun. I will not go ou of my way again.

    1. Just had a prime rib sandwich. Do not I say Do Not get one. Meat was so overdone and dry it almost tasted burned. my husband got choked. Was most disgusting thing ever

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