Remember the last time Jack in the Box served sliders? Oh, you don’t remember because you were three years old back in 2009. Well, young Gen Z whippersnappers, you’re about to get a lesson in Jack in the Box menu history from someone with an associate degree in fast food history from the unaccredited University of Drive-Thru Online at Sedona.

Way before the Smashed Jack and Buttery Jack were expensive menu items on Jack’s menu board, sirloin beef patties were the premium burger choice at Jack in the Box back in 2008. This led to the three-pack Mini Sirloin Burgers, which may or may not have been a response to Burger King’s sliders, the BK Burger Shots. The Mini Sirloin Burgers weren’t around for long, though a mini chicken sandwich version came out later.

Now that you’re all caught up, Jack in the Box is giving sliders another try with its Smashed Jack Sliders. The mini burgers feature a two-ounce smashed beef patty with melted American cheese on both sides, topped with a pickle and Smashed Jack sauce on a soft slider bun. They’re available individually, as a three-pack, in a Munchie Meal (two sliders, two tacos, curly fries, and a drink), in a regular combo meal (three sliders, regular fries, and a drink), or in a Party Pack with eight of them. I ordered the three-pack for $11. For reference, a lone Smashed Jack Slider runs $4 in my neck of the ocean, which is the same price as a Mini Sirloin Burgers three-pack back in 2009.

I’m a fan of the Classic Smashed Jack, and because these have an almost identical taste, I enjoyed noshing my way through all three. Most of my enjoyment came from the sauce, which has a nice tangy and sweet flavor that complements the beef and pickles perfectly. I like it so much that I usually lick it off my hands instead of reaching for a napkin. The pickles added crunch and extra tang, the melted American cheese added creaminess, and the soft slider bun held everything together without falling apart. As for the beef, it had a nice meaty flavor, though the crispy edges that smashed burgers are known for were absent.

Because these are sliders, and because White Castle instantly pops into my head whenever I think of sliders, I wish these had some onions. I’m surprised the grilled onions from the Classic Smashed Jack didn’t make the cut here. Adding them would have mirrored the bigger version and, I think, might’ve made the sliders better. Unfortunately, adding some isn’t an option in the Jack in the Box app.

Jack in the Box’s Smashed Jack Sliders are small but pack a lot of flavor, and I enjoyed them. However, they taste so similar to the Classic Smashed Jack that it’s hard to recommend them. If you’re splitting a three-pack or eight-pack with someone, that’s a better case for them than getting a bunch of regular Smashed Jacks and cutting them in half. But if you’re eating solo, you’re probably better off with a regular Smashed Jack. Take it from a guy with a certificate in fast food economics from the unlicensed DeepFry University.

Purchased Price: $10.99
Size: 3-pack
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 1080 calories. No other nutritional information is available on the Jack in the Box website.