Disappointing View: Wendy’s Krabby Patty Meal Misses the Mark

Kailyn Clark and Moer Koey

Wendy’s released the limited edition Krabby Patty meal on Oct. 8.

Fans have been excitedly waiting to get a taste of the limited-time Krabby Patty, the cartoon burger brought to life in celebration of SpongeBob SquarePants’ 25th anniversary. But if they are expecting the presentation to recreate the nostalgically magical essence of the show, they should be prepared for disappointment.

Wendy’s launched the SpongeBob Krabby Patty meal, which includes an iconic Krabby Patty hamburger, french fries and a mango-pineapple frosty. The meal’s highlight was the mango-pineapple vanilla frosty, which captured the essence of Bikini Bottom entirely, especially SpongeBob’s house as he lives in a pineapple. The presentation was right on the money, with pops of yellow around the swirls of the white vanilla ice cream. The frosty was balanced with just the right sweetness and fruity undertones.

Without the inclusion of the frosty, the meal would not have been worth the purchase at all. We expected a colorful bag that would capture Spongebob’s lively feel, but instead, we received a plain brown paper bag.

The Krabby Patty sauce spread on the burger was the only saving grace. The sauce started off sweet but became tangier quickly after— it gave just the right amount of zestiness and richness. The creamy, smooth sauce added a pop of flavor that was missing from the bland burger.

The sides were more enjoyable. The crispy texture and taste of the seaweed fries, along with the creamy and perfectly sweetened mango-pineapple vanilla frosty, elevated the meal.

The fries had a taste inspired by the kelp fries served in the Krusty Krab restaurant. The fries definitely had an umami flavor that complemented the tanginess of the secret sauce well. The seaweed fries seemed like a standard fast-food fry with a bit more salt and flavoring.

Overall, the excitement of tasting a meal we have always dreamt of elevated the experience, but the reality of the food deterred us from getting it again in the future. The meal idea was fascinating; however, we wish the food was replicated just as it was seen in the show with a sesame seed bun and lively-looking toppings. Wendy’s attempt at the Krabby Patty meal is appreciated, but we wish it had been executed better. All things considered, the experience and excitement provided by the burger, fries and frosty were well worth the price, but the overall quality of the food makes it a one-time purchase.

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About the Contributors

Kailyn Clark, Staff Writer

Kailyn Clark is a staff writer for her first year on the Portola Pilot. She also does yearbook and cheerleading. If she’s not doing her work last minute, she’s probably napping and listening to Beabadoobee or 21 Savage on max volume. She is so excited to see what Pilot is like and can’t wait to write.

Moer Koey, Staff Writer

Moer Koey is a staff writer for her first year on the Portola Pilot. She is hoping to not procrastinate and write stories at three in the morning. She enjoys hanging out with her friends and making Nicole listen to all of her endless talking. When she isn’t trying to cram at the last minute for a test, you can find her in a Panda Express, munching down endless plates of chow mein.