Wendy’s BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich [Review]

Craft BBQ has been hitting the national scene recently, with enthusiasts becoming as prevalent as those annoying beer snobs looking over your shoulder at the bars.  With Arby’s claiming that they smoke their brisket longer than a double overtime shift at the local mill, it seems that the fast food industry is getting serious about BBQ.  Enters the pig tailed Wendy’s chain, who is in a huge transition from fast food burger joint to fast casual premium priced eatery.  Can Wendy’s BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich show up to the picnic?

Wendy’s is offering Pulled Pork in three forms.  In it’s purest form, a Pulled Pork sandwich, which consists of a mound of pulled pork, a pile of cole slaw, and your choice of BBQ sauce (smokey, sweet, or spicy).  The pork is also available on top of a burger or on top of cheese fries, but I wanted to get the subject in it’s simplest form.

Once the sandwich was unearthed, I’m certainly glad I didn’t try to eat this one on the go.  Slop town was one of the first things that entered my brain canal.  The brioche bun almost had some sort of monument like appeal with it’s artificially shiny glow and almost stiff feel. The wet and snappy slaw came cascading off the sides like a murky land slide.  I immediately regretted grabbing the sandwich without putting on surgeon grade gloves.

One of the main elements that you’re looking for with pulled pork is tenderness.  You want the pork to be flavorful, have a good tug, but also not taste like a baseball mitt.  You also want whatever BBQ sauce being used to compliment not supplement the overall flavor situation.

After a few initial bites, I was overall satisfied.  Despite the hurricane of mess I was creating, the wave of flavor transcended throughout.  I opted for the spicy BBQ sauce and it didn’t disappoint, coming with a nice burn, although nothing overpowering.  The pulled pork was tender, flavorful, and best off all not rubbery.  The Brioche bun was a nice compliment, never really succumbing to the liquid nature of the sandwich and becoming a sponge.

Probably the most concerning aspect of the sandwich was the almost 50/50 ratio of pork to slaw.  I think that a 75/25 ratio would definitely create a more balanced sandwich, and with the near $5 sandwich price tag, I don’t think it would hurt gross profits too much.

Overall the sandwich was a pleasant, yet surprising attempt by Wendy’s.  A little pricey, yet still definitely worth a try.  Plus the sandwich isn’t terrible for you nutritionally.  With 410 calories and 14 grams of fat, you’re way under a typical footlong at Subway.  I’m gonna give this sandwich a solid B+.