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Sunday, August 31, 2008

Food Confession, Carl's Jr.

Posted by Salem Man
OK, this is pretty bad. To start with, I was shopping with my family at Walmart looking to fill a school supply list for my children. Did you know that parents are now asked to purchase hand soap and tissues for the classroom? I'm glad that they have asked the parents to purchase these items instead of it coming out of the teachers' pocket. The list was pretty extensive, also including, ziplock freezer bags, disinfectant spray and more glue sticks then I could ever imagine being used. I'm not asking for forgiveness for shopping at the giant big box store on South Commercial which employs cheap labor from China to make the goods sold there. When the choice is saving a few bucks or participating in a futile protest against the country's richest business with more lobbyist than the Salem Keizer School District has teachers, I'm going to look out for my wallet. But as I was walking out the door with a cart full of supplies and knowing where we were headed next, a bit of guilt came over me, causing me to suggest that we walk over to our next destination. Carl's Jr. is just across the street from Walmart and it happens to be my son's favorite place for fast food. I would have to admit that this place is very tempting for me as well, ever since they started serving the chili cheeseburger. This sandwich is awfully similar to one that I grew up eating at a local So Cal chain called Tommy's. For a fast food restaurant, the service at this CJ's is pretty slow and disorganized. I don't go there that often, but I've noticed there are always new people behind the counter and taking orders. If you use the drive thru, check your bags before you leave, because they really screw up that service. Please forgive me for not making a stronger effort to support local business. I know that the local places do a much better job of customer service and eating at them will sprout new local businesses. So I will leave it to the random, anonymous, onliners to administer my punishment for making poor food choices. Comment now!
at 7:28 AM
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16 comments:

  1. At least you went to Carl's and not one of the other fast food burger joints. Carl's is at least native to the west coast AND its not found anywhere but the west coast (and soon Canada, China, and Mexico). But only because they own a better known chain named Hardee's...which in my opinion is not that great.

    This leads me to comment on a problem I have with Salem and fast food. I just moved back to Salem after living in Eugene and Virginia for 8 years. I have noticed that there are no healthy alternatives (except Subway) to fast food. To be competitive you need to be open past 5pm and also open on Sundays. Even Eugene has a place called Mucho Gusto which is a healthy burrito joint. What happens if you just moved to a place and need cheap healthy eats for dinner on a Sunday? You end up with fast food. Sorry to take this a little off topic, but since we were talking about fast food...

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  2. Origianlly we set out for that new Salad Express place up the road, before we headed into walmart. It was closed. They only serve lunch, I'm guessing that's healthy.

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  3. Ya, I've heard about that place but was upset to hear about their hours of operation. My mom mentioned it when I was complaining about the lack of healthy fast food. Its not that there aren't any places like that in Salem, its that they cater to the lunch crowds, not dinner or weekends.

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  4. It's not that going to a fast food chain is necessarily bad. I happen to like Burgerville, Subway, Chipotle, Moe's, Panera, and others. You know, McDoand's fries do taste good, and it is a guilty pleasure. I just don't think a food blog should spend their time reviewing a fast food chain or cheap chain restaurant's like Applebee's unless it's new to the area. If a Burgerville ever opens up in Salem, review it! If some unique organic or vegetarian or healthy fast food joint opens up, review it! If a local place happens to be fast food, review it!

    Your posting was more commentary and editorial and not a review.

    I like Carl Jr.'s strawberry shakes, and my dog likes their hamburgers!

    I'm totally changing the topic. What are they building near the Roth's on Vista and Commercial??? I'm sure it's a chain, but I hope it's something interesting and new.

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  5. rumor is, that's going to be a Starbucks.

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  6. There's a new restaurant going in across from Lancaster Mall, in the building that was a bank, where Bobs used to be.. it's going to be called Chipotle Mexican Grill. I think it's a chain- but yay, fresh blood! lol

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  7. I agree with Anonymous and Carl's Jr does make the best milk shakes out of any fast food place hands down!

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  8. Burgerville has far superior shakes IMO. Too bad Salem isn't cool enough to get one of those. Even ALBANY has one.

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  9. We had a Burgerville, like 20 years ago, but Salem didn't give it much business. I think it would be different story these days.

    I think BV has the best fresh fruit shakes- especially the raspberry one I tried a few weeks ago.

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  10. 1) Another Starbucks? Do we really need that? Parallel to Commercial, we have some great coffee places on 12th/13th ST SE. Also, don't forget Break Point.
    2) I don't think there was ever a Burgerville in Salem. I agree that I think it would do really well.
    3) You're right. While the Carl Jr.'s strawberry shakes are good, the berry shakes at Burgerville are much, much better. Try the Chocolate Hazelnut in the Winter. It's incredible.
    4) I like Chipotle. It is a chain. The building near the Roth's looks like a Chipotle, so I was wondering...

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  11. Yay, I can comment again! Anyway, I have been to Chipotle a lot on the east coast. They use bacon in their pinto beans, which is ok if you want your whole burrito to taste like bacon. A chicken burrito with black beans is not bad, but I still prefer Moe's...do they even have Moe's over here?

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  12. There is a Moe's up I-5 in Wilsonville. It's new.

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  13. I emailed Burgerville to find out about the past Salem location. Here's an excerpt from their email:
    "There was once a Burgerville in Salem, many years ago, that was removed when I-5 was widened. We are very flattered by your request for Burgerville to return to Salem and I look forward to sharing it with our Real Estate and Development Team for their knowledge and consideration."

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  14. Everyone on this site should email Burgerville asking them to bring their fast food to Salem.

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  15. it was on market street had a train inside it was really cool closed around 1986

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  16. A Burgerville in Salem that closed down...that just ticks me off.

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What do you think? Please keep your comments civil. Personal attacks are not welcome and do not lead to constructive or even interesting discussion. If you believe a restaurant is in violation of county ordinances please bring that matter to the county health department at (503) 588-5346

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