Carl’s Jr. — Restaurant in Surprise

Okay, I’m about to give one HELLUVA review for this place because I’m in my feels about it, and this location deserves the love.

I had Carl’s Jr a couple times when I was a kid, nothing very memorable aside from the star shaped nuggets. In 2019 I had essentially sworn off Carl’s Jr indefinitely. My husband and I were roadtripping to California, and stopped at a Carls Jr that was located inside of a gas station (I think you know where this is headed) I believe just near the border, later at night maybe around 10:00. There were others eating in the restaurant and we each ordered a cheeseburger, not sure which, doesn’t really matter. We got MAYBE a couple miles down the road and had to pull over and we both opened up our doors in a vacant lot to upchuck the entire meal. There was something REALLY funky about the meat to begin with, it just didn’t quite smell or taste right but we were starving and downed it anyway and clearly something was wrong because neither of our stomachs were about to tolerate it. I have a sensitive stomach but my husband’s got an iron stomach, I swear. So I know if something affects him, it isn’t to be trifled with.

ANYWAY. The experience was so awful we swore it off forever and there were a few occasions we saw billboards where the food looked and sounded good but we said yeah, NOPE, not with this CJPTSD (carls jr ptsd) Recently this location opened up and a friend of ours had been insisting we give it a shot saying it’s really good. One night we decided to throw caution to the wind and say F it, got out the pepto and prayed for the best.

WHEN I TELL YOU THIS IS THE BEST BURGER I HAVE HAD IN SOOOOO LONG, including restaurants like cold beer & cheeseburger, Red Robin etc. Oh. My. Heavens. Life changing kind of good! My husband got/gets the Diablo double, and I got/get the guacamole bacon burger double add jalapeños. Since we got that burger we’ve been back 5 times now, just because first it was so damn good but also because we couldn’t fully trust it. Sure enough, it’s just THAT good every single time. All of the ingredients are always perfectly fresh/hot, seasoned, the bacon is a good thickness and crispy, the jalapeños I swear are grilled or seasoned, something- they’re just better than average jarred jalapeños. The guacamole was what I was most skeptical about- fast food guac is usually horrific and has a bad rep for a reason. Theirs is SO GOOD, it actually tastes fresh and like real guac. The burger meat itself is a good charbroil flavor. My husband gets the diablo and says the jalapeño poppers are really good- the combo of that, the pepper jack cheese, and sauce is incredible. If you like spicy you’ll love that, if you like a hint of spice and guac you’d love mine. Not to mention while it is sort of pricey you 100% get your moneys worth. These things are MASSIVE. We call them the mondo burgers lol, if you’ve seen the movie good burger. Unless you’re a special individual that can unhinge your jaw, this is going to take effort, and it can get messy but who cares. I just can’t express enough how in love we are. OH! And I get the waffle fries with mine and they are obviously made fresh. F R E S H fresh. Every single time they are PIPING hot straight out of the fryer- you can’t even munch on them on the way home they’re so hot.

I am just so insanely impressed, and I’m telling you, if you are on the fence about trying them I get the hesitation with the price but DO IT. We’ve been here 6 times now, their food is fantastic and above all consistent. It’s so worth it, you’ll love it, guaranteed! Needless to say, we’ll be back… again and again.

** NOTE FOR THE CREW: Never change, for the love of God whatever you’re doing...

Honestly, giving an establishment a less than stellar review is not something I enjoy.

More often than not, if I have a bad experience, I'll chalk it up to someone's bad day or an understandable mix-up and will much more often than not give no review at all, working under the assumption that maybe, the next time I go there, my first impression will be proven wrong.

However, at this point, as much as I LOVE the "BIG CARL"😁, I feel obligated to let other diners know that, it's honestly just more trouble than it's worth.

I'm a very happy, cheerful person--especially when dealing with people who are at their jobs, helping make my life easier; be it helping me check my bank account, bag my groceries or yes, cook food for me to enjoy.

I know that work can be hard and that people have other things going on in their lives I don't know about.

But, at this particular location, especially in the later evening, I've dealt with countless errors, the employees just choosing to close a half hour early for no reason, etc. Most of all, though, what I came away so frustrated about time and time again was the lack of employees caring at all about the customers time, their money, their choice to come to this restaurant, their energy--having checked the closing time and gotten there well before.

Please forgive the length of this review. I prefer lengthier reviews to be positive. However, it is what it is at this point.

I haven't been there in at least six months at this point, after having had a final straw, if you will.

So, barring some type of huge new management overhaul, I have to say, this store is the closest thing to a 'lemon' in the fast food category that I've ever seen

Think twice with your hard-earned money.

Honestly, I'm to the point where, if I absolutely have to have Carl's Jr, I go to the next closest one--about 7 miles farther away. Worth it.

Have a...

Food was smashed into a small bag. Poppers, 2 zucchini, Fry, 3 burger, 3 -4piece chicken stars. All smashed in small bag. Zucchini was soggy, burger were nasty soggy look they were sitting in watery sauce. Called this location many times they never answered. Had soggy fry,and zucchini after they asked if I wanted it well done. Wet burger, and I asked for 2 burger no onion, I got 3 burger with onions. Burger were so nasty couldn't eat them. We ate chicken stars , poppers, and a few zucchini that were cooked. Made my whole family sick!!!!! Contact corporate but still no response!!!!! This location use to be good,but now stay away unless you want to be sick, company doesn't care! Just read the other reviews that offer you a link to copy paste your review , nothing ever comes of it! Don't was your time. They are just acting like they care!!!!! Really this company does not care to answer there phones and make it right! That's NOT good customer services! I did leave a complaint to corporate no response!!! Just don't go here!! There are other places to eat in the area that won't make you sick and they care about there customers and...