Carl's Junior Review: Upper Riccarton
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Snoopy
A new KFC will be opening in the Christchurch eastern suburbs soon. Also two ‘Carl’s Junior’ outlets will be built in Christchurch this year, the first being at the old clock tower site in Hornby.
As Christchurch Westies will know (or maybe they won't, because it opened so quietly), the first Carl's Junior Store in the South Island opened at the Bush Inn Centre, beating Hornby by a few weeks. A coupon leaflet arrived in the mail yesterday. So I took the opportunity to make my first ever visit to a Carl's Junior (for lunch).
I wasn't quite sure what I ordered from the picture. What came was 'pulled pork' on a bed of potato "thingies" (round double layer potato slices with holes in them, with a barbecue seasoning and cheese and sauce on top). My coupon gave me a drink too so I chose L&P, without ice.
Big mistake on my part! The drink came first and the sugar shock was would have floored even the fast food faithful. Did we really invent that drink in Paeroa? Or is the stuff you buy now a Coca Cola corruption of the original? Or maybe the person who put the syrup into the bulk mixer confused tablespoons and teaspoons? Just make sure if you order L&P, you order ice to make it palatable!
Was pleasantly surprised to see the target demographic ('hungry young men') wasn't really working. OK I tell a lie. A group of four hungry young punks came in just as I was leaving. But the majority of the customers looked 30+, with just as many hungry(ish) young(ish) women as men at the table. I reckon one or two of those customers might have even started their age with a 5! All good for shareholders though. Happy to see a broad demographic of customers. There was music blaring out, but it wasn't headbanging enough to clear the site of oldies. Those high back American milkbar style benches muffle the background noise. So you can have a conversation if you want. Plus there is the option to sit outside at the high bench on a nice day too.
The food? I'll go back one day soon and try a burger. But my pulled pork platter, was flavoursome and distinctive, served hot with minimal delay, even if you wouldn't serve such a concoction at a cardiologists convention. Ok I did strike a relatively quiet time. And I now admit that I smuggled in a home grown salad to balance off the all American taste. Not big enough to avoid a heart attack. But big enough to ensure I made it home before any cardiac arrest.
[menu note: Not sure if replacing the burger buns with lettuce leaves quite cuts it as the official healthy menu option. Has any customer ever ordered that?]
The service was pleasant and efficient. What is more the staff had initiative. If they weren't busy behind the counter they were out the front of the restaurant cleaning up. Top marks to the store manager.
I happened to walk out past the Burgerfuel competition that sits in the same shop row. It wasn't quite as busy. But when the novelty of Carl's wears off, the Upper Riccarton Arena will make a fascinating contest.
SNOOPY