This November marks 50 years of the popular Wendy’s fast food restaurant – so what better time to pay a visit to this all-American favourite?

Known for their iconic square beef burger patties and young red-headed mascot, Wendy’s is the third largest burger chain in the world, only behind McDonalds and Burger King. Wendy’s is the brainchild of founder Dave Thomas, who opened the first restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, back in November 1969. He was inspired by the Kewpee restaurant near his childhood home in Michigan, where they served square burgers and thick malt shakes, much like those that Wendy’s still offers today.

Ever wondered about the freckle-faced young redhead who has been on the Wendy’s logo since the start? Well, she is based on Dave Thomas’ daughter Melinda, whose nickname was Wendy!

The square beefburger, which hangs over the side of the regular round bun, is said to have its shape so that customers can easily see the quality of the beef. Over the years this shape has become closely associated with the brand, along with the signature Frosty – a type of thick, soft serve ice-cream, which was seen as the perfect dessert to accompany Wendy’s mains and sides – even when eaten on the end of a French fry! It’s hard to choose between the chocolate or vanilla Frosty – both are delicious!

So what can you expect if you visit a Wendy’s, other than the square burgers and yummy Frosty? Essentially their menu is traditional American fast food – burgers, chicken, French fries, salads, jacket potatoes, as well as a range of drinks all feature on the menu.

Wendy’s Burger Options

Feeling hungry and like a bit of heat in your meal? Then why not tempt your taste buds with the Double Bacon Jalapeño Cheeseburger. This monster of a burger contains half a pound of beef spread between two square patties, topped with pickled jalapeños, mouthwatering applewood smoked bacon, crispy fried onions, American cheese and smothered with two sauces – smoky jalapeño and savoury cheese.

If that sounds a bit spicy, the Homestyle Barbecue Chicken Sandwich might be more to your taste! Breaded chicken breast is served up in a bun with crispy fried onions, pickles, American Muenster cheese, covered with a BBQ sauce.

Did you know Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria once worked at Wendy’s and claims that her experience there taught her the perfect way to put together a burger?

Chicken nuggets – either spicy or not, but always crispy and breaded – are also a favourite on the Wendy’s menu! Dunk them in a selection of dipping sauces and enjoy along with a portion of sea-salted skin-on fries!

Healthier Options at Wendy’s

If you are trying to watch what you eat, you might want to choose one of the jacket potatoes listed on the menu. In 1983 Wendy’s was the first national fast food chain to introduce hot, stuffed baked potatoes to their menu. Today, you can choose from a selection of toppings on your spud – why not go traditional and choose the Sour Cream and Chive Baked Potato? A range of freshly-prepared salads are also available for those who want a lighter bite for lunch. The Parmesan Caesar Chicken Salad, which has been newly-added to the menu, looks especially yummy, with romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, grilled diced chicken breast, Italian cheeses, Parmesan crisps and drizzled with creamy Caesar dressing. You can even choose from either a full or half portion depending on how hungry you are – though it might be hard to resist ordering the bigger size!

Dessert and Drinks at Wendy’s

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, and don’t fancy a signature Frosty, then treat yourself to one of Wendy’s Cookies – choose from Chocolate Chunk, Double Chocolate Chip, or the traditional Sugar Cookie! For the best of both worlds, check out either the Vanilla or Chocolate Frosty Cookie Sundae. A Chocolate Chunk Cookie is served up with your choice of Frosty and a drizzle of rich Ghirardelli chocolate sauce. It might be hard to stop yourself from ordering both flavours!

Why not wash your meal down with a drink afterwards? Try something different such as Wendy’s all-natural lemonade which is mixed with a choice of pureed fruits to create the selection of delicious flavours on the menu – peach, tropical berry, wildberry, strawberry, or even just natural plain lemonade. There is bound to be something for everyone!

Over the years, Wendy’s has expanded across the USA and even further afield; there are currently Wendy’s in 30 countries around the world! So what are you waiting for? Check out their online map for your nearest restaurant!

Have you seen out our blog on fast food restaurants in Orlando yet? Why not try out some of the venues listed while on your dream Florida holiday? We’d love to hear from you about which restaurant you think is best, and what signature dish you think that we should try when we are next in town. Drop us a line using our social media channels!

Image Credits:

• Main image: CC by Mike Mozart