Sometimes, you just need a Thickburger.
A few months ago, I was in South Carolina, and I was driving from Greensboro to Myrtle Beach. I pulled into a Hardee’s parking lot somewhere in between the two cities to do the evening HARO. In the HARO, I mentioned where I was. The next morning, I got an email from the wonderful Jenna Petroff, PR Manager for Hardee’s Food Systems, thanking me for the shout-out, and asking for an address to send me some coupons. Sweet!
Only problem for me – The closest Hardee’s to me in NYC is in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. Way too far to travel for a simple Hamburger, right?
Well… Maybe not… And then, hey, the Thickburger ain’t no simple Hamburger.
Road Trip!
Got into the FX and started driving West. And of course, upon exiting got the Lincoln Tunnel, it started pouring, and didn’t stop for the entire day. Oh well.
One gas fill-up, and one-hundred forty-five miles later, we arrived in Myerstown, PA, and just past the water tower, 
there lay what I sought… And the watering in my mouth proved it – we’d arrived!! Mecca, thy name is Hardee’s – Through the rain, traffic, and New Jersey Drivers, Hardee’s awaited!
Walking in, I walked up to the counter, and just took it all in. Keep in mind, I rarely eat fast food. I never eat it in NYC, and every once in a while, I’ll let my workout guard down, and have a Whopper on a business trip or something. So walking in, I just enjoyed the view…
– Wow… I just wanted it all! So naturally, I had no choice but to whip out my “book-o-Hardee’s-coupons,” and go to town. (And how cool that the coupons are made to look like the product – Brilliant.)
The nice guy behind the counter was somewhat shocked – “What are those?” he asked. When I told him I got them from Hardee’s Corporate, a quick consultation with his manager was all it took for him to come back and go “Cool! I’ve never seen those before! You from around here?”
“No,” I said. “I drove up from the city.”
“What city?” he asked.
It was then I realized exactly how far I’d driven for a Hamburger. “Manhattan,” I said.
“Wait,” he said. “You drove up from New York City for a Hamburger? That’s awesome, dude! Hey guys! This guy drove up from New York City for Hardee’s!”
And at that, the entire Hardee’s Myerstown crew came out to meet me. (In their defense, I’m sure they did it because it was around 3pm and there were like, three others customers in the entire store, not because I’m so great.)
Food ordered, (Two Angus Thickburgers, two Junior Thickburgers, Two large fries, two shakes, two Diet Cokes) we waited at the table for it to arrive. (I say we, because fortunately, I have a stable of just-as-psychotic-people-as-me in my life who are willing to make a 300 mile round trip for a Hamburger.)
We were number 43! (One of the things that makes Hardee’s so great, in my opinion, is their table service.) 
A few minutes later, Chris, the hero of the hour, arrives with what can only be described as an ultra-caloric tray of Manna from Heaven.
Oh Chris, how we love thee.
And so it begins.
And continues…
And continues…
And continues…
Until finally…
Oh, that feeling of fullness could not be more wonderful. To the best of my knowledge, we each ingested about 2,200 calories. Roughly 1.5 times the amount I usually eat during an ENTIRE DAY when I’m in training for a marathon. But that’s ok. Sometimes, you just gotta do it. It was totally and completely worth it, in every delicious and calorie-filled way. Thank you, Hardee’s Corporate, and Jenna!
The drive back was uneventful, just a lot of rain, some good tunes on Highway 16, and the feeling of “ahhhh…” that only good fast food can provide.
And yeah, I’ll go to the gym tomorrow.
October 26th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Dude, your killing me. I decided to see if I could go a whole year with out hamburger french fries and sweets. two months to go.
October 26th, 2008 at 6:33 am
I must say I miss the Hardees magic here in Vegas. I used to stop and get a burger at least once a week. Unfortunately I must have been one of a select few and they passed from our midst. They used to do a great breakfast as well.
cheers
October 26th, 2008 at 7:15 am
This brought back memories of eating out at Hardees during my college days. I went to college in a small town in the middle of cornfields and Hardees was one of the places to hang out. I would have to drive 60 miles to see Hardees again!
October 26th, 2008 at 7:37 am
A – I’m glad to hear that you didn’t eat both sandwiches like I thought yesterday, B – I’m horrified to hear the 100+ miles was ONE WAY , C – just because you mentioned Hardee’s yesterday, that is where I took my kid for a Thickburger yesterday! (I have 10 choices within 10 minutes of my house, but that is what was on my mind!)
October 26th, 2008 at 8:28 am
When I visited my sister in the south, she and her friends introduced me to biscuits. (They were shocked I only knew bagels and English muffins.)
There were so many biscuit places to choose from that they organized a Biscuit Taste-Off for me. Went to about 8 biscuit emporiums and set up a blind taste-test. We rated them on various categories such as slide-ability and sit-ability (really).
The winner? Hardee’s. They still are the best. I ended up moving south (in part for the biscuits).
Alas, I don’t have any Hardee’s near me now either, Peter, so I feel your pain. We can only dream.
Diana Scimone
http://www.dianascimone.com
http://www.born2fly.org
@BornToFly
October 26th, 2008 at 8:53 am
In Chicagoland, some of the best burgers come from a local chain called Portillo’s (very famous for hotdogs). But, after reading your post it might be worth a road trip to Ottawa, IL, 45 miles away.
October 26th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Go BU!
October 26th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Is it obsessive compulsive of me that I can’t stand seeing those big soda cups without lids on them?
October 26th, 2008 at 10:11 am
It amazes me how you have turned this common place occurrence, to most americans, into an epic type journey. This happening has been scaled to such extreme that is a great example of how many things we all see everyday can be monumental events if approached the right way.
You never lack interest. Good job.
October 26th, 2008 at 10:19 am
I did the same thing when living in Austin in 2000, but I drove to Dallas (3 1/2 hours one way) to eat at a Waffle House.
Now in Naples, I drive 20 miles round trip for Pollo Tropical…yummy!
Glad I’m not alone in the fast food road warrior category!
@DenRosu
October 26th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
hahahah love the “YA” at the end of the video when Chris delivers the food…
I’m going to check this place out.. seattle is only 3 hours from here, I’m sure they have one..
October 26th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
LOL – I love this post. I went to Burger King Last night at around 11pm for their new Mushroom Swiss burger.
I have dropped around 40 pounds this year by eating nothing but fruits, vegetables , chicken, fish during the week and eating what ever I want on the weekends. My energy level has went through the roof.
It also doesn’t hurt that I have been training in Krav Maga (official self defense system of the Israeli Defense Forces) since February. Talk about a workout!
J.R.
October 26th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I replied to your tweet about this, but you don’t follow me, so here ’tis: “@skydiver isn’t Hardee’s AKA Carl’s Jr? Many near here. I’d do the same for an Original Tommy’s Burger, but nearest is >400 miles 1:32 PM Oct 25th from web in reply to skydiver”
Okay, I checked out both in Wikipedia, and the connection only goes back as far as 1997, though Hardee’s now uses the Carl’s Jr. star motif. Now I’d like to try a Thickburger, but the nearest one is in Missoula, MT – 924 miles away
I wonder how the food compares. . .
October 27th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Why is bald guy in a blue house upset? First of all it is 4:30 am and the inside of my mouth is dripping like the rain outside. I want to eat that for breakfast.
Second. There are no Hardee’s in Canada. I guess that is both a blessing and a curse.
Thanks for the visuals but now I need some grease for breakfast.
D
P.S. I see a road trip to Buffalo in my future.
October 27th, 2008 at 2:54 am
augh! yum! now that was filling, even if im a billion miles away!!
October 27th, 2008 at 3:17 am
Dude, it’s their breakfast that is killer. I used to live in Alabama and Hardee’s was the king where breakfast was concerned.
October 27th, 2008 at 4:02 am
That’s too much, Peter! Only you could turn a hamburger craving into such an adventure. How’d the FX perform in the rain?
October 27th, 2008 at 4:12 am
Now if they’re smart, they’ll make you a corporate spoke, like the Subway fan who lost weight on subs. As for what you’re doing to your body…better you than me is all I can say. I haven’t had a hamburger in 35 years.
Shel Horowitz
http://www.frugalmarketing.com
October 27th, 2008 at 4:15 am
How on earth did my e-mail address end up inside the weblink? Not yet awake, I guess.
October 27th, 2008 at 4:19 am
Being vegan, I’m probably a bit biased, but did you NOT see FAST FOOD NATION???
October 27th, 2008 at 4:42 am
You’re a nut! I love it. Good thing your calendar shoot had already taken place!
PS I’m going to start taking a group photo every time I go to a fast food restaurant, too. That picture rules on so many levels.
October 27th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Too funny Peter — Love the “diet coke” touch. Now tell us how you REALLY felt the next day (or later that night)!
October 27th, 2008 at 5:11 am
You are just too funny!!!
We haven’t been to Hardees in a long time, and we have plenty here in MN. May just have to see if ours has that burger.
The best we have found is the Double Butter Burger at Carver’s. If you’re ever in MN, it’s a MUST HAVE
October 27th, 2008 at 5:26 am
Mmmmm… Thickburgers. Grew up in SC with a Hardees within walking distance. Then spent 10 years in the NYC metro area, so I too have experienced the pain. Thank goodness I was able to talk my NJ-born (ewww, I know) husband into moving south. NC, as it turns out, is loaded with Hardees. Gotta love that.
Well, I guess I know where *I’m* going for lunch…
October 27th, 2008 at 5:34 am
I like your style, Peter…I like your style!
Sometimes we do what we gotta do.
Can’t say I’ve ever driven a hundred and forty-five miles for a burger…maybe, a guy I was lovesick for…in my twenties!
At 63 I’ve arrived at Thoreau’s state of mind: Not sure I’d walk around the block to see the world blow up!
I may power-walk for an hour, followed by 20 minutes of Pilates, but road trips for burgers are for you young people!
Love,
Jlo
October 27th, 2008 at 5:57 am
If you enjoyed your Hardee’s, then you need to get to a 5 Guys ASAP. There’s a couple in the NYC metro area, but the easiest one to get to is in the USAirways terminal at DCA.
The only problem with that location is it means you have to be flying USAirways.
I’m petitioning to get one in EWR…
October 27th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Talk about ROI on a mailing with a few coupons enclosed. Score one for Hardees. They’ve made an influential friend!
October 27th, 2008 at 6:07 am
Visited a Hardee’s on a biz trip a few months back … swear those Hardee’s Hips are a dead giveaway after one of those binges for me! It’s nice to ‘give in’ every once in a while.
October 27th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Wow… marathon runner?
October 27th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Peter:
If you’re ever in Salt Lake City, you need a Crown Burger. A great beef pattie in it’s own right, it’s also got a couple inches worth of pastrami…cholesterol be damned.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Come to Birmingham.
I’ll hook you up with a Thickburger, AND a Krispy Kreme.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Peter is the new Jared of Fast Food Fame.
Great story…great p.r….give Jenna a raise and give Chris some props if ever in Myerstown.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Hey Peter,
Let me know where should I mail the defibrillator!
October 27th, 2008 at 8:38 am
I stopped at a Hardees somewhere in the Carolinas few years ago on a family trip and there were ashtrays on the tables.
October 27th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Yes, but have you been to a Five Guys? There’s one at 6th and 55th.
Best. Burgers. Ever. (Except for In-And-Out but they’re only on the west coast and thus don’t count.)
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q.....mp;iwloc=A
October 27th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Seduced you were….by fastfood porn.
October 27th, 2008 at 9:39 am
I’ve never been to a Hardee’s but recognized that smiley little star right away! It whispers “Carl’s Jr. – go get some” to me at night out here in Washington state. I have to drive for a couple of hours to get mine too. Best burger on the planet, though!! I’m around 5′10′ and weigh roughly 115 and can put away a Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger, deep-fried zucchini with ranch sauce, and a Coke with lemon in it like there’s no tomorrow. I’m not saying it’s pretty to watch, just that it happens on a regular basis
Soooooooooooooo good!
October 27th, 2008 at 10:07 am
When we travel in the west, I’m always on the lookout for In ‘N Out – I’m a woman who loves her Double D’s (that’s TWO Double-Doubles, protein style – I can handle it, no fries).
I blogged about it, as well: http://www.doreenorion.com/blo.....le_ds.html
October 27th, 2008 at 10:15 am
My Double Ds…
Written from a truck stop near Winslow, AZ (it’s not as romantic as the Eagles’ song would have you believe, believe me). We had our last In ‘n’ Out yesterday. In ‘n’ Out (for those of you sadly ignorant of……
October 27th, 2008 at 10:15 am
I couldn’t resist clicking on a link referring to “food coma”…living in a small town, I really can’t relate to driving 300 miles for a fast food burger (when you live in food heaven!!!!) but how much fun was that?!
I’ll have to check out the Five Guys, Jordan refers to. It’s under construction in little Meadville, PA (only about an 850 mi round trip from Manhatten).
In the meantime, I’m sticking to hummus on a pita and an apple…It’s all about balance folks:)
http://www.rosannerust.com
October 27th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I gave up eating Thickburgers ever since Hardee’s came out with their Red Burrito menu!
October 27th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Hardees is indeed awesome. Five Guys is also very good (burgers are amazing, fries not so much.)
But if you’re in the Midwest, you have to try Culver’s and their “Butter Burgers”.
I mean, they fry the BUN.
October 27th, 2008 at 11:09 am
So random it’s funny. Does this mean you might respond to one of those postings…”For a good time, call…”
October 27th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Next time you’re in the Portland, Oregon area, you must try Burgerville. Their ingredients are fresh, local and sustainable. Even fast food can be green!
October 27th, 2008 at 11:16 am
In-n-Out doesn’t count because it’s on the West Coast?!? If East-Coasters get to talk trash about pizza and bagels, then we get to hold our In-n-Out over your heads. You haven’t lived until a Double Double animal style is set before you.
October 27th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I LOVE the photo of you with all the employees. That is classic Peter Shankman!
October 27th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Next time you’re in Colorado, I’ll take you to Smashburger, a tiny little chain with big dreams.
And really good burgers: http://www.mysmashburger.com/
And frites, which masquerade as something healthy (carrot strips, beans, asparagus) except they’re batter fried with a side of remoulade.
No, they’re not a client. I tout because I love.
October 27th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
This is my first visit here. I absolutely love this post. I haven’t eaten at Hardee’s in years, but I think that’s about to change. Wish I had some of those cool coupons.
October 28th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Wonder how many calories that was? Where you alone? Did you seriously eat allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll that food?!?!
October 29th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I think it’s amazing that so many people actually care about your food cravings and retweet about it. Geesh
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:23 pm
We don’t have a Hardee’s where I live. But, we do have a Carl’s Jr and it has the same star logo and same table service. Must be the same company…
FYI, I found you through HARO, which I clicked through from an article on Mashable, which I clicked through from an article on Sphinn, which I found because 2 people twittered it. Before today I had never heard of you or HARO or Mashable or Sphinn or Hardee’s. Isn’t Twitter cool?!
November 7th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Yep, Hardee’s sausage and biscuits are unbeatable. I’ll bet if you drive down from Manhatten they’d break one out at 3ish for you.
November 9th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Oh Peter….A man after my own heart. Hardee’s was the best growing up in VA, but it can be too much of a good thing! Having moved to FL a few years ago, that temptation was put to bed. EXCEPT once a year when my husband and I head to my hometown for vacay!
Hardee’s is ALWAYS a stop or two during our week trip, and their ‘hospitality’ is something sweet about them. Too bad it takes us 13 hours to make the one-way trip! ;(
November 10th, 2008 at 11:40 am
HA!!!! Hardees (or Carls Jr in my neck of the woods)? That is NOTHING compared to an In-N-Out Burger. Come to Southern California and my hubby and I will treat you to the real deal at In-N-Out!!!
http://elislids.blogspot.com/
November 11th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I always think it is so cruel when restaurants play ads in areas where they aren’t located. Exhibit 1: Whataburger ads in Indiana. It’s hundreds of miles to the closest location. Evil!
November 14th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Wow. I didn’t know Hardees still existed. I haven’t been there since I had a bad hotdog experience there in ‘88.
I must admit, your meal looked mighty tasty.
December 19th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I’m no stranger to travelling to get a Thickburger–actually a Double chased with a Single. I have been to Myerstown quite a few times, usually on Christmas Eve as I visit relatives in PA from South Jersey, but the new one in Middletown, Delaware now cuts my Hardee’s journey to an hour, only 55 miles from my doorstep. I go at least once every few months. My family thinks I’m crazy, but it’s so worth it! Hardee’s beats out Five Guys and In-and-Out…not that they’re not good, but they aren’t Thickburgers!