Jack in the Box: Sourdough Steak Melt

Why can't L.A. be more like New York and have a relatively endless supply of 24 hour diners? While I know there are some, sadly none of them are anywhere close to me. But we do have Jack!

I decided I was up for something I could review, and instead of my standby, the oh-so-wonderful Sourdough Jack (no ketchup) I tried the new Sourdough Steak Melt.



The Sourdough Steak Melt has American, cheddar, Swiss-style cheese, grilled onions and peppercorn mayo on strips of marinated steak. Since I hate onions I didn't have any--although I am sure onions lovers would think they are the best part.



Honestly, I'd forgotten how much I dislike Jack's steak--after the beef bowls I am surprised I did that actually, but I did. While the pieces are reasonably bite sized and lean, the problem is two-fold.

First, the texture is just plain weird. It's rubbery at best. The second issue is the taste. If it didn't seem to be soaked in what must be Liquid Smoke and beef flavoring, it might have been okay in a low-budget Steak'umm kinda way.

But this is a version of steak that might come out of the Enterprise's earliest replicators. Y'know, back in their beta stage when you'd ask for a cup of coffee and you'd get something resembling fermented Romulan urine? (I am such a geek it even horrifies ME sometimes.) And just because you can doesn't mean you should.

I did like the three cheese blend. No, none of it is the best quality cheese, but it's hard to go wrong with those flavors. Also surprisingly good was the peppercorn mayo. It's just peppery enough that it adds some extra flavor but not any real heat or overwhelming spice.

If this sandwich had been made with a burger patty rather than the steak pieces, I would have really liked it. In fact, I am going to go and get one made with the burger instead. But since it's not normally made that way, we have to rate it as is...with that nasty, gnarly steak.


PURCHASED FROM:
Jack In The Box