Hamburger as Metaphor

The Yellow Line has recently noticed that our chain restaurant menus are becoming much like our politics—a place of extremes. While Wendy’s touts their salads and Subway has made a business out of “healthy” fast food, the chains Ruby Tuesday and Hardee’s have decided what America really wants is their entire daily calorie load in one hamburger.

The Ultimate Colossal Burger at Ruby Tuesday contains 1781 calories and 126 grams of fat. The fries add about 309 calories with 15 grams of fat. That’s not a meal. That’s a dare. Restaurants used to put your name on the wall for eating a burger like that.

Meanwhile Hardee’s 2/3 LB Monster Thickburger is a “leaner” 1,417 calories and 107 grams of fat. Fries optional.

To compare, the granddaddy of big burgers, McDonald’s Big Mac weighs in at a svelt 560 calories with 30 grams of fat.

Mind you, the recommended daily calorie intake for an adult is between 1,800 and 2,400 for most people.

We live in a land of extremes.