Tournament of Chompions: Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s v. Fuddruckers

"Tournament of Chompions: Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s v. Fuddruckers" is Episode 40 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Tournament of Chompions: Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s v. Fuddruckers" was released on March 3, 2016.

## Synopsis

In the opening match of **#MunchMadness 2016: The Tournament of Chompions: Burger Brawl**, the ‘boys welcome actress and comedian Jessica McKenna from Fox’s *Party Over Here*. Together they settle which Golden Plate Club member offers the better burger: Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s or Fuddruckers. Plus, a boozy soda edition of Drank or Stank.

## Nick's intro

    The hamburger: the defining American food, even in how its name is borrowed from another culture. With no fewer than a half-dozen different people who claim to have invented the ground-beef patty sandwich we all know and love, its origin may be mysterious, but this month, our interest lies, not in divining who created it, but in declaring who has *perfected* it.

Today, two combatants will put their best foot forward in a hot-beef battle.

Our #4 seed is the brainchild of drive-in barbecue founder, Carl Karcher, and is now in its 75th year, with over 3000 locations after its merger with the franchise founded by Wilbur Hardee.

Our #5 seed weighs in with a comparatively scant 36 years of operation and 188 locations nationwide, yet makes the hubristic claim that it offers the 'world's greatest hamburger.'

Two chains enter, one chain leaves, as we compare how their meat stacks stack up.

This week on *Doughboys*: the first matchup of the Mild Card round of **Munch Madness 2016: The Tournament Of Chompions: Burger Brawl**: Carl's Jr./Hardee's vs. Fuddruckers.

*Let's a-go!*

## Burger Brawl rules

The rules for the Burger Brawl are as follows:

1. Restaurants must have previously appeared on *Doughboys*.
2. The three categories that each burger is ranked by are Presentation/Creativity, Condiments/Bun, and Burger/Taste/Juiciness.
3. Categories are rated on a scale of 0-10 basketballs, which are arbitrary and meaningless, and they can be overruled by final decision, which is answered by "which burger would you send to the Monstars?".
4. Burgers only! Sides stay on the sidelines. Drinks stay in the Gatorade jug, which is also on the sidelines.

## Basketball ratings 🏀

On their first trip to Carl's Jr./Hardee's, Nick gave it 4 forks and Mitch 5. Conversely, when they reviewed Fuddruckers, Nick gave it 5 forks and Mitch 4. Both restaurants made the Golden Plate Club.

 Mike Mitchell
 Jessica McKenna
* Western Bacon Cheeseburger

Mitch had a Coke Zero, as well.

	+ mustard, lettuce, onions, pickles
 Mike Mitchell
	+ 1/3 lb. patty
	+ pickles, onions
 Jessica McKenna
	+ 1/3 lb. patty
	+ cheddar cheese
	+ onions, pickles
	+ mustard, ketchup, mayo
* Inferno Burger

Mitch had a Cherry Coke Zero, as well.

## Burger Brawl Winner

 Mike Mitchell
 Jessica McKenna

Carl's Jr./Hardee's advances to the next round!

Jess thought Fuddruckers was clearly better quality. Nick and Mitch had pretty close scores for both restaurants, but both leaned to Carl's Jr. because they like how creative it is (and the strength of the Western Bacon Cheeseburger).

To note, a few episodes later, after some news about Carl's Jr.'s CEO came out, Nick retroactively added a "Corporate Values/Dollar Value" to this episode, giving Carl's Jr. zero basketballs. This somehow means Fuddruckers should have advanced into a brawl against In-N-Out in this episode.

## Drank or Stank?

In this segment, the Doughboys have a drink and decide if it is 'good' or 'bad.'

For this episode, they have Henry's Hard Orange Soda, an alcoholic drink.

Everyone liked how drinkable it was.

 Mike Mitchell
 Jessica McKenna

## #hashtags

* #GetBurgerBoyOut
* #SpoonmanHatesYou

## The Feedbag

With regard to the Rodeo Burger with onion rings and french fries in a burrito, what about putting french fries in a burger?
There's a local chain in New Zealand that does a fish and chips burger. It's exactly as it sounds, battered fish with chips and salad in a bun. They also periodically offer a burger with Doritos in it that's really good.

 Mike Mitchell
 Jess McKenna

## Plugs and Drops

 *Monday Night Football* / *South Park* / *The Chappelle Show* | Mitch's drop (made by Van Robichaux)

## Related Episodes

* 41. Eat-In Minisode
* 42. Mild Card Round 2
* 43. Semi-Soft Finals Round 1
* 44. Minisode
* 45. Semi-Soft Finals Round 2
* 46. Finals
* 24. Hard Rock Cafe (The Leftovers)
* 40. Burger Brawl: Mild Card Round 1
* 43. Burger Brawl: Semi-Soft Finals Round 1
* 103. Carl's Jr. / Hardee's 2
* 137. Carl's Jr. / Hardee's 3
* 171. Outback Steakhouse 2 (Breaking Chews)
* DD. Beyond Chicago
* 242. Mac Attack - Round of 32 (Part 2)
* DD. Cookie Draft (Snack or Wack)
* 40. Burger Brawl: Mild Card Round 1
* 73. Red Lobster 1
* 100. Nugget Power Hour
* DD22. Songs of Summer
* 168. P.F. Chang's
* 240. A&W Canada
* 293. Pie Noon Finals
* 331. Lemonade

## Photos (via @doughboyspod)

Carl's Jr. Steakhouse ThickburgerFuddruckers Bourbon Burger