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Recently Wendy’s asked me to come in and give my opinion on their fresh salads. As a traveler, I’m constantly on the look-out for good quality food to keep me fueled. So when I think “salad”, I didn’t immediately think “let’s go to Wendy’s” … but now I do!
And now so does my friend Sally who called me right when I got home. Here’s the conversation:
Me: “I just got home from Wendy’s – I was taste testing their salads”
Sally: “Hmm, I would never order salad from fast food place.”
Me: “Ooo, I just learned something new. Fast food is now ‘Quick Service Restaurant’ and their salads are awesome! ”
Boom, Wendy’s has a new customer. But we both agreed that the choice to also add fries to the order is pretty amazing. The staff at the Wendy’s on 6th and Logan in Denver put on a great demo – check it out!
Here’s what I loved:
- The lettuce is washed & chopped (using THE coolest looking ginormous salad choppers) each morning – it takes the prep person about 1.5 hours – that’s some wash & chop time!
- All toppings/ingredients are all prepared fresh in the am (including the chicken). And because the salads aren’t pre-packaged, it’s a nice peace of mind for vegans who truly want a non-vegan salad rather than a “I picked the chicken off” salad.
- The #FruitTea chillers in Strawberry Passionfruit and Mango Peach were a fun new addition – they use #HonestTea (one of my faves) – Both were great (although the Strawberry/Passionfruit was a little too sweet for me)
We tried these three salads:
Strawberry Mango Chicken Salad
This lovely treat is only available until Labor Day so you best head in soon. The combo of the strawberries & mango along with the roasted sunflower seeds, feta and Honey Citrus vinaigrette was perfect- sweet, crunch – all the fun sensations. You’ll see below that I have a thing for the Taco Salad so I was hesitant to cheat on my fave salad but I’m glad I did! (Don’t tell the Taco Salad, ok?)
Fresh Mozzarella Chicken Salad
I’ll be honest, I’m a fresh mozz snob and I not-so-silently judge mozzarella that’s not nice & fresh & sponge-y – this cheese was! Combine that with 3 lettuce mix (spring, romaine, iceberg) and add in the creamy basil pesto – DELISH.
Apple Pecan Chicken Salad
Here’s a quote from my friend Ellen who INSISTED on coming along for my Wendy’s visit due to her long-standing relationship with said APCS:
“I’m just glad I haven’t lived a single day of my 4th decade without the possibilities of the Apple Pecan Chicken Salad from Wendy’s. I could literally eat one every singled day. I’ll stay faithful to the APCS but that mango strawberry salad might have to be my on-the-side Salad”.
I see her point – that salad has the same combo of flavors that compliment each other – it has a super upscale Waldorf salad-esque feel but with pecans, cranberries and blue cheese to pop it off the charts.
Side Note: That Power Mediterranean Salad has its own special place on my faves list- really great for a post workout kick with the quinoa, chick peas, white beans & hummus (among many other ingredients)
My Thrill Moment.
The. Taco. Salad. Is. Back. – BOOM – this made my heart skip. I guess some people are only partial to it in the fall & winter months but, dang, it’s close to my heart and when it went off the menu, I was sad. That is no longer the case.
One more thing – they guarantee that their salads stay fresh for 36 hours (unless you leave them in a hot car then that’s on you!) – they were right. We brought home our leftover salads & were able to get our grub on the following day… yummy!
SOMEONE ate my leftovers (points at Lulu looking guilty)
And then there is the Frosty. Even mini-sized.. you know you want one.
It was so fun to meet you at this event, Mia! You are definitely a Wendy’s enthusiast- and now I am too. Amazing how much work goes into keeping their salads fresh. We’ll have to get together and talk shop sometime at Wendy’s! XO Christa
So great to meet you, Christa – that was fun to taste-test together! Let’s connect soon!
xo,
Mia
I’ve always found Wendy’s salads to be some of the better ones you can get from a fast food place. Now it sounds like they have really upped their salad game! I will definitely be giving these a try, I especially love the sound of the Power Mediterranean Salad.
YES, try that Power Med Salad – you’ll love it! The hummus sauce is delish.
I love love love Wendy’s but you better order me the biggest frosty they have!
I hear you on that! A big Frosty to offset the salad…. ?
Count me in for any salad on Wendy’s or somewhere else. The salad I liked the most in your pictures is fresh mozzarella chicken salad, I’m going to look for it next time I’ll come to Wendy’s. Looks like your daughter likes fresh salads too. 🙂
Yes that fresh mozzarella salad really was tasty! That’s my boyfriend’s daughter and yes.. she is a salad loved for sure!
I am obsessed with Wendy’s salads! They are so delicious. They have all the textures and flavors. YUM! Great writeup!
I just tried that Mediterranean power salad again… Yum!!
It’s been a while, but after reading this I might just take my kids and visit Wendy’s again. Thanks for sharing.
xo,
Janise
I have the little key chain to get the mini frosty every time I order. The food is amazing and my children’s favorite place to eat!
I love your Frosty dedication! 😀
The salad for Wendys is really delicious. It is actually the only thing I order. I would love to try out the Strawberry Mango Chicken Salad.
Gotta hurry on the Strawberry Mango Chicken Salad – it’s only here for the summer! #SadFace
I am a total fan of Wendy’s! We love their salads, chili and Frosty’s!
xo Debbie | http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
Very cool. I am going to have to make a trip out to Wendy’s in the near future. The salad looks delicious. And I am with you on the mozzarella.
Right?! I mean really, fresh mozz is just heaven…
Awesome. Will have to take my kids there one of these days.
Definitely! The half sizes are perfect for kids….
I’ve heard about this! I think it’s nice that Wendy’s is making sure that their salads are fresh and healthy. I eat plenty of salad during the summer because it’s easy to put together, healthy, and refreshing thanks for the fresh veggies. I’d love to check out their new salads!
You definitely should, Carol, it’s nice to have a healthy option on the go. But, of course, I always end up ordering their fries on the side- too good to pass up…!
This looks really yummy! I would like that!
yes, you would! Love me some fresh salad, especially when I don’t have to prepare it!
I eat Wendy’s Salad any chance I get! They really have the best selections and don’t even get me started on their dressings! YUMMM
YES, their dressing is super tasty – I was impressed!
There is nothing like a SPicy Chcken Crispy Sandwich from Wendy’s! That and a frosty!
Ooo, I know it! And the spice is no joke – it has a fun kick it it! Which is where the frosty comes in handy. 🙂
That little cup is super cute! And they all look amazing, very well presented . Wish we had one here in the UK so I could try too!
Come to the States & I’ll take you to Wendy’s! 😀
I like Wendy’s salads. My favorites are the apple pecan chicken salad and the spicy caesar salad. I haven’t tried the taco salad coz I don’t really see this on their menu. Maybe I miss it or something, but I’d order it the next time I’m at Wendy’s.