When Wawa finally launched its burger (which had been in a testing phase) nationally, I was still on the fence. My thoughts were, could a chain convenience store pull off a palatable burger for the masses?
I drove to Wawa around two in the afternoon, thinking I could beat the lunch crowd. Wrong. The Wawa burger and fries are part of a dinner menu starting at 4 PM.
Wawa Burger Overview
Let’s flash forward to a few days in the future. I downloaded the Wawa app, thinking I’d use it only once. But instead, I can’t decide what to get on my burger. What’s best for a Wawa burger taste test?
Wawa’s burger features a one-third-pound Angus patty on a brioche bun. The beef patty is cooked one way, well done, and you can customize your sandwich with many toppings and condiments.
Introduction To The Wawa Burger
Customization Options
The options are as follows.
Cheese Choices
| CHEESE | ||
|---|---|---|
| American | Cheddar | Pepper Jack |
| Provolone | Swiss | No Cheese |
Toppings Available
| TOPPINGS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Crispy Pickles | Cucumbers | Fresh Salsa |
| Hot Peppers | Jalapeños | Lettuce |
| Onions | Pickles | Spinach |
| Sweet Peppers | Tomatoes | Toppings on the Side |
Spread Selections
| SPREADS | ||
|---|---|---|
| BBQ Sauce | Buffalo Sauce | Chipotle Sauce |
| Dill Pickle Ranch | Garlic Aioli | Hot Honey Sauce |
| Honey Mustard | Ketchup | Mayo |
| Ranch Dressing | Spicy Mustard | Yellow Mustard |
Seasonings
| SEASONINGS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Old Bay | Oregano | Parmesan Cheese |
| Pepper | Salt | Spicy Chicken Seasoning |
Optional Toppings
| OPTIONAL TOPPINGS $ | ||
|---|---|---|
| Applewood Smoked Bacon | Avocado | Caramelized Onions |
| Extra Cheese | Fajita Veggies |
First Taste Experience
I ordered my Wawa burger with American cheese, caramelized onions, and garlic aioli.
The burger arrives in a Wawa-branded clam-shell container. Unfortunately, it is not hot, just a step above room temperature. I find the same issue with most sandwiches from many fast food joints.
The cheeses are partially melted, with one slice above and another below the well-done patty. The garlic aioli-smeared bottom bun and finely diced caramelized onions on top round out the sando.
I must admit that I enjoyed the Wawa burger, if we’re talking flavor. However, I found myself questioning my own burger integrity.
This meat puck goes against some of my burger beliefs, but I’ve loosened those over the years. It’s allowed me to enjoy particular fast food burgers and my nostalgia associated with them.
I skipped the fries and ordered mashed potatoes instead. I thoroughly enjoyed the potatoes, but I’m convinced I’ve lost my mind.
There is only one way to test my theory: a round two of tastings the following day.
Second Taste Test: Exploring Different Combinations
I spent the early afternoon convinced that it would take two Wawa cheeseburgers to make my final decision. This time, one burger with American cheese, ketchup, yellow mustard, mayo, and the other with American cheese, onions, pickles, and yellow mustard.
The latter is my attempt to create a burger with old-school toppings. In retrospect, I should have removed the cheese on that one.
I cave in and order the seasoned fries to find out what those are all about.
Again, both burgers were just above room temperature. When I approached the counter to pick them up, they were waiting for me. Now I know why these fellas aren’t hot. Maybe I shouldn’t be ordering via their app?
The fries have a nice built-in seasoning, but they were crispy and dried out. So after eating a couple of fries, I tap out.
The old-school burger had an excessive amount of onions. Somehow, the unmelted cheese was on top of that mount and pickles. This one did not work for me. I would never order this combination again.
My kiddie burger with ketchup, yellow mustard, and mayo brought the Wawa burger average back up. If this one were hot, I would have enjoyed it. But instead, it reminded me of eating a burger with my late grandfather when I was a kid.
Current Burger Varieties
Since the launch of the Wawa Burger, they have introduced a variety of cheeseburgers, including some that are only available for a limited time: Spicy Cherry Pepper Relish Cheeseburger, All American Cheeseburger, and French Onion Cheeseburger.
The menu currently has an All American Cheeseburger, Bacon Cheeseburger, BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger, French Onion Cheeseburger, and a Southwest Cheeseburger. But don’t be sad; a customizable burger option even lets you go up to a triple.
Is the Wawa Burger Worth It?
If Wawa is committed to creating an enjoyable burger, they’ll work on fixing the temperature issue. Their burger is good—or, if you prefer, I can use everyone’s favorite backhanded compliment—surprisingly good.
I’m not about to go out of my way to grab one, but I could see myself eating another in the right situation. Also, don’t forget to add salt and pepper; it goes a long way.
Whether you’re a Wawa regular or just curious about their burger lineup, I want to hear from you! Drop a comment below with your thoughts on the Wawa burger—did it live up to the hype? And if you’ve tried one of their specialty burgers, like the Spicy Cherry Pepper Relish Cheeseburger or French Onion Cheeseburger, let me know how it stacks up.
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