I feel like Jack in the Box attempted to get a deal to offer a Stranger Things menu, but didn’t please the Netflix Gods. So instead of promoting the Netflix show set in the mid-1980s, the fast food chain decided to promote a flick that came out in the mid-1980s — Gremlins.
It’s the 41st anniversary of the original Gremlins movie, so, um, it’s a little beyond a right, round time to celebrate the film. Or maybe Jack in the Box decided to jump on the Gremlins promotion train early because Gremlins 3 is coming out in 2027?
Whatever the deal is with Jack in the Box and Gremlins, the fast food chain is going all in on the collaboration, offering an entire menu. There’s the Gremlins Midnight Meal (Crispy Chicken Strips, Tacos, Onion Rings, Halfsie Fries, Midnight Sauce, a drink, and a Gremlins Air Freshener), the Midnight Snack Shake (a vanilla shake with M&M’s, salty pretzel pieces, mini marshmallows, and graham cracker crumbles), and this Midnight Chicken Sandwich.
The menu item is basically Jack’s regular Cluck Sandwich (crispy chicken filet and pickles on a brioche bun), but with the Good Good Sauce swapped out for the mysterious-sounding Midnight Sauce. Yup, as much creativity went into this sandwich as coming up with the name Good Good Sauce.
While it sounds mysterious, the Midnight Sauce is just a sweet barbecue sauce with a slight spicy kick. It tastes similar to other barbecue sauces, and, not surprisingly, it goes well with the chicken filet and pickles. Unfortunately, not all was enjoyable with my order. While my filet had a crispy exterior, the poultry inside was noticeably dry. I guess that’s the Russian Roulette we play with fast food.
While it tastes fine, because it’s pretty much just a Cluck Sandwich with a different sauce, I can’t help but feel underwhelmed by it. Since it’s topped with a barbecue sauce, maybe adding a few mogwai-colored onion rings would’ve made everything a bit more interesting. Or if Jack in the Box wanted to be a bit extra, and expand on the midnight theme, it could’ve added a purple cabbage coleslaw.
Purchased Price: $7.99*
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 680 calories (Other nutritional numbers are not available on the Jack in the Box website or app.)
*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.
“Unfortunately, not all was enjoyable with my order. While my filet had a crispy exterior, the poultry inside was noticeably dry. I guess that’s the Russian Roulette we play with fast food.”
Yet it gets an above average score of 6/10. Unless you’re working with the One Bite rating scale or the notoriously poor Uber ratings, I guess this works. I use the Bell Curve for my yelp ratings. Sorry, three star places. You’re fine, it’s just my rating system.