Drive-Thru Gourmet

Wendy's breaks out the awesome sauce for tangy new cheeseburger

The sauce makes this cheeseburger extra awesome.

This week, I reached out for a S'Awesome Bacon Classic Burger, the latest brainstorm from the No. 3 burger slinger, Wendy's, with 6,600 restaurants 'cross the U.S. and 'round the world.

This isn't so much a new burger as repurposing Wendy's proprietary S'Awesome sauce, a smoky-sweet-tangy concoction which was introduced last year as a dipping condiment for chicken tenders.

Here's the S'Awesome Bacon Classic Burger breakdown: a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, melted American cheese, three strips of thick Applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, raw sweet onion, and crinkle-cut pickles on a toasted bun. Oh, and the eponymous (great word) slather of S'Awesome sauce. Missing in action: the old standby tomato slice. I think somebody at Wendy's failed to make a shopping list. I always forget something at the supermarket, too.

Total calories: Fat grams: 40. Sodium: 1,390 mg. Carbs: 40 g. Dietary fiber: 3 g. Protein: 34 g. Manufacturer's suggested retail price: $4.99.

Wendy's also has a Double S'Awesome Bacon Classic, 890 calories and 57 fat grams, plus a Triple S'Awesome Classic, 1,170 calories, and 78 fat grams.

Burgers are Wendy's thing, certainly what the Dublin, Ohio-based chain hangs its hat on. Their signature square patties are made from fresh, never-frozen North American beef. The Applewood-smoked bacon is thicker than most fast food joints. The veggie toppings and condiments are first-rate. So the S'Awesome Bacon Classic distinction is the sauce. Wendy's doesn't mind revealing what goes into S'Awesome sauce: ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.

But how much of each? That Wendy's ain't saying.

The result is a heavy-duty, fill'er-up, mighty burger with lots of beef 'n' bacon, and a different kind of sauce that keeps your taste buds popping. This is good stuff, all right.

Now for a language lesson. Where was the phrase "Awesome Sauce," an exclamation means spectacular or super-cool, first used? No, it wasn't a recent commercial for the Discover card. We have to go back to the June 2, 2003 episode of Homestar Runner, an animated series on the Internet. One feature of the show has a character named Strong Bad answering viewer emails. He reacted to one missive by exclaiming "Awesome Sauce!"

And pop culture lingo — turned fast food condiment — was born.

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Ken Hoffman reviews a new fast food restaurant item every Wednesday. Have a suggestion or a drive-thru favorite? Let Ken know on Twitter.

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pat saddles up

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo makes history with election of first female chairman of the board

Photo courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Pat Mann Phillips saddles up in 2024.

In 2022, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo made history by making local rap icon Bun B the first Black headliner from Houston. Now, the venerable institution has made history again with the appointment of its first female chairman of the board.

Pat Mann Phillips, a rodeo life member since 2001, will begin her three-year tenure as chairman of the board starting with the 2024 Rodeo, according to an announcement. She takes over for departing chairman Brady Carruth.

“As the newly elected Chairman of the Board, I am humbled and honored to lead the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and our amazing team of dedicated volunteers,” Phillips tells CultureMap. "Together, we embark on a transformative endeavor to propel our organization to its fullest potential. By breaking new ground and pushing boundaries, we will elevate the rodeo experience to unprecedented heights, capturing the essence of our vibrant community and its unwavering spirit.”

Her first objective, according to the rodeo, will be to collaborate with the executive committee to lead the Rodeo, focusing on its core mission of promoting agriculture and supporting Texas youth and education.

Heralded by peers and staff for her high-energy, positive, genuine, compassionate, and humble nature, Phillips has served on myriad rodeo committees, various committees, including the Corral Club – Suites, Directions & Assistance, Jr. Rodeo, and Special Children's committees.

She was elected to the board of directors in 2012 and rodeo vice president from 2016 to 2018. During her tenure, she oversaw the Transportation, Magazine, Special Children's, Agricultural Education (formerly Ladies' Go Texan), Souvenir Program, and Communications & Special Services committees. She joined the rodeos executive committee in 2018.

Consummately Houston and rodeo, Phillips holds a BBA in Petroleum Land Management and a BBA in Finance from Texas Tech University and boasts more than 30 years of experience in the energy industry. She is currently the executive director of Energy Services for Revenade, a global management consulting firm.

Rodeo is a family affair: She and her husband, Tim Phillips have contributed financially through auction buying groups, season tickets, and donations to the Rodeo's Educational Fund. Tim Phillips, a former chair of the Jr. Rodeo Committee, continues to serve on the Special Children's Committee, per the rodeo.

Pat and Tim Phillips also walk the walk: they own Trinity Spirit Ranch in Field Store, Texas and manage their family ranch in Johnson County, Texas. Pat is also a charter member of Texas Women Venture Fund and a member and former director of Ladies of Texas Tradition, per her bio. She is a mentor and board member in organizations including Amigas Para Niños and the American Association of Professional Landmen.

“Our rich traditions serve as the cornerstone of our mission, and it is my hope that through our collective efforts, we not only preserve these traditions but also ignite a flame of inspiration within others,” Par Phillips says. “I am thrilled to saddle up for this exhilarating journey ahead. Together, we will leave a lasting legacy, inspiring generations to come and making a profound difference in the lives of those we touch.”