Last week I published a review of Popeye’s iconic fried chicken sandwich to see if it was still worth it in 2026.
The answer turned out to be surprisingly easy: not only was it still reasonably priced, it also shocked me with how good it was.
That was last week.
This week, it’s Jack in the Box — and their nearly $9 smash burger called the Smashed Jack.
I had high hopes.
I was skeptical. But I also got a strong endorsement: a DM on Instagram encouraging me to try the Smashed Jack.
And this wasn’t from a random follower. The person (who will remain unnamed) is associated with one of the more famous hamburger restaurants in America.
I was also warned it would be pricey. That part wasn’t surprising — and, oddly, it was a little encouraging. When something costs more, you expect more.
Especially from a chain that was recently named the worst fast food burger chain by Tasting Table. I can’t argue much there. I hadn’t eaten at Jack in the Box in about 15 years.
The Vitals:
the spot: Jack in the Box locations nationwide
the eats: Smashed Jack
the bucks: $8.89
the full nelson: can Jack in the Box deliver a smash burger worth $9
At $9, Jack in the Box is putting itself in Shake Shack and Five Guys territory.
And in the case of Shake Shack, that kind of pricing comes with expectations: better ingredients, better execution, better flavor. Or at least, that’s how it should work.
To be fair, the burger is a looker.
Both in the DM and in real life, the Smashed Jack looks good. The simplicity works: meat, cheese, bun, and a minimal set of toppings — lightly grilled onions, pickles, and a tangy sauce. Even the meat-to-bun ratio feels right.
On paper, this all makes sense.
And then you taste it.
The patty is the downfall. It tastes heavily processed, with enough sodium to moonlight as breakfast sausage. The beef flavor is muted, replaced by a distinctly processed, overly seasoned profile.
The pickles are limp and bring no punch. The sauce is mayo-heavy and forgettable. What should be a simple, craveable smash burger ends up feeling engineered rather than cooked.
This is the kind of burger that looks right and eats wrong.
Hell naw.
It’s not even worth eating.
The Smashed Jack is both bad and expensive, which is the worst possible combination. Shake Shack is leagues better. And honestly? I’d take a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese over this without hesitation.
At $9, this burger doesn’t just miss the mark — it fails the entire value conversation.
This post is part of an ongoing series examining fast food chains through the lens of economics, value, and reality in 2026 and beyond.
If fast food is going to cost more, it needs to earn its place.
You can explore more in the series here:
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