Jack in the Box is coming to Lexington, and these menu oddities are its claim to fame
Jack in the Box, the popular California burger chain and West Coast fast-food staple since its start in San Diego in 1951, is headed to Lexington, with plans to open multiple locations here by 2024.
Today, the chain popular for its late-night menu, has nearly 2,200 locations nationwide. Roughly 43% are based in the Golden State, where it remains the most popular.
So why is Jack in the Box so adored by its admirers? Fans might praise its versatility. After all, where else can you get a fried chicken sandwich, tacos, egg rolls and a turkey club at 10 p.m. in one stop?
Jack in the Box’s menu at a glance
On its website, Jack in the Box bills itself as “not your typical burger franchise.”
The restaurant does serve burgers to be sure, but it also offers crispy chicken sandwiches, salads and all-day breakfast options complete with coffee, hashbrowns and breakfast sandwiches. There are also curly fries, onion rings and stuffed jalapenos on offer. For dessert, there are milkshakes, mini churros and New York-style cheesecake, just to name a few.
When the lights turn purple at Jack in the Box, you know the late-night menu is available. Many of its locations are open between 18 and 24 hours a day.
Jack in the Box is also one of the few burger chains where you can order two tacos as a side. From the restaurant’s website, Jack in the Box might be the most popular burger joint known for its taco.
You can get two tacos for 99 cents, try their tiny tacos, loaded tiny tacos or monster tacos. It’s evidently a popular menu item. As of 2017, the Wall Street Journal reports Americans eat 554 million Jack in the Box tacos a year.
Jack in the Box’s history and milestones
Jack in the Box prides itself for spearheading many of the conveniences now standard in the industry, namely, drive-thru service, breakfast sandwiches and portable salads.
The chain did not invent drive-thru service, but its founder, Robert Peterson, revolutionized the experience by adding a two-way intercom system and including it at his restaurants once it caught on. The restaurant also introduced the first breakfast sandwich to the industry in 1969 and offered the first to-go salad in 1982.
Do you have a question about business Lexington for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published April 18, 2023 at 2:25 PM.