my dependable delicious pit stop when life calls for a burger that slaps.

Today’s adventure? I went rogue (well, as rogue as a loyalist can get) and ordered the Great American Cookout burger. And if you’re anything like me and believe that baked beans + Ruffles = a match made in summer BBQ heaven, then this burger was a no-brainer.

Let me break it down:

Baked beans with bacon? Yes please.

American cheese? Not usually but I forgot to sub it out for gouda.

Ruffles potato chips? Crunch crunch, baby.

Sweet southern slaw? I got that on the side because I like to control the slaw-to-bite ratio like the responsible adult I pretend to be.

Also—pro tip—cut that big ol’ burger in half. It’s just easier. Less slip and less slide.

Now let’s talk fries. Normally I go for the truffle fries because they are elite. Like, fancy without trying too hard. But today I switched it up with the regular fries… and something felt different. Not bad, but suspiciously not the same. You best believe I’m heading straight to Reddit later to investigate. If they changed the fry recipe? I might spiral. Don’t mess with a woman’s comfort food. I’m just saying.

But back to the burger: it was cooked to absolute perfection. Juicy, flavorful, and layered in a way that made each bite hit every note—savory, sweet, crunchy, cheesy. Basically, it was everything I didn’t know I needed in a burger. If they don’t make this a permanent menu item, I might start a petition and cry in public.

So here’s my rating: Four score and seven Ruffles scoops of baked beans out of five.