Jack in the Box’s Sourdough Jack has existed for almost 30 years. The combination of a beef patty, hickory smoked bacon, tomato, melted Swiss-style cheese, mayo, and ketchup on toasted sourdough bread is a satisfying savory bomb of a sandwich. But I believe I’ve tasted something better that uses the chain’s sourdough — the Sourdough Smashed Jack.

The menu item features a smashed beef patty, American cheese, pickles, grilled onions, and Jack’s Boss Sauce on toasted sourdough bread. It’s basically a Classic Smashed Jack, but with the brioche bun swapped for sourdough bread. There’s also a version that comes with a second patty and bacon.

My taste buds were tantalized by the Sourdough Smashed Jack because they enjoyed the tasty Boss Sauce, which isn’t a new condiment and debuted with the original Smashed Jack. Although the classic version came out in January, I missed tasting it because it quickly sold out. But when it came back on the menu, I was distracted by newer, younger products, so I just got around to trying a Smashed Jack now.

Anyhoo, back to the sauce. It’s the primary reason why the Sourdough Smashed Jack tastes excellent. Its sweet and tangy flavor is “secret sauce”-like, and it’s enhanced by the onions and pickles. The orange cheese slice helped prevent the pickles and onions from falling out and gave the burger a welcome savory kick. As for the beef patty, I think it was smashed, or maybe it’s just thin, but it didn’t have the crispy edges that smashed burgers are known for. Although its meatiness comes through, I kind of wish this had a second patty. The sourdough bread was buttery, but like I’ve experienced with other menu items that feature it, it doesn’t have a notable flavor.

Jack in the Box Sourdough Smashed Jack is one savory, tangy, and tasty boss of a sandwich, thanks to that Boss Sauce. But I imagine it’s not that different tasting than the equally priced Classic Smashed Jack.

Purchased Price: $9.79
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 690 calories. No other nutritional numbers are available on the Jack in the Box website or app.

The person who came up with the names for Jack in the Box’s most recent shakes needs a raise because they are doing some wonderful word working that brings a smile to my face. There was fall’s Witch Please Shake, and now there’s the new Noggy or Nice Biscoff Shake. (NOTE: Jack in the Box still offers the Witch Please Shake and calls it that in the app, but sadly, the menu board in the restaurant uses the less creative Purple Oreo Crumble Shake.)

The seasonal dessert features a vanilla shake blended with eggnog flavor and Biscoff cookie crumbs. It is finished with whipped topping and more cookie crumbs. An eggnog-flavored shake isn’t new to Jack in the Box. It has offered the delicious dessert on and off for several years during the holiday season. But does adding Biscoff cookies make it even better?

After trying the chain’s new Biscoff Donut Holes and being disappointed, I was a tad hesitant about the shake and its Biscoff-iness. However, this sippable dessert has a much better flavor than the donut holes, though it comes in spurts.

It’s either you taste eggnog or Biscoff cookie, it’s never at the same time. The first few sips I took had a strong eggnog flavor, but I know there were crumbs included because I could feel them when they came out of the straw, although they were tiny due to being blended with the base. When I chewed on those tiny bits, I still got an overwhelming eggnog taste. But that was before I mixed in the whipped topping and cookie crumbs on top into the base. When I did that, some bigger chunks were coming up my straw, and when I chewed on them, I got a taste of the spiced cookie that was strong enough to block out any of the eggnog flavors. That’s not a bad thing, though. Tasting an eggnog shake with occasional bursts of Biscoff is still delightful.

Jack in the Box’s Noggy or Nice Biscoff Shake is an upgrade over its usual eggnog offering. However, if you think about it, it isn’t very different from most shakes it offers. It’s basically shake + cookie crumbs, which it has done ad nauseam with Oreo cookies. And I imagine someday, the chain will offer an eggnog shake with Oreo crumbs and call it the Noggy Oreo Nice Shake.

Wait. Am I the one who comes up with the names?

Purchased Price: $6.29
Size: Regular
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 800 calories. No other nutritional numbers are available on the Jack in the Box website or app.