REVIEW: Jack in the Box Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack, Roost Fries, and Chocolate Croissant Bites

Jack in the Box has added several new, limited time only items to its menu — the Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack, Quad Bacon Cheesy Jack, Jack’s Classic Roost Fries, Jack’s Spicy Roost Fries, and Chocolate Croissant Bites. Because I kind of value my health, I’ll skip the Quad Bacon Cheesy Jack and Spicy Roost Fries in this review.

Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack

Jack in the Box Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack Whole

The Jack in the Box website says the Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack has three beef patties, three kinds of cheeses, and three kinds of bacon on a buttery bakery bun.

Don’t get excited about “three kinds of cheeses” because it’s just American, Swiss, and a cheddar cheese sauce. Also, don’t let “three kinds of bacon” blow your mind as if there are applewood-smoked, hickory-smoked, and brown sugar glazed pork strips. Instead, lower your expectations because it’s just bacon mayo, bacon pieces, and smaller bacon pieces. No, really. Below is a screenshot from the Jack in the Box app when I tried customizing it.

Jack in the Box Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack Custom

So what do three beef patties, three kinds of cheese, bacon mayo, and two bacon sizes taste like? Well, it tastes like a bacon cheeseburger. There are no nuances between the cheeses, and there’s definitely none with the bacon. I’m sure it would taste the same if this was a Double Bacon Cheesy Jack or the Sextuple Bacon Cheesy Jack.

If you’re into numerology and believe the number 3 is artistic and creative, you might find some interest in this. Although, you might be dismissing this burger because it lacks a third bun, and it’s not very creative.

Jack in the Box Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack Split

The Triple Bacon Cheesy Jack is definitely not a bad burger, but it doesn’t have a unique flavor. It’ll satisfy your meaty, porky, cheesy, and salty cravings. But I can also get that from Jack’s Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger or Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger.

Purchased Price: $6.99*
Size: N/A
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 810 calories, 57 grams of fat, 20 grams of saturated fat, 2 grams of trans fat, 120 milligrams of cholesterol, 1410 milligrams of sodium, 32 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 4 grams of sugar, and 42 grams of protein.

Classic Roost Fries

Jack in the Box Classic Roost Fries Full

I spent more time than I’d like to admit wondering if the “Roost” in Jack’s Roost Fries is short, cool slang for a rooster or the place where birds come together to rest at night. If it’s the former, then cool. But if it’s the latter, that’s morbid. Thinking the pieces of 100% all-white meat chicken coming together for the ultimate rest after being battered and deep fried is quite gloomy.

Anyhoo, along with the cut-up pieces of what appears to be one Crispy Chicken Strip, Roost Fries also come with fries, of course, cheddar cheese sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, and a drizzle of Mystery Sauce. There’s also a spicy version that comes with sliced jalapeños.

Jack in the Box Classic Roost Fries Closeup

The Mystery Sauce is what makes this unique. I enjoyed the sweet, tangy, and peppery sauce on Jack’s Cluck Sandwich, and I also like it on these chicken and cheese topped fries. The sauce is such a tasty condiment that I found myself scraping off whatever I could find with the fries at the bottom of my container. Maybe Jack should offer it as a dipping sauce for its mediocre chicken nuggets.

As for the cheeses, they add a creamy texture and a burst of saltiness, but there isn’t a strong cheddar flavor because of the Mystery Sauce.

Overall, Jack’s Classic Roost Fries are a tasty side, thanks to the Mystery Sauce. Maybe there will be a version someday that comes with bacon slices and smaller bacon slices that’ll be called Sty Fries.

Purchased Price: $4.00*
Size: N/A
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 700 calories, 41 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 50 milligrams of cholesterol, 1680 milligrams of sodium, 66 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar, and 18 grams of protein.

Chocolate Croissant Bites

Jack in the Box Chocolate Croissant Bites 3 Pack

Made with Hershey’s chocolate and a flaky exterior, the Chocolate Croissant Bites are a sweet and satisfying treat, although the warm, two-inch pieces are not as crispy as I hoped. As you can see, after cutting them in half, there’s an ample amount of filling, but, oddly, there were some bites that taste less chocolatey than others.

Jack in the Box Chocolate Croissant Bites Filling

Although cutting the bites in half is probably something most people won’t do, might I suggest doing so that you can use that melted filling for some French fry dipping. That’s a Pro Tip right there, my friends. Also, I imagine these would be a pleasure to dip into one of Jack’s shakes. But that’s not a Pro Tip. That’s just common sense.

If three pieces aren’t enough, there’s also a six-piece order, which is what I’ll order next time.

Purchased Price: $2.49*
Size: 3-pieces
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (3 pieces) 320 calories, 15 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 130 milligrams of sodium, 42 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 13 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.

REVIEW: Jack in the Box Mac & Cheese Bites

Jack in the Box Mac  Cheese Bites Boxed

What are Jack in the Box Mini Munchies Mac & Cheese Bites?

The fast food chain with a mascot that regularly ends up in my dreams and nightmares has a new limited time only side that features mac and cheese that’s been battered and then deep fried.

Jack’s Mac & Cheese Bites are available in a Mini Munchies size with six pieces, a Mega Munchies pack with 12 pieces, and a Mini Munchies Variety option that comes with an oily potpourri of three Mac & Cheese Bites, curly fries, and regular fries.

How are they?

The exterior has a decent crunchiness. I would’ve recorded audio of it to give you an idea, but then you’d have to listen to me chew, and I don’t think you’d want to hear that no matter how much of an ASMR eating fan you are. But what really matters is what’s inside that golden brown shell.

Jack in the Box Mac  Cheese Bites Innards

The macaroni that swims in the orange goo is tender. The goo itself is a combination of American, Romano, and a Cheddar & Blue Cheese blend, but it all tastes as if it’s sharp cheddar. While it has a pleasant flavor, it congealed a bit during the five minute trip home, so the interior texture wasn’t as gooey as I was expecting. But there isn’t anything here taste-wise that makes these stand out from something in the freezer aisle.

Anything else you need to know?

An order comes with a buttermilk ranch dip cup (sorry, I forgot to take an Instagrammable photo of a bite being dipped into the herbaceous white sauce), but you can get it with any sauce Jack offers. Maybe I’ve had too many Mac & Cheese bites in my lifetime, but the buttermilk ranch’s tang adds a welcomed flavor. They also bring back some creaminess that gets lost when the cheese congeals. If I wasn’t so lazy, I’d go to Burger King to try these with its Zesty Sauce.

Oh, this is not the first time Jack in the Box has had mac and cheese bites. Back in 2008, it offered wedge-shaped Cheesy Macaroni Bites, which, I’ll be honest, looks easier to dip into the sauce containers than these 2021 versions.

Conclusion:

Jack in the Box’s Mac & Cheese Bites are a decent addition to the chain’s sides menu. At their advertised three dollar price for a half dozen, they’re worth a try. But if you decide to order them, get some kind of sauce to enhance their flavor.

Purchased Price: $4.00*
Size: 6 pieces
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 330 calories, 19 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 25 milligrams of cholesterol, 1170 milligrams of sodium, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 10 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. Most of you will probably pay three dollars.

LATE TO THE PARTY: Jack in the Box Potato Wedges

Jack in the Box Potato Wedges Plated

Update 9/30/21: It appears Jack in the Box’s Potato Wedges have been taken off the menu. Such a sad day.

Late to the Party posts are about products or brands that have been around for a long time, but I’ve only experienced recently for the first time.

I think Jack in the Box’s fries are mediocre.

But I can’t help but think they’re supposed to be that way. I don’t want to start any fast food conspiracies, like Grimace is actually an extremely expired ketchup packet, but perhaps they’re average because Jack really wants us to order the better tasting, and slightly more expensive, curly fries.

Look, I’m suggesting that without even knowing the curly fries’ profit margins. And I might be boring you with talk of profit margins. So let me get straight to the point. There is a fried potato product on Jack in the Box’s menu that I believe is superior tasting to its regular AND curly fries AND is cheaper — Potato Wedges.

Jack has had these on his menu FOR YEARS, so I’m super late to the party. It wasn’t until last year, when I started mobile ordering from the Jack in the Box app that I learned I could swap the standard fries with potato wedges, and do so without an upcharge like there is with curly fries. I haven’t had Jack’s regular fries since.

When I first tried them, I was blown away by how much better tasting they were. The coating has a light seasoning that’s good enough that I don’t need to dip them into anything if I forget to ask for ketchup packets. It also gives the finger food a pleasant crispiness that doesn’t get limp during the trip home.

Jack in the Box Potato Wedges Closeup

But I think what I’ve been impressed by is how crispy the exterior and fluffy the interior has been every time I’ve purchased them. Although, there was that one time, and I don’t know if this is a bonus or not, or something that happens regularly or not, they tasted like Jack in the Box tacos.

I assume the potato wedges’ freshness is the result of being fried when ordered and not produced in large batches that sit like the French and curly fries.

Unfortunately, while the wedges are cheaper than French fries if you order them a la carte, they don’t lower the cost of a combo meal if you swap them in.

To some of you, the greatness of Jack in the Box’s Potato Wedges may not be a revelation. But now I know about them, and it makes me sad that I could’ve been eating these wonderful potato wedges all this time instead of Jack’s inferior fries.

REVIEW: Jack in the Box Sauced & Loaded Tots

Jack in the Box Sauced  Loaded Tots Boxes

What are Jack in the Box Sauced & Loaded Tots?

They’re a follow-up to Jack’s Sauced & Loaded Curly Fries. They’re available in two varieties — Cheddar Bacon and Jalapeño Ranch. The former features cheese sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, and bacon bits on top of tater tots. While the latter has cheese sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, jalapeño slices, and buttermilk ranch plopped on tots.

How are they?

In my experience, it’s rare that anything involving cheese-covered deep-fried potato thingies ends up being awful, so it’s not surprising I enjoyed these Sauced & Loaded Tots.

Jack in the Box Sauced  Loaded Tots Cheddar Bacon Closeup

Jack in the Box Sauced  Loaded Tots Cheddar Bacon Forked

But having tried multiple varieties of Jack’s Sauced & Loaded Curly Fries, I think topped curly fries are a better experience than these. The curly fries’ seasoning stands out a little more among the cheeses and sauces, and the coating helps prevent the potato product from falling apart. With both tots varieties, by the time I got to the middle of their boxes, the viscous toppings softened most of the coated tater tots to the point where they fell apart when picked up with a fork.

Also, I don’t mean to be a Danny Double Downer, but Cheddar Bacon and Jalapeño Ranch are uninspiring flavors. If you’ve been eating Jack’s food for years, the flavor combinations will be familiar, so they’re not anything unique.

Jack in the Box Sauced  Loaded Tots Jalapeno Ranch Closeup

Jack in the Box Sauced  Loaded Tots Jalapeno Ranch Forked

With that said, both are tasty, but if I had to pick a favorite between the two, it would be the Jalapeño Ranch. I prefer the ranch’s tang and jalapeño’s zing over the porky and cheesy flavors of the other one. Although, I do wish there were more pickled peppers in the container and with all the cheese and sauces, the jalapeños don’t have a strong kick.

Anything else you need to know?

I’m going by memory, but this might be the first time Jack has offered tater tots. Unfortunately, unsauced and unloaded tater tots aren’t its own thing on Jack in the Box’s menu. However, using the chain’s app, I could remove all the toppings to turn them into plain tots. But, of course, the price doesn’t change even after the deletions. I was able to try a few tots on their own and they taste like any ol’ tots you’ve had.

Conclusion:

If you enjoy anything involving cheese-covered deep-fried potato thingies, Jack in the Box’s Sauced & Loaded Tots will satisfy your cheese and carbohydrate cravings.

Purchased Price: $4.00 each*
Size: N/A
Rating: 6 out of 10 (Cheddar Bacon), 7 out of 10 (Jalapeño Ranch)
Nutrition Facts: Cheddar Bacon – 740 calories, 47 grams of fat, 13 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 30 milligrams of cholesterol, 1670 milligrams of sodium, 65 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar, and 15 grams of protein. Jalapeño Ranch – 750 calories, 49 grams of fat, 13 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 30 milligrams of cholesterol, 1770 milligrams of sodium, 66 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.

REVIEW: Jack in the Box Cluck Sandwich with Mystery Sauce

Jack in the Box Cluck Sandwich with Mystery Sauce Pouch

Update 9/8/21: We also tried the BBQ version! Click here to read our review.

I don’t hang out with a gang of teenagers and a dog in a van who rip fake monster masks off the heads of conniving folks. So I’m probably not going to solve what the Mystery Sauce is in Jack in the Box’s new Cluck Sandwich.

It features Jack’s new thicker and crispier 100% all-white meat fried chicken fillet, pickles, and the chain’s Mystery Sauce on a toasted brioche-style bun. There’s also a Deluxe version with cheddar cheese, guacamole, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and mayo on a brioche-style bun.

Jack in the Box Cluck Sandwich with Mystery Sauce Closeup

As you can see, I decided to go with the regular version since the Deluxe doesn’t come with the Mystery Sauce. Why? That might be the real mystery here.

The first thing I noticed after pulling the Cluck Sandwich out of the pouch that all post-Popeyes Chicken Sandwich chicken sandwiches seem to come in now is that it’s less like a cluck and more like a cheep. The previously mentioned Popeyes offering is noticeably larger. But thank goodness Jack’s new fillet is thicker. Or is it?

Jack in the Box Cluck Sandwich with Mystery Sauce Split

I mean, is Jack counting the breading as part of the thickness like how I use the top of my spiky gelled hair to determine my height? To be honest, I really can’t say it’s noticeably thicker than Jack’s previous chicken. But thank goodness Jack’s new fillet is crispier. Or is it?

Jack in the Box Cluck Sandwich with Mystery Sauce Crunch

Jack in the Box Cluck Sandwich with Mystery Sauce Crispy

Just kidding. It is, but only at the edges of the fillet. It’s not a hearty crunch, but it’s better than what came before. Taking a closer look at the breading, there’s some seasoning in it, which gives the fillet a slightly peppery flavor when eaten separately. It’s not Popeyes-great, but it’s a step above Jack’s previous chicken.

Now I’ll attempt to solve the Mystery Sauce. I thought it was a combination of peppery barbecue sauce and Thousand Island dressing (minus the chopped bits) with my first taste. But after a few more bites and licks, I realized its flavor is like a less zesty Burger King Zesty Sauce, which is the only excellent dipping sauce at Burger King. And that sweet, tangy, and peppery condiment gets enhanced with the pickles’ tang and slight sweetness from the brioche bun.

With all of that said, Jack in the Box’s Cluck Sandwich is the best tasting chicken sandwich I’ve ever had from the chain and I’d be happy if it ended up being a permanent addition to the menu. Is it better than a Popeyes Chicken Sandwich? No, but while I think the current king of chicken sandwiches has better tasting chicken and a better bun, I prefer Jack’s Mystery Sauce over Popeyes’ mayo.

Purchased Price: $4.99*
Size: N/A
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 490 calories, 22 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 45 milligrams of cholesterol, 1260 milligrams of sodium, 54 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 10 grams of sugar, and 23 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.

Click here for our previous fast food reviews.