Desert Drive-By Review: Some mighty good eats pop out of this Jack in the Box...
When approaching the drivethrough window at
Jack in the Box (Bermuda Dunes), you'll be struck by the abundance of plants decorating the area, many of which are still alive. Since the drivethrough queue surrounds three sides of the restaurant, be sure to downshift so you can thoroughly enjoy the subtle architectural details designed into this quasi-contemporary wonder of mass-produced structural engineering.
Just past the first corner, you'll marvel at the profusely-illustrated menu board which includes healthy items like Asian Chicken Salad, Southwest Chicken Salad and Chicken Caesar Salad ($4.99 each). However, we simply giggled at those listings. After all, during the high-speed gobbling orgy which is the hallmark of a satisfying fast-food drivethrough experience, who wants to slow down the hand-to-mouth shoveling of chow with a
fork, for crying out loud?
The next menu sign, located a few feet further along this second leg, contains a microphone, speaker, and cashier screen (the instantly-updated video display is a deluxe feature not often found in lesser drivethrough emporiums). If you listen very carefully, then speak slowly and clearly, you'll have a pretty decent chance of making your culinary needs known to the helpful and efficient workers inside.
Continuing beyond the second turn, you'll notice many small birds, who watch every transaction with eagle eyes, so to speak. They eagerly anticipate the accidental dropping of food, then swoop in to squawk over taco fragments or burger bun crumbs.
After paying the bill, don't be caught off guard if the cashier tells you to drive around to the front of the building to await your meal. This restaurant prides itself on making your order at the actual moment of purchase. Remember, *fine* fast food sometimes takes a bit longer.
We particularly enjoyed the Chicken Fajita Pita ($3.29; great fun to say out loud) and the Zesty Turkey Pannido ($4.39; not quite as much fun, but a tongue-tickler nonetheless). The Bacon Cheddar Potato Wedges ($1.99) were somewhat messy for eating in the car, but Jack's experienced staff had anticipated our every need: the attractive takeout bag contained plenty of napkins to rub those greasy drippings into nearly-unnoticeable splotches on the automobile upholstery.
The highlight of our meal occurred when my dinner companion made imaginary "airplanes" out of the Seasoned Curly Fries ($1.39), flying them into my mouth as we merged onto the Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway.
Jack in the Box, +1.760.772-2658
42250 Washington St., Bermuda Dunes CA USAHours: 5am-midnight; Drive-Thru never closed
Entrees: $.99 (Beef Monster Taco) - $4.99 (Chicken Club Salad)
Payment: Cash or major cards accepted
Parking: Ample; no valet
Takeout: Duh
Verdict: One of the Coachella Valley's top drivethroughs. Enough variety to make fast food a daily habit. Unfortunately.
