When I was approached by the motherhood and Wendy’s to do a give-away I was a little apprehensive. I know you get a little compensation and swag (in this case lunch and some super cute picnic stuff) so I thought if worse comes to worse I’ll just be honest about my experience and maybe not be approached in the future.
Wendy’s has rolled out a new “premium” salad for summer and myself and the Mom bloggers behind Mama Mash, Dine & Dish, Super Jenn, Mommypalooza and A day in Mollywood met up at a KC location to try the salads and write about the experience. I’m not big on fast food at all and had fully expected a mildly crappy salad. Usually when I think of a fast food salad I think sad looking lettuce covered in bacon and drenched in fatty dressing. I was pleasantly surprised.
Here’s me and the Mommies. They were rad, as anticipated. (Thanks Dine & Dish for the photo).
Wendy’s new “Berry Almond Chicken Salad” was everything but. I ordered mine without chicken so I cannot comment on the meat but the produce was appetizing and dare I say; delightful. The greens were dark and crisp, the berries (blue berries and strawberries) were fresh and the almond slivers were perfectly toasted and not too salty. The fat free raspberry vinaigrette topped it off nicely for a healthful light lunch.
They don’t have the nutrition info posted yet in the store we were at but it is available behind the counter. I had the half size salad which only comes in at about 242 calories– not bad for a drive through option! The sugar content is easy to cut back on by not using your entire pack of dressing. All in all it was a good, quick option for lunch.
I would tell you if I didn’t think so. =)
Here’s the coolest part: Now YOU get to try it. Wendy’s is going to hook one of you up with a $25 gift card so you can try it yourself. How do you win? Just leave me a comment on this post! I will pick a reader via random.org and mail it off to ya! Winner announced Friday. You want a salad. And I won’t even be mad if you have a frostly while you are there, I did.
Love, Mama
*Wendy’s and the motherhood hooked me up for participating but not for my thoughts. Ya’ll oughtta know by now I’d give it to you straight. *
Good to hear it was a great salad! I have a hard time trying salads at fast food restaurants because I’m afraid they’ll be awful, but might give that one a try sometime.
I am willing to try it after reading your review. I saw the ads on TV and I didnt think they seemed that appetizing. Now I am interested.
I’ve been wanting to try that salad since I heard about it. I used to love Wendy’s chicken salad with mandarian oranges. This one sounds good too. (Hate limp salad greens!)
I love this! We’ve all had that “mildly crappy salad,” and also the one with “covered with bacon and drenched in fatty dressing” (i.e., the salad that I grew up with.) I trust your opinion and honesty, so I’m glad you wrote about this. Go Mama!
I liked Wendy’s Mandarin Chicken Salad, and kind of gave up on them after they changed out that batch of salads for a new bunch last year. This one actually sounds tasty and relatively healthy, so I’ll give it a whirl sometime soon! It’s nice to know there’s a decent fast food salad option out there. Thanks for the review!
Just out of curiosity, was the 242 calorie count with or without chicken? It’s nice to hear that more places are coming out with better options on fast food menus. I’m normally not much of a fast food eater either (even though my husband is) but there are those once in a blue moon scenarios where that’s all I have available to me, and it’s comforting to know that I have a healthier choice.
I believe with.
Oooh I love their Frosty!
I love Wendy’s for fast food. Nutrition is not usually something I think of when it comes to eating from a drive through. Usually when it comes to that point I am traveling or in a food emergency. I will consider the healthy options of a Wendy’s salad next time I am in a fast food situation. Thanks!
I’m so glad Wendy’s has a new salad option. The other fast food salads leave a lot to be desired and there is a Wendy’s by my house
YAY!
Would love to hear what you think about their Apple Pecan Chicken salad!! I have had it a few times and find it very tasty and filling!
With two kids under 4, going in is not always a good idea. It’s nice to have a reasonable drive through option. Thanks for the tip. Now I just need an idea for something reasonably healthy that my kids will eat as well!
I’ve had a Wendy’s salad before in a pinch… but not the one you wrote about. Sounds yummy.
I saw the commerical for the Berry Almond Chicken salad and have been wanting to try it out! I am so glad that you got the opportunity to do so! It is much easier to believe something is tasty and healthy when real people are able to do the testing. There has been some negative chatter about the salads at fast food places, and how bad they are for you compared to other menu items but it sounds like this salad isn’t the case…so I am definently ready to put my tastebuds to the challenge
Heck, I’ll post here since there is the opportunity to win something. Besides, you got to hang out with my former neighbor, SuperJenn, which is always a good thing to do. Finally, I need to meet with you again…time to work out on a plan for me. Thanks!
My husband loves Wendy’s, but I always steer him away from there because I could never find healthy options. Good to know that they finally have one (and now maybe I can let him go there to get his frosty fix next time).
I love the fruit and greens combination. Glad to hear it was tasty, for so many of the fast food salads have limp or dried greens and are very unappetizing.
I am super excited that you got to try this with some other mom bloggers
how fun is this! I have tried multiple salads at many restaurants and have to say am usually let down. To hear there maybe is a healthy yummy option is awesome! The berries sound delightful 
goo mama!! (And yea for swag!)
J
I love Wendy’s Salads!
Our all time favorite- Frosty.
I have been wanting to try their salads ever since I saw them advertised on tv. They sound yummy.
I do like Wendy’s! Would love to win and take my kids for a fun lunch out this summer. And I’d love to try the new salad! Thanks!
Steph
I’m definitely leaving a comment because I have such a hard time believing a fast-food salad is healthy — all that sodium & sugar!! But I’ll take your word for it!
It’s not perfect. But its the best I’ve seen.
Blueberries on a fast food salad intrigue me!! I haven’t had fast food in over 3 months but perhaps I’d break for this salad!
How did the other moms like the chicken?
Super Jenn said the chicken was real, but salty.
I actually like Wendy’s salads. I haven’t been there in a looong while, but I’ll try one of these out!
I love the berry almond salad! It’s one of my favorites. I just had one today, actually!
I love Wendy’s junior bacon cheeseburger, but this sounds much healthier to eat!
While on road trips, we often have to stop at fast food places, and I usually opt for the least awful salad on the menu. This is something that I look forward to trying, and I am grateful for a healthy, tasty choice.
I love wendy’s food! Would love to try this salad, thanks!
shopgurl101 at gmail dot com
Sounds tasty. Although I’ve got to admit, I have a weakness for burgers!
I definitely want to try this salad.
With a frosty
I’d love to try the spicy chicken caesar salad. I love their spicy chicken sandwiches, so I’m sure I’d like the salads.
Thanks for sharing. Its good to know there are good options out there in a pinch!
Winks & Smiles,
Wifey
I like the idea of a half size portion. Some salads can manage to have a huge calorie content.
I have been waiting for the salad to hit the stores, Berries on salads are my favorite! I am a diabetic and of course food picking is a big key in keeping my sugars controlled! Cutting back on the dressing would be the first thing to come to mind to help! Great minds think alike I guess!
Thanks for sharing your experience. It is nice to hear from others and see what there view is on different meals! Looking forward to trying the “Berry Almond Chicken Salad”.
I don’t usually go to fast-food, but we have lots of traveling coming up where I won’t always have the opportunity to be prepared ahead of time; Wendy’s will be a quick option I will remember. Thanks!