Wednesday, April 7, 2004

JBX continues to be a lively topic of conversation. Have you been? It’s the inaugural site of the reconstruction of San Diego’s first big drive-thru fast-food chain: Jack in the Box. One wishes the opening of independent stores in the neighborhood could gain as much media attention. Nonetheless, this latest re-invention of fast food is quite tasty. The exterior architecture lays a post-modern industrial cladding on the traditional white box. Signage is minimal with merely a bold JBX on the building itself and Jack’s image etched in the industrial sheet metal hanging over the drive-up window. The interior resembles a Seattle coffee-shop (can you say cozy?) — smaller may be in, but it sure’s difficult to navigate a wheelchair in there now. Their burgers are still available, but they’re upscale menu offerings with a gourmet touch, larger buns and fresher vegetables. These are definitely some yummy drive-thru eats, but don’t call this “fast food” — their service continues to lag as their one BIG negative.