In case you did not know (which would truly be a surprise by the way), we Lahoris love our food. Our voracious gastronomic desires prompt us to welcome quality food with open arms, irrespective of the latitudes and longitudes it originates from! If it’s good, bring it on!

So how could we (in our right minds), miss out the opportunity being provided by Verve Events to sample the latest offering in the city’s ever vibrant food industry. Hardees had been making heads (and tongues) turn for some time in Lahore. It wasn’t just the media hype. The billboards and the banners places all around the outlet when it was in the final phases of completion assured of something big and yummy. Hailing from the southern part of United States, the flavor Hardees promised to bring to Pakistan was unique and a class of its own.

Did it measure up?

Let’s leave the answer for our grand conclusion.

It came as no surprise that the launch date for Hardees in Lahore was a tough ordeal for the organizers. The unfortunate security threats in the country coupled with the confirmed presence of foreign dignitaries at the event made matters worse at one point or the other. Ideally, the VIP launch was set to happen on October 30-31 and opened for public on November 1. This was of course delayed but thankfully by not a long stretch which we feel was a good move in the end to ensure smooth operations.

The Hardees VIP launch event was indeed a glitzy affair with prominent personalities from all walks of life in attendance to savor the new taste. As expected, the M.M Alam road was thoroughly clogged throughout but kudos to the valet parking staff for their efficient and quick service that night. We left our vehicles in safe hands as we made our way under the emblazoned star adorning the entrance to the Hardees venue.

Quite a crowd had already gathered inside and out in front of the Hardees building already by the time we arrived and we surely expected the head count to swell up as the night would progress (remember what we said about our unconditional love for quality food?). After an official ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the launch, everyone was requested to be seated while the proceedings of the night went under way. Natasha Hussain was at the helm of presentation affairs with numerous heads of the Hardees local and international offices making their formal introductions of the brand to Pakistan.

Enough with the official hoola hoop already. Time to get down to business. For starters, we were glad we didn’t have to queue up in front of the counters to get our burgers. For anyone who has been to Hardees after their VIP launch to this date, the average time it has taken to reach the counter is barely under 30 minutes on any given day! Yes, it is THAT crowded now with queues going all the way even beyond the main entrance!

The guests were served with platters consisting of the Hardees Swiss Cheese Burgers along with their signatory curly fries and soft drink of your choice. Everything, including the meat, toppings, and bread, tasted fresh and made-to-order. Their burgers are huge, chunky, and a definite value for money. Although only the Swiss cheese burger was available to sample at the launch, having previously experience the Hardees delights. We can tell you that their menu is well diverse and will definitely leave you spoiled for choices. By and large, the Hardees taste is simply wonderful.

The arrangements and the decor at the launch eased every one present in to a casual and much welcoming mood. The neon-blazing star at the entrance of Hardees stood as an imposing mark of the franchise’s proud arrival. Inside, there was ample standing space for people to mingle and socialize while the proceedings went underway. Verve Events are definitely becoming one of the most exciting event managers in the business right now. The fact that they bagged the much sought after Hardees launch speaks volume of the equity they are making in Lahore and beyond. The evening on the whole went smooth as was expected with everyone enjoying themselves to the fullest.

So does Hardees measure up? Our answer is a resounding ‘yes’, but only for now. Granted that the taste Hardees has brought to Lahore is a unique delight and the crowds in front of the outlet even weeks after its launch will tell you of the food-frenzy it has put everyone in. It is yet to be seen how Hardees will fare in the long run with established names such as KFC or McDonalds. What is expected now of Hardees is to maintain top level quality of their services and products. They have arrived with a bang no doubt but as they say, it’s not always about how you get to the top, it’s about how maintain that position and for how long.

We wish the Hardees family in Pakistan the best of luck and look forward to countless visits (when the frenzy dies down a bit of course). Head over to Hardees now if you haven’t already! It’s worth the wait (in the queues)!

Happy munching!

*Images courtesy of Imtisal Zafar of Verv Events