Wendy’s Krabby Patty: Does it look like the cartoon burger in ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’?

Ahoy, mateys! The Wendy’s Krabby Patty, the real-world version of Bikini Bottom’s most popular burger, is now available in restaurants nationwide as of Tuesday, Oct. 8.

The cartoon-turned-IRL burger consists of ground beef, American cheese, crisp lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and a “super special secret sauce” served on a toasted bun — and the internet has thoughts, particularly SpongeBob SquarePants superfans.

Keep in mind that, according to a press release from Wendy’s, the Krabby Patty Kollab Burger (as it’s officially called) is “inspired” by the swashbuckling, under-the-sea animation. In other words, it’s not meant to be an exact replica, but it still has Krusty Krab devotees in a tizzy.

Wendy’s Krabby Patty: Does it look like the cartoon version?

When promo images of the Krabby Patty first hit the internet, some were disappointed that it didn’t match the cartoon variant.

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“What’s different about this burger? Looks like a regular Wendy’s cheeseburger,” a Reddit user with the moniker @Blue_Wave_2020 said.

“Doesn’t even have a sesame seed bun,” another Reddit user said.

Several commenters in the official SpongeBob subreddit voiced dissatisfaction that it’s not plant-based. Not necessarily because they’re vegans, but according to SpongeBob SquarePants producer Vincent Waller, “there is absolutely no meat in the Krabby Patty; there is no animal product in there.”

Others pointed out that, true to Wendy’s style, the meat inside the IRL Krabby Patty has a squarish shape. The Krabby Patty in Bikini Bottom, on the other hand, is round. “A square patty!?” said ConclusionDouble3962, who claims that they purchased the Krabby Patty Kollab Burger. “It was basically just an overhyped Dave’s Single.”

(For the uninitiated, a Dave’s Single is a classic burger from Wendy’s named after Dave Thomas, the chain’s founder.)

Dave’s Single at a Wendy’s in Georgia, USA
Credit: Deutschlandreform / Shutterstock.com

The following TikTokker, jes_foodie, made similar claims, pointing out the lack of SpongeBob SquarePants themes.

According to a SpongeBob SquarePants fandom page, aside from the missing plant-based round patty and sesame seed buns, the IRL Krabby Patty has all the other ingredients found inside the cartoon burger.

Wendy’s Krabby Patty has decent reviews

Perusing through X (formerly Twitter), many people who looked past the fact that it’s not an exact recreation of the Bikini Bottom burger seemed to enjoy it.

Credit: @Caylaisawesome on X

“I’d get it again and that frosty was on another level,” @Caylaisawesome said. This X user is referring to the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty that comes with the total Krabby Patty Kollab Meal. It has fries, too.

“Was good,” @MORSxGAMING said.

Credit: @MORSxGAMING on X

However, you can’t please everyone. One X user wondered why the meal lacked a toy and a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed wrapper.

Credit: @KidKinsey on X

Another agreed with the aforementioned Redditor and TikTokker; it’s “just a rebranded Dave’s Single with special sauce,” adding that it’s “not bad, just not as spectacular.”

Credit: @JoshGamnChannel on X

As for the “super special secret sauce” that accompanies the Wendy’s Krabby Patty, several reviewers, including reporters from El Paso Times and Delaware Online, say that it simply tastes like Thousand Island dressing.

The Wendy’s Krabby Patty Kollab Burger, in partnership with Nickelodeon and Paramount, celebrates SpongeBob SquarePants’ 25th anniversary. By the way, the burger won’t be around for long — it’s a limited-edition meal.

If you had a chance to try the new Krabby Patty, let us know what you think in the comments.