It's been a few weeks since we got wind of the Thickburger El Diablo, the burger currently boasted by Hardee's and Carl's Jr. as being one of the hottest burgers ever. In fact, featuring sliced jalapenos, jalapeno poppers, pepper-jack cheese and a habanaro-bacon sauce, it's being billed as “the hottest burger in fast food.” Speaking to Ad Week, Justin Hooper, group creative director at ad agency 72andSunny, which created the burger, said “Typically, hot products in fast food aren't really that hot. They have to cater to everyone. With this one, we really went all in on the hot, on the spice. We came up with the name 'El Diablo' because we want consumers to understand immediately that this is really the hottest burger in fast food.”
But I'll be honest: As tasty as this burger sounds, it still doesn't actually look that spicy to me. I mean, I understand why; there's spicy, there's spicy, and then there's so spicy it's actually a health hazard. Better safe than sorry, right? At the same time, though, I can't but think that there are plenty of things out there that are likely way spicier than the Thickburger El Diablo — like the seven items listed below. Now those are what I would call “spicy.”
If, however, you're not feeling quite this adventurous (which would be understandable), the Thickburger El Diablo will be available at Hardee's and Carl's Jr. locations nationwide for the next few months. Rumor has it that if sales do well enough, there's a chance it might become a permanent menu item — and that it might even begin to take different forms over time (a chicken variation, for example, or a breakfast sandwich). Fingers crossed, right?
Anyhoo, things that I'd bet money are spicier than the El Diablo include:
1. Ghost Peppers
On the Scoville scale, which measures the spiciness of food, jalapenos weigh in at 2,500 to 10,000 units. Ghost peppers, on the other hand, are rated at more than one million units. Something tells me that after playing “Tango Jalousie” after eating a Thickburger El Diablo would be a walk in the park for the Danish National Orchestra — they've already been through it with ghost peppers and Carolina Reapers.
2. Phaal Curry
From what I recall from the Man vs. Food episode featuring this dish, it requires its chef to wear a gas mask while cooking it because the fumes are so strong. That's one pungent curry.
3. Suicide Chicken Wings
This particular genre (can one refer to food with the word “genre?”) of wings is not for the faint of heart. Where can you get them? Start with these spots as described by Delish, then go from there. But don't say I didn't warn you.
4. The XXX Hot Burger
Served by UK burger joint Burger Off, the XXX Hot Burger, which is made with Indian piri piri chili sauce, sent two reporters to the hospital during the summer of 2014. Yikes.
5. Sinus-Clearing Shrimp Cocktail
No joke; that's what it's called. It's available at St. Elmo's Steakhouse in Indianapolis.
6. The Iliana Cocktail
Another UK creation, the Iliana can be found at London's Zenna Bar. Allegedly the hottest cocktail in the world, it's served with a fire extinguisher alongside it — and requires you to sign a waiver before you drink it.
7. Stefon
I rest my case.
Images: Carl's Jr.; Giphy (4)
