“SpongeBob” fans, your dream is officially a reality—but sadly, it’s not quite the one you might have hoped for. Wendy’s has launched the Krabby Patty Kollab Meal to celebrate the 25th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants, but I’m here to report that it’s, well, a little underwhelming.
Wendy’s, the Columbus-based fast-food chain, teamed up with Paramount to commemorate the 25-year milestone of SpongeBob SquarePants, which first premiered on Nickelodeon in 1999. The limited-time Krabby Patty Kollab menu features two new items: the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty (a vanilla Frosty swirled with pineapple mango puree) and the Krabby Patty Kollab Burger (a quarter-pound of beef topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and the mysterious “top-secret Krabby Kollab sauce,” all served on a toasted bun).
I was excited to try these new items. As a lifelong SpongeBob fan, the thought of finally getting to experience a real-life Krabby Patty was something that spoke directly to my inner child. I remember watching episode after episode, imagining what that elusive burger might taste like. Would it have a secret ingredient that made it irresistible? Would it have the perfect blend of flavors that had customers at the Krusty Krab lining up for more? I set out to answer these questions and satisfy my nostalgia.
Review: Krabby Patty Kollab Burger
The Krabby Patty Kollab Burger promised to be an iconic tribute to SpongeBob’s beloved burger. But would it impress the fine folks of Bikini Bottom? Sadly, it fell short. Let me start with what worked: the basics. The quarter-pound beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions were all classic Wendy’s staples. If you’ve had a Wendy’s burger before, you know what to expect—decent quality, good flavor, and that familiar fast-food satisfaction. But what I was really hoping for was “something extra” that would make this burger live up to its legendary inspiration.
The burger’s “top-secret Krabby Kollab sauce” was, frankly, a letdown. I was expecting something thick, tangy, and flavorful—maybe a sauce that had a unique twist, something that would elevate the burger to mythical status. Instead, what I got was a sauce that was disappointingly thin and lacking in flavor. It made the burger “very wet” without adding any real depth to the taste. The sauce’s mild, almost watery flavor didn’t do much to enhance the experience, leaving me disappointed and longing for something more.
The texture was another issue. The thin sauce caused the bun to get soggy rather quickly, which made the whole burger a bit of a mess to eat. I couldn’t help but think that Mr. Krabs would be disappointed if this was the burger that bore the Krabby Patty name. The whole experience felt like it was missing that magic—a key ingredient that would have made it truly special. It wasn’t a bad burger by any means, but it wasn’t the Krabby Patty that SpongeBob fans have dreamed of for years.
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Review: Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty
Next up was the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty. I had high hopes for this one—after all, if you’re going to name a dessert after SpongeBob’s iconic pineapple home, it better be something special. Unfortunately, like the burger, the Frosty left much to be desired.
The first thing I noticed was the lack of visual appeal. I was expecting a bright, neon-yellow hue that screamed “SpongeBob,” something that would instantly bring to mind the fun and colorful world of Bikini Bottom. Instead, what I got was a standard vanilla Frosty with a swirl of orange puree. The color was muted, and it didn’t have that eye-catching, cartoonish look that I was hoping for.
As for the taste, the initial spoonful was promising. The pineapple mango puree added a nice fruity kick to the classic vanilla Frosty, and for a moment, I thought this might be the redeeming item of the meal. But as I continued eating, the puree quickly sank to the bottom of the cup, leaving me with nothing but plain vanilla Frosty for most of the experience. By the time I reached the bottom, the puree had lost its vibrancy, and what was left was essentially a cup of vanilla ice cream that had melted into a soupy consistency.
I couldn’t help but think that if this dessert were served to the residents of Bikini Bottom, it wouldn’t make much of a splash. The idea was there, but the execution fell flat. The Frosty lacked the fun, tropical flavor that I imagined when I first heard about the Pineapple Under the Sea concept. It wasn’t bad—it was just boring. And for a collaboration that’s supposed to celebrate SpongeBob and his zany, colorful world, boring is the last thing it should be.
The Verdict
Overall, the Krabby Patty Kollab Meal was underwhelming. The burger lacked the magic of the Krabby Patty, and the Frosty fell short of delivering the tropical punch fans might hope for. Was it a good, standard Wendy’s meal? Sure. But did it capture the essence of SpongeBob’s world? Not really.
As a SpongeBob fan, I wanted to love this meal. I wanted to feel like I was biting into a piece of my childhood like I was experiencing a bit of that magic that made SpongeBob SquarePants such a beloved show for so many people. But instead, I felt like I was eating a regular fast-food meal with a gimmicky name slapped on it. The collaboration had so much potential—after all, the Krabby Patty is one of the most iconic fictional foods out there. But instead of giving us something truly unique and memorable, it felt like Wendy’s played it safe.
That’s not to say that there aren’t people who will enjoy this meal. If you’re a fan of Wendy’s and you’re curious about the Krabby Patty Kollab, it’s worth trying—if only to say that you did. The burger is still a solid choice if you’re craving a classic fast-food experience, and the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty is a nice change of pace if you’re in the mood for something a little fruity. But if you’re looking for a meal that truly captures the whimsy and fun of SpongeBob SquarePants, you might be left wanting more.
If you’re still curious and want to conduct your own taste test, both items are available at Wendy’s locations nationwide. Just don’t be surprised if your SpongeBob dreams aren’t fully satisfied.
Here’s where to get one in Detroit:
12550 Gratiot Ave
Open Until 12:00 AM
12550 Gratiot Ave
Detroit, MI 48205
(313) 372-6505
14001 Livernois
Open Until 1:00 AM
14001 Livernois
Detroit, MI 48238
(313) 935-6271
14401 W. 7 Mile
Open Until 1:00 AM
14401 W. 7 Mile
Detroit, MI 48235
(313) 864-3577
17010 Harper Ave
Open Until 1:00 AM
17010 Harper Ave
Detroit, MI 48224
(313) 343-9165
17420 Grand River
Open Until 2:00 AM
17420 Grand River
Detroit, MI 48227
(313) 835-5976
18430 Ford Rd.
Open Until 1:00 AM
18430 Ford Rd.
Detroit, MI 48228
(313) 593-4449
19100 Kelly Road
Open Until 1:00 AM
19100 Kelly Road
Detroit, MI 48224
(313) 372-1152
22222 Grand River Ave
Open Until 12:00 AM
22222 Grand River Ave
Detroit, MI 48219
(313) 541-0149
3990 John R Street
Closed Today
3990 John R Street
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 832-7676
4749 Conner Street
Open Until 12:00 AM
4749 Conner Street
Detroit, MI 48215
(313) 822-3519
6333 W. 8 Mile Rd.
Open Until 12:00 AM
6333 W. 8 Mile Rd.
Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 345-2141
6601 E. Jefferson Ave.
Open Until 2:00 AM
6601 E. Jefferson Ave.
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 259-0109
7850 Gratiot
Open Until 12:00 AM
7850 Gratiot
Detroit, MI 48213
(313) 921-1772
9768 Grand River Ave
Open Until 2:00 AM
9768 Grand River Ave
Detroit, MI 48204
(313) 931-5958
In the end, the Krabby Patty Kollab is a reminder that sometimes, the magic of a beloved cartoon is best left to the imagination. Maybe one day, someone will crack the code and bring the real Krabby Patty to life—but for now, we’ll have to keep dreaming.
