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Carl’s Jr has finally arrived in the UK, opening its first-ever outlet right in the heart of Cardiff at St. David’s (Dewi Sant) Centre. For burger fans, this is big news — and for us, it was a nostalgic trip down memory lane. We last had Carl’s Jr years ago in Malaysia, so seeing the menu again stirred a mix of familiarity and excitement, as if we were rediscovering an old favourite for the very first time.
Ordering Made Simple — Self Service and Quick Service
The restaurant is located at 1 Bridge Street within the bustling St David’s Centre, easy to spot and welcoming inside. Ordering couldn’t be easier thanks to the self-service kiosks. A few taps, a quick scan of the menu, and our order was in.
Drinks and hot beverages are self-service too — a bottomless station with a range of soft drinks, teas, and coffees. The paper cups are on the small side, but given you can refill as often as you like, it’s not really an issue.
The space itself is bright, clean, and clearly designed with quick dining and casual meals in mind. There’s an effort in the interior decor to make it feel more than just a fast-food joint — subtle branding, modern seating, and a neat layout that keeps things moving without losing comfort.
Our Order — A Mix of Classics and Nostalgia
Between the three of us, we decided to start with Carl’s Jr staples from the Classic Burgers menu:
The Big Carl Meal — complete with bottomless drink and an upgrade to large fries. This signature burger stacks two thick beef patties with lettuce, two slices of cheese, and Carl’s signature classic sauce. Hearty, juicy, and extremely filling. The patties were thick and well-seasoned — exactly what you want in a flagship burger. Our only minor wish was for more vegetables; just one leaf of lettuce made the build feel a little uneven, though we appreciate Carl’s Jr’s trademark use of a single whole leaf rather than shredded lettuce. If you want tomato and onion, you will need to opt for the Super Star.
Western Bacon Cheeseburger — a single beef patty topped with crispy bacon, onion rings, cheese, and a smoky BBQ sauce. Bold in flavour and texture, this one instantly reminded us of Burger King’s Bacon Cheeseburger — but with a slightly more indulgent twist thanks to the onion rings.
Famous Star — the most affordable of the classic range at £5.95 (or £9.20 as a meal). A simple but solid combination of beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, and super sauce. No frills, just a good, classic burger that hits the spot.
To share, we also added a side of Jalapeño Cheese Poppers, which offered a nice spicy kick and creamy centre — perfect for snacking alongside the fries.
Taste, Texture and a Small Quirk
All three burgers delivered on taste. The beef patties had a satisfying bite, the buns held their shape without being too dense, and the sauces added richness. The Big Carl stood out for its generous portion, a true hunger-buster while the Western Bacon Cheeseburger offered a smoky, savoury counterpoint to the more classic Famous Star. The BBQ sauce borders on spicy. It was alright for me but a little too hot for my partner.
We did encounter one minor quirk with the packaging. The burgers are wrapped with one end open for easy access, which works in theory but in practice meant the sauces pooled at the bottom of the wrapper. The first half of the burger ended up a little dry while the second half was soaked with mayo or special sauce. Not a dealbreaker by any means, but something we noticed with both the Big Carl and Famous Star. The best way about this would be to hold the burger horizontally and only point it up when taking a bite.
Value and Future Visits
Price-wise, Carl’s Jr sits above the typical fast-food range, especially if you venture into their premium Big Angus Burgers or Hand-Breaded Chicken options. That said, the portion sizes and quality of the patties justify the cost. For the three of us, we saved a little by sharing one full meal for the fries and drinks, with the other burgers ordered à la carte.
The menu has plenty left for us to explore. The Big Angus range looks promising, and the Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders are clearly pitched as a rival to Slim Chickens — a head-to-head we’re eager to test. The chicken sandwiches also from Head-Breaded Chicken Burger section is your alternative to beef just like Chicken Royale or Crispy Chicken at Burger King. There’s also a breakfast menu waiting for an early visit.
Prices are mirror between the Classic Beef Burgers and Hand-breaded Chicken offerings which makes picking between the two easier but the Big Angus Burger offerings are the premium options.
Final Thoughts
Carl’s Jr has made a confident entrance into the UK market, and Cardiff feels like a fitting launchpad. The combination of nostalgia and discovery made our visit especially fun. The food was tasty, portions generous, service smooth, and the interior a pleasant surprise for a chain known for its quick-serve roots.
For burger lovers in Cardiff — or anyone curious about trying a US classic in the UK for the first time — Carl’s Jr at St David’s is absolutely worth a visit. We’ll be back soon to dig deeper into the menu and see what the Big Angus and Hand-Breaded Chicken ranges have in store.
