Denny’s "Afterlife Menu": A Beetlejuice Feast, or Just a Misfire?
Denny’s, the all-American diner known for its late-night cravings and bottomless coffee, has a history of taking on pop culture tie-ins with gusto. From the "Hobbit" Menu, featuring "Bilbo Baggins’ Breakfast Burrito" and the "Smaug’s Fire-Roasted Chicken", to the "Fantastic Four" Menu boasting the "Invisible Woman Slam", Denny’s has a knack for translating iconic franchises into edible experiences. Now, they’re attempting to summon spirits with a "Beetlejuice"-themed menu, an endeavor that leaves us wondering if it’s a "bio-exorcist approved" success or a culinary "dead man’s hand".
The "Afterlife Menu" offers four main dishes aiming to capture the essence of Tim Burton’s iconic film. First up is the "Say It Three Times Slam", a breakfast offering that embodies Beetlejuice’s signature stripes and spectral pallor. Three silver dollar chocolate-chip pancakes are adorned with vanilla cream and chocolate sauce, mimicking the character’s iconic suit. Green sprinkles, a nod to his ghostly nature, add a touch of macabre. Accompanied by "three eggs cooked your way and three strips of crispy bacon", this dish promises to inspire, shall we say, multiple bathroom visits.
Next comes the "Afterlife Melt", a visually unsettling creation that evokes the film’s infamous scene of a severed hand trapped in a vice. A grilled cheese sandwich, packed with a surprising five mozzarella sticks, serves as the central figure of this offering. The accompanying fries and tomato sauce provide an opportunity for diners to "daub" their "severed appendage" with a hearty dose of "blood."
The "Beetlejuicy Burger" marks a more straightforward offering. This behemoth features "three strips of crispy bacon and three slices of Provolone cheese", a classic combination that lacks the thematic ingenuity of its predecessors. It’s unlikely that even the eccentric Deetz family would embrace this burger for its novelty value, let alone its supposed connection to the film.
Rounding out the menu is the "Cookies ‘N’ Scream Shake", a classic vanilla shake injected with a Beetlejuice twist. Oreo cookies and whipped cream provide the familiar sweet notes, while green sprinkles serve as a reminder of the film’s eerie tone. It’s a surprisingly palatable offering, even for those who might be hesitant about the other dishes.
While Denny’s effort to capture the spirit of Beetlejuice is commendable, the menu’s execution leaves room for improvement. The overreliance on the number "three" feels forced and lacks the wordplay expected from a character like Beetlejuice. Dishes that play on the film’s iconic lines, such as "Berried Alive Pancakes" or a "Open Casket Sandwich", could have added a playful and memorable dimension to the menu.
Moreover, the overall thematic resonance of the "Afterlife Menu" pales in comparison to its predecessors. The "Hobbit" Menu, with its hearty portions and flavorful offerings like "Bilbo Baggins’ Breakfast Burrito", fully embraced the spirit of the film. Even the "Fantastic Four" Menu, with its "Invisible Woman Slam", a stack of pancakes "drizzled with a clear citrus glaze," managed to offer a unique twist on a popular theme.
However, the "Beetlejuice" menu suffers from a lack of imagination and a reliance on predictable, albeit vaguely thematic, offerings. The "Afterlife Melt", despite its unsettling presentation, falls short of capturing the film’s iconic imagery and humor. The "Beetlejuicy Burger" feels like a missed opportunity to tap into the film’s quirky spirit, offering a disappointingly straightforward burger that lacks the playful twist expected from Denny’s.
Despite its shortcomings, the "Afterlife Menu" does offer a moment of reflection on mortality, albeit served up with a side of "bio-exorcist approved" pancakes. It’s a fitting tribute to a film that playfully explores the boundaries of life and death, reminding us that even in the face of the unknown, we can always find comfort in a shared meal and a good conversation.
In the end, Denny’s "Beetlejuice" menu may not be a culinary masterpiece, but it does offer an entertaining and (hopefully) non-ghostly experience. Whether or not it will inspire diners to "Say It Three Times" remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – it’s not for the faint of appetite.
