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A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Han Solo inspired a burger

By Ken Hoffman - | May 18, 2018

This week I reached out for a Blaster Fire Burger, new from America’s 24/7 diner, Denny’s, with 1,700 restaurants across America and ’round the world.

The Blaster Fire Burger, along with Co-Reactor Pancakes, Two Moons Skillet and Lightspeed Slam, are tie-ins with the new “Star Wars” movie, “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” There have been 10 “Star Wars” movies so far, accounting for $9 billion in ticket sales (plus an unaccounted $100 trillion in reasonably priced popcorn and candy bars). Denny’s is hoping for a piece of that action in burgers and flapjacks.

Here’s the Blaster Fire Burger breakdown: a 1/4-pound all-beef patty, chipotle Gouda cheese, bacon, spicy Ghost Pepper Sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles on a toasted brioche bun.

Total calories: 850. Fat grams: 47. Sodium: 2,140 mg. Carbs: 54 g. Dietary fiber: 3 g. Protein: 49 g. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $9.29, including a side dish.

My side suggestion: Denny’s new Bacon Cheddar Tots. They taste like authentic deli potato latkes with jolts of bacon ‘n’ cheese. I got an extra order to go. They didn’t last the drive home.

Denny’s isn’t known as a burger barn, but its burgers are perfectly fine, totally legit. Each one is cooked to order and served juicy-hot off the grill, not cardboardy-dry from a microwave. The patty is plump and tasty. This “Star Wars”-inspired burger has an extra charge of heat, fueled by the chipotle Gouda cheese and Ghost Pepper Sauce.

Denny’s choice of cheese is Gouda’nuff, although it’s the Ghost Pepper Sauce that has guests checking the walls for a fire extinguisher. The Blaster Fire Burger is piled high with bacon, lettuce, tomato and pickles. The fluffy brioche bun is a sweet touch.

Denny’s must have gotten a bulk deal on Gouda: The diner also has a new Bacon Gouda Burger and Smoky Gouda Prime Rib Broccoli Skillet.

In addition to the “Stars Wars” menu items, Denny’s is selling exclusive “Solo: A Star Wars Story” trading cards for $3 a pack. Nice guys, Denny’s is donating the proceeds from the cards to the No Kids Hungry Project, with a minimum contribution of $1 million.

The “Star Wars” promotion ends June 26.

Starting at $4.32/week.

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