- - Jack in the Box Celebrates 75 Years by Bringing Back the Hot Mess Burger

Fred HernandezFebruary 16, 2026 at 4:35 AM

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We all have that one fast food item we desperately wish would come back. Maybe it's Taco Bell's Enchirito or KFC's potato wedges. Sometimes those wishes actually come true, as fans have seen with recent comebacks like McDonald's’ Snackwrap and Burger King's Cini Minis. Now, it's Jack in the Box fans' turn.

To celebrate its 75th anniversary, Jack in the Box is bringing back one of its most requested menu items: the Hot Mess Burger. The cult favorite has been off the menu for more than a decade, and its return is back for a limited time. You'll want to grab this one while you can.

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The Hot Mess Burger Is Back

After years of requests, the Hot Mess Burger returns to select Jack in the Box locations nationwide starting Feb. 16, and will be available through April 5. The comeback comes with plenty of fanfare, including a remake of the original Hot Mess commercial, limited-edition collectibles, and an anniversary tour marking 75 years of Jack in the Box.

So what exactly makes this burger such a big deal? According to the brand, the Hot Mess Burger features a 100 percent beef jumbo patty seasoned as it grills, topped with white cheese sauce, shredded pepper jack cheese, pickled jalapeños, and crunchy onion rings on toasted sourdough bread. It's rich, messy, spicy, and unapologetically over the top, which is exactly why fans never forgot it.

A Throwback Campaign and Anniversary Tour

Jack in the Box's Meat Riot commercialCourtesy Jack in the Box (Courtesy Jack in the Box)

First released in 2013, the Hot Mess Burger came with a lore-heavy campaign featuring Jack Box as the frontman of an '80s rock band called Meat Riot, where he famously met his wife, Cricket. For the 75th anniversary, Jack reprises that role in a newly remade version of the ad, giving longtime fans a nostalgic callback to one of the brand's most memorable campaigns.

The Hot Mess Burger isn't coming back alone. Fans can also order the Hot Mess Munchie Meal, which bundles the burger with two tacos, curly fries, a drink, and a Meat Riot–themed antenna ball, while supplies last.

Jack in the Box is marking the return with a Hot Mess Anniversary Tour, running Feb. 13-21, kicking off in San Diego and wrapping up in Austin, Texas, with a stop in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles stop features a limited-time installation by the Hundreds, with each tour stop offering a different experience and a chance to try the Hot Mess Burger.

Related: 15 Photos of McDonald's in the 1990s That Unlock a Core Memory

More Throwback Menu Items Are Returning

The Hot Mess Burger isn't the only nostalgic item making a comeback. Jack in the Box has already announced the return of the Chicken Supreme, available as a Chicken Supreme combo, a Double Chicken Supreme combo, and a Munchie Meal option. First introduced in 1980 and discontinued in 2004, it's another longtime fan favorite getting a second life this year.

The anniversary celebration also includes limited-edition collectible bag charms called Jibbi, featuring characters such as Icy, Saucey, Spicy and the ultra-rare "The Boss." Additional throwbacks, including Frings, Smashed Jack Sliders, and Sauced & Loaded Wedges, are also set to return.

Why Fans Are So Excited

Fans have been asking for the Hot Mess Burger's return ever since it disappeared from the menu. Over the years, it's regularly come up in online discussions as one of Jack in the Box's most memorable burgers, and, for some, the gold standard.

"Imho Jack in the Box's best burger to date had to be the Hot Mess released in 2013," one fan wrote in a Reddit discussion. Another echoed the sentiment on X, saying, "I can't lie. I think about that Hot Mess Burger daily. I just want to hit up Jack in the Box late at 10pm and mash a Munchie Meal one more time."

The excitement goes beyond the Hot Mess. In one Reddit thread reacting to the 2026 anniversary news, fans have been celebrating its return while also calling for other long-lost favorites, from mini pancakes and nacho monster tacos to stacked grilled cheeseburgers and the ghost pepper sandwich.

It's a reminder of just how many hits Jack in the Box has had over the years, and how strongly certain menu items stick with people. For longtime fans, the Hot Mess Burger's return feels long-overdue.

Related: 12 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' Spots That Have Closed Forever (and Why)

This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the Food & Drink section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”