Luke Oldfield spent 60 minutes waiting outside Hamilton's new burger joint, Carl's Jr., this morning in efforts to be the first customer through the new store's door.



The 29-year-old Waikato University student turned up at the Greenwood St store after banging out a 90-minute work out at the gym.



He knew what he was in for.



"This food is an artery-thickener," he admitted.



The self proclaimed fast food critic said he had been hanging out for the Carl's Jr. grand opening since parent company Restaurant Brands announced a Hamilton franchise late last year.



The already established chains had been letting him down, Mr Oldfield said, and he was looking for a new burger to top his list.



Mr Oldfield, who had tried Carl's Jr. only once at one of the brands Auckland stores, said he had done his research before he turned up this morning.



It cost Oldfield $13.40 for an Angus patty burger and fries.



He sat at the table with his designated number from the counter and waited patiently until it was delivered by a staff member.



He took a bite. And then smiled.



The verdict?



"It's artery tightening, it's going to hit my cholesterol, it's not good for me ... but the taste is phenomenal."



He compared the food to upscale burger chain Burger Fuel.



"I think in terms of value it's spot on but it's obviously a new kind of fast food for Hamilton ...We're actually paying for quality."



So Oldfield will be back.



Only on special occasions though. He said it was a pricey food habit for a student to have.



He's planning on sampling the whole Carl's Jr. menu over the next 12 months, one visit at a time.

And it seems burger experts aren't the only ones with a taste for the burgers.

Such is the interest in Carl's Jr. opening that Hamilton Boys' High School posted extra prefects on duty today to make sure students didn't scarper to Greenwood St for their fix.



