The Weird Denny’s Pop-Punk Experiment Of 2009

In a strange move, the chain diner partnered with bands to make signature dishes. Sum 41 “Sumwich”, anyone? Early Katy Perry–inspired milkshake?

1. There was a time where you could get free Sum 41 breakfast sandwiches…

Think back to 2009. Doesn’t seem all that long ago, right? But what if I said “Sum 41 had their own Denny’s sandwich”? Now it seems really far in the past, right?

Back in the late aughts, Denny’s launched a menu aimed at young late-night snackers called “Denny’s Allnighter,” featuring signature dishes endorsed by various popular bands at the time. There was a decided pop-punk lean to the bands selected.

Take a deep breath in, and whisper “Hoooooooooobastank” as you exhale. Now let’s examine some of the playbill for this high-calorie menu:

3. Sum 41’s “Sumwich”

A tribute to Avril’s former husband’s homeland of Canada, the sandwich was eggs, cheese, and ham between two slices of French toast. Topped with powdered sugar.

4. Hoobastank’s “Hooburito”

A burrito with spicy chicken strips, onion crispers, Pepper Jack cheese, cheese sauce, and BBQ sauce. Served with tortilla chips, cheese sauce, and ranch dressing.

5. Rascal Flatts’ “Unstoppable Breakfast”

Biscuit topped with country-fried steak, eggs, American cheese, gravy, three strips of bacon, with a side of hash browns. Can’t stop this.

6. Good Charlotte’s “Band of Burritos”

Denny’s Corp

According to a Denny’s press release from 2009: “Available in two varieties, this dish comes as a vegetarian-friendly Boca Burrito or a Smoked Chicken Burrito with shredded cheese, sliced mushrooms, fire-roasted peppers and onions and spicy mayo. Both are served with tortilla chips and ranch dressing.”

7. Katy Perry’s “Hot N Cold Cherry Chocolate Cappuccino”

Apparently she even showed up to fake-work a shift at a local Denny’s as part of the promotion.

9. Gym Class Heroes’ “After School Special”

10. Plain White T’s “Plain White Shake”

A vanilla milkshake with cheesecake, whipped cream, and white chocolate chips. Very clever.

11. All-American Rejects’ “All American S.O.S.”

A cheeseburger on Texas toast with sausage gravy. Sounds kind of gross.

12. Taking Back Sunday’s “Taking Back Bacon Burger Fries”

French fries with cheese, hamburger, tomatoes, pickles, bacon, onions, ketchup, and mustard.


13. Los Lonely Boys’ “Texican Burger”

A burger topped with grilled onions, Pepper Jack cheese, jalapeños, tomatoes, and BBQ sauce. This sounds like most palatable of all these.

14. Girls Like Boys’ “The Great Eggscape”

A play on their song title, “The Great Escape,” this was a hot roast beef sandwich with scrambled eggs, peppers and onions, Pepper Jack cheese, and spicy mayo on sourdough.

15. Eagles of Death Metal’s “Heart on a Plate”

Honestly, this is the one band that seems like it would have too much credibility to do something as dumb as this.

And yet, their namesake heart-shaped pancakes exist.

16. And here it is:

This breaks my heart a little.

17. Jewel’s “Acoustic Smoked Chicken Quesadilla”

As to why the chicken is acoustic, I can’t tell you. Jewel, you are truly a mystery.

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