Hardee's tries a patty melt in this nod to the pastHardee's tries a patty melt in this nod to the past

ST. LOUIS Hardee's is trying another dash of menu nostalgia with the addition of the Patty Melt Thickburger, a variation on the classic patty melt, consisting of a 1/3 pound Angus beef patty topped with grilled onions and melted Swiss cheese, served on grilled rye bread.

The newest addition to the chain's Thickburger line is priced at $2.99 individually, or $4.79 for a small combo including fries and a drink.

"At Hardee's, we love to eat great burgers and we love to create great burgers so we understandably wanted to look at making a great patty melt since it's an American classic," said Brad Haley, Hardee's executive vice president of marketing.

Hardee's also reached into the past with the resurrection last month of the Burger Chef Big Shef as a limited-time offer at select units. The burger, which features two charbroiled patties, American cheese, shredded lettuce and Burger Chef's signature Big Shef sauce, was a signature of the Burger Chef quick-service chain in the 1970s and 1980s, which was ultimately absorbed into Hardee's.

Hardee's is a 1,906-unit subsidiary of CKE Restaurants Inc., based in Carpinteria, Calif. CKE also operates or franchises 1,087 Carl's Jr. restaurants and 96 La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grills.