The Most Special Wendy's Baked Potato Can Only Be Found In Puerto Rico

If you've ever traveled, you almost certainly have that one food item you still think of with longing that you can only get in another country. It could be the baguettes from Paris, the fried plantains from Costa Rica, or the eggy tortillas from Spain. The food choice we're here to recommend today might not be quite as elevated or iconic as that list of examples, but it is just as exclusive: Wendy's ham and ranch baked potato is only available on the tropical shores of Puerto Rico.

There are a variety of other topping options from the chain in Puerto Rico ranging from broccoli to chili, but the salty cubes of ham and sweet, creamy ranch dressing add a twist to the traditional baked potato that Wendy's is so famous for. It joins a long legacy of delicious potato dishes in the United States territory, with papas rellenas, a kind of meat-stuffed potato ball, commonly recognized as one of the most popular. Special features of the Puerto Rican menu compared to the one in the United States also include a few varieties of loaded fries, a Nutella Frosty, and chips with chili and cheese.

Ham and ranch isn't necessarily a flavor pairing that's common in Puerto Rican cuisine, but testing new twists on simple, classic recipes is — and that's something the cuisine has in common with Wendy's. The chain, which was initially known for its square-shaped burger patties but has since grown in infamy for its cups of chili, Frostys, and, of course, baked potatoes, is no stranger to menu modifications across country lines. From gravy-loaded fries in Canada to a spicy, savory bacon jalapeño melt in Mexico and a so-called Teriyaki Beefinator in Indonesia (arguably one of the wildest burgers Wendy's has ever created), taking a trip to the global joint while you're overseas might just be something to add to your itinerary.

As far as this particular offering goes, there's a reason the pairing works so well despite it seeming a little bit out of left field. For one, crafting the perfect baked potato topping combo is all about textures; the chewy ham and silky ranch do a great job of creating contrast with a moist, crumbly baked potato. Personally though, we recommend adding on some cheese for gooeyness, chives for freshness, and, if you're a meatlover, bacon bits for a little crunch. Wendy's baked potato is already a bit of an anomaly in the realm of fast food, and we think this quirky combination deserves its time in the spotlight. Who knows? Maybe the ham and ranch potato can inspire the United States version of Wendy's to experiment with its own new topping ideas next.