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When you think about some of the most iconic fast-food burgers of all time, McDonald's Big Mac and Burger King's Whopper are likely to be among the first that come to mind. This is not surprising considering that, in terms of sales, McDonald's and Burger King rank as the first and third-largest burger chains in the country, as reported by QSR Magazine. If you were to explore the menus at both of these establishments, you would be hard-pressed to find two burgers with greater name recognition than the Big Mac and the Whopper. (Although it's worth noting that McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese is also quite famous.)
Over the past few years, both McDonald's and Burger King have been diligently working to enhance the appeal of these iconic burgers. Burger King, in particular, is currently engaged in a substantial $400 million campaign aimed at revitalizing its brand, with a special focus on giving the Whopper the recognition it deserves. The company has been introducing intriguing new Whopper flavor variations and improving its kitchen operations to ensure that its employees can deliver an even higher level of quality.
In the meantime, McDonald's has been implementing significant improvements for its iconic burgers, such as the Big Mac. These enhancements encompass the use of softer brioche-style buns toasted to a delightful golden brown, the practice of cooking onions directly on the burger patties, and ensuring that every slice of cheese achieves the perfect melt. Additionally, the Big Mac will now be served with an extra serving of Big Mac Sauce.
Having previously tasted both burgers individually, I decided to pit them against each other for the first time. I recently sampled both options to determine which one reigns supreme in 2024, considering the extensive upgrade efforts undertaken by McDonald's and Burger King.
1) The Method
As expected, I kicked off this experiment by making visits to my local McDonald's and Burger King, where I ordered a Big Mac and a Whopper, respectively. I intentionally refrained from making any significant customizations to the burgers, aiming to experience them precisely as the chains originally intended. The only adjustment I made was adding a slice of cheese to the Whopper since it does not come with one by default. This was done to ensure a level playing field since the Big Mac includes cheese as part of its standard recipe.
Once I had both burgers in hand, I returned home and sampled them side by side, meticulously evaluating their meat, toppings, and bun quality in terms of taste and texture. While neither burger achieved perfection, one of them unquestionably surpassed the other in every aspect.
Keep reading to discover my detailed assessments of each burger, followed by my final verdict on which one reigns supreme in 2024!
2) Burger King's Whopper
Nutritional Information per Sandwich:
- Calories: 590
- Fat: 34g (Saturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 1g)
- Sodium: 1,050mg
- Carbohydrates: 46g (Dietary Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 9g)
- Protein: 25g
The classic Whopper from Burger King boasts a quarter-pound of flame-grilled beef, complemented by ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce, creamy mayonnaise, zesty ketchup, tangy pickles, and finely sliced white onions, all nestled within a toasted sesame seed bun. To mirror the Big Mac's cheese inclusion, I opted to include a cheese slice, bringing the total cost of the sandwich to $8.52.
Appearance-wise, it was undeniably appealing, particularly for a fast-food burger. The cheese had been perfectly melted, and the charred beef patty was an ideal fit for the bun. While the bun's exterior appeared somewhat dry and slightly cracked, the overall presentation was well-executed, with the sandwich exuding juiciness. Overall, it bore a resemblance to the Whoppers I had sampled before Burger King embarked on its $400 million campaign, but it was presented in a tidy and skillful manner.
Now, onto the taste: The burger's defining flavor was undoubtedly the beef, attributed to Burger King's distinctive grilling method for their patties. It possessed a smoky, savory essence, with a slight char, and it was far from dry, reminiscent of a burger one might savor at a backyard barbecue.
Even though the beef dominated the sandwich's flavor profile, the Whopper achieved an impressive balance. It boasted generous, succulent tomato slices with a surprisingly fresh taste, accompanied by crisp pickles and just the right amount of finely sliced onions. My only minor critiques were that I would have preferred a bit more lettuce and a tad less ketchup and mayonnaise, though these preferences are subjective.
3) McDonald's Big Mac
Nutritional Information per Sandwich:
- Calories: 590
- Fat: 34g (Saturated Fat: 11g)
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Carbohydrates: 46g (Dietary Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 9g)
- Protein: 25g
McDonald's Big Mac boasts a unique composition, featuring two beef patties, the signature Big Mac sauce, pickles, shredded lettuce, chopped onions, and a slice of American cheese, all nestled within a sesame seed bun. As always, this iconic fast-food burger includes an additional bun layer sandwiched between the two beef patties, with a total cost of $5.45.
In terms of appearance, the first striking feature of this burger was the revamped bun, sporting a rich, deep golden brown hue that deviated from the typical McDonald's offerings. However, the burger's presentation appeared somewhat messy, with generous amounts of Big Mac sauce and shredded lettuce spilling out from the sides upon opening the box. While I typically appreciate saucy, generously topped burgers, I wished my local McDonald's had exercised more restraint in applying the toppings or assembled the Big Mac with greater care.
Now, onto the taste: The dominant note here was undeniably the Big Mac Sauce, and then some more Big Mac Sauce. The burger was generously laden with the signature condiment to the point where it nearly overpowered every other element. While I appreciate the creamy, tangy, and mildly sweet profile that the Big Mac Sauce contributes, the sheer quantity disrupted the burger's balance. Ideally, I would prefer the sauce to complement the beef, cheese, onions, and pickles rather than overwhelming them.
Another significant concern with this burger was the beef itself. Not only did the Big Mac Sauce overshadow the beef's flavor, but the patties themselves felt relatively small in proportion to the bun, and they leaned towards being dry. While this burger may be a delight for die-hard Big Mac Sauce enthusiasts, it didn't quite hit the mark for me.
4) The Verdict
As evident from the starkly contrasting reviews, it's abundantly clear that the Whopper emerged as the resounding victor in this taste-off. It demonstrated remarkable balance, offering a filling and delectable experience with its blend of beef, vegetables, condiments, and cheese. The Big Mac found itself at a considerable disadvantage in this culinary face-off, primarily due to the overpowering volume of special sauce. However, even if the Big Mac had been a bit more conservative with its sauce application, it still wouldn't have emerged as the winner.
McDonald's lean and relatively small patties paled in comparison to the flavorful and juicy grilled patties that Burger King employs. While there's no denying that the Big Mac is a quintessential fast-food item, sinking my teeth into that smoky, charred Whopper almost transported me to a laid-back summer barbecue.
Admittedly, the Whopper did come with a slightly higher price tag than the Big Mac, costing a few extra dollars. However, as you can likely discern from the side-by-side photo above, it also boasted a significantly greater size. Therefore, in terms of overall value, I didn't perceive a substantial disparity between the two options.