I Tried Signature Burgers From McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King

Arguably the most iconic fast-food burger, the Big Mac is a staple on McDonald’s menu. Created by owner-operator Jim Delligatti of Pittsburgh in 1967, the first “Big Mac” featured a triple-decker burger and sold for 45 cents, according to McDonald’s.

The burger rolled out across the US in 1968 and quickly became the chain’s signature burger.

Today, an estimated 900 million Big Macs are sold each year around the world.

The Big Mac cost me $8.39, excluding tax, at my local McDonald’s in Brooklyn, New York.

The burger I received was mostly lettuce, which covered up the flavors of the cheese, meat, and sauce. I wanted more of a tangy flavor from ketchup, mustard, or simply more Big Mac sauce.

Named after Wendy’s founder, Dave Thomas, Dave’s Single is Wendy’s signature burger. It is available in multiple sizes, from a single to a triple-stacked burger.

It features one of Wendy’s signature square patties and is the chain’s take on a classic cheeseburger. 

The burger cost me $8.74, excluding tax, at my local Wendy’s in Brooklyn.

It was practically dripping with sauces, which I didn’t necessarily mind. Some of the flavors were slightly masked by the two condiments, but I thought the cheese was tangy and the onions cut through the burger’s sweeter elements.

There was also a generous serving of pickles and a large slice of tomato.

If I had to change one thing, I might remove or ask for a half-serving of mayonnaise.

But I thought it was an overall solid choice for a late-night snack.

Burger King’s signature burger has been around for decades. Released in 1957, just four years after the chain opened, the Whopper was 37 cents compared to Burger King’s original burger, which cost 18 cents.

Whoppers — and all Burger King burgers, for that matter — are flame-grilled, giving their burgers a distinct smoky flavor.

For the sake of this experiment, I decided to order a Whopper with cheese to ensure a fair comparison with the other signature burgers. 

The Whopper cost me $9.18, excluding tax, at my local Burger King in Brooklyn.

Burger King updated the Whopper to include a new premium mayonnaise and a new bun, and now serves it in a clamshell box instead of wrapping it in paper.

The thicker, fluffier bun gave the burger more heft, which held in the generous amount of toppings.

The lettuce, tomatoes, and onions all tasted very fresh, adding a delicious crunch to the burger.

The patties had a smoky, savory flavor that made the burger taste freshly grilled. Their wider, flatter shape also made the sandwich easier to eat than some of the thicker burgers I tried.

The new, creamier mayonnaise had more flavor, without making the burger a soggy mess. Overall, I thought the burger was worth its higher price tag, which surprised me.

Comparing the three signature burgers made me feel like a fast-food Goldilocks: One was too dry, one was too juicy, and this one was just right.