Have you ever eaten something that left you questioning your choices? That’s exactly how I felt after trying Burger King’s three new Whoppers.
As someone who reviews fast food for a living, my expectations weren’t overly high. I didn’t walk into Burger King expecting gourmet dining. But I did expect something that would be tasty and enjoyable. Instead, what I got was far from that.
Burger King recently launched a new lineup of Whoppers: the Mexican Street Corn Whopper, the Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper, and the Fried Pickle Ranch Whopper.
Each one sounded intriguing on paper, boasting bold flavors and unique toppings. But after tasting them, I found that the execution needed to be improved. Let me break it down for you.
What Makes the Whopper Iconic?
The Whopper is Burger King’s flagship burger, and it’s been around since 1957. It’s known for its flame-grilled beef patty, fresh toppings, and generous size. When done right, a Whopper can be a satisfying meal. But the foundation of any good burger is the patty itself.
Unfortunately, the patties in these new Whoppers felt like they were an afterthought. The texture was dry and spongy, reminiscent of something you’d find in a school cafeteria, with an overwhelming taste of liquid smoke trying to mask the flaws. That’s already a problem, but it didn’t end there.
Let’s dive into the individual Whoppers.
Mexican Street Corn Whopper
This burger promised an exciting combination of flavors: lettuce, tomato, creamy street corn spread, spicy queso, and crunchy tortilla strips. Sounds great, right? I thought so, too.
But here’s the reality: the “creamy street corn spread” was a mildly spiced mayo with no actual corn. The tortilla strips, which should have added crunch, absorbed moisture from the toppings and became soggy. The result? A burger that tasted like salty, wet cardboard.
I was genuinely baffled by how uninspired this Whopper was. The ingredients didn’t come together in a way that worked. If you call something “Mexican Street Corn,” you should include some corn.
Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper
This one sounded like a winner with its Maple Bourbon BBQ sauce, crispy onions, jalapeños, smoky maple candied bacon, and American cheese. Unfortunately, the execution missed the mark.
The sauce was supposed to bring everything together, but my burger needed to be more significant. Every bite without the sauce was painfully dry. Even the toppings, like the jalapeños and crispy onions, couldn’t save it—they turned to mush from the lack of moisture.
The bacon, while decent, lacked the promised maple flavor. Burger King seemed to have good ideas for this burger but didn’t follow through.
Fried Pickle Ranch Whopper
This was the Whopper I was most excited to try. With fried pickles, creamy pickle ranch, crispy bacon, and Swiss cheese, it had the potential to be excellent. Sadly, it was the biggest letdown of all.
When I unwrapped my burger, I discovered it only had half a fried pickle—HALF. When I asked about it, I was told they’d run out of fried pickles and had replaced them with tortilla chips—yes, tortilla chips.
This substitution didn’t work at all. The burger was bland, unbalanced, and ultimately failed to deliver its promise. I couldn’t believe this was something Burger King had put on their menu.
Why These Whoppers Fell Short
Fast food should not be perfect, but it should at least be enjoyable. When spending $8 or more on a burger, you expect it to deliver on flavor and texture. These new Whoppers failed on both fronts.
The main issues were:
- Poor Execution: The toppings weren’t properly portioned or prepared.
- Lack of Quality Control: Running out of critical ingredients and substituting them with random items like tortilla chips shows a lack of planning.
- Dry Patties: The beef patties were dry and lacked flavor, making every bite feel like a chore.
Conclusion
These Whoppers were a massive disappointment as someone who loves trying limited-edition fast food items. Burger King had the right ideas but needed to execute them properly.
Instead of creating something memorable for the right reasons, they’ve managed to stand out for all the wrong ones.
Would I recommend these Whoppers? No. Save your money and go for something else on the menu—or head to another fast-food chain altogether.
FAQs
What are the new Whopper flavors at Burger King?
Burger King’s new Whoppers include the Mexican Street Corn Whopper, Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper, and Fried Pickle Ranch Whopper. Each one features unique toppings meant to add bold flavors.
Are the new Whoppers worth trying?
In my experience, no. While they sound exciting, the execution could be better, with issues like dry patties, soggy toppings, and poorly balanced flavors.
How much do the new Whoppers cost?
The price varies by location but ranges from $7 to $9 for the burger alone.
Can you customize the new Whoppers?
Yes, you can customize them by adding or removing toppings. However, there may be other problems, like the dry patty.
What’s the best alternative to these Whoppers?
If you’re looking for a satisfying fast-food burger, consider McDonald’s fresh beef Quarter Pounders or Wendy’s Dave’s Single.
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