Burger King vs. McDonald’s – Ranking American Chains: The First Entries

Places: McDonald’s, Burger King

Ranking Categories: Classic Fast Food, Burgers

It’s very appropriate that the very first entries on my ranking list are the two powerhouses of the fast food burger industry. Two of the biggest chains in the world (2^nd McDonald’s and 5^th Burger King respectively) and the two american chains that’s best represented here in Denmark where I live. It’s a showdown between brand loyalty, nostalgic affiliation, burger styles, the crown and the clown, the bic mac and the whopper. It’s a showdown of epic proportions. Lord of the Rings epic. It’s conclusion will not doubt divide people almost 50-50. But in the end it’s me making the decision, so you don’t have to. Who will be in 1^st place and who will have to start this ranking off by taking 2^nd place.

Sounds too dramatic? It might be. But I’ll will guarantee you can find loyalists of these two chains that will defend their chain almost to the death. I really enjoy both chains and freqent both almost the same so this will no doubt be a close call.

It’s all about taste

I have to be honest. Like most people I have warm childhood memories of McDonald’s. Burger King is something I discovered later in life, That said I still remember going shopping with my mom in Copenhagen when I was younger and sitting down for a very satisfactory whopper about half way through parading up and down the main shopping street.

I’ve been to both these chains countless times and I have compiled a lifelong mental list of taste impressions. Both good and bad.

I hate to use a BK motto but in the end taste is king. There’s no two ways about it and In my opinion one of these chains is the dominant one in that department.

Burgers, Fries and Shakes

I’ve come to my conclusion based on a recent taste tasting I did for different menu items from each place.

At McDonald’s: Bic Mac, Fries, Strawberry Shake and Homestyle Aioli Burger (speciallity item)

At Burger King: Double Whopper Cheese, Fries, Strawberry Shake, Big King XL (speciallity item)

I’m not gonna go very much into detail about each item or a head to head evaluation. It’s not really necessary because one of these chains dominate the other.

Burger King is just simply better in every category with the exception of the fries. And that’s not because I find the McDonald’s fries better. They’re equally as bad as BK’s. I don’t understand the love for McDonald’s fries but that’s an entire blog post all on it’s own.

The Double Whopper is so much more satisfying than the Bic Mac even though the Bic Mac wins points for it’s uniqueness and the Bic Mac sauce that I really like. But in every other way the Double Whopper is just a better burger. Messier that’s for sure – but better.

The strawberry milkshake is not bad at McDonald’s, the Burger King one is just more delicious. A fresher strawberry flavour and it feels like a real ice cream shake.

I won’t even get into the Homestyle versus the Big King XL ‘caus it’s a giant win for the Big King. McDonald’s efforts to do a more substantial burger with the Homestyle just fails in my opinion. I’d much rather have the Bic Mac or the McDonald’s cheeseburger for that mather.

And speaking of the cheeseburger. I didn’t try the McDonald’s cheeseburger versus the Burger King cheeseburger for this ranking. But from what I remember this is where McDonald’s outshines BK. It’s not enough to change my ranking. I still would have BK on top regardless.

The Verdict

Burger King takes my very first number one spot ahead of McDonald’s. But! And there is a but. McDonald’s still has a chance to surpass BK in this ranking. If BK takes a serious nosedive in terms of quality and McD delivers the goods in new and better ways, the ranking could potentially change. I also reserve the right to give these two powerhouses a new chance in on hometurf in the United States. From what I hear, McDonald’s is far superior to BK in America That’s what I hear but I of course have to put it to the test at some point in the future. So if McD really is better in The States. Of course McD needs to be put ahead of BK. It’s the american version of the chain that reigns supreme in the end.

American Chain Food Ranking: The very first entries

1. Burger King
2. McDonald’s

Hit this link to see the complete ranking and the sub-rankings as well.

Which side do you stand on. BK or McD? Hit me up with your opinion is the commentary below. And what the fuck is up with the love for those overly salty, boring as hell McDonald’s fries?