Big King
Burger King’s version of the Big Mac, and not subtle about it: two patties, cheese, lettuce, onion, pickles and a special sauce on a sesame bun. It has come and gone in the US but settled into menus across Europe. Being flame-grilled, it tastes smokier than the burger it imitates.
The story
Burger King has never been shy about aiming directly at the Big Mac, and in 1997 it stopped pretending otherwise and launched the Big King: two patties, a middle bun, shredded lettuce, onions, pickles and a sauce that tastes very familiar. In the United States it has come and gone several times, usually as a limited run. In Europe it settled in and stayed, which is why a burger designed as a swipe at a rival now reads as a normal part of the menu.
What’s inside
Make it at home
There is no copycat of the Big King yet. Until there is, these recipes on the site come closest to it, judged by what goes into the bun.
- Shares beef, cheese and a double stack
Whopper (Copycat) - Shares beef, cheese and a double stack
Big Beef Blopper - Shares beef, cheese and a double stack
The Mr. Smiley Burger - Shares beef, cheese and a double stack
McDonald's Daily Double (Copycat)
The Big King on YouTube
Everyone who has cooked, copied or taste-tested it on camera.
Similar burgers at other chains
Built around the same things as the Big King.- Herfy · beef, cheese and a double stack
SignatureMudabbal Beef Burger - Little Big Burger · beef, cheese and a double stack
Double Down - A&W Restaurants · beef, cheese and a double stack
SignaturePapa Burger - MEATliquor · beef, cheese and a double stack
SignatureDead Hippie
More from Burger King
About Burger King
Burger King started in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, named after a broiler oven that did not really work. Two franchisees in Miami, James McLamore and David Edgerton, fixed the problem with a flame broiler, took over the company, and gave Burger King the one thing that still separates it from McDonald’s: burgers cooked over a flame instead of on a flat griddle.
Around 19,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.
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