Photo: Carl's Jr.Big Carl
Carl’s Jr.’s shot at the Big Mac, and a pointed one. Two charbroiled patties, two slices of cheese and a special sauce on a sesame bun, with none of the lettuce clutter. The charbroiled beef gives it much more flavour than the burger it is aimed at, which is exactly the argument the chain made when it launched.
The story
Carl’s Jr. launched the Big Carl in 2009 and did not pretend it was anything other than a shot at the Big Mac: two patties, two slices of cheese, a middle bun and special sauce, advertised on being bigger and cheaper than the burger it copied. The twist is the cooking. Where McDonald’s griddles, Carl’s Jr. charbroils over an open flame, so the same shape arrives with grill stripes and smoke — the chain’s standing argument against every flat-top rival.
What’s inside
Make it at home
There is no copycat of the Big Carl yet. Until there is, these recipes on the site come closest to it, judged by what goes into the bun.
- Shares beef, a special sauce and cheese
McDonald's Big Mac (Copycat) - Shares beef, cheese and a double stack
The Mr. Smiley Burger - Shares beef, cheese and a double stack
McDonald's Daily Double (Copycat) - Shares beef, cheese and a double stack
Peter’s Triple Bacon Burger
Similar burgers at other chains
Built around the same things as the Big Carl.- Hesburger · beef, a special sauce, cheese and a double stack
SignatureDouble Burger - Hungry Jack's · beef, a special sauce, cheese and a double stack
SignatureBig Jack - The Food Truck Store · beef, a special sauce, cheese and a double stack
SignatureMartin's - Jack's · beef, a special sauce, cheese and a double stack
Double Cheeseburger
More from Carl's Jr.
About Carl's Jr.
Carl Karcher and his wife Margaret borrowed $311 against their Plymouth in 1941 to buy a hot dog cart in Los Angeles. By 1945 they had a drive-in barbecue restaurant in Anaheim, and the burger chain that grew out of it still cooks its patties over an open charbroiler rather than a flat grill, which gives them the backyard-grill stripes and smoke that define the menu.
More than 1,000 US restaurants and locations in over 20 countries, from Mexico to Japan and Australia.
Not affiliated with Carl's Jr.. Trademarks belong to their owners. The photo is credited under it and is used to illustrate this menu item; it comes down on request.