As far as packaging and initial impressions go, they are even.  Both are made quickly and both are packaged nicely with everything contained in the burger.  After the unwrapping, the Buck Double jumped out as a good looking burger.  The sesame seed bun and overall girth of the Buck Double made it look way better than the cheap looking McDouble.   But come on, for $1 it doesn’t have to look especially nice, it has to taste good.

Bite One:  Winner – McDouble
The first bite winner is McDonalds’ McDouble.  It’s a burger that blends together nicely and doesn’t require much work to chew and swallow, meaning it is a burger made to be devoured quickly.  The first bite of the Buck Double was bun and meat, a lot of meat and no toppings.  Sadly, it was too much meat for the first bite.

Bite Two: Winner – Buck Double
From the second bite to the finish the Buck Double took over from a taste perspective.  The meat was delicious with the mustard, pickles, ketchup all tasting like much higher quality ingredients than the McDouble.  The Buck Double also kept it’s heat longer so by the end it was still warm and the McDouble was cold (I even bought the Buck Double first).  The pickles were thicker and fresher, the mustard was delicious with the charbroiled burger patties and the sesame seed bun was enough to make me feel like I was eating a higher quality burger.

Overall Winner:  Buck Double
I’m a fan of McDonalds and will still buy my fair share of McDouble’s but the overall winner for the Buck Double vs. McDouble comparison has to be Burger King’s Buck Double.  It was meatier (like the commercials claim), it was tastier and it was just a better double burger for a buck.

This burger was surprisingly amazing.  I don’t know what it is about throwing a chicken sandwich between a double cheeseburger but the whole thing really worked well.  The texture of the chicken sandwich added some stability to the overall softer burger aspects.  The shredded lettuce and mayo on the chicken sandwich complimented the pickles and ketchup on the double cheeseburger and with all of these things blending with every bite, it was a filling and tasty $2 burger.

Here’s how it works.  Order a double cheeseburger and a spicy chicken sandwich (or McChicken in some areas) from the McDonalds Value Menu.  Open the double cheeseburger and seperate it in half (cheese will be melted so take your time).  After separating the double cheeseburger insert the entire spicy chicken sandwich (the whole thing) right in between and then put the double cheeseburger back together.  You’ve just created a McGangBang (M) and BurgerVoice thinks you’ll love it!

Now the real fun starts.  Carl’s Jr has decided that if McDonalds wants to compete with them, than Carl’s Jr. wants to compete with McDonalds.  And thus was born, the Big Carl (pictured to the right).  I’ll be eating this for lunch today and will share my opinions but this article in the LA Times pretty much nailed everything I’m expecting.  The most quotable aspect in this battle is by Dan Coudreaut, McDonalds Executive Chef.   “The Big Mac is the Big Mac,” Coudreaut said, calling the burger “an iconic product.” As for the bigness gap between Big Mac and Big Carl, “I don’t know if bigger is always better,” he said. “You have to find a balance.”

Let the battle rage on! Read the Official Big Carl vs Big Mac Review here

McDonalds Deluxe Angus Burger Meal

Well, I finally had my first McDonalds Angus Burger and it was the Deluxe Burger Meal.  I had high hopes for this new burger menu at McDonalds but I found myself disappointed and not excited to try the others.  Here’s the deal, I think McDonalds has great intentions but lacks the ability to deliver because of their training, employees and culture.  The burger wasn’t prepared with care and the ingredients, although fresh, were a mixture of great and “classic McDonalds” which made it hard to justify 4xing the price of a McDouble or Double Cheeseburger.

The burger itself had a less than appropriate bun which was “fancy” but dry.  All the toppings (lettuce, onions etc.) were fresh and good and the patty itself looked good but what really surprised me was that they used the exact same cheese as they do with any of their cheeseburgers which means, when you take a bite you experience fresh toppings, different bun BUT the same McDonalds cheese you taste with everything else.  I didn’t know whether to like it or not.  I’m used to a cheap cheeseburger when I taste classic McDonalds cheese but not when I know I’ve just purchased a fancy burger.  Even the Big Mac doesn’t have that same cheese taste.

Overall it wasn’t a good experience and I’ll stick to the dollar menu or the Big Mac at McDonalds.  I figured it would be hard for McDonalds to make a move into the “fancy” burger business but I was at least hoping they’d make a better effort.  Granted, I haven’t tried the other two Angus burgers but I’m not excited based on my Deluxe burger experience.  My opinion, enjoy the classic McDonalds taste with something other than the new Deluxe Angus burger….at least the fries were good.

McDonalds Offers 3 New Angus Burgers

In their press release and some of the follow up articles (my favorite is here) McDonalds spokes persons are suggesting that the fast-casual dining experience offered by Five Guys and others typically costs much more than the $4-$5 Angus burger offerings being rolled out by McDonalds.  I’ve never considered McDonalds in the same league as Five Guys (or visa versa) but maybe it’s time to re-evaluate what McDonalds Angus Burgers really mean.

Here’s the breakdown:

Deluxe with Pickles & Tomatoes
Bacon and Cheddar
Mushroom and Swiss

If I want a good burger like a Bacon and Cheddar or a Mushroom and Swiss, I currently think of Carls Jr. but maybe these new offerings will change my mind.  Goodbye Six Dollar Burger and hello Four Dollar Burger?  Only time will tell.

In-N-Out Hamburger

Well it’s official.  Zagat has just announced that In-N-Out is the best Fast Food Burger.  Based on a study done with 6100 diners, Zagat has listed the 2009 Fast Food Best Burger as the In-N-Out burger.  With their attention to quality and their limited and calculated restaurant locations and the fact that they have such a loyal and vocal following (with t-shirts, hats and happy customers) I’m sure it was a well deserving fast food restaurant.  The top 5 “Best Fastfood Burgers” were:

1. In-N-Out Burger
2. Wendy’s
3. Burger King
4. McDonald’s
5. Whataburger

With locations in California, Nevada and Utah, it’s kind of exciting to see a western states only chain with the coveted Fast Food award.  Perhaps this is a great opportunity to mention that In-N-Out is also coming to American Fork, Utah soon:)  McDonalds was given the “best fries” award with In-N-Out coming in at third.

View the complete listings here.