McDonald’s BBQ Big Tasty
McDonald’s BBQ Big Tasty Review:
Price: £5.69/£7.39/£7.69 subject to variation.
Calories: 771 kcal.
McDonald’s UK have launched a new burger called the BBQ Big Tasty.
The smartest McD’s fans (YES YOU!!) will have known about a Big Tasty variant on the horizon after our tweet on 18/02 and then the full reveal on an episode of the podcast on 27/02.
And if you’ve not listened to our award-winning podcast yet, what are you waiting for…!?
Let’s get one thing straight – I have never been a massive fan of the [original] Big Tasty but I have witnessed some unfair criticism of the BBQ version before a single bite has been taken.
“Boring” or “lazy” seems to be the consistent message and other commentators have said things like “it’s just the Smoky BBQ [dip] sauce”, “it is a BBQ QP with different cheese” and “if it doesn’t have the Big Tasty sauce, is it really a Big Tasty?”
Well… all fairly valid points of view but some of them rather uneducated.
I would say that the two main components that make a Big Tasty are the 3:1 beef patties they use on the burger (I don’t think any other burger at McDonald’s uses this size) and obviously the sauce.
The BBQ Big Tasty does use the aforementioned sized patty AND the sauce is a new one which combines Big Tasty and BBQ sauces.
IMO, this IS a Big Tasty – just a variant.
Speaking of variants, I think this is good for UK customers as it could lead to further iterations.
Excluding the Chicken Big Tasty, this is the first variation we’ve had on what I would arguably say is the most controversial burger amongst McDonald’s fans (I’m excluding the McDLT and/or McAfrika in that statement).
There has been some interesting versions in other countries, such as the Double Big Tasty (common in South America) and Arabian markets had a ‘Spicy’ BT (with jalapeños) and also a ‘Mushroom Melt’ (with mushrooms obviously).
The BBQ BT was first seen on the menu in Germany and Switzerland had a build with a red sauce on – judging by the promotional picture, this was chilli-based.
Denmark featured a ‘Tasty Variations’ LTO which included a BT which appeared to be dressed similar to a QP and although not a burger, Uruguay had ‘Tasty Fries’ – fries topped with BT sauce and bacon bits.
I am going into this review with an open mind – especially with no fresh tomato in sight!
Throw in the crispy onions and the new Big Tasty BBQ Sauce, I truly believe this could be a decent promotional burger.
And yes, (on paper) it does remind me of the old BK Steakhouse.
So after all that… is the BBQ Big Tasty any good and would I recommend it?
Honest opinion is that I didn’t love or hate it – it just felt like something I had to try.
Would I have it again?
At £5.69 for the burger only and with other favourites on the menu I would probably pass.
That’s not saying it is terrible though…
As you can see from the pictures, presentation-wise it is respectable. You’ll never get a promo-picture quality burger but I was happy with this for our quick lunchtime dash out.
I had forgotten how big the Big Tasty is and the box is huge, I just can’t ever see them offering the Double Big Tasty in this country though which is a shame. Now that would be a BIG burger to contend with.
The obvious, “big” talking point is the sauce – I definitely picked up smoky hints of the Big Tasty sauce and that mixes admirably with the BBQ used, it takes it a bit too sweet for my liking.
It almost made me want an original Big Tasty. I said almost.
Personally, I am on the fence with the sauce and I will be interested to hear what others have to say about it.
I was looking forward to the crispy onions and they do help contribute to the flavour profile Development are going for, but unfortunately this is not in the same league as that old BK Steakhouse. Sorry to disappoint.
You could say I was expecting more of a punch from them, but they are there instead to compliment the beef and new sauce.
The cheese is pretty standard and provides some additional lubrication and the bacon is the usual offering.
I know people have very strong opinions of McDonald’s bacon but it doesn’t offend me like it does others.
And no fresh tomato in sight… such joy I had.
If there was one ingredient on the standard menu I think would elevate this burger is a couple of pickle slices. I don’t know why, but I thought that would take it up a level or two.
As of writing, you can customise the BBQ Big Tasty by removing items, but like their other promotional offerings, you are unable to add anything… and this seems to be the norm.
Overall, the BBQ Big Tasty is essentially what it says on the tin – big, smoky, barbecue-y and I am glad to have sampled it, but it is a one and done for me.
We will obviously be discussing it in more depth in the next episode of the BURGER LAD® podcast which is scheduled for 20/03 with the usual pre-episode Instagram livestream.
I really hope that this is not the first and last Big Tasty variation we see in the UK because I think there is potential and scope to expand the range.
What would I want to see?
Well… jalapeños and a spicy sauce would be welcome – similar to the Spicy QP.
Mushrooms? That would be an interesting development – akin to the Burger King Mushroom Swiss.
But… from our experience at McDonald’s Head Office for the My Burger Final (oh those were some glorious days) you ain’t gonna see mushrooms on a UK McD’s build anytime soon.
Go and try the BBQ Big Tasty with an open mind – it’s worth a try if only once. Twice if you like it!
Thank you again to all our amazing readers, followers and listeners – it’s an absolute pleasure to (hopefully) keep you entertained.
Burger Lad®
Website: https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb.html
