OK I have seen that there are a lot of other opinions on Burger King already, but I just couldn't resist having my say. As you will know if you have read my opinion on Gillette Satin Care shave gel (and if you haven't, why haven't you?) I am very hairy. And now I also have to confess that I am fat. (And how did she get herself married you ask? Well that is for another opinion at another time). The reason I am fat is because I am a sucker for fast food, especially fast food of the burger variety and unlike other svelte Burger King eaters I have seen, I am not good at doing things in moderation. And Burger King is especially designed for people like me – after all they do call their number one burger a Whopper! I would hardly call that moderate.
FLEXIBLITY OF MENU Yes, it is true, other fast food outlets have burgers, fries and soft drinks, they have shakes and ice-creams and uncomfortable chairs that they like to bolt to the floor just a bit too far away from the
table (to accommodate the girth they are encouraging you to develop), but Burger King have something special – they have flexibility within their menu and they have friendly staff who don't mind if you ask for something like a Whopper hold the meat (I kind of enjoy saying "hold the…" and pretending for a moment that I am in America). Really they don't, I tried it once when I was briefly vegetarian.
FLAVOUR OF FOOD Also, Burger King seem to have food flavoured food. You know the kind I mean – bread that has texture and a certain breadiness and vegetable matter that is recognisable by flavour alone not because it is the right shape and colour - that other fast food establishments that will remain nameless (McDonalds) seem to lack.
SIZING OF PORTIONS Interestingly Burger King seem to have introduced a new sizing system in their restaurants that I find intriguing, because they have abolished 'small' from their menu. Perhaps because it implied they were not giving you enough food for your pound. Anyway, their menu now begins with 'medium' (which I find endlessly amusing – did I mention I was a bit boring – and if I need to explain why starting a size chart with 'medium' is amusing you are perhaps not boring enough ) proceeds to 'large' and then on to 'super'.
VARIETY OF MENU The menu, although fixed, has a decent amount of variety and offers alternatives for vegetarians (the BK VEGGIE burger sandwich) and people who are concerned about their weight – although not too concerned (the Chicken sandwich has 8g of fat as opposed to the Whopper which has 39g ).
They also have a Breakfast Menu (including croissants with various fillings, hash browns, bacon, eggs, coffee, juice and so on). And a menu of side orders such as salad or jacket potatoes.
Burger King are associated with Coca-Cola, so if you are an avid Pepsi fan you will have no gratification here, but there are other flavoured drinks out there you know – not just cola. Try a shake, they have more calcium.
CHILD FRIENDLINESS Children are also catered for with Junior size versions of burgers and meal offers that include toys either included or for a minimal extra charge. They also offer party options at many outlets (it is best to enquire about these in store) and often have play equipment.
COST An average lunch/dinner for two at Burger King including two meals (sandwiches, fries and soft drink) will cost around £10 although there are usually deals available either in-store or via other promotions (on shopping dockets for example) that can cut the cost even further. I presently have a savings voucher I picked up at Sainsbury's that offers two Whopper meals for £5.
VARIETY WITHIN OUTLETS Not all Burger King outlets have a full menu available as some are designed for even faster service and so have a limited range. Just as an interesting aside Burger King in Australia has been operating for many years now as Hungry Jacks and they serve ice-cream sundaes which I have noticed aren't available in England. On the other hand, Burger King here offers free additional condiments at most outlets - though some charge a minimal fee (mayonnaise, ketchup, barbeque sauce) that are not on offer at Australian outlets. (You be the judge of who is better off).
SMELL Like most fast food outlets Burger King can tend to smell a bit of stale fattiness. Some people notice this more than others as, if you eat at fast food places a lot, you tend to become immune or even begin to like it. I get around the problem by either sitting near a door so I get some fresh air or taking my burgers outside/home. That way I only have to contend with the smell of my burger not everyones.
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL ISSUES Burger King also give the appearance of having a conscience (you never can be sure) and donate food to charity and contribute to environmental causes such as the "Wetlands Restoration Project of Bill Baggs State Park at Cape Florida on Key Biscayne, Florida". I have also noted that Burger King use paper to wrap their sandwiches/burgers. This has been standard practice in Australia at all major fast food outlets for many years so I was surprised to notice that McDonalds are still using Styrofoam here (naughty, naughty).
RECOMMENDATION I would recommend Burger King to people like myself (who don't mind a bit of tummy really, except when clothes shopping), but I would also recommend it to people who don’t mind the occasional fast food snack. The food is good value for money and tasty, you are guaranteed a certain standard at every restaurant (although some do still taste better than others for some reason). They are child friendly (and even adult friendly) and not all of the chairs are bolted down (at most outlets). Burger King is no home cooking substitute, but it really is nice on a Friday evening when you are too tired to look at the kitchen.
SP
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They're faster but don't really stand out much. McDonalds seems to be taking over. I agree, it should only be an occasional treat.
magicloudz 12.12.2003 02:35
I like the way you reviewed this restaurant chain, well done:) -Jon
spidersilk 31.08.2003 14:59
All Burger Kings in Australia have now changed to Hungry Jacks, but it really is the same food anyway. I prefer Hungry Jacks to McDonalds because here they will add extra pickles, mayo and onion for free and the toys are of a much higher quality. Somehow Aussie Maccas get really low quality toys.
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Advantages: Convenient, good food (especially chips), good selection. Disadvantages: Expensive, variable prices. Not good on small things such as packaging, straws etc.
timmyotoole 15.06.2001 (15.06.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Burger King
Advantages: Spacious, uses less packaging than McDonald's Disadvantages: Food doesn't taste as nice as at McDonald's, unpleasant staff, see update at top!
KarenUK 05.05.2001 (04.09.2001)
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Review of Burger King
Advantages: Choice of burgers, very nice food for veggies, Vegetarian Society approved Disadvantages: No special offers, side orders are not veggie approved, longer wait than for non-veggie food
Pumpkin 05.05.2001 ·
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Review of Burger King
Advantages: Great food, wider range of things to eat, tastier food, great desserts, good and clean surroundings Disadvantages: Slightly higher prices, chips not as nice according to some people
craigy_baby_2000 03.02.2001 ·
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Review of Burger King
Apr 23rd, 2003
(Apr 24th, 2003)
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