# Was there ever a time when McDonald's food was markedly better? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [March 7, 2023, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843 "2023-03-07T18:02:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/101 "2023-03-08T15:27:15Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > Really didn’t understand that - I mean they made a Spicy Chicken sandwich to rival Popeyes… and they just took it away… huh? They introduced a new set of “premium” chicken sandwiches (the BK Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwiches) last fall; this article suggests that they dropped the Ch’King in favor of these, because the Ch’King was more labor-intensive (it was hand-breaded). > **[New Line Of BK Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwiches Set To Debut At Burger King...](https://www.chewboom.com/2022/08/07/new-line-of-bk-royal-crispy-chicken-sandwiches-set-to-debut-at-burger-king-this-month/)** > > Chew Boom has learned that Burger King will replace their current line of Ch’King Sandwiches with a new line of BK Royal Crispy Chicken Sandwiches starting this month. Advertisment Story continues below Initially available as part of .. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/102 "2023-03-08T15:33:35Z")
The hand breaded part probably made it so tasty… oh well, guess BK lost a customer (as I’ve stated above, I can’t stand their burgers aside from the Impossible Whopper). ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/103 "2023-03-08T15:39:35Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > The hand breaded part probably made it so tasty… oh well, guess BK lost a customer It’s a shame, as it seems like it was fairly popular. Generally, if a restaurant chain discontinues an item, it’s for one or more of the following reasons: - Not enough people are buying it to justify keeping it on the menu, especially if it uses one or more ingredients that aren’t used by any other menu item - They aren’t making enough money, per unit, on it at its current price, and raising the price (in order to bring profits in line) is expected to significantly decrease demand - One or more of the ingredients have become difficult to reliably source - It’s operationally difficult or time-consuming to make (which is what it sounds like happened with the Ch’King) ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/104 "2023-03-08T16:01:30Z")
The Quarter Pounder w/Cheese was my favorite McDs burger. In my opinion something did change in the early 2000s. I remember biting into one and saying - this tastes different. It was more peppery like a sausage patty but not a sausage patty. There was just a different taste to it. (It wasn’t because of a kid’s sense of taste, I didn’t have my first McDonald’s burger until I was an adult.) It still has that taste to me. I’ll still eat them on occasion, but it’s no longer my favorite. I’ll usually get the small cheeseburger with a side of McNuggets instead. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/105 "2023-03-08T16:11:46Z")
Yeah the new chicken sandwiches don’t compare. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/106 "2023-03-08T16:29:59Z")
The biggest change I’ve noticed in the taste of all fast food burgers in the last 20 years is that they have cut back on the salt. You have to add it yourself to make them taste like the burgers of the previous century. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/107 "2023-03-08T22:44:13Z")
The Ch’King **was** pretty great. BK also had a burger on a salted pretzel bun that was amazing. I mean, the burger was just their same old patty but the bun was amazing. It was straight up like eating a salted soft pretzel. A good one. Sadly, it only lives in my memories. [![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wUWmWmbCHuE/XZrc8l-r_TI/AAAAAAABH8Y/hPtauTe6G6AmU_1p5uxJdiPHVk4kNUGPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/burger-king-pretzel-bacon-king.png) ](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wUWmWmbCHuE/XZrc8l-r_TI/AAAAAAABH8Y/hPtauTe6G6AmU_1p5uxJdiPHVk4kNUGPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/burger-king-pretzel-bacon-king.png) ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/108 "2023-03-08T23:44:48Z")
I seem to remember, for a while BK had the ingredients for the Whopper in a burrito. Or am I misremembering? I do know I actually liked their chili, which explains why it’s no longer offered. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/109 "2023-03-09T00:18:22Z")
Yes, that was three or four years back? That was a guilty pleasure of mine. There’s no reason I should have liked it, as it’s just the normal patty which I hate, but, for whatever reason I like it. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/110 "2023-03-09T01:15:09Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I mean, the burger was just their same old patty but the bun was amazing. It was straight up like eating a salted soft pretzel. A good one. A place near us makes their roast beef sandwiches on pretzel rolls. Awesome! ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/111 "2023-03-09T01:27:37Z")
I liked th BK hot dogs, actually. They did a good job. Of course they went away. Does anyone remember back when BK was trying to make an “experience” at their restaurants? Might have been the 90s. One thing I remember is they had a movie theater-style popcorn machine in the restaurant. And then they went away from that. I could have bought it cheap, but I didn’t have enough friends. or room. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/112 "2023-03-09T01:31:12Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I liked th BK hot dogs, actually. They did a good job. Of course they went away. I liked them too. When they had hot dogs I always ordered one if I went to BK. They were a good addition to any order. And their tacos were okay. Nothing special, but better than Taco Bell. (I know, that’s a low bar.) ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/113 "2023-03-09T07:35:28Z")
Hey, uh-uh, no way. When you’re high AF a Taco Hell taco just hits the spot. … almost as well as a couple of the “tacos” they sell at Jack In the Box. Those things are an abomination. A greasy, yet somehow tasty abomination. (They don’t have Jack In the Box where I live now … gods do I miss them.) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/114 "2023-03-09T13:36:47Z")
Along with the Fries, the Shakes used to be much better. When I was a kid, they were made with real ice cream. Now they are some type of pre-mix. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/115 "2023-03-09T15:59:02Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Does anyone remember back when BK was trying to make an “experience” at their restaurants? Might have been the 90s. One thing I remember is they had a movie theater-style popcorn machine in the restaurant. I remember that. They had a special dinner menu where you could get a baked potato and salad with your meal. The other gimmick is they would bring the food to your table. [Remembering Burger King Table Service](https://retroist.com/remember-burger-king-table-service/) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/116 "2023-03-09T16:10:33Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Does anyone remember back when BK was trying to make an “experience” at their restaurants? Might have been the 90s. One thing I remember is they had a movie theater-style popcorn machine in the restaurant. Yup; they tried it out in 1992. They would bring your food out to you at your table, had expanded menu options (steak sandwiches, fried shrimp, baked potatoes, and cole slaw), and, as you remember, complimentary popcorn. It turned out to not be successful – while some people liked it, service wound up being too slow for “fast food.” > **[Why Did Burger King Have Sit-Down Service In The 1990s? - The Daily Meal](https://www.thedailymeal.com/1167311/why-did-burger-king-have-sit-down-service-in-the-1990s/)** > > In the 1990s, Burger King offered sit-down service, something no other fast-food restaurant attempted. As it turns out, there was a good reason for that. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/117 "2023-03-09T17:59:45Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Came here to say this exact thing. Consistency works for them. Yep, combined with a truly massive global geographic distribution. I mean, what other chain can you go to virtually anywhere in the US or around the world and _ **know** _ that your Big Mac is going to be the same as it was wherever you’re from? That’s the draw I suspect- few people go to McDonald’s because they weigh the flavors and think “Yes, this is the best, most flavorful fast food option.” Rather they go because it’s a lot easier on that road trip to have McDonald’s because you _know_ what you’re going to get, instead of having to take a chance with whatever local food is available for whatever price, at whatever time you’re eating. Same thing in airports, etc… And… I don’t know about the rest of you, but there are a small handful of foods that I get a craving for/sound really good maybe 1-2 times a year, and that’s it. McDonald’s hamburgers are one of those foods (the others being chili dogs and chicken-fried steak). ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/118 "2023-03-09T18:35:07Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I mean, what other chain can you go to virtually anywhere in the US or around the world and _ **know** _ that your Big Mac is going to be the same as it was wherever you’re from? I would limit that to the US (or within each country). I made the mistake of asking for milk at a McDonalds in Costa Rica and got a cup of hot water and a tea bag filled with powdered milk. And, as noted above, Japanese McDonalds _does_ taste different than US McDonalds. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/119 "2023-03-09T19:21:05Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > I would limit that to the US (or within each country). In the New York market mustard is not a standard condiment on McD’s burgers. The alleged reason is that New Yorkers only use mustard for hot dogs. There may be other regional differences. Those are minor differences though. When I eat McDonald’s food it’s because of the convenience and the consistency. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843/120 "2023-03-09T20:31:18Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Rather they go because it’s a lot easier on that road trip to have McDonald’s because you _know_ what you’re going to get, instead of having to take a chance with whatever local food is available for whatever price, at whatever time you’re eating. When I was living in Carson City the next county over, Churchill, was one of the one with legal brothels. Naturally there was a cluster of four just over the county line and when I read _The Guide to Nevada Brothels_\* one of them, Moonlight Ranch, had the comment, “It’s McDonalds of brothels – fast, cheap, and you know what you’re gonna get.” \*Just for research, mind you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-when-mcdonalds-food-was-markedly-better/980843.md?page=7)