Gourmet Burgers Pack Bigger Punch Than Arch Rival

Gourmet Packs Bigger Munch Than Arch Rival

31 January 2007

By Simon Plant

LET'S not mince words. The Big Mac, at McDonald's, is a benchmark burger. A fast food icon.But that does not mean it reigns supreme.

At Macdonald's Gourmet Burgers in Rosebud, Ian Macdonald is pounding out a "Macca's Special" triple the size of a Big Mac, at nearly quadruple the price ($13.50 versus $3.45).Is it worth the investment?

We visited Macdonald's Point Nepean Rd business and the Golden Arches down the road.

Visually, there was no contest. The Macca's Special is a tower of power and packs plenty of flavour under its toasted Baker's Delight bun. There's beetroot, tomato and a runny egg (free range), rindless bacon, caramelised onion and iceberg lettuce.

The Big Mac was paltry by comparison.

The lettuce far from "crisp", the onion anything but "tasty", and the pickle? Almost missing in action.Buns are a matter of taste. The Big Mac takes the soft option.

McDonald's also prides itself on 100 per cent beef. But the patty I sampled was no match for Ian Macdonald's generous slab of quality scotch fillet steak.

It's partnered with a piquant homemade tomato sauce that puts the "world famous Big Mac sauce" to shame.

Macdonald reckons big competitors "will never make the sort of burger I do" because the raw ingredients are costly.

But McDonald's need never worry about feeding customers faster.

Yesterday afternoon, we had a Big Mac in our hands in just under a minute. The Macca's Special took 22 minutes.

Is it worth the money?

Macdonald's burger certainly outshines its competitor in flavour and freshness.

It's a gourmet treat but not everyone wants a meal when they order fast food.Just a bite.

END OF ARTICLE


Ian Macdonald

www.TheFlashDuck.com